Friday Morning Briefing

Aug 01, 2025

“Hearts of fire create love desire…”

That’s how Earth, Wind & Fire opened That’s The Way of the World. They opened with a lyric that sounds like gospel dressed in funk. But what happens when the world those hearts are born into is cold? When that desire turns to despair because the system was rigged from the start?

That’s the backdrop of this week’s Friday Briefing.

From Manhattan to Minnesota, from Gaza to Georgia, we’ve tracked 25 stories that show the full spectrum of Black life…grief, grit, glory, and grace. Some headlines you’ll recognize. Others barely made a ripple. But they all matter.

Let’s get into it.

Friday Morning Brief – August 1, 2025

1. Midtown Manhattan Mass Shooting (July 29)

A gunman opened fire at a Manhattan office tower at 345 Park Ave on Monday, killing an NYPD officer and three others before taking his own life. Investigators say the shooter – identified as 41-year-old Shane Tamura of Las Vegas – may have been trying to reach NFL headquarters in the building.

2. Trump’s O.J. Simpson Meme Stunt (July 31)

President Donald Trump escalated his online attacks on Barack Obama by posting a doctored image mimicking the infamous O.J. Simpson Bronco chase. The meme – showing Obama in the white Bronco and Trump and VP J.D. Vance in police cars behind – was shared on Truth Social days after Trump circulated a fake video of Obama being “arrested,” drawing criticism for its brazen insensitivity.

3. Bubba Wallace Makes Racing History (July 28)

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace made history as the first Black driver to win on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s iconic oval, triumphing in the Brickyard 400. The victory snapped Wallace’s 100-race winless streak dating back to 2022 and marked his first-ever win in one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races.

4. Chris Smalls Detained Abroad (July 30)

Amazon union leader Chris Smalls was detained and beaten by Israeli forces while on a humanitarian aid trip to Gaza. Smalls, who was among a group delivering relief supplies, said he was “singled out” and “under attack,” sustaining visible injuries before eventually being released. The activist’s ordeal has raised alarms about the treatment of foreign aid volunteers.

5. Texas Candidate Dragged from Hearing (July 30)

A chaotic scene in Austin saw Houston congressional candidate Isaiah Martin literally dragged out of a statehouse hearing and arrested after he ran past the two-minute limit of his fiery testimony. Martin, 27, had blasted a GOP-led redistricting plan as “illegal gerrymandering” before security hauled him off – at one point a guard even pinning him to the ground. After spending 24 hours in jail (all charges were later dropped), Martin remained defiant: “They did this because I had the audacity to speak up… I’m gonna continue to have that audacity,” he said.

6. Pressley Fights DEI Rollbacks (July 31)

Rep. Ayanna Pressley is pushing back hard against the Trump administration’s assault on diversity efforts. This week the Massachusetts congresswoman introduced the Equity in Government Act to restore the pro-DEI policies that Trump dismantled. Pressley slammed Trump’s wholesale attack on equity – calling it “anti-Blackness on steroids” – and urged progressives to rally behind her bill as a bulwark for civil rights gains.

7. First Black-Owned Bank in Utah (August 1)

A Black-led investor group is making banking history out West. Redemption Holding Co. acquired a community bank in Holladay, Utah, creating Redemption Bank – the first Black-owned bank headquartered in the Rocky Mountain region. It’s a major milestone, as there have never been Black-owned banks between Houston and Los Angeles until now. Uniquely, Redemption Bank isn’t based in a low-income area; CEO Ashley Bell says they chose Utah for its strong business climate, aiming to “redefine what Black banking can look like” in America. Even Bernice King (Dr. King’s daughter) has signed on as an advisor, underscoring the venture’s significance.

8. Horror in Baltimore Traffic Stop (July 29)

Bodycam footage of a2021 traffic stop, released this week, has shocked and outraged even veteran officers who called the scene unimaginable. It shows a Baltimore woman’s routine traffic stop turned into one of the most horrific cases in the city’s memory. The officers noticed a foul smell – and discovered the bodies ofNicole Johnson’s niece and nephew in her trunk. She had been caring for the children (ages 7 and 5) and had kept their remains hidden for months. She was sentenced earlier this year to 50 years in prison for their murders.

