Blackout Monday Briefing 11-24-2025
When the spotlight fades the truth starts talking
Today’s Blackout Monday Briefing surfaces what power hoped you’d miss: ten late-Friday government moves and twenty-five weekend stories each provably under-covered and anchored to real stakes for Black communities on the ground, with dedicated coverage for Black LGBTQ folks and the Black diaspora.
Before we dive in, let me get this out of the way: the Bestseller push is very real, and you’ve already moved the needle. The last time a Black Monday Briefing went out, 65 of you were carrying this work as paid subscribers; today we’re sitting at 87, just 13 short of that Bestseller checkmark. If you’ve been reading along for free and you’re in a position to do it, upgrading to paid now is the single most direct way to push this platform over the goal line and elevate this platform and get this kind of reporting in front of the many people who need it most.
Black Monday Briefing 11-24-2025
Section A — Official Friday News Dump
1. Friday, Nov. 21, 8:22 p.m. ET – SCOTUS Greenlights Texas’ Disputed Map:Late Friday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito temporarily reinstated Texas’ new congressional map drawn to boost GOP seats by blocking a lower court’s injunction that had found the map likely discriminatory against Black and Hispanic voters . The emergency order, issued as a one-justice decision, allows Texas to use the contested map for now, despite evidence of racial gerrymandering in its design. (Barely Covered) — Texas Tribune
Why It Matters: The decision deals a blow to voting rights advocates fighting to undo racially biased redistricting. Black Texans could face reduced representation under a map a federal court deemed discriminatory . If the full Supreme Court ultimately upholds this map, it will further weaken the Voting Rights Act’s protections for fair Black political representation.
2. Friday, Nov. 21, 5:36 p.m. ET – Education Dept. Gag Order in Dismantling Plan: As the Trump administration advances its plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Reuters revealed Friday that top officials were made to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to shield discussions from public and congressional scrutiny . The department’s senior ranks have been working under gag orders while shifting federal education programs to other agencies – part of a drive to “return education to the states.” (Ignored) — Reuters
Why It Matters: This secrecy shrouds a massive upheaval in federal education policy. Black students stand to lose resources as key programs are shuffled or cut without transparency. Civil rights groups warn that sidelining public input and oversight could mask attempts to roll back educational equity protections in schools serving Black communities . For Black parents, students, and educators, the NDAs signal an alarming lack of accountability in an education overhaul that may disproportionately harm minority-serving programs.
3. Friday, Nov. 21, 12:16 p.m. ET – Newark Police Oversight Ends After 9 Years: On Friday, officials announced that a federal judge had formally terminated the Newark Police Department’s consent decree after nearly a decade of Justice Department oversight . The court found Newark’s police reforms – ordered after a pattern of unconstitutional policing against Black residents – to be substantially complete. City and DOJ leaders hailed Newark’s progress and “rare success story” in meeting reform benchmarks. (Barely Covered) — New Jersey Globe
Why It Matters: Newark (which is over 50% Black) saw years of federal monitoring due to rampant civil rights abuses by police . Ending the consent decree returns full control to local authorities. While officials tout improved community trust, advocates emphasize the need to sustain accountability now that federal eyes are gone. The outcome will test whether hard-won reforms – like fairer stop-and-search practices and new use-of-force rules – truly take root in a majority-Black city long plagued by police misconduct.
4. Friday, Nov. 21, 8:25 p.m. ET – ACLU Fights Tennessee Voucher Plan in Court: The ACLU filed a lawsuit Friday night to block Tennessee’s private school voucher program, arguing the state’s “Education Savings Account” plan illegally diverts public funds from public schools . Filed at 7:25 p.m. CT, the suit claims the voucher scheme – a signature Trump-aligned education initiative – violates Tennessee’s constitution and drains resources from already underfunded Black and brown school districts. (Ignored) — WZTV Nashville
Why It Matters: Tennessee’s program shifts taxpayer dollars toward private tuition, which could deepen inequities for Black students. Most voucher beneficiaries attend private or religious schools not bound by the same accountability, while public schools (disproportionately serving Black children) lose funding . The ACLU’s late-Friday court challenge signals a fight to ensure public education dollars continue to support all students – especially those in high-need urban districts – instead of subsidizing selective institutions.
5. Friday, Nov. 21, 11:00 a.m. ET – Officer Acquitted in Killing of Pregnant Black Woman: In Ohio, a jury found police officer Connor Grubb not guilty on Friday of murder and manslaughter charges in the 2023 shooting death of Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant Black mother . The verdict – delivered late Friday morning – cleared the ex-Blendon Township officer who fired through Young’s car windshield as she slowly rolled forward in a grocery store parking lot. (Barely Covered) — ABC News
Why It Matters: The acquittal of yet another officer in the death of an unarmed African American drew outrage from civil rights advocates. Young’s killing, caught on video, highlighted how minor encounters can turn deadly for Black women. Now, her family sees accountability denied. The case underscores the ongoing struggle to hold police accountable in Black women’s fatal shootings – and it adds to fears that Black mothers are not safe even in everyday settings like parking lots. Community trust in the legal system suffers another blow.
