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In the history of R&B, there are legends, and then there is “Uncle Charlie” Wilson. His trajectory is one of the most remarkable stories of resilience and creative rebirth in American music. While many of his peers from the funk era saw their careers plateau as the decades shifted, Charlie Wilson successfully staged a second act that didn’t just sustain his relevance—it amplified it. Emerging from the formidable shadow of The Gap Band’s multi-platinum legacy, he transformed himself into the definitive voice of the Adult Contemporary R&B era. He is the rare artist who can claim a seat at the table with both the architects of 70s funk and the superstars of 21st-century hip-hop, serving as a vital bridge between the groove-heavy past and the sleek, melodic present. Charlie Wilson’s solo discography is characterized by a “joyous soul” aesthetic. Whether he is navigating the intricate, sample-heavy production of the 2000s or the polished, organic arrangements of the 2020s, his voice remains an immutable force—a rich, gospel-trained baritone that possesses an ageless quality. He has become the “standard” for vocal stamina, consistently topping the charts and selling out arenas well into his fifth decade in the spotlight. To listen to a Charlie Wilson record is to hear a masterclass in vocal arrangement, charisma, and the enduring power of the R&B tradition. Presented in chronological order, we have looked back through his solo journey to identify the tracks that defined his evolution. Here are the Top 10 best Charlie Wilson solo songs. “Without You” Album: Bridging the Gap (2000) After years of navigating the industry, “Without You” signaled the formal arrival of Charlie Wilson as a solo powerhouse. The track captured a smooth, early-2000s R&B vibe that allowed his veteran vocals to mesh with the contemporary sound of the time. It was a clear indication that his voice was as resilient and relevant as ever. “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” Album: Charlie, Last Name Wilson (2005) Produced by R. Kelly, this track served as a re-introduction to the world. It’s a quintessential mid-tempo groove that cleverly played on his name and status, instantly becoming a signature song. The record successfully introduced “Uncle Charlie” to a younger generation while giving his long-time fans exactly what they wanted: a smooth, sophisticated, and undeniably catchy R&B hit. “There Goes My Baby” Album: Uncle Charlie (2009) This song is a masterclass in modern soul. “There Goes My Baby” became a massive #1 hit on the Urban AC charts, largely because of its timeless feel. Co-written by Babyface, the track is a celebratory, mid-tempo anthem that captures the feeling of being in love. It’s a staple in his live sets and arguably one of the most successful R&B records of its decade. “You Are” Album: Just Charlie (2010) If there is one song that defines Charlie Wilson’s solo career for many, it’s “You Are.” This heartfelt ballad showcases his incredible vocal range and his ability to convey deep emotion. The song spent 13 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Adult R&B chart, cementing his status as the king of Adult Contemporary R&B. It’s a powerful, piano-led record that has become a wedding classic. “My Love Is All I Have” Album: Love, Charlie (2013) By the time Love, Charlie arrived, Wilson had mastered the formula for soulful, uplifting R&B. “My Love Is All I Have” features a bright, infectious production that highlights his vocal clarity. The song is a testament to his enduring positivity and his ability to craft a melody that feels both fresh and nostalgic. “Goodnight Kisses” Album: Forever Charlie (2015) “Goodnight Kisses” is a smooth, doo-wop-inspired record that pays homage to the classic vocal groups of the past. It’s a charming, mid-tempo track that highlights the “sweet” side of his baritone. The song’s simplicity is its strength, allowing the melody and his vocal performance to take center stage. “I’m Blessed” (feat. T.I.) Album: In It to Win It (2017) Charlie Wilson has always been adept at collaborating with younger artists to keep his sound current. “I’m Blessed” is an uplifting, high-energy track that blends R&B with a touch of gospel and hip-hop. The collaboration with T.I. helped the song reach a wider audience, proving that Uncle Charlie could still dominate the charts and the airwaves well into his fourth decade in the game. “One I Got” Album: Non-Album Single (2020) Even in recent years, Charlie Wilson has continued to churn out hits. “One I Got” features a modern, sleek production that sees him leaning into a contemporary R&B pocket. The song was a major success at R&B radio, proving that his voice remains one of the most reliable and beloved instruments in the genre. “Superman” Album: Non-Album Single (2023) One of his most recent offerings, “Superman” is a mid-tempo groove that deals with the themes of strength and devotion. The track showcases his signature vocal layering and his ability to deliver a hook that sticks with you. It’s a polished, modern soul record that shows Uncle Charlie isn’t slowing down anytime soon. “Keep Me In Love” Album: Non-Album Single (2025) Released in July 2025, “Keep Me In Love” became Wilson’s record-breaking 11th #1 hit on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. The track is a “heartwarming anthem” that radiates positivity, blending his signature feel-good sound with modern production. It served as the lead single for his Uncle Charlie’s R&B Cookout Tour, reaffirming his role as a consistent leader in the genre. Honorable Mentions: “Realize” (You Turn My Life Around, 1992) “Can’t Live Without You” (Uncle Charlie, 2009) “Magic” (Charlie, Last Name Wilson, 2005) “Life of the Party” (Just Charlie, 2010) “If I Believe” (Love, Charlie, 2013) “Touched By An Angel” (Forever Charlie, 2015) “Chills” (In It to Win It, 2017) “Forever Valentine” (2020) “No Stoppin’ Us” (feat. Babyface, K-Ci & Johnny Gill) (2022) Charlie Wilson’s solo career is a masterclass in longevity and artistic evolution. From his signature mid-tempo grooves to his soaring ballads, Uncle Charlie remains one of the most essential voices in R&B history.

Heartbroken Jimmy Kimmel has announced the death of his childhood friend and Jimmy Kimmel Live! bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III. Writing on Instagram, Kimmel shared: ‘Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III.’ ‘To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old,’ the late night host said in a statement. ‘The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true,’ Kimmel added. ‘Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.’ Escobeda’s death Tuesday aged, 59, explains the reason why Kimmel abruptly canceled his show last Thursday.Kimmel was reportedly seen at a hospital after missing that show, exchanging emotional hugs outside a Los Angeles hospital, with his long-time friend’s father Cleto Escobedo Jr., a musician in his house band Cleto and the Cletones, outside a hospital in Los Angeles on November 6. Read More

A medical professional is backing up Wendy Williams’ claims that she’s not cognitively impaired, and fans of the former talk show host are rejoicing.  The former talk show host reportedly does not have frontotemporal dementia, the medical condition a judge has used to justify keeping her in a guardianship for more than 3 years. According to reports from TMZ, sources with direct knowledge told the outlet that a top neurologist concluded she does not have the disorder that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Williams recently completed a battery of tests in NYC, which reportedly led to the neurologist concluding she does not have frontotemporal dementia. These findings conflict with an earlier test where she tested positive for the condition, according to Wendy’s guardian. The outlet spoke to multiple experts about frontotemporal dementia, who all said that the condition never gets better, only worse. Williams’ legal team is preparing to file legal documents with the court in the next 2 weeks, which will pave the way for a hearing where they will ask the judge to terminate her guardianship. If the judge refuses to end the guardianship, lawyer Joe Tacopina will then demand a jury trial to ask jurors to free Wendy. The National Radio Hall of Famer has been speaking out against her guardianship for years now, insisting she’s far from cognitively impaired. Back in January, Wendy called into The Breakfast Club with her niece, Alex Finnie, saying she was unable to leave her current location due to her being under conservatorship. “I am not cognitively impaired. But I feel like I am in prison,” Williams said about her current situation. “I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s. There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor.” Her niece added that the facility where Wendy is staying is highly secured and that her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has full control over her communications. “This system is broken,” Wendy went on to say at the time. “What they’re doing to me is emotional abuse.” The post Wendy Williams’ Neurologist Denies Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis, Fans Say She Should Be ‘Freed’ From Conservatorship appeared first on Bossip.

When the government turned its back on hungry families, Black farmers stepped up. Not only that, but celebs like SZA are also working to feed families after the abrupt pause in federal food aid that millions rely on to eat. According to Capital B News, Black owned farms like Deep Roots CPS Farm in Charlotte, North Carolina, have been giving away free produce and doubling food credits while the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program remains caught in federal gridlock. Capital B News reports that the funding freeze, triggered by the October 1 government shutdown, left about one in eight Americans uncertain when or if their benefits would arrive. SNAP serves roughly 41 million people nationwide, many of them Black families, single parents, and seniors on fixed incomes. Capital B reports that a court ruling briefly ordered the administration to use contingency funds, but partial payments covering only 65 percent of benefits were released. In Capital B, the Center for American Progress, that shortfall jeopardized not just households but also the small retailers, corner stores, and markets that depend on SNAP redemptions to stay open. “We have always been rooted in the community,” said Cherie Jzar, who runs Deep Roots CPS Farm with her family. “We will never stop doing that, no matter if SNAP is paused or continues to go on.” Her words echo far beyond Charlotte’s Historic West End. According to Capital B News, in Oakland, Mississippi, a Black owned nonprofit grocer is boxing and delivering food to elders and children who have gone weeks without aid.  Across the country, grassroots organizers are making sure no one goes hungry while the nation’s wealthiest lawmakers debate budgets. In Capital B, Jzar and her family are offering free produce to seniors hit hardest by the funding freeze.  “The ones that are most vulnerable are our seniors who are on fixed incomes,” Jzar said. “They don’t have the means to adjust their budgets because of high food prices at times. And so what do we just do? Turn our backs to them?” Programs like Double Up Bucks, operated through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Food Policy Council, are stretching dollars further. According to Capital B, shoppers using EBT cards can double their spending power at local farmers markets, spend forty dollars, get forty more, keeping the community fed and local growers paid. Capital B News adds that members of the Congressional Black Caucus condemned the administration’s partial payments, calling them “reckless and illegal inaction” that “simply isn’t sufficient to keep food on the tables of American families.” SZA, Tyler Perry & Keith Lee Work To Feed Families In addition to the farmers, several celebs are stepping in to make sure families don’t go hungry, including SZA, Keith Lee, and Tyler Perry. In Los Angeles, SZA teamed up with beloved restaurant Jon & Vinny’s through her NOT Charity initiative to provide 1,400 free meals to residents relying on SNAP. From November 11–17, the restaurant’s Slauson location will distribute 100 dinners for two each day, offering much-needed relief amid the chaos. Jon & Vinny’s praised SZA for “inspiring all of us to be there for our neighbors,” as the SOS singer continues to use her influence to nourish the community and uplift others. Meanwhile, viral TikTok food critic Keith Lee launched his own nationwide effort to feed families, with some saying he’s “doing more than the President” for the American people. “It’s the holidays coming up… I want brands to comment that are willing to give away meals with me,” Lee told his 17 million followers. “I refuse to take any money. I don’t want money.” Lee, who’s been open about once relying on SNAP to feed his family, received an overwhelming response from the business community. Within days, more than 40 major brands, including DoorDash, Cracker Barrel, Top Golf, and Impossible Foods, along with 60 small businesses, signed on to partner with him. In a follow-up video, he said, “I’m coming to say thank you from the bottom of my heart because I’m honored to be part of this in any capacity,” adding that participating small businesses would be paid for their meals instead of being asked to donate. And in Atlanta, Tyler Perry has pledged nearly $1.5 million to help fill the gap left by stalled federal funding. As previously reported, his donations will support organizations like the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Baby2Baby, Caring for Others, All for Lunch, the Ron Clark Academy, and Goodr, which focuses on distributing fresh produce to families in need. The post Self-Sustainability: SZA, Black Farmers & Others Keep Working To SNAP Save The Day When The Feds Won’t appeared first on Bossip.

Last week, not one, but two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to use the government’s contingency funds to continue the funding of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the ongoing government shutdown, ruling against the White House’s previous claim that those funds couldn’t be used for SNAP. Days later, the administration that hates poor people and loves convincing other poor people to hate poor people revealed its plan to send partial payments this month to the roughly 42 million Americans who receive food stamps, brazenly defying the judges’ rulings. From the New York Times: But the roughly one in eight families that receive SNAP may still be at risk of imminent hunger and financial hardship. The Trump administration opted against using its full stable of available funds — totaling into the billions of dollars — to sustain the nation’s largest anti-hunger program in full this month. As a result, eligible households may receive only half as much in benefits compared with their usual amounts, officials said. It also remained unclear when food stamp recipients would actually receive their aid. The Trump administration had previously warned that it could take weeks to provision benefits on a partial basis, further underscoring the consequences of its budgetary decision on Monday. So, basically, two separate judges ruled that the federal government must keep paying SNAP recipients their full benefits, and here’s live footage of how the government responded. In fact, according to a sworn statement from a US Department of Agriculture official that was submitted in federal court, $4.65 billion of the contingency fund will “be obligated to cover 50% of eligible households’ current allotments” for November, which means SNAP recipients will only receive half of what they are owed. Not only that, but USDA official Patrick Penn told CNN that because partial payments will require states to reprogram their systems to adjust for the reduced allotments, SNAP recipients in some states may not see their November benefits for weeks or even months. “Given the variation among state systems, some of which are decades old, it is unclear how many States will complete the changes in an automated manner with minimal disruption versus manual overrides or computations that could lead to payment errors and significant delays,” Penn said. Nah — don’t be out here blaming state systems because the federal government, under President Donald Trump, is so janky and ghetto that it’s about to owe its citizens back payments for food assistance. Actually, CNN noted that “states stopped the process of issuing benefits for November after the USDA sent them a letter on October 10 ordering them to do so” because “it does not have the funds to pay November’s assistance amid the federal government shutdown, which began October 1.” So, states had already stopped the payments, but then two judges ordered the government to proceed with those payments in full, and now the government is essentially telling those states, “Here’s half, and you can tell your lower-income people that now is a good time to take up fasting.” It’s no wonder the Trump administration has been so desperate to blame the shutdown on Democrats. This is just a shameful, embarrassing way to run a government. While Republican officials and right-wing media are doing their best to demonize people who lack food security, the MAGA-fied government seems to be content with letting them starve. Sad. SEE ALSO: What Happens If SNAP Stops? What You Should Know And Do To Protect Yourself Judges Rule Trump Administration Must Continue To Fund SNAP 25 States Sue Trump Administration Over SNAP Benefits Restaurants In Several Major Cities Offering Free Food To People Losing SNAP Racist Newsmax Host Says SNAP Recipients Use Benefits To ‘Get Their Weaves’ And Nails Done If SNAP Benefits Get Cut Off, White Grievance Will Eat Itself When The Government Starves Us: How SNAP Cuts Target Black Survival