9. LA’s “Butt-Sniffing” Bandit Busted (July 30)

In bizarre crime news, Burbank police arrested a man accused of crawling behind women and sniffing their butts in a Nordstrom Rack store. Surveillance cameras caught 38-year-old Calese Carron Crowder in the act, and officers found him lurking in a nearby Walmart. Crowder – a registered sex offender with a “documented history” of similar lewd conduct since 2021 – was charged with loitering with intent to commit a crime. His bail is set at $100,000 as this serial “butt-sniffer” faces justice.

10. Ray J Speaks on Whitney Houston Rumors (July 30)

For the first time, Ray J is addressing the wild conspiracy theory that he had a hand in Whitney Houston’s death. The R&B singer (and Brandy’s brother) confirmed on Cam Newton’s podcast that he and Whitney were in a romantic relationship, but he was nowhere near Houston’s Beverly Hilton hotel when she died in 2012. “That’s the biggest cap I’ve ever heard,” Ray J said of the rumors, stressing that he was in San Diego performing on the night Whitney tragically drowned. He recalled rushing to the hotel when he got the call, only to be kept outside her room until later. Ray J said it’s been hurtful to be scapegoated: “To make me that person when I wasn’t even there… it’s [expletive] up,” he told listeners.

11. Jay-Z’s Alleged Son Won’t Quit (July 29)

The decades-long paternity drama of Rymir Satterthwaite took a new turn – and maybe a twist. The 30-year-old, who claims he’s Jay-Z’s secret son, has withdrawn the federal lawsuit he filed in May to force the superstar rapper to take a DNA test. But Rymir insists this isn’t over: “I have not stopped my fight,” he said on Instagram, hinting at behind-the-scenes developments and saying “we gotta step back and play chess, not checkers.” Jay-Z’s lawyers have flatly rejected Satterthwaite’s claims as “fabricated” and “harassment,” noting multiple courts have tossed out his paternity petitions. It sounds like Rymir may be regrouping for another strategy – stay tuned.

12. Inventor Goes “Missing” After Breakthrough (July 30)

Social media has been buzzing about the safety of Julian Brown, a 21-year-old Atlanta inventor whose plastic-to-fuel innovation went viral. In early July, Brown posted a cryptic video saying he was “under attack” by mysterious forces and then disappeared from public view. This sparked rampant speculation (and conspiracy theories) that big interests wanted to shut him up. After weeks of silence, Brown’s mother finally spoke out to calm fears: “I can confirm Julian is safe,” Nia Brown told reporters, though she declined to say where he is “in the best interest of his security.” Brown, the creator of a product he calls “Plastidiesel” that turns plastic waste into fuel, had garnered 1.8 million Instagram followers and a $100,000 climate grant for his work. Fans are relieved he’s okay, but the mystery of why he went dark – after saying “odd stuff” was happening – still has many scratching their heads.

13. Coach Prime Beats Cancer (August 1)

University of Colorado coach Deion “Prime” Sanders revealed he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer this spring and that he quietly underwent surgery that removed his bladder and cured him of the cancer. In a press conference, Sanders, 57, was upbeat and even cracking jokes about his new reality (he quipped that he “depends on Depends” now). Doctors don’t use the word “cured” lightly, but in Sanders’ case they have because there are no traces of cancer left. The NFL Hall of Famer lost 25 pounds during the ordeal and kept the severity of his illness secret from even his family at first. Sanders is already back to work and says he will continue coaching this fall, calling the health scare a reminder of the importance of faith and early detection.