6. Friday, Nov. 21, 9:35 p.m. ET – Food Aid Faces Cuts in Quiet Budget Move:Anti-hunger advocates warned Friday night that the short-term budget deal enacted to end the government shutdown provides only partial funding for food assistance (SNAP) – a move that will force benefit cuts within weeks . With little fanfare, Congress’s stopgap measure failed to fully fund the program, meaning millions of low-income Americans (disproportionately Black) could see reduced nutrition aid by the new year. (Ignored) — TheGrio
Why It Matters: This stealth cutback hits Black families hard. Black households rely on SNAP at nearly double the rate of white households, so truncating the program’s funding will widen racial hunger gaps. Activists say the late-Friday budget sleight-of-hand – reducing resources for groceries – amounts to balancing budgets on the backs of the poor. With food prices still high, Black children and seniors are at heightened risk of food insecurity if these benefit reductions take effect.
7. Wednesday, Nov. 19 (revealed Friday) – DOJ Drops Police Reform Accords:In a move surfacing as the weekend began, the Trump Justice Department moved to cancel federal consent decrees and investigations aimed at overhauling police in Minneapolis and Louisville . The DOJ on Wednesday quietly asked courts to dismiss Biden-era settlements addressing those cities’ police abuses (the agreements followed the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor). News of the motion broke heading into Friday, alarming local officials. (Ignored) — Police1 News
Why It Matters: Federal retreat from police reform threatens to stall progress in departments with histories of racist practices. Minneapolis and Louisville’s consent decrees were designed to curb excessive force and bias against Black residents. By abruptly abandoning these court-enforced changes , the DOJ is effectively leaving Black communities on their own to push for accountability. Advocates fear this signals a broader rollback of civil rights enforcement, emboldening departments to resist reforms that emerged from Black lives lost.
8. Friday, Nov. 21, 3:00 p.m. ET – White House Nixes ACA Subsidy Extension:During a Friday Senate hearing on health costs, the administration declared it will not support extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies beyond their 2025 expiration . President Trump’s officials told lawmakers they would only consider direct payments to consumers instead of continuing the expanded insurance tax credits that have helped millions (including many Black Americans) afford coverage. (Ignored) — RISE Health
Why It Matters: The expanded ACA subsidies – initially boosted during COVID – significantly lowered health insurance costs for Black families. If they lapse after 2025 as the White House intends , premiums could spike, pricing out many and widening the racial coverage gap. Black Americans saw some of the largest gains in insurance coverage under the enhanced credits. Rolling them back would reverse that progress, leaving more working-class Black adults uninsured and at risk of medical debt or forgoing care.
9. Friday, Nov. 21, 4:15 p.m. ET – EPA Budget Guts Environmental Justice Efforts: The administration’s newly unveiled FY2026 budget blueprint for the EPA calls for a 54% funding cut and elimination of all Environmental Justice programs . The plan, released late Friday, zeroes out grants and offices dedicated to helping communities of color burdened by pollution – in line with a White House directive to axe “woke” climate initiatives. (Ignored) — Environmental Protection Network
Why It Matters: This move would abandon Black neighborhoods that face the worst pollution. EPA’s Environmental Justice grants have funded clean-ups of toxic sites, air quality monitors, and health projects in places like Cancer Alley and urban industrial corridors . By slashing these programs, the budget favors polluters over people. Black Americans already breathe 56% more pollution than they produce; killing EJ funding exacerbates that disparity. It sends a message that protecting Black lives from environmental harm is not a priority.
10. Friday, Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m. ET – Federal Court Blocks Mississippi Takeover Law: In a little-noticed Friday ruling, a panel of federal judges temporarily blocked Mississippi’s new court takeover plan for Jackson – the Blackest big city in America. The law, passed by the state’s white-majority legislature, sought to impose state-appointed judges and police in Jackson. The court stayed the law’s implementation, citing potential Voting Rights Act violations. (Ignored) — Associated Press
Why It Matters: This push to strip power from a predominantly Black city raised alarms of undemocratic control. Jackson’s residents protested that the law, crafted without local input, aimed to dilute Black political power. The Friday injunction is a win for Black self-determination, at least for now. It signals that blatantly racially motivated state interventions can still be checked by the courts. However, the fight is not over – and the case’s outcome will affect whether other Black communities could face similar state takeovers.
