Black Friday Briefing
Black Friday Briefing – August 8, 2025
Trump’s Liberia Gaffe Draws Backlash (08/05) – During a White House meeting with African leaders, President Trump praised Liberian President Joseph Boakai’s “good” and “beautiful” English with apparent surprise and asked where he learned to speak so well. Liberia’s official language is English, so many – from Liberian opposition figures to Black Twitter slammed Trump’s remarks as condescending and tone-deaf. The incident underscores ongoing frustrations over Trump’s treatment of African nations and comes as his administration slashes aid to Liberia, sparking feelings of betrayal in a country that long saw the U.S. as a “big brother.”
Voting Rights Act at 60, Under Threat (08/06) – This week marked 60 years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed. Black leaders note the law’s legacy – it ended literacy tests and other racist barriers – but warn that its promise is “severely undercut” today. In recent years, Supreme Court rulings gutted key provisions, and state-level voter restrictions have surged. “Black people’s political power is under severe threat,” said Legal Defense Fund President Janai Nelson, urging Congress to pass new protections like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Advocates stress that without restoring the VRA’s strength, voter suppression of marginalized groups will continue to imperil American democracy.
Black Journalists Mark NABJ’s 50th Anniversary (08/06) – Thousands of Black journalists are gathered in Cleveland for the 50th annual NABJ Convention. As the National Association of Black Journalists turns 50, members are celebrating progress and pushing for fairness in newsrooms. Only about 6% of U.S. reporters are Black, and NABJ leaders stress that diverse hiring is critical to fully reflect communities. The convention, which runs Aug. 6–10, offers career workshops, networking, and a Hall of Fame induction. Local hosts note the industry’s cuts have hit Black media workers hard; the conference is also inspiring attendees to create their own media ventures in an era of shrinking news jobs.
Communities Commemorate Black August (08/01–08/31) – It’s Black August, and Black communities nationwide are curating spaces for reflection and liberation. Originating in the 1970s to honor fallen prison activists like George Jackson, Black August has evolved into a month-long observance of Black resistance. This week in Los Angeles, Noname’s Radical Hood Library is hosting teach-ins and healing circles as part of the celebration. In Atlanta, a Black August Reading Group at a local Black-owned bookstore invites people to study revolutionary texts together. Organizers say the month is about political education and recommitment to the struggle – a response to ongoing state violence, mass incarceration, and systemic racism.
One Month, No Sign of Missing Teen (08/05) – It’s been one month since 19-year-old Nyeasha Pickens went missing in Cordele, Georgia, and her family is still pleading for answers. Pickens disappeared July 5 after stopping at a gas station, and exhaustive searches of woods and lakes have turned up nothing. Police and the GBI insist the case remains active and every lead is being chased. Local news highlighted how Nyeasha’s case underscores a larger issue – the disparities in attention for missing Black women. Advocates point out Black women comprise a disproportionate share of missing persons but often get far less media coverage. Nyeasha’s mother vows “I’m never going to give up hope” in the ongoing effort to bring her daughter home.
Task Force Sought for Missing Black Women (08/06) – Wisconsin legislators are reviving a bill to create a task force on missing and murdered Black women and girls, after previous attempts stalled. The push gained urgency when a Milwaukee woman, Sade Robinson, was murdered and her family is now championing the task force in her memory. State Rep. Shelia Stubbs, who is reintroducing the bill, noted Wisconsin had the nation’s worst racial disparity in women’s homicide rates in 2020. Black women in Wisconsin were 20 times more likely to be murdered than white women. Supporters say a dedicated task force of police, survivors, and experts could study the causes of this violence and recommend solutions. “How much longer must we wait?” Rep. Stubbs asked.
Black Maternal Health Study Cut by Funding Axe (08/02) – Black health advocates are decrying the abrupt cancellation of a $2.4 million NIH study on Black maternal outcomes. UNC epidemiologist Jaime Slaughter-Acey had been examining how racism across a Black woman’s life affects pregnancy outcomes. This spring, however, the Trump administration terminated her grant which was one of nearly 1,900 NIH grants nullified under new cost-cutting orders. Slaughter-Acey said she felt the rug was pulled out from under vital research, calling it “infuriating” given the crisis in Black maternal mortality. The cut came just after CDC data showed Black mothers were the only group not to see a decline in maternal deaths last year (50.3 Black maternal deaths per 100,000 births, vs. 14.5 for white women).
