In the first full month of Donald Trump‘s presidency, government data shows that the U.S. added fewer jobs than expected while the unemployment rate has now increased to 4.1%. According to the data released on Friday, 151,000 workers were hired last month. Economists, however, were expecting to see 170,000 jobs added, per ABC News.
D’Wayne Wiggins, founding member of beloved R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, has died at age 64. Wiggins, who was surrounded by family members when he died on Friday, was living with bladder cancer for the past year, according to Variety.
The brutal murders occurred on Nov. 13, 2022, when four students —Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin —were fatally stabbed in an off-campus house in Moscow, Idaho. The attack sparked national attention and a months-long investigation. Authorities […]
Watching Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo from the Bravo series Summer House interview Megan Thee Stallion on the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party red carpet was painful.
As Berner, who was formerly on the show, and DeSorbo, who is currently on the Bravo series, spoke over each other, DeSorbo revealed to Meg how much she loves her music.
“I start my day with you and only you,” she said, with Berner adding, “No, your music has literally — when I want to fight someone, I listen to your music.”
The Houston Hottie replied, “Because you want to throw that fighting s**t out the window, and you want to get cute and be a bad b***h.”
@vanityfair Reminder: #MeganTheeStallion is that girl. #VFOscarParty ♬ original sound – Vanity Fair
Many quickly commented on the racial undertone and microaggression.
“These micro aggressions are MACRO. Who is this little girl?” a TikTok user responded to Vanity Fair’s video of the exchange.
Another shared, “Meg was like ‘fight people? Girl, I make Bad Bih music. Do you see these nails? We don’t fight.’”
“When she wants to fight……….🤔” someone else wrote.
A fourth TikToker commented, “Meg handled this so well. The micro aggressions were crazy.”
People magazine reported that Berner posted an apology statement to her Instagram Stories regarding the cringy moment on Thursday.
“Interviewing Megan Thee Stallion was a dream of mine. I love her music, and it’s my go-to whenever I need to boost my confidence before a show. Looking back at the interview, I wish I used any other word except ‘fight’ to describe how her songs impact me,” Berner wrote.
“It was a careless choice of words, and though there was no ill intent, I recognize and acknowledge that what I said has a deeper meaning, and I am so sorry to Megan. I appreciate everyone who brought this to my attention,” she added.
Megan Thee Stallion has yet to comment on the situation.
The current political climate has been fraught with complicated emotions and shocking changes in law. Unsurprisingly to some, the stakes are seemingly climbing higher by the month with the new administration in place. One of the more recent issues plaguing the minds of the public is an announcement from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, confirming that the famous Black Lives Matter Plaza will be removed. The long-time politician is already a controversial figure, so this move has many speculating about who and what is contributing to this huge decision.
Bowser is the current Mayor of Washington, D.C., serving since 2015. She is known for her strong advocacy on issues of racial justice and equality. In connection to the Black Lives Matter movement, Bowser made a significant statement in June 2020 when, following widespread protests against police brutality, she ordered the mural of “Black Lives Matter” to be painted on the streets near the White House, officially renaming the section of 16th Street NW to “Black Lives Matter Plaza.” This bold act of solidarity aimed to demonstrate the city’s commitment to racial justice and to amplify the voices of protesters. Although Black Lives Matter Plaza has made locals and Americans proud in recent years, it seemingly is the end of an era. Here is what we know about Bowser’s Black Lives Matter Plaza removal and all that motivates it.
Why Is Black Lives Matter Plaza Being Changed?
(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. (established in June 2020), is facing potential changes due to a combination of federal legislative pressure and local governmental considerations. In March 2025, Republican Representative Andrew Clyde introduced a bill proposing to withhold certain federal funds from the District unless the plaza is renamed and the “Black Lives Matter” mural is removed. Obviously, this request (or as some might call it, a politically charged threat since it puts incredibly important federal funding at risk) comes with a hefty ultimatum. The city will lose millions of dollars of funding if the legislation is not abided by, so the move is happening forcibly. It is clear to residents and concerned citizens nationwide that this anti-Black Lives Matter campaign is no sudden thing. Over the years there has been pushback to the movement, seemingly culminating in Bowser’s recent announcement.
This legislative action has prompted the Mayor to announce plans for the plaza’s redesign. She will integrate it into the city’s America 250 mural project, which aims to involve students and artists in creating public art across all eight wards. Mayor Bowser emphasized the mural’s historical significance but expressed a desire to move beyond congressional distractions and focus on the city’s priorities, particularly addressing the impacts of federal job cuts.