Sources (Section A):
1. Texas Tribune – SCOTUS temporarily restores Texas congressional map (Texas Tribune via TexasTribune.org)
2. Reuters – “US Education Department requiring NDAs in Trump reorganization” (Reuters via Yahoo News)
3. New Jersey Globe – “Federal judge ends Newark police consent decree” (NJGlobe.com)
4. WZTV Nashville – “ACLU files lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s voucher program” (FOX 17 Nashville)
5. ABC News – “Officer found not guilty of murder in Ta’Kiya Young’s shooting” (ABCNews.Go.com)
6. The Grio – “Partial funding of food assistance will leave families with fewer resources” (TheGrio.com)
7. Police1 News – “Trump DOJ cancels settlements for Minneapolis, Louisville police” (Police1.com)
8. RISE Health – “Lawmakers debate future of ACA tax credits, Trump opposes extension” (RISEHealth.org)
9. Environmental Protection Network – “Trump FY26 EPA Budget Fact Sheet” (EnvironmentalProtectionNetwork.org)
10. Associated Press – “Court blocks Mississippi law takeover of Jackson courts” (AP News via MississippiToday.com)
Section B — Undercovered Weekend Stories
1. Black Trans Organization Wins $175K Innovation Prize (Black LGBTQ):Pittsburgh – A Black trans-led nonprofit earned a national $175,000 award for its groundbreaking TLGBQ+ care model . The group, TransYOUniting, was honored with the J.M.K. Innovation Prize on Transgender Day of Remembrance for pioneering a “Continuum” wraparound support program serving Black trans youth and adults. (Ignored) — QBurgh
Why It Matters (Black LGBTQ): In a climate of anti-trans attacks, this story highlights Black trans excellence and community care. The funding will expand TransYOUniting’s culturally competent housing, mental health, and job assistance for Black trans people who often lack safe services. The award’s visibility also counters negative narratives by showcasing Black trans leadership saving lives. It’s a reminder that investing in Black LGBTQ solutions yields powerful returns – even as mainstream media overlooks these triumphs.
2. U.S. Secretly Deporting Africans to Third Countries (Black Diaspora):Accra, Ghana – Immigrant advocates revealed that the U.S. has been shipping asylum-seekers from Africa to unfamiliar third countries under secretive deals – with devastating results . In one case, a West African woman deported from the U.S. to Ghana attempted suicide in custody, and others have been put in peril despite promises they’d be safe. Since July, dozens of Black migrants from Cameroon, Sudan, and other nations have been sent to countries like Rwanda, South Sudan, and Eswatini under these agreements. (Ignored) — Capital B News
Why It Matters (Black Diaspora): These opaque “third-country deportation” schemes endanger Black lives. Many of the migrants fled persecution or war (for instance, Darfur or Cameroonian conflict) only to be dumped in countries where they have no ties and face new dangers. Advocates warn that Black immigrants are disproportionately targeted – Black asylum-seekers are deported at roughly four times their share of the undocumented population . This under-the-radar policy is effectively exiling Black refugees to far-flung places and denying them fair asylum chances in the U.S.
3. “Blackout Black Friday” Boycott Shuts Down Spending: Nationwide –Thousands of Black Americans kicked off an economic boycott over the Thanksgiving weekend, aiming to “Blackout” the U.S. economy from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2 . Organizers of Blackout The System urged people to avoid working or spending money during the week that includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The protest – coordinated via social media with the slogan “We are the economy. Without us, nothing moves.” – calls for racial justice, economic equity, and an end to government dysfunction (including the recent shutdown). (Ignored) — Black Enterprise
Why It Matters: This unprecedented action harnesses collective economic power as a form of protest. By pausing labor and consumption, Black communities are flexing leverage in dollars and productivity to demand social change . The boycott highlights frustrations with systemic racism and policies that ignore Black voices. If widely observed, it sends a message to corporations and lawmakers that Black spending and labor cannot be taken for granted. Even the planning of such a mass strike affirms the influence of Black consumers and workers in the U.S. economy.
4. Black Student Unions Under Siege from DEI Bans: Tampa, Fla. – Across multiple states, Black Student Unions (BSUs) are losing funding, space, and supportdue to a wave of anti-“woke” laws . Campus diversity crackdowns since 2024 – in states like Florida, Alabama, and Utah – have forced universities to shutter or neuter BSUs and cultural centers that have served Black students for over 50 years. One scholar says more than 400 colleges have rebranded or eliminated DEI programs, creating a “new wave of pressure” on BSUs to justify their existence. (Ignored) — WMNF News/THE Conversation
Why It Matters: Black Student Unions have historically been safe havens and organizing hubs that help Black students thrive at predominantly white institutions . The assault on DEI imperils these essential spaces. Students report feeling erased and disconnected without BSU events, offices, or staff advisors. The trend threatens Black enrollment and success in higher ed – if Black students can’t find community or advocacy on campus, their academic and mental health suffer. The BSU squeeze is a canary in the coal mine for the broader rollback of racial inclusion efforts affecting Black collegians nationwide.
5. “Absolute Horror Show” Unfolds in Darfur Genocide: Sudan – The United Nations relief chief described Sudan’s western Darfur region as “a crime scene” and “absolute horror show” amid ongoing mass atrocities by the Rapid Support Forces militia . Over the weekend, UN bodies launched a probe into reports that in El-Fasher – a Darfur city fallen to the RSF – thousands of civilians have been systematically massacred, women raped, and bodies dumped in mass graves . The UN warned that tens of thousands remain trapped without food or aid as fighting rages. (Ignored) — Al Jazeera
Why It Matters: This ethnic cleansing in Darfur – where Black African communities are targeted – is happening largely out of sight while world attention is elsewhere. It’s a grim reminder of the unfinished genocide against Black Darfuris that began in the early 2000s. The humanitarian crisis (people besieged, fleeing by the hundred-thousands ) will reverberate across the African diaspora. Justice and stability in Sudan are urgent Pan-African concerns. Yet, the atrocities get minimal global press, denying the victims international solidarity. The silence literally allows the slaughter of Black lives to continue with impunity.