COVID-era subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance have been a hot-button issue in recent months. So much so that the entire federal government is shut down over the GOP’s refusal to extend them. Senate Democrats have argued that without the subsidies, millions will become uninsured in the upcoming year due to being priced out. The open enrollment period for ACA insurance began over the weekend, and the price increases have driven home exactly why the subsidies are necessary. According to Politico, the price increases aren’t uniform from state to state. While premiums have increased 101% in Colorado, it’s even worse in New Jersey, where that rate has increased by over 175%. The sad part is, this isn’t surprising news. There have been several reports this year detailing what would happen if the GOP allowed the subsidies to expire, and yet they still let it happen, despite Republican voters making up a large portion of those who rely on ACA insurance. From Politico: Residents of the 30 states that use the federally run HealthCare.gov will see an average 26 percent premium rise in 2026 for an average ACA plan, according to the analysis. Residents of the 20 states with their own exchanges will see an average 17 percent hike. These numbers include everyone on the exchanges. However, that figure doesn’t reflect what a person who gets a subsidy might pay. “There is what the insurance company charges but since nine out of 10 [ACA customers] get a subsidy they don’t pay that,” Cynthia Cox, vice president and director of KFF’s ACA program, said in an interview. “They pay a certain amount of their income.” Without the enhanced subsidies, ACA customers will pay a lot more out of pocket. KFF estimates that customers on HealthCare.gov and in state-run exchanges will see their monthly out-of-pocket premium payments increase by 114 percent on average.  Even if the GOP manages to come around on extending the subsidies, it’s unclear how soon they could be implemented in the current open enrollment period, if they could even be implemented at all. If someone signed up for a more expensive plan, would the subsidies be retroactively applied? It’s almost like they should’ve just extended the subsidies ahead of time. Of course, that’d be too much like doing the right thing, and we all know the modern GOP is allergic to that concept. ABC News spoke to several people who are facing being uninsured as a result of the expiring ACA subsidies. Beth Dryer, a Virginia resident, told ABC that she knew her ACA plan would likely have a price increase, but she was shocked by how much. Her $80 monthly premium increased to $425. “I thought maybe it would double, but this is more than quadrupled in cost for me,” Dryer said. “So it’s just straight out — there’s no way I would be able to afford this next year.” “The Republicans aren’t going to budge on the tax credits, and they’re happy to watch people die. I mean, that’s essentially what it is,” Dryer added. “You cut these tax credits, people are dying. People are already dying because they don’t have quality health care. People are already dying because they have food insecurity.” Stacy Cox, a photographer in Utah, told ABC News that she and her husband were paying $495 for coverage this year. She received a letter in the mail informing her that if she stayed on that plan, her monthly premium would skyrocket to $2,168.68. “It’s devastating because we can’t afford that. Just that bill right there, that’s more than our mortgage, our insurance, most of our food,” Cox said. “This will devastate us if we tried to pay it.” I get my insurance through the ACA and filled out my application this weekend when open enrollment opened. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my current plan because my provider is no longer offering insurance in Arizona. The ACA marketplace still showed me what a comparable plan would cost, and my monthly premium went from $40 to $400. While yes, I’m making a bit more money now than I was last year, I’m still not at what I would call the “straight balling” threshold, so that’s out of the question. In addition to the price increases, the site also feels less useful. I can’t pay what my current plan has increased to, but there are plans somewhat more in my price range (somewhat is doing a lot of work here, y’all). I have asthma, and my priority is largely on keeping my inhaler prescriptions reasonable. Instead of organizing the plan list by the medications I’ve input, I have to go through plan after plan to find the intersection of what I can afford and what covers my medications. I’ve used the ACA for insurance for several years, and I don’t recall it ever being this much work to find a workable plan. What’s truly baffling is that Trump ran on keeping prices low, yet every move made by the GOP, from tariffs, the big, beautiful bill, and now ACA subsidies, is increasing prices for people across the board. They’ve exacerbated the cost-of-living crisis to such an extent that even despite their best efforts to gerrymander the midterms, they may wind up pushing people to vote Blue. SEE ALSO: Affordable Care Act Insurance Could Be 75% More Expensive Next Year Rising Health Insurance Premiums And Expiring Subsidies Demand Action

Unbeknownst to many, one of Beyoncé’s biggest hits owes its existence to a little nudge from her head honcho, Blue Ivy—another managerial moment of genius we’re all thankful for. Beyoncé’s hit song “BROWN SKIN GIRL” became a fan favorite when it was released in 2019 as part of The Lion King soundtrack, earning a Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 2021. The massive tune was also historic for the legendary singer’s eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, who received a writing credit for the track, making her the second youngest person ever to win a Grammy. Interestingly, Blue was the reason the song made it onto the album in the first place, as Beyoncé wasn’t initially keen on it, according to a new interview with Warner Records President of A&R, Steve Carless. On the latest episode of One of One: A PLLRS Podcast, released on Oct. 31, the Grammy Award-winning executive shared with host Reginald Calixte some behind-the-scenes details of his iconic role at the label, including how Blue Ivy helped convince Beyoncé to embrace the now-legendary song “BROWN SKIN GIRL.” Carless explained that while Beyoncé was working on The Lion King: The Gift album in 2019, he was tasked with pitching songs for inclusion. When he submitted the demo version of “BROWN SKIN GIRL” — made by SAINt JHN and producer P2J — he was certain that Beyoncé would approve the track for the album, but he was surprised when she flat-out rejected it during a listening session. Despite this, Carless continued to play it for her at the insistence of her longtime A&R, Mariel Gomerez, who thought the song was “fire,” but Bey made it abundantly clear that it was a hard pass. “We keep playing the song, keep playing the song, and she’s like, ‘No, that’s not it. Stop playing me that sh*t,’” he recalled. According to Carless, Beyoncé is always respectful; however, he noted that she “holds court” when it comes to her creative vision. He was certain she wouldn’t budge, but he didn’t give up just yet. Three weeks later, in a meeting with the Renaissance hitmaker, Disney executives, Jay-Z, and others involved in the soundtrack, Carless decided to play the song one last time, admittedly nervous as they were getting close to the deadline. That’s when Blue Ivy stepped in to save the day. “Blue Ivy’s in the meeting. She starts singing the hook: ‘Your skin’s just like pearls. The best thing in the world,’” Carless told Reginald Calixte. “Now, [Beyoncé’s] like, ‘Play it again.’ Now, we’re in the room for 15 minutes listening to this song,” He added. “She’s like, ‘Alright, I like it. I’ll take it. It’s going to be the single.’” Blue Ivy put her manager hat on and saved the day. Imagine what The Lion King: The Gift soundtrack would have been without this special song? Watch Steve Carless’s full interview on the One of One: A PLLRS Podcast below. RELATED: Creative Arts Emmys 2025: Beyoncé, Kendrick, Obama & ‘SNL’ Shine The post Manager Knows Best! Here’s Why We Can Thank Beyoncé’s Head Honcho Blue Ivy For ‘Brown Skin Girl’ appeared first on Bossip.

This year marked the fifth anniversaries of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and 280 other Black people who died at the hands of police. Worldwide protests and nationwide promises seemed to signal a shift — if not for real change, at least more awareness around these stories. But between the Trump administration’s renewed attack on anyone not white and male and fewer Black journalists in consistently shrinking newsrooms, there’s been noticeably less coverage around violence against Black people. And that isn’t due to a decrease in these cases. In fact, since 2020, the number of Black people killed by police has increased. In 2024, that number was 341, according to Mapping Police Violence. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Trymaine Lee said in an interview that this speaks to “the precarity of our existence.” “What’s insane is that from George Floyd’s very public murder, we saw an organized movement worldwide that we’ve never seen before in the name of Black life,” Lee said. “The number has continued to rise, but the coverage has been diminished. We are still at the whims of the media powers, right? So we’re being there more people and more Black people being killed by police, but the coverage is lower, because they’ve decided that that’s not the story that matters, right? That’s not the one that matters. They’ve tired of it. They’re fatigued of it, and now with this administration in particular, they don’t have to.” This speaks directly to Lee’s debut book, A Thousand Ways To Die, which was released Sept 9. In it, he breaks down the generational cost gun violence has had on Black people in America. The foundation of the book was inspired by Kevin Johnson, who was shot and paralyzed at 19 during a robbery attempt for his Allen Iverson Jersey. Lee was an intern covering the case for the Philadelphia Daily News back then. For more than 20 years, Lee has spent his career covering stories of gun violence against Black people, including Trayvon Martin. The cost of his work came to a head after he suffered from a serious heart attack that made him face his own mortality. “It forced me to consider my own mortality, but also to widen the aperture on what violence actually is and the broad ripples of violence, and how we’re all touched by them in different ways,” Lee said. As much as this is a book about gun violence, Lee said this is also a book about journalism. The author used old newspaper articles and Census data to give context of what societal conditions were when his grandfather, Horace, was gunned down. Throughout history, Black journalists and activists have been pivotal in ensuring stories of racist acts are brought to the forefront. That can be a heavy burden to bear, Lee said. “We already have these pressures of this capitalist society that’s built to exploit us and exploit the labor, and what happens when that exploitation of labor comes when we’re telling our stories,” he asked. “It’s about Black journalists and how we approach the craft and how we satisfy delivering the stories for an audience, while also grappling with the pain that our people experience and that we experience, and then having to engage with the white gatekeepers who are in control of telling these stories through the media and helping define us?” So far in 2025, 205 Black people have been killed by police in the United States. Within the past year, there have been several cases of suspected lynchings, with Delta State University student Trey Reed’s death being the latest. Through A Thousand Ways To Die, Lee said he wants readers to understand how we got here instead of blaming the Black community on the violence it experiences. “Let’s point to it and name the source of it, because without naming the source, society will have us thinking that we’re the problem, that there’s something innately wrong or violent about us, and so we’ll own in a way that isn’t healthy or true or honest,” Lee said. “Ain’t nothing wrong with us. Let’s look at the machinery built around us.” Taryn Finley is an award-winning journalist, host, and producer based in Brooklyn, specializing in storytelling that intersects race, culture, and identity. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Taryn’s career spans over a decade of impactful work, writing for HuffPost, Refinery29, Essence, and The New York Times. She also hosted HuffPost’s podcast I Know That’s Right and co-hosted MadameNoire’s digital series Listen to Black Women. SEE ALSO: Another Ferguson Voice Silenced: Dorian Johnson’s Death Raises Painful Questions [Op-Ed] Police Kill Black People, Congress Couldn’t Care Less

In today’s episode of Everybody Haaaaaates ICE (you were supposed to read that in the tune of Everybody Hates Chris), the ongoing situation in Chicago — where Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents keep running wild like rabid dogs off their leashes, and residents keep responding by, well, not having it at all — seems to be getting worse as clashes intensify between agents, protesters and, often, people who were just trying to get to work or school. As we’ve noted previously, while the Trump administration has claimed repeatedly that its immigration crackdown is about ridding America of the worst kinds of “criminal illegal aliens,” we’re not seeing evidence that hardened criminals represent the bulk of who is being accosted by agents, arrested, and disappeared to who knows where. Instead, immigration officers seem to be going after any and everyone who they think looks wrong, and subsequently arresting workers and people raising families, who may or may not have all their paperwork in order, and they seem to be dumbfounded by the lack of support they’re getting from the community, including the protesters they seem to be attacking first and vilifying as agitators later. For example, according to the Chicago Sun-Times,  a Halloween costume parade for children that was supposed to take place on a usually quiet residential block has been canceled because just hours before it was scheduled to begin, tear gas had been deployed by agents moved to detain Luis Villegas, a construction worker who agents chased down the 3700 block of North Kildare Avenue and tackled on a lawn. It was reportedly the first of two incidents in the same area where agents deployed tear gas, purportedly to defend themselves against enraged bystanders who took issue with ICE agents behaving more like criminals than the “criminal illegal aliens” they claim to be arresting. From the Sun-Times: Ald. Ruth Cruz (30th) called the two uses of tear gas in her ward “unprovoked and deeply troubling attacks on our communities.” She said Villegas has been in the United States since he was 4 years old. The Department of Homeland Security said he had been accused and arrested — not convicted — of assault. “This is home for him,” Cruz told the Sun-Times Sunday. “He has built his education, his family and his life here in Chicago.” Brian Kolp, a former prosecutor with the Cook County state’s attorney’s office and counsel for the city of Chicago who once defended Chicago police officers in lawsuits, was watching news about a temporary restraining order issued against federal agents when agents pursuing Villegas subdued and detained him on Kolp’s front lawn. Kolp was barefoot and wearing Blackhawks pajama pants as he stepped from his front door to yell “Nazi” and “Gestapo” at the agents who dragged Villegas to a vehicle. Kolp said the agents pulled his 70-year-old neighbor out of his vehicle and slammed him to the ground as he arrived home. He saw another person on a bicycle also get detained. Of course, the Department of Homeland Security is claiming agents were “boxed in by agitators,” a claim the department has made about previous incidents, only for witnesses and video footage to contradict the narrative. “These weren’t activists, these weren’t paid protesters, these were literally my neighbors coming out of their homes at 10 o’clock in the morning because they saw lawless agents acting in violent ways,” Kolp said, claiming the people officers deployed tear gas on were mostly neighbors who had stepped out of their homes to film and shout at agents. “There are only so many ways we can hold these folks accountable. If the courts can’t do it, Congress can’t do it, then it’s up to the community to do it.” Erin Sarris, a resident who has lived in the neighborhood for eight years, said she was on her way to the Halloween parade with her two 8-year-old daughters and 6-year-old son when she saw the cloud of tear gas from down the street. “It’s impossible to explain the concept of this to school-age kids like that and make them feel OK about it, because it’s not OK,” Sarris said. “It shatters their worldview of what’s right, fair, and appropriate in witnessing this.” Again, this was only the first incident involving ICE agents seemingly ignoring a federal judge’s previous order limiting their use of tear gas near schools and residential areas. More from the Sun-Times: Less than a mile away and around the same time Saturday, at Roscoe Street and Harding Avenue, federal agents again deployed tear gas as residents shouted at them. Two of Cruz’s staffers were hit by the tear gas as they responded, though she said they had recovered and were “more eager than ever to ask what more they can do to protect their communities.” She said her staffers witnessed a woman thrown to the ground by agents, but they said no one was detained. “Seeing it in person really emphasized there’s nothing calculated or organized about it,” one resident who witnessed the tear-gas deployment said of the ICE agents’ tactics. “It’s obvious what they’re doing is just evil.” These clashes between citizens and border cops are not limited to Chicago, of course. In large cities across the country, video footage of federal agents swarming citizens and non-citizens alike as angry onlookers heckle them and, sometimes, get themselves personally involved is being shared across social media on a daily basis. Recently, rumors have been swirling, especially in the world of right-wing media — including bootlicking op-ed writers who believe the “thin blue line” is something that needs to be protected — that the Chicago Police Department has been ordering its officers not to respond to calls about ICE agents needing their help while under attack by protesters. And while the CPD has denied these allegations, honestly, could you blame the department if it were true? After all, we’re talking about a city where officials had already made it explicitly clear that federal officers