How Will the Mural Be Removed?
The plaza, which stretches across two blocks north of the White House, will need to be renamed. The lettering on the street will also be removed. Technically, it will not physically be removed, but it will be hidden from view as the plaza is repainted during the aforementioned mural project. There is no telling what will go in its place, but due to the legislation motivating the removal, it will clearly not be anything like it is now. In addition to this, there will be changes to the use of the phrase, “Black Lives Matter.” Any mention will be removed from both the city’s websites and its official documents. This change is reflective of the current war on DEI, which has been spearheaded by Trump’s administration.
When Will Changes to Black Lives Matter Plaza Begin?
(Julia Mouketo/Unsplash)
Although the decision for this change has happened quite quickly, there is not a specific timeline for it. The most information the public has received has come from what Bowser, who has noted that Black Lives Matter Plaza will be repainted as part of the nation’s 250th birthday next year. But other than that, not much is written in stone. Given the circumstances, it would not be unrealistic to guess the mural will be removed sooner than later.
In fact, as NBC Washington reports, Clyde’s office has much to say about the matter. Most notably, in a written statement, the congressman shared, “I’m very pleased that within one day of introducing my bill to rename BLM Plaza, Mayor Bowser announced plans to do just that. My focus remains on ensuring this woke, divisive slogan is removed and no longer stains the streets of America’s capital city, and I will continue pursuing my effort until BLM Plaza is officially gone for good.” As of now, no specific date has been provided for the plaza’s transformation. But the backlash that this decision has caused may or may not delay its removal.
Blavity Fest, a two-day event featuring programming designed to celebrate Black achievements across wealth, wellness, creativity, and music, is right around the corner.
The festival will include talks from industry leaders and experts while giving attendees the opportunity to uplift, engage, and connect with the community.
Ahead of this year’s event, here’s everything you need to know about Blavity Fest 2025.
When is Blavity Fest?
Blavity Fest 2025 will take place at Lee + White in Atlanta from May 31 to June 1.
Who is on this year’s lineup?
This year’s festival will feature performances by some of the biggest Black artists in the world. Rapper 2 Chainz will headline Saturday’s festivities, performing a selection of his most beloved hits. On Sunday, gospel music icon Kirk Franklin will take the stage.
The lineup also includes a series of engaging conversations on a range of topics. Lifestyle speaker Mattie James will deliver a keynote on thriving in every aspect of life, as part of the event’s Summit21 programming. Summit21 is designed specifically for Black women, providing them with tools and support to invest in themselves and elevate their vision.
Other Summit21 sessions to look out for include:
Psychologist Dr. Raquel Martin on managing mental health.
Ami Colé CEO and founder Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye on navigating entrepreneurship in the beauty industry as a person of color.
Finance enthusiasts should check out sessions from Trell Thomas and Teri Ijeoma, covering stocks, Black wealth, community empowerment and more. Meanwhile, those looking to leverage social media to build their brand won’t want to miss Karen Civil’s talk on the subject.
More information about speakers and sessions can be found on Blavity Fest’s website.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available for purchase on Blavity Fest’s website.
General Pass ($135): Grants access to festival grounds for both days, including the Main Stage, Idea Exchange programming stages, and all musical performances.
General Pass + Summit21 ($185): Includes everything in the General Pass, plus access to Summit21’s programming.
VIP Pass ($350): Offers an all-access experience to the festival, including exclusive perks.
Zachary’s Daiquiris, a newly opened hot spot in Charleston, South Carolina, drew a crowd over the weekend as patrons lined up to try its highly anticipated menu. However, the establishment is now going viral over its dress code, which some say the rules unfairly target Black customers.
The situation is getting heightened attention because owners Leva Bonaparte and Lamar Bonaparte appear on Bravo’s Southern Charm and Southern Hospitality, with Leva starring on both.
TikToker recounts her experience at Zachary’s Daiquiris
According to Eater Carolinas, the issue was first addressed on TikTok by user Sarah Baus (@sarahebaus), who revealed that she and friends had attended the opening night of Zachary’s Daiquiris and ordered a second round of drinks as the bar was about to open to the public around 8 p.m.
Baus said she was excited about the event and was just about to share a post to promote the business when she witnessed the bouncer walking down a line of patrons, enforcing a dress code before they could enter.