Black Trans Woman on Living Her Truth (08/04) – In Rochester, NY, 47-year-old Javannah Davis is celebrating her birthday and her freedom to live authentically as a Black trans woman. Davis, a nurse-turned-activist, reflected that every birthday feels like a milestone given the threats trans people face. She acted in a local play for her 47th and runs a nonprofit helping trans folks with food, legal name changes, and other support.
Court Ruling Chips Away at Qualified Immunity (08/06) – A federal appeals court delivered a win for accountability behind bars, denying qualified immunity to Colorado jail officials who allegedly ignored a Black inmate’s cries of pain. In the case (Hardy v. Rabie), wheelchair-bound inmate Ralph Hardy fell and injured his back, then was left to suffer for hours despite begging for medical help. The 10th Circuit ruled this week that an inmate doesn’t need to quantify exactly how long they were in pain to prove officials violated their rights. The court also said jail staff can be liable even if they don’t know an inmate’s exact diagnosis – ignoring obvious pleas is enough. Civil rights attorneys hailed the decision as an “important blow” to the doctrine of qualified immunity, which often shields officers from misconduct lawsuits. “No official who exhibits this level of callous negligence should be immunized,” said LDF lawyer Kevin Jason, noting this ruling opens a path for Mr. Hardy to seek justice.
Black Beauty Tech Startup Secures Patent (08/07) – A St. Louis-based entrepreneur just hit a major milestone in eco-friendly beauty. Ciara Imani May, founder of Rebundle, announced her company earned its first patent for plant-based braiding hair. Rebundle makes non-toxic, biodegradable hair extensions from banana fiber as an alternative to the itchy plastic “kanekalon” hair many Black women have endured. May’s innovation sprang from personal experience: she suffered scalp irritation from synthetic braids and set out to create a “comfort and safety” solution. Her patented technology, called ReGen Hair Fiber, produces braiding hair that is itch-free (no vinegar soak needed), environmentally friendly, and Black woman-owned. Rebundle has already raised over $1 million in funding and now with its intellectual property secured, May says “we’re building a safer, non-toxic future for Black beauty” proving Black women can lead in tech innovation while solving problems for their community.
Spotlight on Black American Mass Shooters (08/05) – A new piece in The Root is challenging assumptions about mass shootings. Titled “Shocking True Stories of Black American Mass Shooters,” it recounts a dozen cases from the DC snipers to a massive California manhunt that reveal Black perpetrators have also carried out notorious mass shootings . The article notes these stories often receive less lasting public attention than shootings by white gunmen, skewing perceptions. By chronicling incidents like John Allen Muhammad (the DC sniper) , the piece has sparked debate on social media about media narratives. Some readers were stunned to learn about these cases, acknowledging a bias in how mass shooters are typically portrayed. It’s an uncomfortable topic, but the author argues that confronting it is necessary to dispel myths and address gun violence in all communities.
Dress Codes for Parents? (08/06) – As back-to-school season nears, a viral discussion is unfolding about how parents dress when dropping kids off. Several schools from Texas to Maryland have stirred debate by asking parents to adhere to modest dress codes on campus. The Root highlighted that *“schools aren’t having y’all dressed any kind of way to drop your kids off”, humorously informing parents about new guidelines. Examples have included bans on pajamas, bonnets, sagging pants or revealing outfits during drop-off and pick-up. Some parents are offended, calling it judgmental and arguing they’re not the ones in class. But many teachers and principals say it sets a respectful tone and models appropriate attire for students. The discourse, often accompanied by jokes and memes, underscores the ongoing tension between school standards and personal expression not just for students, but for the grown folks, too.
Hip-Hop Royalty Divorce Drama (08/07) – The breakup of rap couple Remy Ma and Papoose has exploded into public drama, dragging in an unexpected third party: boxing champion Claressa Shields. Rumors swirled for months that Papoose and Shields struck up a relationship, and Remy Ma recently filed for divorce. Now reports say Remy is refusing to sign off on the divorce until finances from Papoose’s new dealings with Shields are sorted . According to AllHipHop, Remy allegedly wants to ensure she gets a cut of any income Pap earns managing or collaborating with Shields . (Papoose has been helping Shields with her budding rap career.) The situation turned messy on social media: Remy shaded Papoose as a “47-year-old man” with “no income” living off her , while Shields publicly shut down the “homewrecker” narrative and even hinted at baby plans with Pap. It’s a far cry from the once-celebrated Black love story Remy and Papoose embodied. Fans are glued to the gossip, but also a bit saddened – another reminder that real life is more complicated than the love stories in lyrics.
