culture

Several historically Black colleges and universities secured significant victories over the weekend in MEAC and SWAC conference play. South Carolina State defeated NC Central 34-27 on a late touchdown run by Josh Shaw, maintaining their perfect 4-0 conference record, while Delaware State also stayed unbeaten in MEAC play with a 26-13 win over Howard. Jackson State dominated Bethune-Cookman with three running backs each surpassing 100 yards in a 28-13 victory, and Alabama State cruised to a 41-3 win over Mississippi Valley State to secure their first eight-win season since 2018. Prairie View A&M claimed the SWAC Western Division championship with a decisive 56-9 triumph over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, earning a spot in the upcoming conference championship game.

Isiah Thomas, the NBA Hall of Famer, has become the first NBA player to hold majority control of a publicly traded company through his leadership of Isiah Enterprises, a clean-tech firm focused on renewable materials and sustainable production. His business journey began with studying natural crops like rice, corn, and soy to understand how their fibers could reduce plastic use and carbon footprints, eventually leading to patented processes used in automotive and packaging industries. Thomas rescued a near-bankrupt facility in Midland, Michigan, transforming it into a successful operation that now processes tens of thousands of pounds of renewable materials weekly and has shipped over 100,000 pounds of pelletized rubber compounds. Beyond business success, Thomas is motivated by a desire to break generational poverty in his community by encouraging families to become shareholders rather than lottery ticket buyers, with an ultimate goal of being the first NBA player to uplift a company to NASDAQ listing. # Key Takeaways

New York farmer David Haughton faces severe financial hardship after the USDA canceled the Local Food Purchase Assistance program in March 2025, causing him to lose 60 percent of his market as organizations could no longer afford his produce. The program, established in 2021 to help farmers recover from pandemic impacts while feeding communities, particularly supported small and minority farmers who face systemic barriers to capital. After nearly losing his 35-acre farm and home due to inability to make mortgage payments, Haughton received critical support from the Black Farmer Fund, which provides loans, grants and technical assistance specifically to Black farmers. Despite receiving a grant that saved his operation and allowed equipment purchases, Haughton suffered an additional setback when fire destroyed part of his home in August 2025, though he remains committed to farming.

A coalition called America's History SOS presented over 70,000 signatures to Congressional members of the Smithsonian Board of Regents during their October 27th meeting, advocating to protect more than a million artifacts at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The effort comes amid concerns about a Trump administration executive order requiring itemization of museum specimens and artifacts within a specific timeframe, which has created tension among museum workers who reportedly fear email monitoring. While Democratic Representatives Nikema Williams and Ayanna Pressley have led congressional efforts to protect the museum and investigate the executive order's implementation, the Congressional Black Caucus reports receiving cautionary guidance from museum leadership about how to offer support. The situation has intensified scrutiny of Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch's performance, with concerns heightened by the lack of official conversations between Black federal lawmakers and Bunch this year.

A recent sophisticated heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris resulted in the theft of eight priceless jewels that once belonged to Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. The thieves, dressed in black and moving with precision, completed the robbery in less than seven minutes, leaving security unable to respond in time. Experts believe that while the thieves might be caught, the stolen jewels will likely never be recovered once they are melted down or cut. This incident joins a series of notable art thefts throughout history, including the infamous 1990 Gardner Museum heist in Boston and the temporary disappearance of the Mona Lisa in 1911.

D'Angelo, a Grammy-winning R&B artist and neo-soul pioneer born Michael Eugene Archer, has died at age 51 after battling pancreatic cancer. Despite releasing only three studio albums over his three-decade career, D'Angelo profoundly influenced modern music with his fusion of soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop elements. His groundbreaking albums—Brown Sugar (1995), Voodoo (2000), and Black Messiah (2014)—established him as a visionary musician who channeled vulnerability, sensuality, and social consciousness while bridging past musical traditions with contemporary sounds. Before his death, D'Angelo had been working on a fourth studio album and recently withdrew from the 2025 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia due to medical complications from a previous surgery.

The article explores the cultural significance of brass bands and second line parades in New Orleans, highlighting how these musical traditions serve both funerals and celebrations throughout the city. Rooted in West African and Caribbean influences, these parades feature brass bands leading crowds through the streets, creating communal experiences that transition from mourning to celebration. The tradition has evolved since the late 1800s, with influential groups like Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Rebirth Brass Band modernizing the sound while maintaining its cultural importance. Though historically male-dominated, female brass bands like The Original Pinettes have emerged, adding to the rich musical landscape that defines New Orleans' unique cultural identity.