President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that he underwent an MRI and a cognitive test during his “secondary” physical at Walter Reed earlier this year, and like every other medical examination he has told the public about, he claimed the results were “perfect” and proceeded to talk as if doctors confirmed he’s some kind of living, breathing medical miracle, the likes of which the world hasn’t seen in. In fact, Trump’s cognitive test turned out so great, he is now suggesting Congress’ most prominent women of color, Reps Jasmine Crockett and  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, should also be tested — as if they’re the ones who think windmills cause cancer, Lysol is an injectable COVID cure, boat batteries cause shock attacks and that President Joe Biden was in charge of the FBI on Jan. 6, when Trump was still president. Also, Crockett and AOC aren’t the ones who seem unsure on whether to rule in or rule out the clearly unconstitutional idea of a president running for a third term. Actually, let’s talk about that first. According to the Guardian, Trump was on Air Force One while traveling from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Tokyo, Japan, when he told reporters he would rule out running for the vice-presidency in 2028, so whoever actually ran for president could drop out and make him president again, which many of his supporters have floated around as idea for their MAGA messiah to weasel his way into a third term in 2028. “I’d be allowed to do that,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t do that. I think it’s too cute. Yeah, I would rule that out because it’s too cute. I think the people wouldn’t like that … It’s not – it wouldn’t be right.” First of all, “I’d be allowed to do that,” followed up immediately by, “I wouldn’t do that,” doesn’t sound like a man with “perfect” cognitive abilities, but it does sound like a guy who would declare that he’s “not a dictator” in the same rant during which he mused that many Americans would “rather have a dictator.” Also, “too cute”? Nah, it would be “too cute” if Trump’s stubby, little baby hands were on an actual baby. Nothing would be cute about Trump ordering one of his loyal stooges to run for president and make him their running mate just so they can win and drop out, in order to keep the guy who’s totally not a dictator in power without being democratically elected. But at least Trump has ruled out serving a third term altogether, right? Or has he? From the Guardian: Referring to the possibility of a third term, however, Trump said: “I would love to do it. I have my best numbers ever.” When pressed by a reporter whether he was not ruling out a third term, he said: “Am I not ruling it out? I mean you’ll have to tell me.” He added: “All I can tell you is that we have a great group of people, which they [the Democrats] don’t.” No, no — the man who is asking reporters to tell him whether or not he has ruled out the completely illegal act of serving for a third term definitely sounds like he aced any test on how well his mind works. So, let’s get back to that. “I got an MRI, it was perfect,” Trump told reporters during that same flight to Japan, according to the Hill. “Nobody has ever given you reports like I gave you, and if I didn’t think it was going to be good, either, I would let you know negatively,” he continued. “I wouldn’t run, I’d do something. But the doctors said some of the best reports for the age, some of the best reports they’ve ever seen.” I mean, the man can’t even string together coherent sentences while boasting about how coherent he is. Now, Trump could have just stopped there, and we all could have rolled our eyes and moved on like we usually do, but he hadn’t even said anything racist or misogynistic yet, or hit his political opponents with unprovoked insults, which brings us back to Crockett and AOC. “You give her an IQ test. Have her pass, like, the exams that I decided to take when I was at Walter Reed,” Trump said, referring to Ocasio-Cortez. “I took — those are very hard — they’re really aptitude tests, I guess, in a certain way.” “The first couple of questions are easy. A tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know. When you get up to about five or six, and then when you get up to 10 and 20 and 25, they couldn’t come close to answering any of those questions,” he added. As I wrote previously, “Don’t get me wrong, Trump pivots to personal insults on everyone who he’s up against, but there are certain insults — typically the ones that involve intelligence or gender-related bodily functions — he reserves for women, and, more specifically, Black women and women of color.” I wrote that when the guy who thinks “groceries” is a brand new word because he, apparently, just discovered it this year was calling Kamala Harris “dumb as a rock.” Again, nobody asked Trump about Crockett, Ocasio-Cortez, or literally any of the Democrats in Congress, who clearly live rent-free in Trump’s head, despite his claims that the Democratic Party is essentially over. It’s almost as if no time is an inappropriate time for Trump to relay the unsolicited information that his own insecurity as a white, fragile, and aggressively mediocre male causes him to hate accomplished, intelligent, and far more articulate Black and brown women uncontrollably. You kinda have to admit, though, that it’s often difficult to tell if Trump is truly declining cognitively, or if he’s the same delusional idiot he has always been. Because as much as it does seem that his elevator is permanently stuck on the non-existent 13th floor, it’s his usual refusal to accept reality that has him

In a recent Zoom meeting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, members of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus reminded him of one major obstacle in the ongoing congressional redistricting war between Democrats and Republicans: Black politicians unwilling to sacrifice their power and Black political power collectively for an alleged greater good. This should have long been foreseen by Jeffries and other Democratic leaders, but it is never surprising for Democrats, even the Black ones, to ignore the concerns of Black folks often until it’s damn near too late – and the same goes for the mainstream press corps that covers them. For months now, in addition to efforts led by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Jeffries has reportedly joined other national Democratic officials in pushing legislative leaders in the states of Illinois, Virginia, and Maryland to proceed with plans to redraw their maps to counter efforts in GOP-controlled states like Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri. However, select members of those caucuses were said to have expressed serious reservations, if not flat-out declarations of refusal to sign on, rooted in the belief that the Democratic Party’s plans to block the GOP gerrymandering their way to total seizure of Congress would disproportionally harm Black lawmakers by dismantling their districts. Then came the public warning to Jeffries from state Senator Willie Preston, chair of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus, who told a reporter the caucus won’t back any map that dilutes the Black vote in any historically Black district. “We’re going to fight back,” Preston said. “We just won’t do so at the expense of our own power.” Preston is running to replace Democratic Congresswoman Robin Kelly, who is running for Senate, in one of those districts. It’s not hard to understand why Preston would be pressed about the potential chance of him going to Congress being eradicated for the benefit of some politician who will likely not bear the same shade as him or the majority of his potential constituents. On Monday morning, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries traveled to Illinois to meet with state Democratic lawmakers to urge them to consider a mid-decade redistricting, all the same. While protecting Black representation is absolutely a legitimate concern, true power requires strategic sacrifice, and in the long term, real investment in states across the South. As former Attorney General Eric Holder, who has worked with former President Barack Obama on nonpartisan map-drawing efforts in recent years, explained to the Washington Post recently, “We’re doing things that kind of go against what we talked about [because] we have to preserve our democracy if ultimately we’re going to heal it.” Still, there is a real reason to worry about what the Democrats’ plans mean for Black political power writ large. Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner warned in August that if both parties engage in partisan redistricting battles, “Black Americans—split between 23 Republican-controlled states (44-45% of the Black population) and 15 Democratic ones (30%)—will see their collective political power diluted.” The looming Supreme Court case, Louisiana v. Callais,  where Supreme Court Justice John Roberts may finally achieve his decades-long crusade to kill the Voting Rights Act, only compounds these fears, as Democrats would be in danger of losing around a dozen majority-minority districts across the South. But that ruling won’t affect the next midterms, and if Democrats retake the House, they can fight whatever terrible decision SCOTUS issues. I question the logic of refusing to relinquish any power when that refusal renders your entire party powerless for a generation. What good is a safe seat in a permanent minority? Furthermore, when it comes to the dilution of Black political power in the South, much as we can blame the GOP for gerrymandering, voter suppression efforts of every variety, and so on, we can also fault the Democrats for not even bothering to do much with the huge Black populations existing within the South. For decades at that! Have writers like me for years not complained about why the Democratic Party hasn’t invested in Black candidates in statewide races in places like Mississippi and North Carolina? Have the candidates themselves, such as former Louisiana Senate candidate and activist Gary Chambers, not pointed out the flawed strategy of ignoring Black voters in the South? Just recently, Chambers told Joy Reid: “There are a million Black folks in Mississippi — you only need 480,000 to show up to flip the state, which $25 million could accomplish.”’ “If Greg Abbott can spend $90 million on one county in Texas,” he argued, “Democrats can’t keep saying the South isn’t worth it.” He is right to argue to Democrats, “If you’re not investing in Louisiana and Mississippi after all the losses everywhere else, you’re not serious about winning.” I’m still old enough to remember a Democratic governor of Texas, and I strongly believe we can bolster Black political power by investing in states where Black people live and are moving to. Given the direction of the next census and the maps that will be drawn thereafter in the coming years, this is the surest survivalist strategy for Democrats anyway. As for what power that might be lost in the meantime, I suspect much of this is rooted in individual politicians and their fears of losing their personal political power, or, if nothing else, having to work a whole lot harder for it. Most politicians of all parties enjoy gerrymandering because it makes it easier for them, and while such luxuries aren’t often afforded to Black people, I couldn’t care less about any Black politician ultimately pressed about their power at the expense of everyone else’s. It’s OK for members of the CBC who have had cushy seats for decades that have largely gone unchallenged to work a bit harder. I don’t have a lot of faith in the charms of Hakeem Jeffries to convince those in doubt about all this, but for all the many-many-many-many political stances I disagree with him on, redistricting isn’t it. This is a one-time opportunity to

Here’s a question — a series of questions, actually: Are white men OK? Is the white supremacy in the air just extra thick this Halloween? Has the current administration made the Gestapo look cool again? It’s almost 2026 — what’s with all the self-proclaimed Nazis? Last Thursday night, a white man showed up to an off-campus bar near the University of Georgia in Athens dressed in full Nazi regalia, and now he’s been arrested for striking a female student in the face with a beer mug after being confronted by patrons who did not want the Nazi cosplayer entering the bar. It simply can’t be emphasized more that 33-year-old Kenneth Leland Morgan — who, according to NBC News, was first identified by the victim, 23-year-old UGA student Grace Lang— didn’t just show up outside Cutters Pub in plain clothes, waving a swastika flag and drunkenly shouting out “Heil Hitler” like a normal 21st-century Nazi. Nah, this guy came out in a full, seemingly authentic Nazi officer’s uniform, looking like he came straight from the set of Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds.” Where does one even get a real Nazi uniform in 2025? Either there’s some kind of “Third Reichs ‘R’ Us” store open in Georgia, or somebody’s grandpa who somehow escaped the Nuremberg trials after World War II needs to check their closet to see what’s missing. What does seem to be perfectly clear is that Morgan was out with the sole intention of pissing people off by wearing his white supremacist bigotry literally right on his sleeve. From NBC: Lang said she knows of Morgan through a friend of a friend and that he is known in her circles and around town. Lang said two of her friends, one of whom is Jewish, first confronted the man. “She was mainly just telling him he needed to leave and needed to go home,” Lang said. Video of the encounter shows the man walking around with a beer mug and swinging it at a woman, seemingly striking her in the face as she goes down.Lang said she got hit by the beer mug after trying to grab the man’s swastika armband. “He was just feeling very proud of himself for what he was wearing,” said Lang, who said she got four stitches for cuts to her face. If you listen closely, you can already hear the sounds of millions of basement-dwelling, incellustrious, Nazi-loving MAGA bros tapping away at their keyboards to say the Nazi acted in self-defense and the woman deserved to get hit for reaching for his swastika-clad arm. Considering the fact that even top members of the Trump administration have shown that they will stretch themselves into noose knots to justify the activities of white supremacists and then complain about being called white supremacists, we shouldn’t be surprised if Morgan is the next white guy over 30 to have Vice President JD Vance claiming he was just doing “what kids do.“ Anyway, according to Athens-Clarke County jail records, Morgan was arrested early Friday and booked on suspicion of two misdemeanor counts of simple battery and one felony count of aggravated assault. It’s unclear if he has a lawyer. In a statement, UGA accused Morgan of “heinous antisemitic behavior,” NBC reported. “We are horrified by the actions of an individual who, while in downtown Athens wearing a Nazi uniform, assaulted a female University of Georgia student,” the statement read. “The man is not a student and is not affiliated with the University. His actions, which were caught on videotape, are appalling, and we are grateful to Athens-Clarke County police officers for swiftly apprehending and arresting him.” It’s a shame. American white supremacy inspired Germany’s Nazi movement, and now America clearly has a Nazi problem it just doesn’t want to confront head-on. Sad. SEE ALSO: ‘What Up, My Nazi?’ Is Fox News Mimicking Black Reclamation Professor Posts Blackface Photo And Keeps Her Job  