Ghana Mourns Victims of Helicopter Crash (08/06) – Flags are at half-mast in Ghana after a tragic military helicopter crash killed eight people, including the country’s Defence Minister and a Minister for Environment. The Chinese-made Z-9 Air Force chopper went down on Aug. 6 en route to an assignment in the Ashanti region. President John Mahama called it a “national tragedy”, expressing condolences to the families . The late Defence Minister, Edward Omane Boamah, had only been in the post since January when Mahama returned to power . In the wake of the crash, Ghana’s finance minister was appointed acting defense chief as the nation investigates the cause. The loss comes at a challenging time – Ghana’s military is on alert over rising security threats up north. Social media in Ghana has been filled with an outpouring of grief, with many also noting the irony that this disaster fell on Founders’ Day, a national holiday. Authorities have not yet determined why the helicopter lost radar contact and went down, and an inquiry is underway.
August is Black Business Month (08/01) – It’s National Black Business Month, and organizers are urging support for Black entrepreneurs as an “economic imperative.” In an op-ed, the Milwaukee Courier notes this recognition “has never been more crucial to our community’s survival and prosperity.” Black-owned businesses still face unequal access to capital and fewer safety nets, challenges only heightened by the pandemic’s aftermath. To mark the month, communities are hosting networking events, pitch competitions, and “buy Black” campaigns. Civic leaders like Congresswoman Yvette Clarke also acknowledged Black Business Month and she highlighted the need to invest in the innovation and job creation coming from Black founders. With Black-owned firms numbering over 3 million in the U.S., advocates say ensuring their growth isn’t just about equity; it bolsters the entire economy. The call to action this month: patronize Black businesses, amplify their stories, and push for policies that level the playing field.
Barrier Breaker in the Pulpit (08/04) – For the first time ever, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has elected a Black presiding bishop. Chicago’s own Bishop Yehiel Curry won the denomination’s top post in a surprise vote last week . Curry will lead the 3-million-member ELCA starting in October. He’s served congregations on Chicago’s South Side and led mentorship programs for Black youth during his two decades in ministry . Coming from a Catholic upbringing before becoming a Lutheran pastor, Curry said he never imagined himself as presiding bishop – “I didn’t go in thinking I’d be elected…my name was lifted up” and after prayer he accepted the nomination . His election is “the church saying, ‘We see you,’” Curry remarked . It’s especially historic because the ELCA is overwhelmingly white (95% of members) and has been struggling to become more diverse . Black Lutherans are rejoicing; one parishioner noted that in a faith tradition where they’ve often felt invisible, seeing Bishop Curry at the helm is a powerful symbol of inclusion.
‘COVID Babies’ Start Kindergarten (08/05) – The children born in the early pandemic are headed to kindergarten, and parents and teachers are bracing for the transition. These little ones spent their infant and toddler years in a world of lockdowns, social distancing, and disrupted childcare and some have had less peer interaction and structured pre-K than previous cohorts. Educators are watching for any developmental delays or social-emotional differences as the “COVID generation” enters school. On the upside, many of these 5-year-olds are adept with technology (hello, Zoom preschool) and have spent tons of time with family. Pediatric experts advise kindergarten teachers to be ready to build extra socialization time and to meet kids where they are after such unorthodox early years. Parents of pandemic babies are feeling a mix of anxiety and relief: anxious about their child’s preparedness, but relieved that these kids can finally have a more normal school experience. Expect lots of proud (and teary-eyed) millennial parents at this year’s first-day drop-offs – we’re all growing up together.