6. Chicago Shuns Trump-Tied Crime Grants Over Immigration Mandate:Chicago, Ill. – The City of Chicago announced it is refusing to apply for new federal “community violence intervention” grants after the Trump administration reshaped them to focus on law enforcement and require cooperation with immigration crackdowns . Chicago’s mayor’s office blasted the grant stipulations – which cut out community nonprofits and bar services for undocumented residents – as political and “illegal restrictions.” Other cities like Newark and Columbia, S.C. are reluctantly proceeding with applications under the revamped rules, which divert funds from grassroots violence prevention to police. (Ignored) — Reuters
Why It Matters: Chicago (a city with a large Black population) is taking a stand to keep politics out of public safety funding. The new DOJ grant formula strips money from the very community programs shown to curb violence and instead ties dollars to anti-immigrant enforcement . By saying “no thanks,” Chicago highlights how the policy hurts Black and brown communities twice over: undermining effective violence interruption initiatives and sowing fear among immigrant neighbors. It’s a bold move to insist that addressing gun violence must include community voices – not just more policing with strings attached.
7. Detroit “Black Business Friday” Rewards Local Shoppers: Detroit, Mich. – A Detroit initiative turned Black Friday into “Black Business Friday” by handing out free gift cards to shoppers who buy from Black-owned stores . The nonprofit Black Leaders Detroit launched the campaign along the historic Livernois Avenue of Fashion, distributing vouchers on Nov. 28 to encourage residents to patronize over 30 Black small businesses. The group’s CEO says supporting Black entrepreneurs on the biggest shopping day of the year helps build wealth in the community and is a pushback against holiday spending bypassing Black-owned retailers. (Ignored) — WDIV Detroit
Why It Matters: Instead of the usual Black Friday frenzy at big-box chains, this effort keeps dollars circulating locally and empowers Black entrepreneurs. For Black Detroiters, buying Black strengthens community self-sufficiency and jobs. It also addresses the legacy of systemic barriers that have made Black businesses less prevalent – for example, difficulty getting capital. By incentivizing shoppers to choose a Black-owned bookstore, boutique, or bakery, the campaign tangibly chips away at the racial wealth gap. It’s a feel-good economic boost and model that other cities can replicate to make the holiday shopping season more equitable.
8. Historic Black Church Marks 160 Years of Service: Meridian, Miss. – New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, the first African American church in Meridian, celebrated its 160th anniversary over the weekend . Founded in 1865 by formerly enslaved people, New Hope marked the occasion with hymns, guest speakers, and recognition from city and state officials. Church leaders attributed its longevity to “the people and serving the community,” noting generations of Black families have relied on New Hope for spiritual leadership, social support, and civil rights advocacy since Reconstruction. (Ignored) — WTOK Meridian
Why It Matters: In an era when many Black churches are shrinking or closing, New Hope’s 160-year milestone is a testament to the enduring role of the Black church. Through slavery’s aftermath, Jim Crow, and the civil rights movement, this church has been a pillar of resilience and progress for Meridian’s Black community. Its continued vitality – drawing officials and residents together in celebration – shows how Black faith institutions still anchor and uplift neighborhoods. At a time of social strain, the church’s message of “serving the people” underscores why Black churches remain crucial for community cohesion and activism.
9. HBCU Backs Trump’s Higher Ed “Excellence” Compact Amid Uproar:Raleigh, N.C. – Saint Augustine’s University has become the first HBCU to support the Trump administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence” – a controversial new pledge for colleges . In a letter quietly sent to the White House, St. Aug’s interim president endorsed the compact’s goals of “strengthening academic excellence,” even though the fine print requires schools to ban affirmative action in admissions, freeze tuition, cap international students, police professors’ speech, and more. Ivy League universities have largely rejected the deal, and higher ed groups are outraged, calling it an authoritarian assault on academic freedom. (Ignored) — Black Enterprise
Why It Matters: The financially struggling St. Augustine’s (a 158-year-old HBCU) is in a bind – support a draconian policy that could bring preferential federal funding, or risk insolvency . Its tentative embrace of the compact highlights the pressures on HBCUs in the crossfire of culture wars. If more colleges sign on, Black students could face campuses with curtailed diversity efforts, fewer international perspectives, and gag rules on teaching about race . The situation lays bare how underfunding of Black colleges can force painful choices that jeopardize their mission to educate and empower Black youths.
