Black Monday Briefing

Stories they hoped you’d miss.

Aug 04, 2025

Welcome to the Black Monday Briefing, your rapid-fire dispatch of stories the mainstream press skimmed, skipped, or sanitized. Here’s what happened over the weekend (08/02–08/04) that Black America needs to know.

Public Broadcasting to Shut Down After Funding Ax (08/02) – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting says it will close shop after the federal government yanked its funding . That means PBS, NPR and hundreds of local stations lose a lifeline, jeopardizing educational shows from Sesame Street to HBCU campus documentaries. It’s a cultural gut-punch – public media was one place that tried to serve minority audiences, and now the plug’s been pulled as diversity programs get dismantled.
Black Unemployment Hits 7.2%, Double White Rate (08/02) – July’s jobs report shows Black workers are hurting: a 7.2% unemployment rate, nearly twice the 3.7% for white workers . Overall job growth stalled out, but of course it’s Black folks who take the biggest hit when the economy catches cold. It’s a flashing red sign about who’s left exposed in a “strong” economy – and a reality check for anyone claiming we’re all doing just fine.
Black Retirement Savings Gap Widens (08/02) – New analysis confirms many Black Americans are heading toward retirement with pennies on the dollar compared to whites . Decades of lower wages, little or no 401(k) access, and higher debt have fueled a racial retirement crisis. Translation: after a lifetime of work, our elders are poised to struggle in old age – yet another wealth gap that isn’t making headlines but damn well should.
Ex-Cop Gets 33 Months for Breonna Taylor Raid (07/22) – Former Louisville officer Brett Hankison was finally sentenced to 33 months in prison for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This comes after Trump’s Justice Department had the audacity to ask the judge to give him just one day in jail . The judge called out the political BS and delivered a real sentence. It’s not the justice Breonna deserved, but it’s something and a reminder that we only get accountability when we raise hell.
Baltimore County Map Triggers Black Voter Uproar (08/03) – In Maryland, Black community advocates are up in arms over a proposed Baltimore County redistricting plan they say dilutes Black voting power . Blacks make up 30% of the county’s voters, and the new map could deny them fair representation. Local activists are packing meetings and threatening lawsuits – this isn’t just about one county, it’s about not letting political maps whitewash Black voices.
Tennessee County’s Desegregation Retreat Alarms Black Families (08/04) – Fayette County, TN – a majority-Black school district – is trying to get out from under a 1965 desegregation order . The mostly white school board insists “progress” means federal oversight isn’t needed, but Black parents aren’t buying it. They’re flooding meetings to say ending the order now, without trust in place, risks dragging their schools backward. It’s 2025, and folks are literally begging officials not to re-segregate their kids’ education – unreal, but true.
Lead Contamination in Schools Hurts Black Children (08/03) – An investigative report finds lead is still leaching into drinking water and paint in predominantly Black public schools . In places like Flint and older urban districts, Black students are suffering irreversible learning damage from this silent poison. It’s a toxic legacy of neglect and environmental racism – kids are losing IQ points and focus because basic infrastructure fixes keep getting ignored. We talk about test scores and achievement gaps, but not about how America is literally poisoning Black brains.
Officer Who Killed Amir Locke Reassigned Amid Outcry (08/03) – Minneapolis police quietly promoted Sgt. Mark Hanneman – the cop who fatally shot 22-year-old Amir Locke during a no-knock raid – to a use-of-force training job . When the community found out, outrage erupted and the department hastily yanked him from the role. Activists blasted the move as a “betrayal of public trust,”.
Ohio Town Rallies to Shield Haitians from Deportation (08/03) – In Springfield, Ohio, Black church leaders and neighbors are banding together to protect their Haitian immigrant neighbors after Trump moved to end their protected status . A hundred locals spent the weekend training on how to resist ICE raids – even preparing to hide families if mass deportations hit. They refuse to stand by while their friends and coworkers get snatched away.
Ciara Becomes Citizen of Benin in Diaspora Homecoming (08/04) – R&B star Ciara made history by obtaining citizenship in Benin, West Africa . She’s one of the first African Americans to be granted citizenship under a new law welcoming descendants of enslaved Africans back “home.” In an emotional ceremony, Benin’s leaders said reconnecting diaspora children to the motherland “heals a historical wound.” It’s diaspora pride on full display – a reminder that for all the culture we’ve created in America, many of us still yearn for that ancestral link across the Atlantic.
Caribbean Carnival Brings Millions to Toronto Streets (08/02) – This weekend the sounds of steelpan and soca thundered through Toronto as the city’s annual Caribbean Carnival Grand Parade drew huge crowds . Lake Shore Boulevard became a sea of vibrant costumes, Caribbean flags, and joyful masqueraders. Organizers say revelers in the millions came from across Canada, the U.S. and the islands for North America’s biggest celebration of Caribbean culture. It’s Black and island heritage taking over a major metropolis – no tragedy, no controversy, just pure celebratory energy that most U.S. media somehow ignore.
Venus Williams, 43, Isn’t Done Yet on the Court (08/02) – Tennis icon Venus Williams stunned everyone with a triumphant return at a D.C. tournament, showing the youngins she still has game. At 43, Venus beat a player half her age and isn’t hanging up her racket anytime soon . She’s now headed to bigger tour stops (even eyeing the U.S. Open) with that signature fighting spirit. For Black fans, seeing Venus defy age and expectations is a welcome dose of inspiration – she’s reminding us that Black excellence has no expiration date.
Orioles Great Adam Jones Joins Team’s Hall of Fame (08/02) – Baltimore turned out to honor Adam Jones as the former All-Star center fielder was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame. Jones spent 11 seasons as the heart of that franchise and earned the love of a city that looks a lot like him. The 5-time All-Star said the honor is “badass,” especially since Baltimore is a majority-Black city and he embraced being a role model for the community . This isn’t just a sports story – it’s about a Black athlete who didn’t just play ball, but gave back and repped for the culture every step of the way.
Black Business Month Kicks Off Nationwide (08/02) – It’s August, which means National Black Business Month is on. From Atlanta to L.A., communities are launching events to spotlight Black entrepreneurs and encourage folks to direct dollars their way. Think pop-up markets, business expos, and social media challenges to “buy Black” all month. With Black-owned businesses still facing funding gaps and shorter lifespans, this annual push is about survival and self-determination.
UniverSoul Circus Brings Black Culture to Big Top (08/03) – The Black-owned UniverSoul Circus rolled into the D.C. area, blending traditional circus acts with unapologetic Black flavor. Crowds enjoyed everything from breakdancing clowns to gospel-influenced trapeze routines under the red-and-yellow tent . For 29 years this show has toured the country as a one-of-a-kind celebration of our music, style and joy – imagine Cirque du Soleil meets HBCU homecoming. It matters because it’s not just entertainment; it’s representation. Under that big top, Black kids see themselves as ringmasters, acrobats, and stars of the show, and that’s a thrill worth catching.