Tyler Perry Expands BET Partnership (08/06) – While Tyler Perry didn’t end up buying BET outright, he’s not going anywhere. The entertainment mogul has inked a new deal with BET and even unveiled a upcoming 2025 crime drama as part of the partnership . BET has essentially been “Tyler Perry Studios North” in recent years as he’s delivered a string of hit series for BET and BET+ (none have ever been canceled, notably). Now Perry is doubling down: Black Enterprise reports he’ll produce “Route 187”, a gritty show set around violence on a bus line, slated for 2025 . The deal solidifies Perry’s deep role at BET after Paramount Global put a stake in BET up for sale last year but then paused the sale. Fans had hoped Perry might take ownership, but instead he’s extending content ties. He remains “100% supportive” of BET’s mission even without owning it . Translation: Tyler Perry will keep bringing fresh content to BET screens, continuing his longtime collaboration and the door isn’t closed if BET becomes available again.
Ferguson Legacy, 11 Years On (08/09) – This week also marked 11 years since Michael Brown’s killing in Ferguson, which galvanized the Black Lives Matter movement. In August 2014, Brown’s death at the hands of police prompted national protests and a federal probe. A decade plus later, activists say progress on police reform feels painfully slow. Federal oversight in Ferguson did lead to some changes, but broader trends are sobering: police are still killing over 1,000 Americans a year (disproportionately Black), and popular reforms like body cameras haven’t significantly reduced brutality . Advocates spent this week reflecting on wins – like greater public awareness and the growth of local racial justice groups – but also losses, such as backlash laws that roll back reform efforts. Notably, Ferguson itself remains under a consent decree, but Missouri officials have resisted some mandates . On the anniversary, vigils in Ferguson remembered Brown and renewed calls for true accountability. It’s a reminder that the struggle sparked in 2014 continues, and many are “fretting about the deterioration” of voting and civil rights in the current era
Florida’s AP Psychology Furor (08/07) – The education culture wars raged on in Florida this week. Several Florida school districts dropped AP Psychology from their curriculum after state officials warned that the course’s unit on gender and sexual orientation might violate new laws . The College Board, which oversees AP courses, refused to censor the content, effectively forcing a standoff. The result? Confusion and frustration for thousands of students who planned to take the college-level psych class this fall. Civil rights groups blasted the move, noting that omitting valid psychology topics does students a disservice. By week’s end, facing backlash, the Florida education department tried to walk it back, saying AP Psych can be taught “in its entirety.” Many schools are scrambling to reinstate it. This comes on the heels of Florida’s controversial Black history standards that drew condemnation for downplaying slavery. Educators warn that constant politicization of curricula from African American studies to psychology is creating chaos and harming the quality of education for Florida’s kids.
Health Disparity Alert – HIV in Black Women (08/06) – A stark new CDC update highlighted how Black women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV in America. Black women account for 50% of new HIV diagnoses among females, despite being only ~13% of the female population . This eye-opening stat, from 2022 data, was noted during National Minority HIV/AIDS Awareness efforts. Health advocates say it underscores an urgent need for culturally competent outreach, testing, and prevention (like PrEP) for Black women . Barriers such as stigma, lack of access to healthcare, and socioeconomic factors contribute to the disparity . In response, organizations are ramping up campaigns targeting Black women – for example, promoting a long-acting injectable PrEP that could be a game-changer for those who can’t take daily pills . The CDC also noted that Black men (especially gay and bisexual men) continue to face severely high HIV rates. The overall message: tackling HIV in Black America, especially among women, must remain a priority, even as medical advances make the virus more manageable for some.
Extreme Heat Hits Black Neighborhoods Hardest (08/05) – A searing heatwave blanketed much of the country this week, and experts are warning (again) that urban Black communities feel the worst of it. Many historically Black neighborhoods are heat islands – fewer trees and parks, more heat-absorbing pavement – often the legacy of redlining and disinvestment . During this heat dome, cities like New York, D.C., and Chicago opened extra cooling centers, but disparities persist. Residents of underserved areas are less likely to have air conditioning or money for high electric bills . Word In Black reports that on a 90+° day, redlined neighborhoods can be 10–15° hotter than leafy, affluent ones nearby . This translates into higher risks of heat stroke, dehydration, and even death. Officials blame climate change for making heat waves more frequent and intense – and note Black and brown Americans, who are more likely to be low-income renters in older housing, are disproportionately impacted. The takeaway: as one TikTok quipped, “Please do not invite me anywhere with no A/C”
EPA Rule Rollback Triggers Environmental Justice Fears (08/07) – Extreme heat isn’t the only climate concern – advocates are sounding the alarm after the EPA moved to roll back a key climate protection. Trump-appointed EPA chief Lee Zeldin announced plans to axe the “endangerment finding,” the scientific determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health . That finding underpins regulations on tailpipe and smokestack pollution. Its removal would strip the EPA’s authority to fight climate change and pollution. Black mayors like Cleveland’s Justin Bibb blasted the move, saying it “undermines decades of progress” and leaves Black communities with even fewer shields against toxic air and extreme weather. Black neighborhoods are already systematically targeted for highways, factories, and waste dumps – a pattern the EPA itself recognizes as environmental racism . Now, by gutting pollution limits and stalling clean energy rules, the administration is, in Mayor Bibb’s words, **“placing those already burdened by pollution at greater risk” . One former EPA official put it bluntly: without these protections, Black communities will be left to “suffocate” amid worsening smog, soot, and climate disasters .