What began as a routine discussion over how to spend a $30,000 student engagement budget quickly turned into a sobering look at fear, mistrust, and the limits of safety in Washington, D.C., schools. At a recent meeting of the D.C. State Board of Education’s Committee on Student Experience and Engagement, the conversation veered sharply when students described feeling anxious about the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) near school grounds. Students told the board that seeing ICE agents near their schools makes them panic, even when they’re not the target. They described the presence of law enforcement as a constant source of anxiety. One student representative said that “a majority of the emojis students created expressed negative emotions. Students feel upset, concerned, or unsafe when ICE is around our schools.” The comment struck a nerve. Committee chair Eric Goulet said the reaction was “not surprising,” warning that the presence of masked federal agents “erodes trust” between students and institutions. He cited reports of ICE detaining parents near Bancroft Elementary as particularly alarming. Those fears aren’t unfounded. In March 2025, federal agents attempted to detain a health-care worker at H.D. Cooke Elementary School while students were arriving. The agents left only after administrators demanded a warrant. Earlier this year, parents and daycare staff in Northwest D.C. reported unmarked SUVs and plain-clothes officers outside bilingual childcare centers, sparking panic among immigrant families. While D.C. has recently shown modest progress on attendance — its in-seat rate climbed to 87.4% last school year, and chronic absenteeism dropped to 36.9%— more than 1 in 4 students across the district still miss significant class time. Nationally, studies show that immigration enforcement can drive attendance even lower. In districts hit by ICE raids, daily absences spiked by about 22%, with the sharpest increases among elementary-age students. Research from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Learning Policy Institute confirms that heightened immigration enforcement correlates with chronic absenteeism, school withdrawals, and declines in academic performance. In other words, the panic students describe in D.C. isn’t isolated; it’s part of a measurable, nationwide chilling effect that turns fear into lost learning. Some neighborhoods have even organized “walking school buses,” community escorts to help children travel safely to class after witnessing federal agents detain a parent in front of students. Educators say the heightened enforcement has already begun affecting attendance and the sense of security inside classrooms, according to WTOP News. “The way to make students feel safer is to build trust,” Goulet said. “Actions like these do the opposite.” Across the country, similar stories are unfolding in immigrant communities where schools are meant to be sanctuaries but often feel like extensions of law enforcement. In D.C., where foreign-born residents make up nearly 14% of the population, students say the presence of ICE near schools fuels anxiety. Studies suggest that enforcement near schools can reduce attendance, especially among Latino students. The ICE discussion overshadowed what was supposed to be a planning session about student engagement and safety initiatives. The committee, working with a $30,000 budget, had been debating how to increase student participation in civic events, from listening sessions to a possible citywide student summit in March. Only three students had shown up to the previous town hall, despite 18 signing up, a turnout that underscored how mistrust and fatigue are already eroding civic involvement. The attendance failure is evidence of the deeper emotional disengagement created by fear and disillusionment. It’s not just that students are afraid of ICE; it’s that the system built to hear them is operating on a shoestring and struggling to get them in the room. Student Representative Kayla Chamberlin suggested offering community service hours as an incentive to draw more young people in. Others proposed smaller ward-based meetings, partnerships with youth groups, and translation services for families who don’t speak English. “We’d hit the whole city,” said Ward 8 Representative Lajoy Johnson, arguing for events in every ward. But beneath the logistics and policy talk was a more existential question: how do schools protect students from fear when the threat isn’t inside the classroom but waiting just beyond its doors? The conversation expanded to youth curfews and law enforcement visibility—issues that carry similar undertones of mistrust. “We don’t want young people encountering the criminal justice system just for returning from a school event,” Goulet said. By the meeting’s end, members had pledged to translate student feedback into tangible action to ensure that safety planning addresses not just physical threats but emotional ones. “It’s about making sure what students say doesn’t just get heard and it gets acted on,” said Rep. Dinkins. For D.C. students, that action can’t come soon enough. The challenge now facing the city, and districts nationwide, is proving that safety and belonging can’t be legislated into existence; they have to be built. Zoe Cummings is a senior honors journalism major, Spanish minor at Howard University, covering HBCU news, politics, and culture. You can follow her on Instagram @zoesxphia. Grant Roundtree is a senior journalism major, political science minor at Howard University. He is interested in stories about culture, sports, politics, and issues affecting local communities. He can be reached on Instagram at @grantroundtree. SEE ALSO: Ethiopian Immigrants Live With Fear, Anxiety In Washington Howard Students Hustle To Stay Enrolled After Federal Aid Cap

Boris Kodjoe may be eternally fine, but his experiences as a visibly Black biracial child were anything but. In a sit-down on the Pivot podcast, the actor opened up about his difficult upbringing in Germany. In response to a question about what his experience was like being raised by his white mother in a predominantly white country, Kodjoe gave a vulnerable and honest answer. “There’s ignorance and misinformation and fear,” he said. “Because that’s really where it comes from. I was faced with racism and bullies every single day growing up in Germany because I was different. Kids reaching out grabbing my hair, rubbing your skin to see if it’s real, asking if we live on trees in Africa. Just the most ignorant, dumb things based on, again, misinformation and fear.” He continued, “On top of it, my mother’s white. My father’s from Ghana. But my dad left when I was between three and four years old. So, it was just my mom and me and my brother. So, I always felt different and you know when you’re a child, all you want is to be just like everybody else. You want to belong. You want to fit in. And without my father there, it made it so much harder because I didn’t have anybody to relate to. I didn’t have somebody to protect me. I didn’t have somebody to explain to me what this was. I think my mother did an extremely admirable job in putting a sense of pride and a sense of confidence in us.” He also chatted about how he felt when his father abandoned their family and how it shaped his approach to both manhood and parenting. “When I was in first grade, in maybe kindergarten, they tell you to paint a picture of what you want to be when you get old and become an adult,” he said. “Everybody wanted to be firefighters and athletes, I wrote down I wanted to be a father. So, that was my goal. I didn’t have one present and I knew what it felt like to be disappointed and to feel abandoned.” He continued, “When my father left, he told me ‘take care of your mother and your brother’, I was five years old and I took that to heart. And it f***ed me up for 30 years because I thought if I do a good job, he’ll come back. And he never came back. So, I thought, ‘oh, this is my fault, I didn’t do a good job.’ I carried that with me for a long time. So, all of that had a huge impact on me as a father because I knew how important it was to be present for the kids at all time and I wanted them to feel safe. I wanted them to feel loved. I wanted them to feel validated. I wanted them to feel empowered. Thankfully, we got a second chance with my dad because my daughter had these issues and he was a doctor. My mother called him and the next day he showed up to my house in LA. Kodjoe went on to say that though he hadn’t seen his father since the day he left their family, that he would spend the final 10 years of his life making up for the lost time and forging a relationship with his and Nicole Ari Parker’s children. Watch the touching episode below: The post ‘Rubbing Your Skin To See If It’s Real’: Boris Kodjoe Talks Dealing With Racism As A Child In Germany appeared first on Bossip.

Summer Walker hopped on 360 with Speedy and gave us the real, raw, and slightly petty tea we’ve all been waiting for. The R&B songstress sat down with host Speedy Morman for Complex’s long-form interview series and didn’t hold back about her infamous situationship with BMF actor Lil Meech, her viral pose and why she’s done being a “ride or die.” Fans know about the “it’s my cousin” debacle that had social media in shambles and birthed one of the most memeable breakup poses of all time. Now, Summer’s speaking out about her relationship with the actor. When Speedy brought up love and loyalty, Summer got straight to the point. “You just look dumb,” she laughed, keeping it as transparent as ever. Fans immediately recognized the callback to her viral breakup moment, when she caught Meech allegedly cheating and later hit Instagram with that body language that screamed, “I’m good off this.” The clip from the new interview spread like wildfire on social media, especially after being reposted by @Glock_Topickz on X, where fans praised her for the ultimate glow-up moment. Check out the post here: In the Complex convo, the “Girls Need Love” singer reflected on how she used to bend over backward in the name of being a “ride or die.” Now? She’s retired from that role. “I was trying to be solid for people who weren’t solid for me,” she admitted. Check out the viral clip below: That one line hit home for every woman who’s ever had to learn that lesson the hard way. Summer also let her humor shine through, joking about her new outlook on relationships. In another viral Instagram reel, she said she’s over men altogether and just wants “peace, quiet, and a good meal.”The clip had fans in the comments saying, “Sis, we felt that in our soul.” Summer also addressed her viral red carpet pose. She quotes one of her favorite movies, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, starring Will Ferrell. One of the legendary lines is Ferrell’s character saying, “I don’t know what to do with my hands,” when posing during his win. Walker attributes it to being “awkward” and not knowing what to do with her body during red carpet moments. Beyond the headlines, Summer’s growth is undeniable. From cleaning houses and working fast food to headlining tours and topping R&B charts, she’s living proof that healing and hustling can coexist. Whether she’s making hit records or making us laugh through heartbreak, Summer Walker remains that girl. She’s unfiltered, unbothered, and unfazed. Catch the full interview and all the hilarious gems on Complex’s 360 with Speedy here. RELATED: Chris Brown Takes Down Summer Walker In Las Vegas Breezy Bowl Shenanigans The post Summer Walker Gets Real About Catching Lil Meech Creepin’, That Viral Pose & Why She’s Done Being ‘Ride or Die’ appeared first on Bossip.

Another weekend of mass actions in the books, but the momentum behind the second No Kings Day continues through cross-issue organizing and everyday workers lifting up their voices and taking action. With the increasing concern over rising health care costs and cuts to necessary programs, SEIU member home care workers like Athena Jones and Phyllis Pride see an opportunity beyond one-off days of action. Speaking with NewsOne, Jones called the issues affecting home care workers central to the provision of care itself and impact many families and communities who could lose access to care, food, and dignity. As an example, she pointed to a proposed federal rule that would allow people to be reclassified as “companions” so they could be paid lower wages, in some cases, less than $7.25 an hour. “The fight for democracy lives in our hands, the same hands that bathe, clean, feed, and care for those who cannot care for themselves or who choose to live at home with dignity,” Jones said. “As home care providers, we do the work that keeps this country standing, yet our labor is often invisible. No one should survive on less than a living wage.” Jones said that while she did not participate in a local gathering, she carried the spirit of the day of action with her as she knocked on doors for Abigail Spanberger, a candidate for Virginia governor. She said that people cannot sit by and allow self-proclaimed kings to take power without repercussions. “Protecting workers, preventing authoritarian overreach, and demanding rights for all are achieved through collective bargaining for home care providers and all workers,” Jones said. “Every knock I make, every conversation I have, is a stand against unchecked power. Care work is political, and each vote is a declaration that compassion, labor, and community matter more than kings or rulers who refuse to listen.” A Homecare Chapter Chair with SEIU Virginia 512, Jones reflected on the historical importance of Black labor organizing, calling it “political and transformative.” “Labor organizing has always been a critical tool for Black communities to claim dignity, voice, and power. Historically, unions were not just about wages,” she said. “They were about who gets heard, who gets to vote, and who gets to live with dignity.” According to Jones, care work becomes political action through deep organizing and advocacy. Given the central nature of care to our economy and communities, it is a major aspect of having a representative democracy. “Organizing care workers ensures protections, fair wages, and the political voice that safeguards communities,” she said. “Democracy is impossible if those who sustain it cannot live with dignity.” Michigan home health worker Phyllis Pride echoed similar sentiments about the innate nature of political advocacy in care work. “Healthcare workers —especially home care workers — are advocates through and through,” she said. “We not only fight for the rights of other caregivers, but for the people we care for, too.” Pride said that much of the work of home care workers involves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The very tenets of democracy are built into their charge. Organizing with Michigan Home Care Workers United and SEIU has helped Pride expand her advocacy and elevate her voice further. “I’ve spoken to elected leaders at the federal and state levels on behalf of all Michigan caregivers and the people we care for to show just how important long-term care is in our communities,” she said.  “Caregivers have to speak up every chance we get. If we don’t, who will?” She also pointed to the necessity for collective action and building power, citing as a recent source of inspiration the over 32,000 Michigan home care workers who voted to unionize, joining the SEIU ranks. Nationally, home health workers are overwhelmingly Black and other women of color and often have low wages and no benefits. Under the leadership of President April Verritt, SEIU has positioned itself as a visible leader within the national coalition fighting at the intersection of democracy and economic justice. With the need for home health caregivers expected to grow within the next 10 years, cuts to funding programs, including Medicaid and Medicare, could impact the services offered to those in need. The cuts enacted earlier this summer through the Trump administration’s OBBBA legislation are estimated to have disastrous impacts on those relying on care and the providers who serve them. Jones and Pride share that these issues aren’t simply policy issues or a matter of politics, but directly impact racial and economic justice. Whether they are fighting for better wages and conditions for home health care workers or advocating for funding and resources for long-term care, Jones and Pride see the current moment as requiring a transformation of systems to respect workers, families, and communities. “We honor this work by advancing democracy, not crowning kings, and by demanding a system that respects our labor,” Jones said. “I am inspired by thousands of care workers who organize, fight for a living wage, share their stories, and speak truth to power. Together, we transform individual care into collective strength.” SEE ALSO:  Chicago Mayor Evokes Black History In ‘General Strike’ Call At No Kings 2.0 The Silence Of The Gavel: Why The Fight For Section 2 Of The Voting Rights Act Is The Fight For Our Republic 

Journalist Joy Reid is crying foul after the Department of Homeland Security used an allegedly altered social media sketch to seemingly make it look like a threat to federal immigration agents. The content creator whose footage was used is also speaking out and considering his legal options after DHS’ post allegedly sparked harassment and even death threats. Homeland Security’s post issued a warning to the TikTok creator and others to “FAFO” or “f*** around and find out” if they planned on attacking law enforcement. Viral Video Sparks Outrage According to Baller Alert, the Department of Homeland Security’s official X account initially shared a clip of a Black man wearing a ski mask and standing in front of a group of young Black men. The background appears to show a basketball court with pavement markings and fencing. The caption on the DHS post read, “ICE we’re on the way. Word in the streets cartels put a $50K bounty on y’all.” The alarming message spread quickly, leading viewers to believe the group was threatening Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, social media users later uncovered that the clip was not new and that its caption had been changed. Side-by-side comparisons revealed the DHS version appeared to be altered and AI-enhanced, and the unedited clip, filmed months earlier as part of a “U.S. vs. Iran” TikTok trend, contained no references to ICE or law enforcement. In the original version, the background also appears to show a paved walkway with street lights and a city skyline—a completely different location from the basketball court shown in the alleged DHS edit. The Creator Speaks Out The man in the video has since been identified as TikTok user @mrfloridajhit, who says he had nothing to do with the caption DHS attached to the post. He told followers that his account was hacked and that he never uploaded or approved the version federal officials shared. On Instagram, he wrote, “I did not post that video or the caption on that video. My account was hacked… I have no clue how they were able to get that video.” Allegedly, the previous post was the one below. The creator told followers that the other men in the clip were simply friends participating in a TikTok trend. None of them knew the footage would later be used out of context or paired with a false caption. Joy Reid Speaks Out, Blasts DHS For Alleged AI Video Joy-Ann Reid also called out the Department of Homeland Security for the post, describing it as an alarming example of how technology and anti-Black bias can intersect in dangerous ways. “They essentially used this man’s video to create a fake threat against ICE from young Black men,” Reid said in a TikTok video. “They’ve weaponized antiblackness—they’ve weaponized a lie that these federal agents are being threatened and that there’s a bounty on their heads.” Reid also pointed to the irony of the timing, noting that the Trump administration has faced widespread criticism for its handling of immigration raids and viral clips showing families detained or separated. “These people are out of control, and yet they want you to believe that the real threat is young Black men,” she continued. “If your government can steal your content to weaponize a falsity against Americans, threatening their lives, what else could they do using your social media?” Takeaway: Be Careful On the Internet  It is unnecessary for the government to use a video of young men to weaponize fear. Government platforms should be used to uplift and inform. ICE should be composed of trained individuals who act accordingly in person, not to an online video—unless addressing verified entities. The Trump administration already describes its tactics as “the Department of War.” There are plenty of people who disagree with how ICE has handled recent matters, from Los Angeles to Chicago. Regardless, people have the right to free speech. That said, whoever is running the government account and engaging in fear-mongering should be fired or redirected, because leadership should do just that: lead. In situations like these, all negativity does is add to the continued distrust in the current administration. The post Joy Reid & Content Creator Speak Out After DHS Uses Allegedly Altered Video To Portray ICE Threat appeared first on Bossip.