The term "woke," which originated in African American communities as a call for awareness about racial injustice, has evolved dramatically in American discourse. Beginning with Marcus Garvey in 1923 and resurfacing in the 2014 Black Lives Matter movement, the expression initially signified enlightenment about racism and injustice. In recent years, the term has become politically polarizing, with Republicans like President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth condemning "woke" culture in institutions, while some progressives attempt to reclaim its original meaning of empathy and awareness. The evolution reflects America's ongoing struggle with discussions about race, identity, and history, as the term transformed from cultural slang to a political battleground.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign memoir "107 Days" has achieved remarkable success, selling 350,000 copies across all formats in its first week according to publisher Simon & Schuster. The book chronicles Harris's unexpected 107-day presidential campaign that began after President Biden withdrew following a poor debate performance against Donald Trump in June 2024. Despite internal Democratic Party criticism of the book's content, public interest remains strong as evidenced by robust sales and well-attended author appearances. Simon & Schuster has already ordered a fifth printing that will bring total hardcover copies to 500,000, positioning the memoir to potentially become a historic bestseller, though still far behind Michelle Obama's "Becoming" which sold over 8 million copies globally.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco were married on September 27, 2025, in a ceremony held in Santa Barbara, California with approximately 170 guests in attendance, including celebrities Taylor Swift, Paul Rudd, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. The couple, who got engaged in December 2024 after dating for a year, had previously collaborated on multiple music projects before their romantic relationship began. Their professional relationship included work on hits like "Same Old Love" and "Kill Em with Kindness," and they recently released an album titled "I Said I Love You First" in March that chronicles their romance. Both Gomez and Blanco have established careers in the entertainment industry, with Gomez known for her Disney Channel role and music career, while Blanco is recognized as a producer who has worked with numerous high-profile artists.

Afro-Bolivians, though officially recognized in the constitution since 2009, continue to struggle for visibility and acceptance in a country where they're often mistaken as foreigners despite being native Bolivians. Around 23,000 people identified as Afro in Bolivia's 2012 census, with most residing in the remote Yungas region where they depend on coca harvesting and honey production for their livelihoods. Despite some progress through the establishment of the Afro-Bolivian National Council (CONAFRO) in 2011 and the designation of a national day for Afro-Bolivian people, community leaders argue that symbolic recognition has not translated into meaningful structural change or accurate representation in educational curricula. The community maintains its cultural identity through traditional "saya" music and dance, which serves as both a cultural touchstone and a tool for political visibility and protest.

The White House under Trump has criticized the Smithsonian Museum of American History for displaying the Immokalee Statue of Liberty, claiming it is "too woke." This paper-mâché sculpture, created by artist Kat Rodriguez, depicts Lady Liberty holding tomatoes instead of a torch and tablet, commemorating the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' 2000 march for fair wages and dignity. An official White House post specifically objected to this alternate depiction of the Statue of Liberty among other exhibits deemed excessively progressive. The article suggests this criticism represents an authoritarian attempt to rewrite history and undermine the recognition of farmworkers' contributions to America, particularly those of immigrants and people of color.

"Clothes Story," an exhibition at Mesa College Art Gallery featuring replicated historical African American women's fashion from 1890-1963, opened last week to celebrate Black women's contributions to history. Curated by Kenneth Green, who drew inspiration from his seamstress mother and collected archival photographs over decades, the exhibit showcases authentic recreations of garments worn by notable figures like Coretta Scott King and Mahalia Jackson. The exhibition provided Mesa College Museum Studies students with valuable hands-on experience in exhibition setup and design. This culturally significant collection runs through October 16 and aims to preserve African American history by presenting stories of courage and resilience through fashion.

The Mississippi Museum of Art is now displaying two rare pre-emancipation portraits of enslaved individuals, "Portrait of Frederick" and Delia's portrait, together for the first time. These paintings, created around 1840, are the only known such portraits from Mississippi and were purchased from descendants of the subjects' enslavers. Frederick, who later took the surname Baker and became ordained after emancipation, held a managerial position overseeing other slaves on the plantation, while less is known about Delia who appears to be sewing in her portrait. Both paintings are distinctive for portraying these individuals as sole subjects in dignified three-quarters compositions, prompting visitors to reflect on their humanity and the complex history of slavery.