14. Kenya Moore Exits RHOA (July 29)

Kenya Moore is officially hanging up her peach. The reality star confirmed she won’t be returning for Season 17 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, ending her 10-year run on the hit show. Production is set to begin with two new high-profile cast members to fill the void. Moore teased that it’s “about that time” for her next chapter – and Bravo is already buzzing about who the famous new Housewives will be. (Fans, start your speculation engines!)

15. Taraji P. Henson Sets Boundaries (July 31)

Golden Globe–winner Taraji P. Henson is in her self-care era, unapologetically learning to say “no.” In a recent chat, Henson got candid about cutting people out of her life …even family who “weighed her down.” She realized she can’t pour from an empty cup: “You weigh me down… I can’t carry your load and mine,” Taraji said of why she had to set new boundaries for her own well-being. The Empire actress said “No” has become her favorite word and encouraged others (especially Black women often expected to be superwomen) to protect their peace without guilt. Chef’s kiss to that, Ms. Henson.

16. Tackling Missing Black Women Cases (August 1)

With Black women far more likely to go missing than other groups, advocates are taking action. In Minnesota, lawmakers created the nation’s first Office of Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls – a response to chilling disparities. At a recent hearing, they noted Black women are about 12% of the U.S. female population but nearly 40% of women reported missing last year. One driving force behind these efforts is families like Lakeisha Lee’s: her 18-year-old sister Brittany Clardy went missing in 2013 and was later found murdered, after police initially dismissed the family’s fears. Now, Minnesota’s new office which is the first of its kind will assist with cases, help Black families navigate police response, and push for better media attention for our missing. Other states are looking to follow suit as the community demands, Bring us back our girls.

*17. Trans Teen Feels Unsafe in Trump’s America (July 31)

“There’s really no safety in the country for trans people.” That’s how Harleigh Walker, an 18-year-old Black trans girl from Alabama, describes life under the current administration. In a joint interview with her dad, Harleigh shared that President Trump’s wave of anti-trans orders from banning youth health care to shutting down LGBTQ+ suicide hotlines has forced her to travel hours out of state just to get medical care. At school and in public, she says she “feels unsafe almost everywhere.” Her father, Jeff, admitted he lives in constant worry, but they haven’t lost hope. Their family’s story is putting a human face on the toll of these policies, as advocates continue to fight for transgender youth who just want to live freely and safely.

18. Why Black Kids Aren’t Learning to Swim (July 28)

Summer fun isn’t so simple for many Black families – and Ebony magazine is shedding light on a deadly disparity. Due to a tangle of historical and systemic barriers, Black Americans have far lower swimming rates, which is one reason drowning is a leading cause of death for Black children. Ebony’s new feature traces how decades of pool segregation, generational fear of water, and limited access to swim lessons still ripple today. The piece includes the personal story of a mom who overcame her own aquatic anxiety to make sure her kids got swim lessons. From public policy to YMCA outreach, there’s a growing wave of efforts to bridge this swimming gap because every child deserves a safe splash.

19. Chappelle Doc to Debut at MV Festival (July 30)

Comedy fans, heads up, Dave Chappelle’s bringing it to the Vineyard. Chappelle’s new documentary “Live in Real Life” will debut at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, which kicks off next week. It’s an EBONY exclusive: the fest landed the premiere of Chappelle’s film, reportedly packed with his signature insight and irreverence. MV’s African American Film Festival has become a summer staple celebrating Black storytelling, and adding Chappelle’s star power this year is a big deal. (If you’re lucky enough to be on the island, get those tickets!) The doc’s premiere underscores how Black filmmakers and audiences continue to find community in cultural gatherings like MVAAFF.

20. ONE Musicfest Stacks the Lineup (July 31)

One of the South’s hottest music festivals is coming back with a star-studded lineup. Atlanta’s ONE Musicfest announced its return, headlined by the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, plus rising rap sensation Doechii, and even a rare Dungeon Family reunion on stage. The festival, known for blending old-school and new talent, promises two days of R&B, hip-hop, and culture this October. Also on the bill: Tems, Kodak Black, and Miguel. ONE Musicfest has grown into a go-to celebration of the culture – and this year’s roster, from Mary J. to Goodie Mob, is chef’s kiss for Black music lovers across generations.