10. HUD Homelessness Funds Shift from Housing to Shelters: Washington, D.C. – Housing advocates are sounding the alarm after HUD’s latest funding notice significantly slashed Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) grants – instead capping them at just 30% of homelessness program funds and reallocating money to transitional shelters . The FY2025 Continuum of Care NOFO released this fall redirects millions away from long-term housing for homeless individuals (a model proven to stabilize vulnerable people) toward short-term beds and workforce programs. Analyses warn that could put up to 170,000 people currently in PSH at risk of losing their housing . (Ignored) — LeadingAge / NAEH
Why It Matters: This under-the-radar policy pivot will hit Black homeless populationsespecially hard. Black Americans are disproportionately represented in PSH programs that provide permanent homes with services – the very programs now being gutted . HUD’s shift aligns with Project 2025’s rejection of “Housing First” in favor of work requirements and temporary shelters. But experts note that forcing homeless people into short-term housing or job training without stable homes fails to address root causes. For Black communities, which face higher eviction and homelessness rates due to systemic racism, cutting PSH means thousands more could cycle back to the streets or shelters instead of getting the permanent housing support they need.
11. Chicago Weekend Violence Down, But Downtown Shooting Shocks City: Chicago, Ill. – At least 3 people were killed and 25 wounded in Chicago shootings over the weekend – a grim toll, yet police noted it was the city’s least-deadly late-November weekend in years. Still, a double mass shooting downtown on Friday night marred the holiday atmosphere: a 14-year-old boy was killed and 8 teens injured when gunfire erupted during a Christmas tree lighting and again nearby hours later . Mayor Brandon Johnson called the incidents “tragic and unacceptable.” (Barely Covered) — CBS Chicago / ABC7
Why It Matters: The drop in overall shootings is encouraging, but the high-profile Loop shootings underscore persistent challenges with youth violence. The slain teen – killed amid festive crowds – puts a spotlight on the trauma plaguing Chicago’s Black communities. Children should not fear being shot at a holiday event. City leaders face pressure to double down on solutions (like youth programs and conflict interruption) that may be contributing to lower violence numbers. The mixed picture from this weekend shows that even as Black neighborhoods see slight relief from relentless gunfire, high-impact tragedies still shake the sense of safety.
12. Health Equity Programs Stalled as Federal Funds Dry Up: Washington, D.C. – Racial health disparities could widen as states scramble to sustain initiatives that recently lost federal support under Trump’s budget cuts . From maternal health task forces to Black infant mortality prevention, numerous grant-funded programs have been defunded or not renewed. For example, a Medicaid expansion incentive addressing Black maternal mortality quietly expired, and a NIH minority health research program saw large cuts. Health experts warn that without these resources, progress made during the prior administration in closing racial gaps (like in COVID-19 outcomes and cancer screening) may reverse. (Ignored) — Medical Xpress
Why It Matters: Many advances in Black health were buoyed by dedicated funding now being slashed. These under-the-radar cuts mean fewer community clinics, public health workers, and targeted interventions in Black communities . The effects are life and death: less support for Black mothers means mortality rates – already three times higher for Black women – could climb further. The stall in equity programs also erodes trust, as Black Americans see promised investments in their well-being disappearing. Maintaining and expanding health equity work is critical to ensure Black lives aren’t lost simply because funding dried up.
14. Exonerated New Orleanian Wins Election as Chief Clerk: New Orleans, La. – In a remarkable comeback story, Calvin Duncan – a Black man who spent 30 years in prison on a wrongful murder conviction – won a citywide election to become New Orleans’ Clerk of Criminal Court . Duncan, 62, had his 1980s conviction vacated in 2021 after he proved police lied at his trial. On Nov. 16, he triumphed in a runoff with 68% of the vote to lead the very court system that once condemned him. His opponent (the incumbent clerk) tried to smear Duncan as a criminal, but voters embraced Duncan’s story of perseverance – including how he became a self-taught legal expert in prison and even helped end non-unanimous jury laws. (Ignored) — AP via ABC News
Why It Matters: Talk about poetic justice – the courthouse that once unjustly sentenced Duncan will now be managed by him. For New Orleans’ Black community, this victory is huge. Duncan has vowed to make the court’s records more accessible and treated with care , so no one else endures the delays and lost documents he did fighting for freedom. His election also sends a message of redemption and inclusion: that someone the system failed can rise to be a system reformer. It highlights growing public appetite (especially among Black voters) for leaders who intimately understand injustice and will work to dismantle it from the inside.
15. Nursing Deemed Not a ‘Professional Degree’ Under New Policy:Memphis, Tenn. – Nurses are incensed over a little-noticed change by the Trump administration: nursing is no longer classified as a “professional degree” for federal loan and grant purposes . A new bill and Department of Education guidance downgraded nursing programs from the category that includes medicine, law, and engineering. Nursing students and educators say the reclassification – which flew mostly under the radar – is an insult to the profession and could limit funding for nursing education at HBCUs and other institutions, at a time when the nation faces nursing shortages. (Ignored) — Action News 5 / American Nurses Assoc.
Why It Matters: Most U.S. nurses are women, and a significant number are Black(especially in LPN and ADN roles). Stripping nursing of “professional” status diminishes the field and potentially the financial support nursing schools receive. Advocates fear it’s part of a broader devaluing of fields dominated by women of color. If less aid flows to nursing students, that could deter Black students from entering the career at a time when Black communities need more culturally competent healthcare providers. The policy change might seem semantic, but it carries a message: it undermines nursing’s prestige and could widen racial and gender gaps in advanced education opportunities.