Sean “Diddy” Combs isn’t backing down, and is officially appealing his conviction after being found guilty on two prostitution-related charges this summer. This news comes amid conflicting reports that the White House could commute his sentence as early as this week. According to ABC News, Diddy’s legal team filed a notice of appeal in New York’s Federal District Court this week. His lawyer, Alexandra Shapiro, confirmed the move but didn’t outline the grounds of the appeal just yet. The 55-year-old music icon has already spent a year behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. While his sentence totals 50 months, he’s hoping his next move could cut that time down significantly. Diddy’s defense has long argued that the charges, which include “transportation for the purposes of prostitution,” shouldn’t even apply to him. At sentencing, he reportedly broke down in tears, apologizing for “the hurt that I caused” but standing firm that his mistakes don’t define who he is today. Meanwhile, social media was buzzing after TMZ reported that Trump was considering commuting Diddy’s sentence, but the White House quickly shut those rumors down. Officials clarified that there’s “no truth” to claims of a pending commutation. But, TMZ immediately pushed back in an update to their reporting, claiming that their story about the commuting rumors was true. “The White House Communications Office is saying our story is not true, TMZ wrote. ” We stand by our story. Our story is accurate.” This also comes amid one of the attorneys on Combs’ defense team previously revealing that they approached Trump’s administration for a pardon. “It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon,” Nicole Westmoreland, a member of Combs’ defense team, told CNN on Tuesday, Aug. 5. When she was asked how the Bad Boy founder feels about his chances for a pardon, Westmoreland told the outlet that Diddy “is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful.” Trump Previously Spoke On The Possibility Of Pardoning Diddy As previously reported, Trump, himself, hasn’t been shy about addressing their past relationship, noting that he took issue with how “hostile” Diddy was to him during his Presidential bid. “Well, he was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent,” Trump said to NewsMax. “I don’t know what they do, still in jail or something. But he was celebrating a victory, but I guess it wasn’t as good of a victory.” “We’re human beings. We don’t like to have things cloud our judgment, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine and then you run for office and he made some terrible statements,” he continued. “So, I don’t know. It’s more difficult. Makes it more, I’m being honest, makes it more difficult to do.” RELATED: Here’s What Happened When Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Was Sentenced To More Than 4 Years In Prison The post Diddy’s Team To Appeal Conviction & Prison Sentence Amid The White House Denying Trump Commutation Claims appeared first on Bossip.

Blac Chyna can’t keep her composure while talking about the possibility of rekindling her relationship with ex Rob Kardashian. After sparking reconciliation rumors last week, the model—who now goes by her birth name, Angela White— was asked about the status of her relationship with the former reality star during an appearance at the Los Angeles Women’s Expo on Saturday, October 18. While talking about wanting to have more children, Chyna admitted that she would rather welcome more kids with Kardashian than her other ex, Tyga, in a video obtained by TMZ. Chyna and Kardashian are parents to daughter Dream, 8, while she and Tyga share 13-year-old son King Cairo. When asked point-blank whether she and Kardashian are back together, the model giggled and took some time to think before explaining that they are both “healing” and “communicating.” “We’re just going with the flow,” she said. “And if it’s God’s [will] then it will be something.” The model went on to gush that Kardashian is “hilarious,” adding, “We’re just taking our time. I’m excited…He’s my person. I just gotta work on myself, and he’s gotta work on himself.” This comes after Chyna first sparked reconciliation rumors last week, uploading a series of photos to Instagram along with the caption, “This love is forever .” She tagged Rob in the caption, who “liked” the post. While a source revealed to Page Six at the time that the exes were not back together, it looks like they’re doing their best to make it happen. Rob and Chyna got engaged in 2016 after a rollercoaster romance, but their relationship ended shortly after, in 2017. In the years since their split, the former couple has had their fair share of drama, with Chyna suing Rob’s mother, Kris Jenner, and his sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner for defamation. At the height of their breakup in 2017, things got even worse, with Kardashian exposing naked pictures of his ex, causing Chyna to enlist powerhouse lawyer Lisa Bloom for a “revenge porn” lawsuit. That same year, Rob claimed Blac Chyna attempted to choke him with an iPhone charger during an intense fight last at sister Kylie Jenner’s house. The reality star and his sister filed a lawsuit against Rob’s ex-fiancé for battery, assault and vandalism. Things between the former couple have been quiet over the last few years–until now. If you need to catch up on their history amid their suspected rekindling, check out a timeline of their relationship here. The post Angela ‘Blac Chyna’ White Gushes Over ‘My Person’ Rob Kardashian Amid Reconciliation Rumors: ‘We’re Just Going With The Flow’ appeared first on Bossip.

Political experts and fans alike believe, Democratic Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani emerged victorious from his first NYC mayoral debate on Oct. 16. Facing off against former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican politician Curtis Sliwa, Zohran Mamdani appeared confident and composed as he tackled a wide range of issues, from policing New York City and addressing the mental health crisis to unveiling an ambitious plan to tax the wealthy to make the city more affordable for millions. “Well, really, what happened is you had Zohran Mamdani going into this as the clear frontrunner in nearly every poll that we have seen since his upset Democratic primary win back in June. And quite frankly, he left this debate as the clear frontrunner,” said Nick Reisman, a political reporter with Politico, during an interview with CBS News on Oct. 17. “Mamdani did not have really any major mistakes that he made,” Reisman continued. “Andrew Cuomo tried to trip him up on a few key issues that have been really kind of difficult for Mamdani during this campaign, like Israel and public safety, and Mamdani, for the most part, was able to parry a lot of those attacks, and he got through on his message about affordability and the cost of living.”   Zohran Mamdani On Israel And Hamas The NYC mayoral debate began with Mamdani addressing his position on the conflict between Israel and Hamas and responding to questions about the recent ceasefire agreement. Earlier in his campaign, Mamdani had said he didn’t hold “opinions about the future of Hamas and Israel beyond the question of justice and safety,” but on Thursday night, the 33-year-old made his position clear. “Of course, I believe that they should lay down their arms. I’m proud to be one of the first elected officials in the state who called for a ceasefire,” he told the moderators. “Calling for a ceasefire means seizing fire. That means all parties have to cease fire and put down their weapons. And the reason that we call for that is not only for the end of the genocide, but also an unimpeded access of humanitarian aid. I, like many New Yorkers, am hopeful that this ceasefire will hold.” On Policing And Mental Health When it came to tackling the issue of policing in NYC and the city’s mental health crisis, Mamdani stressed that he does not support defunding the NYPD, but instead advocates for reforming the system by implementing a multi-layered response model for mental health crises. He referenced the approach taken in Eugene, Oregon, where mental health professionals are dispatched alongside police during certain emergency calls. Under his plan, operators would be specially trained to assess crises and involve law enforcement only when necessary. He also made it clear that he would oppose any use of the National Guard in NYC for public safety purposes, contrasting his stance with what’s being done in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles by the Trump administration. “We do not need the National Guard here in New York City. We do not need them for the purpose of safety, because if it was safety that President Trump was so concerned about, he would send them to the eight out of 10 states that have the highest levels of crime in this country, but he won’t, because they’re all run by Republicans,” Mamdani said. “What New Yorkers need is a mayor who can stand up to Donald Trump and actually deliver on that safety. When Donald Trump sent ICE agents on people in Los Angeles, Andrew Cuomo said that New Yorkers need not overreact. That is the furthest answer that New Yorkers are looking for. They are looking for someone who will lead.” On How He Plans To Fund His Vision For The City Mamdani’s platform includes approximately $10 billion in proposed new spending, which he says will be funded through increased taxes on the wealthy and large corporations. Despite Governor Kathy Hochul’s stance against raising income taxes on millionaires, Mamdani remained firm on his plan during the NYC mayoral debate. “A lot of people have called even my campaign a non-starter when we first began, and now I stand before you proud to be the Democratic nominee who got the most votes in city primary history. And I believe we will see the same thing with our push to ensure that we are taxing the wealthiest and the most profitable corporations the fair amount that they should pay,” he said with conviction. The Democrat added, “Now there are those who will say that, because it will be hard, you should give up. We saw what giving up looked like when Andrew Cuomo was the governor. He gave up on fighting for working-class New Yorkers and instead caved in to his billionaire donors.” On Making New York City Affordable Again Mamdani outlined several ways to ease the cost of living in the city, with proposals like free and faster bus service, universal childcare, and freezing rents, all while increasing revenue through tax reforms and budget efficiency. “Look, I’ve said very clearly, making buses fast and free costs about $700 million a year. Making universal child care a reality costs about $5 or $6 billion a year. If you raise the state’s top corporate tax rate to match that of New Jersey, you’ll be raising $5 billion in of itself,” he explained. “We have also put forward a plan to save money here in New York City with a billion dollars in savings through procurement reform, through following the independent Budget Office’s assessment about hiring more fiscal auditors, and an action to collect the fines and fees from bad landlords,” he continued. “Freezing the rent doesn’t require any fiscal infusion, so that will be something we’ll be pursuing immediately. And universal childcare—after housing—is the second cost. Childcare is the second cost pushing New Yorkers out of this city, twenty and a half thousand dollars a year is the estimate we’ve seen. That will be a priority.” Social

Kim Kardashian is pulling back the curtain on her “toxic” marriage and kurrent ko-parenting life with her ex-husband, Ye, and she’s not sugarcoating a thing. In a candid sit-down on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Kimmy Kakes got real about the highs, lows, and hard lessons learned while raising four children with the rap mogul. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kim opened up about the early days of her relationship with Ye, describing him as “larger than life,” before admitting that his first public mental health struggles were a turning point for their marriage. The pair first tied the knot in 2014, had four kids, and finalized their divorce in 2022, but co-parenting after such a public split hasn’t been easy, according to the SKIMS founder. “I mean, I raise the kids full-time. They live with me,” Kim shared, explaining that while she encourages a healthy relationship between Ye and their children, things haven’t been smooth. “It’s probably been a couple months since we’ve heard from him.” In the Call Her Daddy interview, Kim added that the kids have grown used to their father’s fast-paced, globe-trotting lifestyle, noting: “They always knew that he had a big life traveling before and was always on tour and all of that…and that he lives in different countries all the time.” Still, Kardashian said she’s worked hard to protect her kids’ peace. “Every time he has asked, I will always let them see their father,” she emphasized. “I just grew up seeing my family co-parent so great…I welcome healthy relationships, but it’s not easy.” When asked how she deals with public narratives, often started by Ye, that accuse her of keeping the kids away, Kim didn’t hold back: “It’s not a kidnapping, it’s a divorce,” she said. Despite the rollercoaster, Kim made it clear she has no regrets about her decade-long relationship with Ye. Co-parenting is just another chapter in the Kardashian-West saga; Kim also discussed divorcing the rapper after their marriage turned “toxic.” Kim Kardashian Details Ending “Toxic” Ye Marriage When asked about a breaking point in her marriage, Kim cited Kanye’s erratic behavior and financial decisions, as well as his kopious komments about her mom and sisters. “Just not feeling safe, you know, not even physically, just like maybe emotionally or even, you know, financially,” she said on Call Her Daddy. “I would like come home, and we had like five Lamborghinis and I’d come home and they’d all be gone if he was in an episode. And I’d be like, ‘Oh, wait. Where’s all our cars? Like, my new car?’ And it would be like, oh, he gave them away to all of his friends.” She also noted that Ye’s mental health struggles were affecting her ability to parent their children; North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6. “Once my mental health starts to get affected and then I can’t parent the way that I need to and I can’t be present and focused, then there’s gotta be one of us that can,” she said. “And I had to save myself in order to be a better mom for everyone. And I think, like, when everyone’s older, they’ll be able to understand it and see that all.” What do YOU think about Kimmy Kakes’ kandid komments? Check out the full episode of Call Her Daddy with Kim Kardashian below. RELATED: Real Life Angel: Baller Babe Angel Reese Makes Her Catwalk Debut At The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Stunner’s Gorgeous Gams Garner Rave Reviews The post Kimmy Kakes Kandidly Komments On The Breaking Point In Her ‘Toxic’ Ye Marriage—’I Had To Save Myself’ appeared first on Bossip.

Whether she’s on the court or on the catwalk, Angel Reese is always the star of the show. The Chicago Sky star made her way down the runway for the very first time on Wednesday, October 15, wearing two all-pink ensembles as she got her Victoria’s Secret Angel wings. For her first look, Reese walked like a pro in a coordinating white bra, garter, and panties set, completely embellished with pink flowers. She also had a pink shawl draped over her arms, which was covered in even more flowers to complete the look. For her second ensemble, the WNBA star rocked a simpler set, making her bombshell silver-and-white wings the star of the show. She wore a pink tee with a cheeky cut-out around her chest and a slit above her waist. The slits unveiled a matching pink bra and underwear, completing the look with strappy silver sandals and an undeniable mug. A week before stepping on the iconic stage, Reese opened up about her feelings leading up to the big moment, telling PEOPLE: “I’m ready to swap my Angel Reese 1s for heels on Wednesday night!” She also recalled her reaction to when she first got the news that she would be a Victoria’s Secret Angel, admitting, “I literally could not stop smiling!” “It’s such a surreal and full-circle moment — just last year I was in the audience manifesting being on that runway, completely inspired and in awe of all the powerful women walking down the runway, and now I get to return as an Angel,” she continued. “This will be an unforgettable night that I’ll forever be grateful for.” Reese went on to say that she was “so proud and excited” to become the first professional athlete to participate in the show. Another star who made their debut at last night’s show was Missy Elliott, who took to the runway to perform a medley of her songs, including the smash hit, “Work It.” She rocked an all-black, sparkly look for the occasion, contrasting all of the pink and white on the catwalk. Law Roach and Jodie Turner-Smith were also in attendance, sitting front row to watch Missy’s performance. The actress looked absolutely stunning in an ethereal white ensemble and clean girl glam, all tied up in a bow with a slick-back ponytail. The first model to take the runway was pregnant Jasmine Tookes, who looked absolutely ethereal in a netted dress and Victoria’s Secret’s wings made to look like a seashell. The star, who is pregnant with her second child, a boy, with her husband, Juan David Borrero, showed off all her curves while strutting down the runway, making her growing baby bump the star of the show. Former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick has been embracing other opportunities since her departure from the Chicago Sky, walking the red carpet wearing vintage Mugler. The baller was there to show her support for fellow athletes Suni Lee and, of course, her former teammate Angel Reese. Another beauty who walked the iconic stage was model Anok Yai, who likened her preparation for the show to how an athlete trains. “I’ve been getting my ass handed to me seven days a week by my trainer,” she said in an Oct. 14 Instagram post. “I’m getting my back muscles ready for the wings. I’m passing my walk, and my ass is going to be nice and round.” Precious Lee also made her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut, wearing a lacy pink set with black accents, complete with a fluffy, showgirl-esque headpiece. To see more looks, watch the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, in full, down below: Source: @angelreese 5 The post Real Life Angel: Baller Babe Angel Reese Makes Her Catwalk Debut At The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Stunner’s Gorgeous Gams Garner Rave Reviews appeared first on Bossip.