The Tubman Till Museum & Foundation has appointed Dr. Daniel E. Walker as its Chief Scholar and Advisor to provide scholarly leadership for the forthcoming museum slated to open in North Orange County in 2026. Founder Dr. Eric J. Chambers emphasized that Walker's expertise will help build a living legacy rather than just a physical museum space. The museum will focus on the legacies of Harriet Tubman, Emmett Till, and Mrs. Mamie Till Mobley while also featuring stories of abolitionists, allies, unsung heroes, and influential athletes and entertainers. Beyond exhibitions, the institution will function as a media center, educational landmark, and home to Tubman Till College, offering courses in Business Entrepreneurship, History, and Media Studies.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History presents a comprehensive view of America that includes both achievements and historical injustices, drawing criticism from former President Donald Trump who wants museums to focus primarily on American success and pride. Trump has threatened to withhold funding unless the museums shift away from what he perceives as negative portrayals, despite the museum's extensive displays of American innovation, heroism, and accomplishments alongside exhibits addressing slavery, imperialism, and racial injustice. The museum's balanced approach explores the complexities of American history through artifacts ranging from George Washington's uniform and Thomas Edison's light bulbs to shackles representing slavery and items highlighting the experiences of marginalized groups. This approach aligns with the museum's mission to examine "the complexity of our past," raising fundamental questions about American identity and how the nation should remember its history.

The Smithsonian's exhibition "The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture" has become a focal point of controversy after being criticized in a Trump executive order for its examination of how sculpture has reinforced racist ideologies. The exhibition, which displays 82 sculptures dating from 1792 to 2023, aims to encourage transparent dialogue about race and racism through art history. In response to the criticism, the Smithsonian has begun reviewing content across its museums, raising concerns about potential limitations on candid discussions of American history. The exhibition features works like "The Wounded Scout, a Friend in the Swamp" and "The Dying Tecumseh," prompting viewers to consider how these sculptures shaped racial narratives despite their seemingly progressive messages.

The Henry Ford museum near Detroit is showcasing important Civil Rights artifacts, including Rosa Parks' bus and a desk used by Martin Luther King Jr. for planning voting rights marches. Curator Amber Mitchell explains that such exhibits help tell collective stories about American society, particularly for those who didn't experience these historical events firsthand. However, the Trump administration's rules could potentially restrict public access to similar artifacts at federal sites by prohibiting content considered "divisive" that acknowledges the significant impact of racism in American history.

President Trump has escalated his campaign against cultural institutions by directing his attorneys to review museums, particularly criticizing the Smithsonian for allegedly focusing too much on negative aspects of American history like slavery. This follows a recently announced White House review of the Smithsonian Institution, where Trump administration officials are seeking to ensure exhibits align with celebrating "American exceptionalism" and remove what they consider divisive narratives. The Smithsonian's exhibits typically undergo years of planning and rigorous evaluation by scholars and curatorial experts before being displayed. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order putting Vice President JD Vance in charge of stopping government spending on exhibits that don't align with the administration's agenda.

The Trump administration is actively reshaping the Smithsonian Institution through an executive order that places Vice President J.D. Vance in charge of purging "divisive" content from exhibits, particularly those addressing race and slavery. Recent changes include removing references to Trump's two impeachments from the National Museum of American History and returning loaned civil rights artifacts from the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The administration demands "content corrections" across eight major museums to replace what it considers "ideologically driven" narratives with those celebrating "American exceptionalism." Despite Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch pledging to remain committed to telling multi-faceted American stories, the White House has established unprecedented control over the institution's content, funding, and governance.

HARLEM WEEK, celebrating its 51st edition from August 1-17, 2024, returns with the theme "Celebrate Our Magic" to honor Harlem's cultural, spiritual, and historical legacy. What began in 1974 as a one-day event founded by Percy Sutton has evolved into a 17-day global celebration featuring over 100 events spanning arts, music, health, business, technology, and education. This year's festivities will honor notable figures including civil rights leader Hazel Dukes, Rep. Charles Rangel, and music legends like Kool & The Gang and Roberta Flack, while also commemorating Malcolm X's centennial and Harry Belafonte's legacy. The celebration culminates with HARLEM DAY on August 17, transforming 135th Street with three entertainment stages, a health village, and diverse musical performances that showcase Harlem's vibrancy and global influence.