16. Global African Diaspora Summit Spurs Investment: Arusha, Tanzania –Hundreds of African and diaspora leaders gathered in Tanzania on Nov. 20–21 for the Bandung Africa Diaspora Conference, aimed at marshalling the wealth and skills of the African diaspora for continent-wide growth . Investors and innovators from the U.S., Europe, and across Africa convened to discuss financing for tech, infrastructure, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on strengthening ties between Africa and its “Sixth Region” (the worldwide African diaspora). The summit produced pledges for new diaspora investment funds and initiatives to ease remittances and knowledge transfer. (Ignored) — Bandung Africa
Why It Matters: The African diaspora (including Black Americans and Caribbeans) remits billions to Africa annually – far exceeding foreign aid. This conference is a concrete step to coordinate and amplify that diaspora impact. For Black Americans, it’s an opportunity to directly invest in ancestral homelands and share expertise. Stronger diaspora-business networks mean more joint ventures, from Nigerian fintech to Kenyan agribusiness, that benefit both Africa and global Black investors. At a time when African nations seek partners not patrons, the diaspora’s engagement can fuel sustainable development – a story of Black global solidarity largely overlooked by Western media.
17. SCOTUS Poised to Gut More Voting Rights Act Protections: Washington, D.C. – The Supreme Court heard arguments (Louisiana v. Callais) on whether certain Voting Rights Act safeguards for minority voters may be unconstitutional – and appeared ready to further weaken the VRA . At issue is whether federal courts can continue requiring states to create majority-Black electoral districts under Section 2 of the VRA. Several conservative justices signaled skepticism, suggesting such remedies might amount to racial preference. A decision is expected by spring. (Ignored) — ACLU / SCOTUSblog
Why It Matters: If the high court indeed dismantles this provision, it will become much harder to challenge racial gerrymandering in the South and elsewhere. This case could green-light states to dilute Black voting power with impunity, beyond even the damage done by the Shelby County case in 2013. For Black voters – especially across the Black Belt – the VRA has been a crucial tool to secure fair representation. A ruling against it would cement a new era of voter suppression through map manipulation. In plain terms, it threatens to silence Black political voices by allowing maps that carve up or pack Black communities without legal recourse.
18. NAACP Sues Virginia for Rejecting Campus Voter Registrations:Richmond, Va. – Civil rights groups led by the NAACP filed suit accusing Virginia election officials of illegally rejecting voter registration forms from college students – many at HBCUs – over trivial address details . The lawsuit, lodged just before Virginia’s elections, says registrars in multiple counties have been tossing out applications that omit a dorm name or room number, even though the state’s form doesn’t require that. The NAACP argues this violates the Civil Rights Act’s “materiality” provision by using immaterial errors to disenfranchise young (often Black) voters living on campus. (Ignored) — Virginia Mercury
Why It Matters: This practice could purge thousands of Black youth votes. HBCU students at Norfolk State and Virginia State, for example, were among those flagged for incomplete dorm info . Rejecting registrations for a missing room number – which has zero bearing on eligibility – is textbook voter suppression targeting transient student populations. Many students might not realize they aren’t registered until it’s too late. The lawsuit aims to stop these bureaucratic hurdles and ensure college students can exercise their rights. In a swing state like Virginia, young Black voter turnout can sway outcomes, which may be exactly why their registrations are being unfairly scrutinized.
19. NAACP Cheers Court for Blocking Texas’ Mid-Decade Gerrymander:Austin, Texas – Voting rights advocates celebrated a major legal victory against Texas’ mid-decade redistricting after a federal court ruled the state’s 2025 congressional map redraw likely violated the Voting Rights Act . The NAACP and others had sued to stop Texas from adding extra Republican-leaning districts before the 2026 midterms, arguing the rushed remake was racially motivated. The court agreed, halting the new map. (However, this win may be short-lived – the ruling is now stayed pending appeal, as seen in the Supreme Court’s intervention on Friday.) (Barely Covered) — NAACP PR / Reuters
Why It Matters: Texas tried an unusual mid-census redraw that would have further marginalized Black and Latino voters, who are driving the state’s population growth. The NAACP called out the ploy as “obviously… racially motivated” . The initial court block affirmed that such brazen power grabs aren’t above the law. It’s an important precedent: state legislatures can’t just redo maps on a whim to entrench power. For now, Black Texans have dodged an even more egregious dilution of their voting strength. Yet with the case headed up to a skeptical Supreme Court, the fight to protect minority voting rights in Texas – and nationally – is far from over.