Source: Alexis Reed / Alexis Reed The Waiting and the Weight of Uncertainty Weeks have passed since the death of De’Martravion “Trey” Reed, and still, there is no definitive verdict. The public waits for answers: the release of the second autopsy, official statements from authorities, and words that might bring comfort to a grieving family. In the absence of clarity, rumors, mistrust, and speculation have filled the void. Online conversations, often driven by grief and outrage, have turned into a whirlwind of misinformation that adds pain to those already mourning. A History That Shapes Our Doubt For many Black Americans, disbelief in the face of a reported suicide by hanging is not mere suspicion—it’s a historical reflex born of centuries of racial violence. During the lynching era, it was not uncommon for the deaths of Black men to be ruled as suicides to cover up murders committed by white mobs or law enforcement. The Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project at Northeastern University has documented dozens of such cases between 1930 and 1956. This collective memory lingers. When Trey Reed’s death was announced as a “suicide,” it resonated with a painful pattern—one that reminds us how often Black death has been misrepresented, minimized, or dismissed. The Modern Spectacle of Grief and Rumor In 2025, the public square has moved from courthouse steps to social media feeds. Unverified details, viral posts, and sensational headlines spread rapidly. Claims of “broken bones,” “foul play,” or “cover-ups” circulate before facts are confirmed. This digital rumor mill, while fueled by legitimate pain and distrust, often overshadows the victim and the family’s humanity. The story becomes a spectacle—one that extracts grief for clicks and shares, rather than centering compassion and truth. If Foul Play Is Found—Justice Must Follow Should the second autopsy confirm evidence inconsistent with suicide—signs of trauma, struggle, or manipulation—the call for justice must be loud and sustained. Accountability would need to reach beyond individuals to include institutions: law enforcement, campus security, and the media. Who shaped the initial narrative? Who withheld evidence or delayed transparency? These questions demand answers, not for the sake of outrage, but for truth and reform. If Suicide Is Confirmed—We Must Confront the Stigma If the autopsy confirms that Trey Reed took his own life, that truth carries its own urgent call. It would require a collective reckoning with the realities of mental health in Black communities. For too long, discussions of depression, trauma, and suicide among Black men have been shrouded in silence and stigma. Accepting the possibility of suicide does not diminish the tragedy—it expands it. It challenges us to confront despair, alienation, and the systemic pressures that weigh heavily on young Black lives. Rejecting Silence and Spectacle Alike Regardless of the final report, one thing must remain central: Trey Reed was a son, a student, and a human being. His life deserves dignity beyond rumor or sensationalism. As a society, we must resist both erasure and exploitation—the twin dangers of silence and spectacle. Whether this tragedy stems from violence or internal pain, the path forward demands transparency, empathy, and care. Let Grief Lead, Not Speculation When the full truth of Trey Reed’s death emerges, may it be met with mourning before judgment. Let the rumors end, the lies fall away, and the healing begin. Grief, when acknowledged and shared with honesty, can be the starting point of justice. Before we frame explanations or assign blame, we must first recognize the humanity that was lost—and the community that continues to ache for truth. By Dr. Stacey PattonAward-winning journalist and author of “Spare The Kids: Why Whupping Children Won’t Save Black America” and the forthcoming “Strung Up: The Lynching of Black Children in Jim Crow America.” SEE ALSO: When Humbling Black Women Is A Political Game Black Unemployment Is Not An Accident, It Is A Racial Purge

Nicki Minaj is setting the record straight after reports claimed that her Los Angeles mansion was at risk of being sold over an unpaid debt. The “Super Bass” rapper fired back at the allegations — and took aim at Roc Nation once again. Reports Claim Nicki Minaj’s Home Is in Jeopardy On October 14, Us Weekly reported that Nicki Minaj and her husband, Kenneth Petty, were allegedly facing the possible sale of their Los Angeles mansion due to an unpaid legal debt. The situation stems from a lawsuit filed by Thomas Weidenmuller, who was reportedly awarded $503,000 earlier this month after alleging that Petty assaulted him during a 2019 concert. According to court documents, Weidenmuller asked the court to order Minaj’s home to be sold to collect the money owed. The 2019 Incident That Sparked the Lawsuit Weidenmuller’s lawsuit claims that the incident occurred on March 22, 2019, while he was working security at one of Nicki’s shows. He alleges that a fan broke through the barricade and reached the stage, leading to a heated exchange between Minaj and a female guard. When Weidenmuller tried to calm the situation, Nicki allegedly became upset and informed Petty about the incident. The lawsuit claims that Petty later summoned Weidenmuller to Minaj’s dressing room, where Petty allegedly struck him “without warning,” causing severe facial injuries that required jaw surgery. Weidenmuller’s attorney said, “Although it is regrettable that the extraordinary measure of forcing the sale of Minaj’s dwelling is required, that result is entirely the product of her intransigence in not making payment.” He added that Minaj’s estimated net worth of $150–190 million makes her “highly capable” of paying the judgment. Nicki Minaj Fires Back: “Roc Nation’s Behind This” Following the reports, Nicki Minaj took to TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) to respond — and once again accused Roc Nation and its CEO Desiree Perez of being behind a smear campaign. On TikTok, she posted a screenshot of Page Six’s coverage with a bold caption directed at Perez: “DESIREE PEREZ YOU GOT BIGGER FISH TO FRY BOOKIE. Conspiracy. False imprisonment. Civil rights violation. Oh cock nation y’all suck.” She continued her rant, claiming media outlets like Us Weekly and Page Six were “on Roc Nation’s payroll.” Later on X, Minaj tweeted: “Dear US WEEKLY & PAGE 6, you just f**ked yourselves.” Fans Rally Behind Nicki Minaj Minaj retweeted fans defending her, including one who wrote: “I will NEVER trust a newspaper or blog who allows fabricated stories just because they’re on someone’s payroll.” She continued firing off posts criticizing Desiree Perez and Jay-Z, and later shocked fans by saying she’s done with music: “Ok I’m not going to put out the album anymore. No more music. Hope you’re happy now. Bye Barbz. Love you for life.” Nicki Minaj Denies Being Served in the Lawsuit In her final posts, Nicki Minaj claimed she was never personally served with court papers and blamed a former business manager for the confusion. “The papers were given to a business manager who never told me,” she wrote. “That same business manager STOLE from me many times… then was accused of killing a woman and leaving her in a hotel room.” Minaj added that she has “evidence” to back up her claim and suggested that misinformation has fueled the controversy. Final Thoughts While the legal case continues, Nicki Minaj is adamant that the reports are false and that her home is not in jeopardy. The rapper’s latest outburst reignites her long-standing feud with Roc Nation, proving once again that she’s not afraid to call out her industry rivals.

For months, we’ve been flooded with stories about the sudden rise in Black unemployment. Nearly every one of them, from Politico to Axios to Time Magazine to MSNBC News, has focused on Black women. We’ve seen the same template: sympathetic portraits of college-educated women juggling multiple jobs, stuck in low-wage positions, or pushed out of professional spaces they helped build. Each piece comes wrapped in the same language of concern with phrases like “economic headwinds,” “policy shifts,” and “labor market cooling.” But beneath that polite vocabulary lies a truth most of these outlets refuse to say out loud: what’s happening to Black workers isn’t a downturn, it’s a pattern hiding in plain sight and a deliberate racial targeting. The latest example came from the New York Times in a piece titled Black Unemployment Is Surging Again. This Time Is Different. The article, published over the weekend, walks readers through a familiar scene featuring a young Black woman with a degree and drive, struggling to find a job that matches her education. Her story is framed in soft light and muted tones, a tragic inevitability rather than a predictable outcome of racist economic policy. The Times offers the usual explanations: high prices, expired subsidies, and slow hiring. But these aren’t natural forces. They’re choices. The Trump administration deliberately ended pandemic-era subsidies that had cushioned working families, froze federal hiring, and ordered federal contractors to stop pursuing racial equity. Each of those moves directly undercut the modest racial gains made during the recovery when Black wages rose, unemployment dropped to record lows, and household wealth briefly ticked upward. Now, in just four months, Black unemployment has jumped from 6% to 7.5%, while white unemployment has dipped slightly to 3.7%. That’s not an economic “imbalance.” That’s a recalibration. The Old Game with New Excuses Every time Black Americans start to inch toward economic stability, when homeownership increases, wages climb, and the wealth gap narrows, white America finds a new excuse to hit the brakes. Sometimes it’s “budget restraint.” Sometimes it’s “fiscal responsibility.” Sometimes it’s “market correction.” But the meaning never changes: Black progress must be temporary. Every economic cycle becomes a racial reset. Every recovery becomes a reminder of where we’re allowed to stand. The federal government has historically been one of the few employers where Black workers could thrive without the open discrimination of the private sector. Those jobs provided stability, pensions, and a path into the middle class. So when this administration cuts over 200,000 federal positions, it isn’t trimming fat, it’s gutting one of the few remaining ladders of upward mobility for Black families. A July “deferred-resignation” program had already nudged over 154,000 federal employees to resign under the guise of voluntary departure.  Now, overlay that with a government shutdown that is being used as legal cover to fire thousands more. The White House has begun executing substantial layoffs amidst the funding impasse, formally initiating Reduction-in-Force (RIF) procedures that target more than 4,000 federal workers so far. Many agencies like Health and Human Services, Education, Treasury, and Homeland Security are being told to identify roles deemed non-essential and purge them. It’s a multi-front assault: resignations, firings, reclassifications, freezes—in total, shrinking the federal civil service by design. Let’s keep it real, this isn’t a temporary furlough. These are job eliminations, on top of the sweeping federal purge that’s already erased hundreds of thousands of government workers from payrolls. And there’s no credible talk of restoring them. Even as Vice President Vance warned of “deeper cuts ahead,” there’s no plan on the table to rebuild. In practice, the shutdown is intensifying the racial purge. When the shuttering of government becomes the pretext for targeting Black federal workers, the very people who relied on these jobs as anchors, this is not governance. It’s racial culling. And by refusing to speak of these cuts in racial terms, the institutional press lets the purge pass as procedural. None of this is accidental. It’s economic retribution, wrapped in the language of governance. Journalism That Washes Away Intent What’s most infuriating isn’t just the policy itself.  It’s how the press covers it. The Times and other legacy outlets document the pain while protecting the perpetrators. They don’t name them.  They don’t call a thing a thing. They use neutral verbs for violent acts. Black unemployment “surged.” Wages “stagnated.” Conditions “deteriorated.” The story writes itself as if no one made these decisions and as if racism were an atmospheric condition instead of an agenda. Behind every “freeze” is a signature. Behind every “cut” is a hand. Behind every “policy shift” is an ideology that sees Black labor as expendable and Black stability as an economic threat. That’s why these stories always end the same way: a photo of a Black woman looking out a window, a quote about resilience, and no mention of rage. The coverage humanizes suffering but sanitizes the cause. But that truth doesn’t make it into the paper. Instead, we get a familiar tableau: a photo of a young Black woman, eyes soft, framed by natural light, gazing out of a window into the distance of her uncertainty. Her name becomes a headline prop, her anxiety converted into empathy content. She’s presented as a symbol of endurance, not a casualty of political violence. This is how the New York Times uses Black pain as texture, as visual proof that it cares enough to notice but not enough to indict. The story centers her struggle while erasing the system that caused it. It teaches readers to admire her perseverance while accepting her suffering as natural. The camera lingers on her posture, not her power. The quotes chosen make her sound hopeful, humble, never furious. Rage would make the story too complicated. Rage would demand accountability. And what does that do to us, the readers, the people living inside the crisis instead of reading about it? Each of these stories, dressed in sympathy but stripped of politics, becomes another drip in the slow psychological erosion of

Just hours after his father D’Angelo’s unfortunate passing was confirmed, Michael Archer II paid tribute to his dad while reflecting on losing his mother, Angie Stone, just 7 months ago. Source: Angie Stone, D’Angelo, and Michael Archer II – Michael Archer II’s own photo “I am grateful for your thoughts and prayers during these very difficult times, as it has been a very rough and sad year for me,” said Archer in a statement shared with BOSSIP. “I ask that you please continue to keep me in your thoughts as it will not be easy, but one thing that both my parents thought [sic] me was to be strong, and I intend to do just that.” As previously reported, Archer’s Neo-Soul legend dad, D’Angelo (born Michael Eugene Archer), died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 51.   In a statement shared with BOSSIP, a representative for the D’Angelo Estate said, “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life…After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025.” The statement continued: “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.” PEOPLE magazine offered an update on D’Angelo’s passing after speaking with a source confirming that his declined in recent weeks. “He was in hospice for two weeks but had been in the hospital for months.” Angie Stone Was Killed In A Car Crash In March D’Angelo’s passing comes just months after the death of his former partner and Michael’s mother, singer Angie Stone, who tragically died earlier this year.   In March, Stone was involved in a fatal car accident following a performance in Mobile, Alabama. As previously reported, she and several others were en route to Atlanta when the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van they were traveling in reportedly lost control in Montgomery County, Alabama. Stone’s death was just one day before Michael’s birthday. BOSSIP is sending sincere thoughts and prayers to Michael Archer II.  