21. Chris Paul’s Homecoming (July 29)

Chris Paul is officially home with the Clippers – and the 40-year-old NBA veteran says being back in L.A. “means so much” at this stage of his career. Paul had spent six years away from his family after he left the Clippers in 2017, but now his wife and kids can cheer him courtside instead of over FaceTime. “I love to hoop, I love to play this game, but I love my family more than any of it,” CP3 said, glancing at his wife Jada and their two teenagers in the front row. The 12-time All-Star will come off the bench for L.A., chasing that elusive first championship alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Paul’s already soaking up family time – he joked that he’s been so giddy to be home, “my wife and kids probably tired of me already.” The Point God is back in Clipper blue, and he’s got both a trophy and quality time on his mind.

22. Beyoncé’s Family Affair on Tour (July 28)

Beyoncé is known for putting on a spectacle, but her latest tour is giving Destiny’s Child a whole new meaning. On opening night of her “Cowboy Carter” Tour, Queen Bey brought out all three of her children for rare on-stage appearances. Blue Ivy (now 13) has already been dancing backup on select dates, but fans in D.C. lost it when 6-year-old twins Rumi and Sir Carter made brief cameos during a performance. It’s unusual to see the Carter kids in the spotlight – Beyoncé and Jay-Z are famously private – so the moment felt extra special. Bey laughed and told the crowd she wanted her babies to witness the tour’s kickoff. The Cowboy Carter Tour, celebrating 50 years of hip-hop’s influence, is itself a family affair: it’s named after her son (Sir’s nickname) and infused with Southern Black rodeo vibes. Only Beyoncé could merge a world tour with mommy duty and make it flawless.

23. Kerry Washington, Action Hero? (August 1)

Kerry Washington is flexing new muscles – literally – as she steps into her first action movie lead. The Scandal star will play a “ride-or-die” protective mom in the upcoming thriller Shadow Force, alongside French-Senegalese action star Omar Sy. Washington’s character is described as a highly trained operative fighting to protect her family. It’s a genre shift for the Emmy-winning actress known for her dramatic chops, but she’s embracing the challenge of stunts and fight choreography. Shadow Force is directed by Joe Carnahan and produced by Washington’s own Simpson Street company. Between Washington kicking butt on screen and Viola Davis in the recent Woman King, Black women are claiming space in the action genre – and we love to see it.

24. Amber Ruffin Comes Out (July 29)

Comedian Amber Ruffin capped off Pride Month with a joyful announcement … she’s queer and proud. The former Late Night with Seth Meyers writer and Peacock talk show host publicly came out at age 44, saying she wanted to live authentically and encourage others to do the same. Ruffin’s revelation was met with an outpouring of love from fans and the comedy community. Known for her infectious smile and sharp wit, Amber joked that she’s “been acting straight this whole time – and nailed it.” She joins the growing ranks of Black women in entertainment living out loud. As Ruffin put it, the best part of coming out is that she can finally stop pretending and stop worrying what anyone thinks: “Free at last!”

25. Mondaire Jones Sounds the Alarm (August 1)

Former congressman Mondaire Jones (one of the first openly gay Black members of Congress) is trying to reclaim his House seat in New York – and he’s warning that 2025 is a make-or-break moment. Jones, 36, blasted the Trump agenda’s impact on LGBTQ+ people and minorities, saying the “stakes are high” if Trump wins again. He pointed to a wave of rollbacks on civil rights and called on Democrats to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he believes can carry on progress. Jones is running in NY-17 on a platform of resisting the Project 2025 blueprint that he argues would “make white men victims and everyone else inferior.” He’s hoping voters will send him back to D.C. so he can continue being a voice for equality on Capitol Hill. As campaign season heats up, expect to hear Jones loudly defending the intersection of Black and queer communities and reminding folks what’s at stake in the upcoming election.