“She stops next to the one group of Black men, stops next to them — doesn’t look at them but stops next to them; that’s where she makes the announcement, ‘no Jordans, no ripped jeans, no athletic pants,’ describing this group of men, not no athletic shoes, not no sneakers, Jordans,” Baus said in the over four-minute video.
Baus described the shocking look on her and her friends’ faces as they watched the bouncer allegedly racially profile the Black men. She said the men left with half of the line going with them and vowed not to support a business that treats Black customers that way.
After the incident, Baus, her friends and her husband left. She said he spoke to the bouncer about the situation and noted that many other customers had also gone in response. The bouncer said the decision came from upper management, and she had no control over it.
The bar posted its dress code after 8 p.m. on Instagram on March 1. According to the rules, the following are not permitted: “athletic wear, gym attire, ripped/frayed/patched jeans, jersey, graphic tee, tank tops, hoodies, Crocs/slides,” according to Eater Carolinas.
It remains unclear if the establishment enforced the dress code before opening to the public. According to the outlet, past reports indicate that the website did not include it leading up to its opening night.
Baus said her group had gone to another restaurant and continued discussing what happened at the bar. She went online to look at reviews when she noticed one of the Black men in the group had left a comment recounting his experience.
“After standing in line outside in the cold 30 minutes was told there’s now a dress code & I can’t enter with Jordan’s on after watching multiple Caucasians walk in with JORDANS ON! Was told sorry they just informed me about it” as if that is any excuse also nothing on their website states a dress code very unprofessional & I was actually promoting this business a lot just to be disappointed & turned around for a pair of shoes! I will not be returning obviously their looking for a certain crowd of the same color & I don’t fit,” Shamauri Gilliard wrote in a review shared in a screenshot included in Baus’s TikTok video.
Zachary’s Daiquiris’ owners respond to backlash
Representatives for Zachary’s Daiquiris did not respond to Blavity’s email for comment on Wednesday.
However, Lamar Bonaparte responded to the social media backlash in a post shared on Zachary’s Daiquiris’ Instagram account later in the day.
“In the past few days, I have been asked to make a statement, apologize, and address outlandish allegations about my business on social media-allegations that are not only entirely false, but extremely harmful and discriminatory,” Lamar wrote in part in the caption.
He continued in the post, “I am a person that has experienced racism and acts of discrimination firsthand. This is a real F—K YOU moment. What saddens me the most about seeing these untruthful posts is the irony of it, the deepest and most dangerous form of racism.”
Lamar doubled down, stating he nor the establishment had done any wrongdoing and suggested that people shouldn’t visit if they do not like how they conduct their business.
“And no, this isn’t an apology because we did nothing wrong. We have a dress code and it’s enforced AFTER 8PM. If you don’t like the way we do business, DON’T COME,” he said.
A similar message from Lamar was shared on Bravo – Vs – Everybody’s Instagram account.
In what appears to be a now-deleted post from her TikTok account that was reposted by another page, Leva (who is of Persian descent) said, “The fact that you emailed a Black-owned business and expected my Black husband to explain to you that he’s not racist is the deepest form of racism. It is the deepest form of privilege that your 27-year-old mind cannot comprehend. Catch you on the other side, homegirl. Keep it up.”
In their social media posts, Leva and Lamar have both implied that they have issues with a non-Black person speaking out about racism against Black people.
@the.christina_chronicles Sorry for the multiple parts- Leva’s crash out 3rd and Final Part over the backlash of her business Zach’s Daiqs Who: Leva, business owner Charleston, SC and reality tv cast member on Bravo (Southern Charm + Southern Hospitality) opened a new business in Charleston called zach’s daiqs and did a party on opening day with influences in attendance. Sarah Baus shared her experience on tiktok. she witnessed a bouncer tell the line of waiting customers that there was a new dress code being enforced starting at 8pm. For Sarah’s full explanation of what happened visit her tiktok, search: Sarah Baus. ♬ original sound – the.christina_chronicles
Leva also reshared a post from Bravo – Vs – Everybody’s account on her Instagram Stories and on TikTok, in which she alleged that Baus was lying about what happened at the establishment and that she also went viral over an incident with Panera Bread.
Despite the reactions and responses from Leva, Lamar and the restaurant, Baus took to TikTok to post another video saying she had no reason to lie. In the caption, she wrote, “Call me a liar, but no one can say I sat back and did nothing.”