Religion has always played a powerful role in shaping societies. Unfortunately, it has also been used to defend injustice. One of the darkest examples in American history is how Christian slaveholders used the Bible to justify slavery. By twisting scripture, they built a false moral foundation for one of humanity’s greatest crimes. Biblical Justifications for Slavery During the 18th and 19th centuries, pro-slavery Christians repeatedly quoted certain Bible verses to defend their position. They often cited Ephesians 6:5, which reads: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.” Another verse used was Colossians 3:22, which reinforced similar language. These passages, taken out of context, were interpreted to mean that slavery was sanctioned by God. Even more troubling, many white preachers referenced Genesis 9:25–27, known as the “Curse of Ham.” They claimed Africans were descendants of Ham and thus destined to be servants. This distorted reading provided false moral and religious justification for racial enslavement. In reality, these interpretations ignored the broader Biblical message of love, mercy, and equality. They reduced a complex, ancient text into a tool of control and exploitation. Religion as a Tool of Control Christianity was not only a justification for slavery — it became a means to control the enslaved. Many enslaved Africans were converted to Christianity, but their exposure to scripture was heavily censored. Slaveholders promoted a version of the Gospel that emphasized obedience and submission while erasing verses about freedom and justice. For example, slave Bibles were printed with major portions of the Old and New Testaments removed — especially any stories about liberation, like the Exodus or Galatians 3:28, which says: “There is neither slave nor free, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” These omissions weren’t accidental. They were part of a deliberate effort to prevent enslaved people from finding spiritual or social empowerment through faith. By controlling what scriptures were taught, slaveholders weaponized religion to maintain power and suppress rebellion. Abolitionist Christianity and the Fight for Truth Not all Christians accepted this corrupted theology. In fact, many abolitionist leaders used the same Bible to argue for freedom and equality. Figures like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and William Lloyd Garrison saw slavery as a direct violation of Christian morality. Douglass, who escaped from slavery, famously said there was a difference between “the Christianity of this land” and “the Christianity of Christ.” He condemned the hypocrisy of those who prayed on Sunday and whipped slaves on Monday. Abolitionist preachers pointed to scriptures that celebrated liberation and condemned oppression — from Isaiah’s call for justice to Christ’s teachings about love and mercy. Their voices helped awaken the moral conscience of the nation. The Lasting Impact on American Christianity The use of the Bible to justify slavery left deep scars on American Christianity. Churches in the South and North split over the issue, and those divisions have echoed for generations. Even today, scholars and theologians continue to examine how these distorted interpretations contributed to systemic racism and inequality within religious institutions. Understanding this painful history allows believers to confront and dismantle the lingering effects of theological racism. What We Can Learn Today The story of how Christian slaveholders used the Bible to justify slavery is more than a history lesson — it’s a warning. It shows how sacred texts can be misused when people seek to justify their own power and prejudice. True faith, rooted in love and compassion, challenges oppression rather than supports it. When read in full context, the Bible calls for justice, mercy, and equality — values that stand in direct opposition to slavery and racism. Conclusion The Bible was never meant to be a weapon of oppression. Yet, for centuries, Christian slaveholders turned it into one. By understanding this dark chapter in history, modern readers can ensure that scripture is interpreted through the lens of truth and love. Faith should unite, not divide. It should liberate, not enslave. That’s the enduring message that outlives even the darkest distortions of the past.

Soul legend and “Brown Sugar” hitmaker D’Angelo has died. He was 51. On Tuesday, Oct. 14, TMZ reported that D’Angelo (born Michael Eugene Archer) confirmed news of his death after a private battle with pancreatic cancer. DJ Premier, who collaborated with him on the 1998 track “Devil’s Pie,” shared a post via X on Oct. 14 confirming the news.”Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING,” he wrote. The Richmond-born son of a Pentecostal minister began playing the piano at the age of 3 and by 5 years old, he was playing the instrument with his father at church. A few years later, he began playing the piano at his grandfather’s Pentecostal church. Growing up, he and his two cousins formed the group Three of a Kind and began performing at local talent shows. By 16, he formed another band called Michael Archer and Precise with his brother, Luther. That year, D’Angelo landed a slot during Amateur Night at the Apollo, where he sang “Feel the Fire” by Peabo Bryson. While he didn’t win at the time, he returned to the stage the following year to perform “Rub You the Right Way” by Johnny Gill in 1991 and took the first place. With his monetary prize, he returned to Richmond, bought a four-track recorder and started writing what would become most of the songs that made up his 1995 debut album Brown Sugar. He landed a record deal two years later. Brown Sugar peaked at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums chart went platinum within a year of its release. It also earned D’Angleo four Grammy Award nominations. In 2000, D’Angelo released his sophomore album Voodoo, which peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. The album also won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and his song “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” received Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, along with a nomination for Best R&B Song.

The family of Kingsley Fifi Bimpong has filed a lawsuit against the city of Eagan after the 50-year-old Black U.S. postal worker was not provided medical care for a stroke and died while in police custody. The newly filed federal lawsuit accuses Eagan, Minnesota, police and Dakota County jail staff of demonstrating “deliberate indifference” after officers ignored clear signs that Bimpong was having a massive stroke — instead assuming he was intoxicated. According to the complaint, Bimpong left his shift with the U.S. Postal Service early, around 10:42 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2024, due to a headache and decreased vision. While driving home, he attempted a left turn at a red light and drove into oncoming traffic, hitting the center median in the process. When officers approached Bimpong, who was still wearing his USPS uniform, he was reportedly confused, disoriented, and unable to state where he lived or worked—the classic and undeniable symptoms of a severe stroke. Despite the medical emergency, Bimpong was arrested and accused of being under the influence before being thrown in jail, spending nearly six hours in custody as his symptoms continued to worsen and his body and mind shut down. According to the lawsuit filed by civil rights attorney Katie Bennett, Sergeant Joseph Moseng summoned Officer Martin Jensen, a certified Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) trained to tell the difference between intoxication and medical crises, who allegedly dismissed his training, telling another officer that a full evaluation would be “a whole bunch of time wasted.” DRE protocol involves a 12-step evaluation to determine a person’s cause of impairment, which includes a check for vital signs and three separate checks for pulse. However, when Moseng requested this evaluation, Jensen only partially completed three of the steps and did not take Bimpong’s pulse once, the complaint alleges. When asked whether Bimpong should be taken to a hospital, he allegedly replied, “For what?” Instead of helping Bimpong receive medical attention he desperately needed, the officers arrested Bimpong on suspicion of DWI, a decision that transformed a medical crisis into a fatal torture. At the police station, his condition worsened as his signs of distress were continuously ignored. An emergency medical provider asked officers if they were planning to take him to the hospital, but the responding officer declined, saying, “It’s a whole thing.” Instead, officers transported Bimpong to the Dakota County Jail, the lawsuit says. Body camera footage captures Moseng starting to ask, “Is this dude having a stro—” before Jensen muted his mic—cutting off the word “stroke.” The lawsuit states that when Bimpong arrived at the jail, he lost his balance and had trouble walking, but his booking paperwork said he did not require further evaluation. Bimpong was reportedly placed in a cell with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving officers a clear view of Bimpong. Video surveillance from inside his cell shows him stumbling to the toilet, where he sat for several minutes before falling backward onto the floor. He remained there, rolling around in distress for hours. “He’s having more difficulty walking, he has muscle issues, he’s drooling, just continues to deteriorate, and then gets taken to jail and spirals as he’s lying on the floor, clearly suffering in front of the corrections officers, it’s just heartbreaking to see,” Katie Bennet said. Dakota County Jail procedure requires that all inmates be observed by a staff member at least once every 30 minutes. Multiple officers are recorded as observing Bimpong struggling on the ground for hours, while marking his status as “OK” in the jail’s system, the lawsuit says. “[He] ends up losing control of his bladder, rolling around in his own urine,” Bennett continued. “Clearly in pain and struggling for hours when no one is helping him.” After three hours of negligence, a nurse entered Bimpong’s cell, where he was found cold to the touch and unresponsive, the lawsuit states. The nurse administered Narcan three times with no effect, believing he’d overdosed. When paramedics finally arrived, Bimpong’s blood pressure was a deadly 240/216, signaling a hypertensive crisis. By the time the father of one was transported to the Dakota County Jail around 1 a.m., his stroke was catastrophic. His alcohol and drug screens came back negative, and a CT scan showed a hemorrhage and swelling in his brain. Bimpong was declared brain dead on Nov. 18, 2024, and taken off a ventilator the next day. Attorney Katie Bennett described the case as “one of the worst jail deaths we’ve ever seen,” adding, “The police and correctional officers acted on incorrect and unfounded assumptions about Kingsley as justification for treating a person suffering from classic stroke symptoms with callous indifference that resulted in his death. The shocking, deliberate indifference from local authorities stripped Kingsley of his last safeguard: the right to basic medical care. No one should lose their life in custody simply because those responsible choose silence and neglect over compassion and responsibility. A jail cell should never become a death sentence simply because cries for help were ignored.” Following Bimpong’s death, an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Corrections found that jail staff were behind on mandatory CPR and first-aid training, and that well-being checks were performed improperly. The jail also violated state law by failing to document medical information or conduct a mental health screening. Despite the overwhelming evidence of negligence, the City of Eagan defended its officers, releasing a statement claiming Bimpong “was not exhibiting an objectively serious medical condition that was obvious to lay persons at the time he was in custody.” That statement stands in stark contrast to video evidence and witness accounts describing his visible distress. The family’s federal lawsuit, filed by Robins Kaplan LLP, seeks $120 million in damages and policy changes within both the Eagan Police Department and Dakota County Jail. The suit names three Eagan officers and seven correctional officers as defendants, citing violations of Bimpong’s Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Kingsley Bimpong’s story is not an anomaly — it’s a symptom of a national crisis. Studies repeatedly show

The Rise of Real-Life Political Propaganda We’ve all seen dystopian movies where governments flood citizens with propaganda through giant screens and endless video loops. Usually, the person on those screens is not the hero. Yet, the Trump administration seems unaware of how closely current events in the U.S. resemble those fictional worlds. Fortunately, not everyone is willing to participate in this kind of authoritarian messaging. Many local officials and airports are drawing a line in the sand. Trump Administration Pushes Blame for Shutdown Earlier this month, reports surfaced that the Trump administration had ordered nearly every federal agency’s website to pin the government shutdown on the Democratic Party and “the radical left.” Now, according to the Washington Post, the administration wants airports nationwide to air a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who blames Democrats for the ongoing shutdown. “Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government,” Noem says in the video. “Because of this, many of our operations are impacted.” She adds that while TSA is doing its best to minimize travel delays, the department hopes Democrats will “soon recognize the importance of opening the government.” Airports Refuse to Air the Propaganda Video Thankfully, many airport officials across the country recognize how inappropriate this messaging is. Airports in Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Portland have all refused to broadcast the video. Officials say showing the video could violate internal policies and even state and federal laws against using public resources for political activity. “We believe the Hatch Act clearly prohibits use of public assets for political purposes and messaging,” said Molly Prescott, spokesperson for the Port of Portland. The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, prevents federal employees from engaging in political activity while on the job. Oregon law also bars public employees from promoting or opposing political parties during work hours. In Westchester County, New York, County Executive Ken Jenkins echoed the sentiment, calling the video “inconsistent with the values we expect from our nation’s top public officials” and “unnecessarily alarmist.” Why the Administration Is Pushing the Message The timing of this campaign isn’t accidental. With the midterm elections approaching, polls show most voters blame Republicans—not Democrats—for the shutdown. Despite the Trump administration’s messaging efforts, the public largely views the party in power as responsible. That perception could spell trouble for congressional Republicans and the White House. Meanwhile, the shutdown continues to wreak havoc on U.S. travelers and workers. Airport Delays and Worker Hardship The longer the shutdown drags on, the more it impacts everyday Americans. Airlines and airports are facing staffing shortages, especially among air traffic controllers and TSA agents who are being forced to work without pay. According to CNBC, these shortages have delayed flights in Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee. “It is safe to fly, but staffing shortages strain the system,” said a statement from Airlines for America, which represents major carriers such as Delta, United, and American Airlines. On one Sunday alone, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported 8,000 flight delays and 271 cancellations nationwide. Still, only one political party created a taxpayer-funded video to shift blame onto the other—something critics say crosses both legal and ethical lines. Final Thoughts: Remember in the Midterms As the government shutdown drags on, the Trump administration’s attempts to rewrite the narrative grow more desperate. But Americans are paying attention. Officials at airports across the country are standing up for integrity, neutrality, and democracy—reminding us that propaganda has no place

Ongoing Tension Between ICE and Chicago Communities Federal immigration agents continue to face fierce resistance in Chicago as residents protest what they call aggressive and unjust enforcement tactics. Since the beginning of the Trump administration, the city has been a focal point for federal operations targeting undocumented immigrants. Community members, however, have made it clear they will not tolerate what they describe as intimidation and overreach by federal authorities. Tear Gas Used in Albany Park According to the Chicago Sun-Times, on Sunday federal agents deployed tear gas in the Albany Park neighborhood after detaining a man. Witnesses say onlookers tried to intervene, leading to a chaotic and violent scene. At around 12:30 p.m., dozens of residents gathered, shouting “traitor” and “Nazi” as ICE agents detained a man. Attorney Samay Gheewala, a local resident, said he tried to verify whether the agents had a warrant but was shoved and restrained. “They completely stonewalled me,” Gheewala said. “They refused to identify themselves.” Witnesses described federal agents pushing residents to the ground. Gheewala was injured but declined medical attention. Another resident said he joined the confrontation after seeing agents “bearing down on a man.” Comparing the actions to authoritarian regimes, he stated, “This is Nazi sh*t. When the state is failing, this is what they do.” Federal Court Restrictions Ignored A federal judge had previously issued a temporary restraining order requiring agents to issue at least two warnings before using riot control weapons like tear gas or pepper spray. However, witnesses say no such warnings were given — and none can be heard in videos circulating online. This order was just one of several recent judicial restrictions on the Trump administration, including limits on warrantless arrests and the deployment of the National Guard to U.S. cities such as Portland and Chicago. Logan Square Incident Near a School Earlier this month, another ICE operation in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood led to tear gas being deployed near an elementary school. Students reportedly ran for safety as teachers and staff formed a human barrier between the children and federal officers. Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the action: “The escalation of ICE raids does nothing to keep our young people safe; it makes them afraid and disrupts their learning,” Johnson said at a press conference. Federal Response to Community Outrage In a statement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the agents, claiming they were impeded by protesters during a “targeted immigration enforcement operation.” She said officers used tear gas and pepper balls only after protesters refused to disperse. McLaughlin added that agents face “a surge in assaults, including sniper attacks and cars being used as weapons.” However, no concrete evidence has been provided to support those claims. Community Organizers and Officials Take Action In response to the repeated ICE raids, local volunteers—self-described as “guardian angels”—are now patrolling Chicago schools with whistles and know-your-rights pamphlets. Their mission: to protect children and families from surprise enforcement actions. At the Albany Park protest, community leaders and elected officials joined residents in standing up to ICE agents. Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd) and State Sen. Graciela Guzmán led rapid response groups, rushing to locations where ICE vehicles were spotted. While they managed to prevent some detentions, at least one person was reportedly taken by agents. “This is part of the chaos they like to bring to our communities,” Guzmán said. “Somebody was still kidnapped from our neighborhood today.” Chicago Pushes Back Against Federal Overreach Despite federal attempts to increase enforcement, Chicago’s residents and officials continue to resist what they see as politically motivated intimidation. As one protester put it: “We chased federal agents out of Albany Park today.” The city’s defiance has become a symbol of community resilience and local solidarity in the face of federal aggression.  