20. Ramaphosa Presses G20 for African Investment Reforms (Black Diaspora): Johannesburg, South Africa – At the G20 Business (B20) Summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa implored world leaders to “fully decolonize” development finance by overhauling global funding for Africa . In a keynote address, Ramaphosa argued multilateral banks and wealthy nations must dramatically increase concessional lending and private investment to African countries to spur post-pandemic recovery. Notably absent were U.S. officials – Washington boycotted the summit in a snub that drew criticism. African attendees rallied around calls to empower African-led growth and reduce dependency on Western aid. (Ignored) — G20 Press / Reuters
Why It Matters: Africa’s leaders are pushing a bold agenda for economic self-determinationthat resonates with the Pan-African diaspora. Ramaphosa’s appeal – coming as the U.S. skipped an Africa-chaired summit – highlights the need for fairness in global finance. For Black communities worldwide, including African Americans, it’s a reminder that systemic inequalities span continents. When Africa thrives through equitable investment, it benefits the diaspora through greater business opportunities, reduced migration pressures, and enhanced geopolitical standing. The lack of U.S. engagement at the summit, however, signals an ongoing disconnect that Black voices in international policy circles continue to push to bridge.
21. White House Budget Axes Minority Business Agency: Washington, D.C. – Buried in the administration’s new budget proposal is a plan to eliminate the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) – the only federal agency dedicated to supporting minority-owned businesses . The MBDA provides grants, training, and loans that have fostered thousands of Black-owned small businesses since 1969. Trump’s FY2026 budget justification calls the agency unnecessary and “wasteful,” proposing to zero out its funding. Minority business advocates are lobbying Congress to reject the cut, noting the MBDA’s modest budget yields outsized returns in job creation and revenue in Black communities. (Ignored) — White House Fact Sheet / News Moves Markets
Why It Matters: This move would strip critical resources from Black entrepreneurs. The MBDA has been instrumental in helping Black businesses secure contracts and capital that private markets often deny them due to discrimination. Shuttering it would widen the already stark racial entrepreneurship gap – Black businesses average far less revenue and have higher closure rates than white businesses. At a time when supporting Black-owned enterprises is key to closing the wealth gap, the budget cut sends the opposite message. It’s essentially pulling up the ladder for the next generation of Black innovators and job creators.
22. White Supremacist Threat Targets Black Congresswoman’s Office:Dallas, Tex. – U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) revealed that on Thursday, an unhinged man barged into her district office making racist threats and hand gestures linked to white supremacist hate . Staff say the individual spewed violent language and references to neo-Nazi ideology before being arrested by police. Crockett, a freshman African-American congresswoman, noted the incident on social media to draw attention to the growing number of threats Black lawmakers face. She also praised her team for remaining calm in the face of intimidation. (Ignored) — The Grio
Why It Matters: Being a Black elected official in 2025 can mean facing the same hatred that haunted the Civil Rights era, now emboldened in the open. Crockett’s experience is part of an alarming pattern of threats against legislators of color – a chilling attempt to scare Black voices out of politics. Such intimidation doesn’t just endanger representatives; it silences the communities they represent if it succeeds. Crockett’s call-out underscores the need for better security for public servants and a collective stand against the normalization of extremist racism in our civic spaces. No one should have to endure terror for simply serving and uplifting their community.
23. New Black-Owned Bank to Boost Small Business Lending: Salt Lake City, Utah – A new Black-led bank called Redemption Bank is set to open as the 24th Black-owned financial institution in the U.S., and the first ever headquartered in the Mountain West . Focused on minority small business loans (with no plans for mortgage lending), Redemption Bank has recruited veteran Black bankers – including Charlotte’s Lenny Springs as vice-chair – to bridge the capital gap for entrepreneurs of color. The bank will hold forums in cities like Charlotte to connect with Black business owners and roll out tailored loan products. (Ignored) — WBTV Charlotte
Why It Matters: Access to capital is a major barrier for Black entrepreneurs, who are often denied loans or offered worse terms by mainstream banks. Redemption Bank aims to change that by taking “risks” on small Black businesses that traditional lenders overlook . Its arrival is a bright spot at a time when the number of Black-owned banks has dwindled. A Black bank in an unexpected locale (Utah) also shows the expanding geography of Black finance. The more financial institutions run by people who understand Black communities, the more economic inclusion we’ll see – through business growth, jobs, and wealth creation where it’s needed most.
24. “Nursing is No Greater Risk Than Corporate Loans,” Says Banker:Charlotte, N.C. – [Correction to Item 15] Industry experts clarify that the federal reclassification of nursing degrees (see Item 15) does not affect student aid eligibility; however, it reflects a troubling devaluation of a profession 40% of whose members are minorities. Advocates emphasize that Black nurses remain underrepresented in advanced practice roles, and any policy diminishing nursing’s stature could indirectly limit support for nursing education at HBCUs and minority-serving institutions. They urge continued investment in diversifying the nursing workforce to ensure Black patients receive culturally competent care. (Nationally Ignored) — American Nurses Association
Why It Matters: Despite the administrative label change, nursing’s importance in Black health outcomes cannot be overstated. Black communities face higher rates of chronic illness and often better results when cared for by Black nurses. The dust-up over the “professional” tag is a reminder that we must uplift the nursing field – through funding, scholarships, and respect – to attract more Black talent. Ultimately, maintaining nursing’s prestige and pipeline is about saving Black lives, not semantics.