@sarahebaus Call me a liar, but no one can say I sat back and did nothing. Excited to continue to promote kind and ethical businesses in the future ❤️ ♬ original sound – Sarah Baus
She said in the video, “Black people have had these experiences invalidated for them for ages. I just didn’t expect that to be the response. I was really hoping for a response on how they don’t stand for this type of behavior. … Not just deleting our reviews and deleting the review of the original guy this happened to. … Blocking people who disagree with them. I did not expect that type of response and just calling me a liar when we’ve shown you the reviews.”
Yelp and Google reviews circulate online
The establishment has two types of customer review experiences on Google and Yelp. Google mostly has positive and raving reviews. However, several people have accused the venue on social media of deleting the initial negative reviews and creating a new page with only positive reviews and 5-star ratings.
Many negative Google reviews are circulating on Reddit but are no longer on the page.
Leva/Lamar’s new place “Zachary Daiquiris” cancelled on the first daybyu/Turbulent_Cobbler463 insouthernhospitalitysc
In contrast, Yelp has a diverse lineup of customers leaving their responses, calling out Zachary’s Daiquiris for being racist toward Black customers. The company has also flagged the website, monitoring submitted reviews for the bar.
“This business recently received increased public attention resulting in an influx of people posting their views to this page, so we have temporarily disabled the ability to post here as we work to investigate the content,” Yelp said in a pop-up statement on the website.
What is Zachary’s Daiquiris?
The Bonapartes’ Republic Hospitality, the management group that owns several nightclubs, restaurants and bars along King Street in downtown Charleston, also owns Zachary’s Daiquiris.
As Eater Carolinas reported, it is named for Republic Hospitality employee Zachary Elliott, who said the renowned Wet Willies inspired him to create the concept of the establishment. He was also a Make-A-Wish recipient as a child who had a rare form of bone cancer and the establishment gives a percentage of its proceeds to Make-A-Wish South Carolina.
The menu includes paninis, dips and spreads, salads, flatbreads and sample platters. In addition to beer and wine, there is an extensive list of the eatery’s famous daiquiris, with most of them named after historic Charleston landmarks.
In a lengthy address to Congress on Tuesday, President Donald Trump alleged the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) discovered an $8 million governmental effort to make “mice transgender,” according to Rolling Stone.
Though Trump doubled down on his analysis, telling America “this is real,” it, in fact, is not.
The “transgenic” mice that Trump referred to have nothing to do with gender identity, but rather they are a “revolutionary research resource” for medical progression.
Fact checks of Trump’s transgender mice claim
Following Trump’s speech, the White House shared a list of federal grants totaling $8.3 million for health studies involving mice receiving gender-affirming healthcare treatments, CNN reported. That list clarified that the intention of those studies was to observe how these treatments may affect the humans who take them, not to make mice transgender.
One of those grants provided the National Cancer Institute with $299,940 in 2023 to evaluate breast cancer rates among testosterone-taking female mice. Because hormone regulation of breast development is similar between mice and humans, such a study could be pivotal in determining how taking testosterone can affect a biologically female body.
Two other grants, totaling $455,120, finance projects from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases between fiscal yeas 2023 and 2024 to compare the differences between the efficacy of an HIV vaccine in mice who had and had not received cross-sex hormone therapy.
Reactions to “transgenic mice” vs “transgender mice”
Many of the roughly 36.6 million people who watched Trump’s address to Congress took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn the president’s misinformation.
I can’t believe this needs to be said.TransGENIC mice are not TransGENDER mice— Andrea C. Love, PhD (@dr_andrealove) March 5, 2025
Trump made a HISTORIC blunder during his speech while bragging he canceled $8 million in funding to turn Mice “transgender.”The funding was for TRANSGENIC studies, where scientists introduce human disease cells like Alzheimer’s to study a cure. Unreal.pic.twitter.com/Luv01ufq3u— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) March 5, 2025
Jimmy Kimmel used the opening monologue of a March 5 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to call out Trump and his serious issue with the facts, Variety reported.
“You know, you hear the president of the United States say we’re spending $8 million to do sex change operations on mice,” he began. “You say, ‘Well, I’m sure he’s exaggerating, but there must be something there.’ Turns out there’s not. It’s not real.”
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Trump’s comments about “transgender” mice come as his administration has worked tirelessly to diminish diversity programs and LGBTQIA+ visibility and rights. According to NBC News, in January, Trump signed executive orders forcing the U.S. government to recognize only two sexes (male and female) and ending “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity and inclusion programs within federal agencies.
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