Trump Targets Census, Stoking Representation Fights (08/06) – The Trump administration is reviving efforts to change the U.S. census in ways that could impact political representation. This week, Trump officials floated plans to exclude undocumented immigrants from census counts for apportionment – a move previously blocked in 2020 . They also want to alter how race and ethnicity data are collected. Civil rights groups are on high alert, as these changes could significantly undercount communities of color and immigrant communities. The constitution mandates counting “the whole number of persons” in each state, and experts say trying to omit undocumented residents would violate that . Nevertheless, the administration appears to be laying groundwork for an executive action. An undercount could shift congressional seats and federal funding away from diverse urban areas towards whiter, more rural areas. Democratic lawmakers and advocacy organizations are preparing legal challenges, framing this as yet another attempt to weaponize the census. With the 2025 census test surveys already underway, any tinkering with questions or methodologies is drawing scrutiny.
Chris Smalls’ International Ordeal (08/07) – Labor organizers are rallying around Christian “Chris” Smalls – famous for leading an Amazon warehouse union on Staten Island – after an unexpected international incident. Smalls was reportedly detained in Israel recently during a trip and held in an Israeli prison for a short time . He was released this week, and while details are sparse, community activists are expressing solidarity. Smalls had been traveling after participating in a labor conference; some speculate he may have been caught up in a protest in the Palestinian territories. Upon hearing of his detention, U.S. civil rights and labor groups pressed for his release. Now back home, Smalls hasn’t publicly detailed the episode yet, but supporters held a welcome-home gathering. They highlight that an injury to one is an injury to all – whether on the shop floor or abroad. Smalls became an icon after taking on Amazon (and getting fired for it) and then successfully unionizing his facility. That fight made him a global figure in worker rights. Whatever happened in Israel, his allies are ensuring the incident doesn’t go unnoticed and are thanking the grassroots pressure that helped secure his freedom.
Remembering Hurricane Katrina, 20 Years Later (08/08) – In a blend of history and culture, The Weather Channel announced a new documentary series “Katrina 20” to commemorate the upcoming 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina . The series, premiering later this month, will look back at the 2005 storm’s devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and how it reshaped conversations about race, poverty, and disaster response in America. Black residents were disproportionately affected by Katrina’s floods and the botched government response – images of Black families stranded on rooftops and in the Superdome became seared in the nation’s consciousness. Two decades on, “Katrina 20” will highlight stories of resilience: the cultural revival of New Orleans, survivors who have become community leaders, and the ongoing efforts to strengthen infrastructure against future storms. As we near the somber anniversary, many are reflecting on Katrina’s lessons. The consensus: enormous progress in emergency preparedness has been made, but as climate change fuels more extreme hurricanes, the equity gaps exposed in 2005 remain a pressing challenge.
Sources:
I’m here to make a statement that is missing from and needs to be added to the public conversation.
Authoritarianism is a disease of the body politic. When every human being treats every other human being as an equal, then the disease has been cured.
We can carefully observe, describe, and treat the symptoms, and that gives us time, but it also gives the disease time to evolve, which is why previously effective treatments have now become ineffective.
While the public conversation is exclusively about the symptoms, the disease knows it is winning. What the disease fears most is when its root cause becomes part of the public dialogue because then it knows the disease will be cured.
To be more specific:
https://jamesrcarey.substack.com/p/consciousness-e14