25. Cathedral of Faith Feeds Thousands in Holiday Giveaway: Memphis, Tenn. – In a heartwarming display of community care, Cathedral of Faith Community Church hosted its 26th annual Thanksgiving dinner and coat giveaway over the weekend . Volunteers from the historically Black church served hot meals to over 2,000 people and distributed winter clothing to those in need, many of whom were children and unhoused individuals. The church’s pastor said they’ve kept the tradition going for nearly three decades to ensure “everyone in our community – regardless of race or income – has a blessed Thanksgiving.” (Ignored)— Action News 5
Why It Matters: This story exemplifies the often-unheralded role Black churches play in America’s social safety net. Feeding the hungry and clothing the cold, Cathedral of Faith is doing work that rarely makes headlines but profoundly impacts lives. At a time when government programs are strained (see Item 6 on SNAP cuts), the Black faith community quietly fills gaps – not just with charity, but with dignity and love. Such initiatives foster unity across racial and economic lines in Memphis. The sustained commitment of Black churches to service underscores an enduring truth: when institutions rooted in Black compassion and faith lead, entire communities benefit.
About the Liberty Blackout Monday Briefing
Each Monday, I dig through hundreds of headlines to surface the stories that vanish between the lines of mainstream coverage, especially those shaping Black life in America and across the diaspora. Every edition is built from verified reporting, court filings, and firsthand sources, fact-checked twice before it reaches your inbox.
Now if you made it all the way to the bottom of this BlackOut Friday Brief, you’re already one of the hundred paid subscribers in spirit. Make it official, become a paid subscriber and help push the platform to bestseller status which will then in turn elevate series like this in front of more readers who desperately need to see it.
Sources (Section B):
1. QBurgh – “TransYOUniting Awarded National Innovation Prize” (QBurgh.com)
2. Capital B News – “West African woman attempts suicide after U.S. deportation to non-native country” (CapitalBNews.org)
3. Black Enterprise – “‘We’re Shutting It Down’: Economic Blackout Nov. 25–Dec. 2” (BlackEnterprise.com)
4. WMNF / The Conversation – “Black student unions under pressure from anti-DEI laws” (WMNF.org)
5. Al Jazeera – “Sudan’s El-Fasher ‘a crime scene’ after RSF takeover: UN aid chief” (AlJazeera.com)
6. Reuters – “Chicago rejects DOJ violence-prevention grant over immigration rules” (Reuters via Yahoo News)
7. WDIV Detroit – “Shop local in Detroit on Black Friday and get a free gift card” (ClickOnDetroit.com)
8. WTOK Meridian – “New Hope Missionary Baptist celebrates 160 years” (WTOK.com)
9. Black Enterprise – “Saint Augustine’s first HBCU to support Trump’s academic compact” (BlackEnterprise.com)
10. LeadingAge / HUD NOFO – “HUD shifts homelessness funding from Permanent Supportive Housing” (LeadingAge.org)
11. CBS Chicago – “3 dead, 25 hurt in Chicago weekend shootings” (CBSNews.com/Chicago) ; ABC7 – “Teen killed, 8 injured in downtown Chicago shootings” (ABC7Chicago.com)
12. Medical Xpress – “Racial health disparities could widen as states face funding cuts” (MedicalXpress.com)
14. AP News – “Man who had murder conviction tossed wins election as clerk” (AP via ABCNews.Go.com)
15. Action News 5 – “Nursing no longer considered a ‘professional degree’ under new bill” (ActionNews5.com)
16. Bandung Africa – “Africa & Diaspora Conference 2025 in Arusha” (BandungAfrica.com)
17. ACLU – “Supreme Court arguments in Louisiana voting rights case” (ACLU.org)
18. Virginia Mercury – “NAACP sues Virginia over student voter registrations” (VirginiaMercury.com)
19. Police1 / DOJ – “DOJ drops Minneapolis, Louisville consent decrees” (Police1.com)
20. Model D Media – “Black-owned businesses optimistic about 2025 growth” (ModelDMedia.com)
21. WBTV – “New Black bank ‘Redemption’ to aid Black businesses” (WBTV.com)
22. NAACP – “Court victory blocking Texas’ racially motivated mid-decade map” (NAACP.org)
23. G20 South Africa – “Ramaphosa urges more concessional funding for Africa” (G20.org)
24. White House – “Ending the Green New Scam (FY2026 Budget)” (WhiteHouse.gov)
25. The Grio – “Rep. Jasmine Crockett reveals white supremacist threats” (TheGrio.com)
This was a hard read. We’re not moving forward on racial discrimination and that is disheartening.
I appreciate you laying it all out there and exposing it to the light and helping me to better understand the issues facing people of color especially the black communities.
We must do better and I hope your writings encourage all of us to fight back against these atrocities.
This is a very long list, complete with sources, and stunning in implication. When do you sleep?
A-4 strikes close to home here in Florida where “school choice” has been jammed down our throats by the DeSantis regime. Public schools were once an equalizer in our nation, imperfect though they were/are. They educated rich and poor alike. Voucher funded private schools threaten the very classless society we say we value.
Since starting to read your posts, I feel like I’ve dropped into a much deeper level of inquiry. Reality is being attacked, but, it’s also breaking open, revealing new stories. Thank you for telling the stories rarely seen elsewhere.