Donald Trump was THIRSTY to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Everyone with the good sense that God gave ‘em knew good and damn well that there was no chance in hell that it would ever happen. However, that didn’t stop some of MAGAs most obsequious cheek-smoochers to campaign on his behalf and whine like school children when the prestigious awards was given to a more worthy honoree. Last night, Grammy-award winning singer, songwriter, composer John Legend trolled the Führer-in-chief by offering him some “advice” on how to become worthy and make himself more eligible for consideration for Alfred Nobel’s coveted award. Via DailyMail: “Stop declaring war on the American people, stop sending the military intro our cities simply because they’re run by Democrats.” “He’d have to stop all this authoritarian dictator sh*t, all the fascist sh*t, all the inhumane sh*t he’s been trying to do,’ Legend added.” Apparently, conservatives, who aren’t always that sharpest pencils in the box, aren’t able to detect sarcasm. All across social media, right-wingers are framing Legend’s comments as “support’ for the Orange Man. Again, these are people who think that Donald Trump is a devout Christian and loves the Lord. Only the slowest of the slow and the cultist of the cults could come to that conclusion. Despite Legend’s sarcasm, he did give Trump earnest praise for his efforts to end the genocide in Gaza by brokering an alleged “peace deal” between the two sides according to Daily Mail. ‘We all want to see peace in Gaza, in the West Bank,’ he declared in the video. ‘And President Trump has been instrumental in bringing about this new peace deal.’ And he added, ‘Let’s all pray that this deal is actually lasting, that it’s long-term. The people of Gaza have had their lives and their communities destroyed for the past two years.’ Many are inclined to believe that Trump’s “work” is in vain because Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will continue to bomb Gaza until his cruelty has been satisfied. We shall see. The post Sure, Jan: John Legend-arily Roasts Donald Trump Over His Thirst To Win Nobel Peace Prize appeared first on Bossip.

Now, just as it has been during all consequential periods throughout this nation’s history, it is critical that Black journalists committed to excavating intersectional truths and holding them up to the light are supported and platformed. But that isn’t what is happening in mainstream media, nor has it ever fully been. Instead, our voices are suppressed, distorted, and criminalized, while Artificial Intelligence dominates the media landscape and misinformation and disinformation continue to be unleashed. Let there be no mistake: The United States of America, as a white settler colonial project rooted in land theft, slavery, genocide, and rape, is unraveling at the seams. And those seams, sewn with injustice and interwoven with hate, are being stretched in ways that are unsustainable. Some people may find it comforting to blame all of this on the authoritarian, fascist regime currently occupying the White House, as well as a growing number of cities across the country occupied by Donald Trump’s militarized forces; but we did not arrive here by happenstance, nor as the result of one presidential election. Black people and other targeted communities are not shocked by these travesties even as we brace against the brazenness of the malevolent political actors enforcing them. Why? Because this nation’s past is its prologue. How, then, does one curate an unflinching truth about a country that has lied about the depth and quality of its character since its inception? As I’ve said previously, you begin by rooting the work in the tradition of the Black journalists who have come before, such as Ida B. Wells-Barnett, who taught us through her work at the Memphis Free Speech and beyond, to be both righteous and rigorous. You think of the Freedom’s Journal and the Woman’s Era, of the Chicago Defender and the New York Amsterdam News, of the Los Angeles Sentinel and Negro World. You think of all the Black journalists who have risked their lives to tell the truth. “Having lost my paper, had a price put on my life, and been made an exile from home for hinting at the truth, I felt I owed it to myself and to my race to tell the whole truth.” — Ida B. Wells-Barnett In service to that mission, I have long nurtured a vision of paving the way for young, Black journalists—the truth-tellers and cultural curators of our time—just as others have paved the way for me. Today, I am proud to announce the launch of the Bison ONE Newsroom, NewsOne’s exclusive partnership with student journalists under the tutelage of renowned, award-winning journalist, author, and professor Dr. Stacey Patton at Howard University’s Cathy Hughes School of Communications, named for the Founder & Chairperson of Urban One, NewsOne’s parent company and the largest Black-owned media company in the United States. Expanding on our iONE Digital NewsOne x Bison 2024 Election coverage, the Bison ONE Newsroom is a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind partnership between a national media corporation and an HBCU journalism program—a partnership that honors the power of HBCUs as incubators of cultural and political transformation. Blending in-depth journalism, real-time coverage, and heartfelt storytelling, this multi-media experience will serve as a pioneering blueprint for how narratives that attempt to obscure the humanity of Black people can be disrupted when Black institutions stand together and create something innovative, something lasting, something that is ours. Join us in celebrating and supporting these student leaders as they join the sacred tradition of Black journalism. Absorb their words and videos; respect their perspectives; listen to their hearts. Though times are perilous, and the road ahead treacherous, we have always had each other. We may face hate, but we still love. We may encounter lies, but our truths are unbreakable. Those in power may attempt to intimidate us into silence, but they can never imprison our thoughts, nor incarcerate our voices—voices that echo generations of freedom fighters who have come before and breathe life into all those who will come after. Because this is what legacy looks like—what resistance, revolution, and audacious, Black brilliance looks like. As our collective futures unfold, NewsOne is honored to pass the mic to emerging journalists who will shape the ways in which history will remember this urgent moment. We are the authors of our own stories. Let it be written. In solidarity, Kirsten West Savali, Vice President of Content, iONE Digital  

The gloves may be off, but the social media posts are on pause between Cardi B and BIA—for now, at least. “I’m not that bad person that people think I am,” said benevolent Belcalis. Source: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/ Jason Kempin/Getty Images for MTV / Getty As previously reported, the conflict between Cardi B and BIA originated when it seemed like the entire industry was beefing. It heated up after BIA released tracks that seemed to take shots at Cardi, who eventually clapped back with the diss track “Pretty & Petty,” on Am I the Drama? The mother of (almost) four didn’t hold back, hitting BIA with lines about everything from her looks and body to her industry relevance, even referring to her as “diarrhea BIA.” The tension was heightened when BIA was promoting her own latest project, Bianca, which dropped on Friday, October 10. Duriing a Hot 97 interview, BIA attempted to wave the white flag, denying that her debut album was dedicated to coming for Cardi. While she threw some subtle shade at Cardi’s lyrics, she stated that continuing the beef with an expecting mother was beneath her. “I can go get on your a** again, but it’s like, girl, enjoy your pregnancy. My mother didn’t raise me to be dragging a pregnant lady. That’s out,” BIA told Nessa. Cardi B And BIA: The ‘Bully’ And The Backstabbing Claims BIA’s attempt at ending the feud by stating “dragging a pregnant lady” quickly drew a fierce response from Cardi. As BOSSIP reported, Cardi took to X (formerly Twitter) Spaces to call BIA a “p***y” for conveniently moving on from the beef now that she’s winning. Cardi also accused BIA of sabotage, claiming BIA had thrown accusations about Cardi cheating on her estranged husband, Offset, with a gang member while Cardi was “five months pregnant with Blossom last year.” Cardi stated that the producer BIA allegedly spoke to confirmed the rumor, but Cardi dismissed it as completely false, stating that type of “hood n***a” wasn’t her type. Now, even with these backstabbing claims fresh in the air, Cardi is taking the “high road”—but only for the moment. During a recent livestream, Cardi confirmed that she had video ready for “Pretty & Petty,” but chose not to release it on the day BIA’s Bianca album dropped. She explained that she recognized the stress of releasing an album and didn’t want to add to it. “I know how stressful it is to put an album out and I know how fucked up you be in the mind when you put an album out and sh*t, so I feel like if I do a video to ‘Pretty & Petty as F***’ this week or today, I feel like I would be bullying,” Cardi told fans. Cardi then added a reason for her restraint, “I don’t wanna feel like a bully. Because when I bully, then God takes from me,” she said. She clarified that if BIA wasn’t actively “messing” with her and hadn’t mentioned her in her album, she wouldn’t do the video at all. However, she confirmed that she plans to release the video soon, saying, “Probably next week, I’ll do a video for ‘Pretty & Petty as F***.’ I’mma be nice to you because it’s your album day. I don’t wanna add to your stress. I’m not that bad person that people think I am.” The post Benevolent Belcalis: Cardi Says She’s Pressing Pause On BIA Beef Amid Rapper’s Album Release–‘I Feel Like I Would Be Bullying’ appeared first on Bossip.

Megan Thee Stallion just added another major honor to her growing list of achievements. The Grammy Award–winning rapper has been named Mental Health Champion of the Year by The Trevor Project, recognizing her continued advocacy for mental health awareness, particularly among BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth. Honoring Mental Health Advocacy According to The Hollywood Reporter, the annual award celebrates public figures who use their platforms to challenge stigma and promote conversations about mental well-being. Megan now joins an inspiring list of past honorees, including Dua Lipa, Dylan Mulvaney, Janelle Monáe, and Lil Nas X. Building Resources and Safe Spaces Through her Pete & Thomas Foundation, named after her late parents, Megan continues to support initiatives that focus on education, housing, health, and wellness for underserved communities. In 2022, she launched BadBitchesHaveBadDaysToo.com, a free online resource connecting visitors to therapy directories, crisis hotlines, and mental health organizations—including The Trevor Project. Leading National Mental Health Campaigns Megan’s advocacy extends far beyond her music. She partnered with the California Department of Public Health for its “Never a Bother” suicide prevention campaign and joined the Ad Council’s “Seize the Awkward” initiative to encourage open dialogue about mental health. She’s also headlined Los Angeles Pride and spoken out against homophobia within the music industry. Megan’s Message of Love and Empathy In her acceptance statement, Megan emphasized her mission to use her platform for change: “My goal has always been to use my platform to help break stigmas around mental health and provide resources for those seeking safe spaces to have honest and heartfelt conversations,” she said. “Mental health impacts all of us, so it’s important to lead with love and empathy. I’m grateful for organizations like The Trevor Project that are committed to spreading awareness and supporting our LGBTQ+ youth in powerful ways.” The Trevor Project’s Praise The Trevor Project’s CEO, Jaymes Black, praised Megan as “an extraordinary role model,” especially for Black LGBTQ+ youth. “Her raw honesty, bold advocacy, and deep love for her community make her an extraordinary role model,” Black said. “Megan’s activism doesn’t just stop at words; she builds real, tangible resources for vulnerable communities that are too often overlooked. As a queer Black person, I wish I had someone like Megan to look up to when I was growing up.” A Well-Deserved Recognition Megan Thee Stallion becomes the fifth honoree to receive The Trevor Project’s Mental Health Champion of the Year Award. Her continued commitment to advocacy, community empowerment, and mental health awareness cements her legacy not just as a performer, but as a true champion for change. Congrats, Hottie Queen! 💅🏽    

The ongoing legal drama around Wendy Williams’ guardianship has taken another sharp turn. A federal judge has dismissed her ex-husband Kevin Hunter’s attempt to challenge her guardianship—blocking him from representing her in court. Judge Denies Kevin Hunter’s Federal Challenge According to The JasmineBRAND, Hunter filed a federal lawsuit in June claiming Wendy was being “abused, neglected, and defrauded” under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey. He sought to act as a “next friend”—a party allowed to represent someone unable to assert their own rights. His filing demanded: A jury trial $250 million in damages Accountability from 30+ defendants, including Wendy’s guardian and the presiding judge But the court rejected his petition, ruling that Hunter cannot legally act on Wendy’s behalf. The judge granted him permission to file an amended suit, but only under his own name. This decision emphasizes the courts’ reluctance to give outsiders automatic standing in guardianship cases. How Wendy Williams’ Guardianship Began Wendy Williams’ financial and personal control was placed under guardianship in 2022 after Wells Fargo froze her accounts, citing concerns about “undue influence and financial exploitation.” She was later diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023, but she has consistently denied being mentally impaired. “I am not cognitively impaired,” Wendy declared in a January 2025 interview on The Breakfast Club.“But I feel like I am in prison.” “I Feel Like I’m in Prison”: Inside Wendy’s Daily Life Wendy described her current living conditions as a “luxury prison.” She spends nearly all her time indoors, unable to leave or see family. “I keep the door closed. I watch TV. I listen to the radio. I watch the window. I sit here, and my life goes by.” “They won’t allow you to leave or have visitors,” she added. Her niece Alex has also referred to the facility as overly restrictive, noting that Wendy has lost much of her personal freedom. Wendy Williams’ Rare Public Appearances Since her guardianship began, Wendy has appeared in public only a handful of times. But in March 2025, she was spotted dining out and looking healthy. In a brief statement to Page Six, Wendy said: “I am fabulous. I’m better than good. I am very much alive. I deserve freedom, darling.” What’s Next for Kevin Hunter? With the judge’s dismissal, Kevin Hunter must rethink his legal approach. He can refile his lawsuit—but only as his own action, not as Wendy’s representative. This move distances Wendy from his claims, signaling the court’s intent to protect her autonomy within the guardianship system. Still, the case raises a crucial question:Will Wendy Williams ever regain control of her own life and finances?