#NNPA BlackPress

White Comfort, Black Betrayal: When Our Billionaires Forget Us

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The betrayal is not subtle. It is loud in its quiet, glaring in its silence, and brutal in its indifference. The Black Press—born in chains in 1827 before slavery ended, built in blood, and sustained by courage—is gasping for air while those who could save it look the other way.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 10, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The betrayal is not subtle. It is loud in its quiet, glaring in its silence, and brutal in its indifference. The Black Press—born in chains in 1827 before slavery ended, built in blood, and sustained by courage—is gasping for air while those who could save it look the other way. These are not outsiders. They are our own. The rich and powerful among us have traded solidarity for status, truth for comfort, and liberation for proximity to whiteness.

The Black Press is the backbone of our collective memory. It told our stories when no one else would, when white America painted our faces as criminals and our dreams as crimes. It printed Mamie Till’s anguish so the world could see her son’s mutilated body. It carried the words of Frederick Douglass and the defiance of Ida B. Wells. It stood with Martin Luther King Jr., reporting his sermons and his jailhouse letters when white editors called him a menace. That same Black Press now struggles to survive while the billionaires it helped lift into the light sit in luxury, feeding the illusion that their comfort beside white power is safety.

Magic Johnson lounges on a $138 million yacht, surrounded by a world of white wealth. The same Magic Johnson who once symbolized Black excellence has turned his back on the institution that chronicled his rise. Meanwhile, Mark Cuban, a white billionaire with no stake in the struggle, did what Magic would not. He gave six figures to support the Black Press. Black billionaires, meanwhile, haven’t given six cents. That is what proximity to whiteness does: it kills the memory of where you came from. Dr. Dre helped to write the soundtracks of our lives. His beats gave rhythm to resistance. But his billions went to USC, a white institution that built its prestige while keeping Black students at the margins. Not a single dollar went to a Historically Black College or University. Not one dime to the Black Press. His music screamed revolution; his money whispered obedience.

And yet, we acknowledge the truth, they have every right to do what they want with their money. No one questions that. But when the world is burning, and our people are being pushed back into the fields, we wish they’d remember from whence they came. MacKenzie Scott, a white woman, has given more to Black America in one week than all of our Black billionaires combined have given in a decade. She’s donated hundreds of millions to HBCUs and Black nonprofits. Meanwhile, those who built their fortunes on the backs of Black culture, labor, and genius have built walls instead of bridges. They have mistaken assimilation for advancement.

Spike Lee, once the messenger of “Do the Right Thing,” now sits courtside beside men like Knicks owner James Dolan and Mets owner Steve Cohen—both donors and allies of Trump’s MAGA machine. Jay-Z, who once spoke truth from the corners of Brooklyn, now partners with the whiteness of SL Green and Caesars to build casinos while Black-owned media struggles to pay reporters.

Isiah Thomas, a Hall of Fame legend and one of the finest businessmen among them, knows firsthand what the Black Press can do. When his award-winning wine was shut out of a major retail chain, it wasn’t a white PR firm or a corporate lawyer who came to his defense; it was the Black Press. One call, one email, one tweet, and the company called back immediately. They didn’t want the smoke from the Black Press. That’s the power we still hold, if only our own would stand beside us.

Instead, the billionaires remain silent while the walls close in on our people.

Under Trump’s regime, more than 300,000 Black women have already lost their federal jobs—and the number is rising. Trump’s government is fighting a judge’s order demanding he restore food stamps for millions of hungry Americans, many of them Black. Healthcare for our elders has been gutted. WIC and Medicaid are under attack. Trump’s inner circle—Stephen Miller, Russell Vought, Steve Bannon, and their MAGA faithful—openly promise to erase every gain made by Black Americans. They are not even hiding their racism anymore. They fired four-star generals because they were Black. They removed the Librarian of Congress because she was Black. They are dismantling Black leadership from the military to academia. They say the immigrants they are deporting “stole” the jobs that Black Americans should have, as if the only work we deserve is in the fields.

This is not a political shift. It is an unmasking. The same white corporations that once filled their websites with slogans of “equity” and “diversity” after George Floyd’s murder have quietly pulled back. Target, Amazon, Meta, McDonald’s, Citigroup, Disney, AT&T, Goldman Sachs, and others have walked away from the very promises they made to Black America. They pledged billions, then simply decided not to give it. They used our grief for marketing, our pain for profit, and then vanished when accountability came calling. Through it all, the Black Press remains the only institution that tells the truth. It is the keeper of our history, our victories, our wounds. It is not begging—it is bearing witness. But a witness without support cannot survive. And as the Black Press is starved, those who could sustain it—the billionaires who grew from its pages—are silent. They seem to believe their proximity to whiteness will save them. They seem to believe that if they stay quiet, they will remain safe. They are wrong.

Proximity to whiteness is not safety. It is surrender. It is the price of forgetting. The truth is that the struggle never ended—it was rebranded. Trump’s America is the plantation with Wi-Fi and private jets. The new overseers wear designer suits instead of badges. They smile while they strip away everything that made our progress possible. And while they do, our billionaires sip champagne beside them, believing their wealth is protection.

It is not.

When the history of this era is written, it will show that while the Black Press fought to preserve the truth, many of the richest among us stood by—quiet, comfortable, and complicit. They had the means to fight, but chose instead to stay close to power, even as that power worked to destroy us.

Proximity to whiteness didn’t save the enslaved, and it will not save the rich. It will only make them forget who they are—and who they were meant to fight for.

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding.

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal government has released $3.6 billion in home heating assistance after a delay that left states preparing for the start of winter without the program’s annual funding. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. The release follows a shutdown that stretched 43 days and pushed agencies across the country to warn families of possible disruptions.

State officials in Minnesota, Kansas, New York, and Pennsylvania had already issued alerts that the delay could slow the processing of applications or force families to wait until December for help. In Pennsylvania, more than 300,000 households depend on the program each year. Minnesota officials noted that older adults, young children, and people with disabilities face the highest risk as temperatures fall.

The delay also raised concerns among advocates who track household debt tied to rising utility costs. National Energy Assistance Directors Association Executive Director Mark Wolfe said the funds were “essential and long overdue” and added that high arrearages and increased energy prices have strained families seeking help.

Some states faced additional pressure when other services were affected by the shutdown. According to data reviewed by national energy advocates, roughly 68 percent of LIHEAP households also receive nutrition assistance, and the freeze in multiple programs increased the financial burden on low-income residents. Wolfe said families were placed in “an even more precarious situation than usual” as the shutdown stretched into November.

In Maryland, lawmakers urged the Trump administration to release funds after the state recorded its first cold-related death of the season. The Maryland Department of Health reported that a man in his 30s was found outdoors in Frederick County when temperatures dropped. Last winter, the state documented 75 cold-related deaths, the highest number in five years. Rep Kweisi Mfume joined more than 100 House members calling for immediate federal action and said LIHEAP “is not a luxury” for the 100,000 Maryland households that rely on it. He added that seniors and veterans would be placed at risk if the program remained stalled.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore used $10.1 million in state funds to keep benefits moving, but noted that states cannot routinely replace federal dollars. His administration said families that rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are particularly vulnerable.

The District of Columbia has already mapped out its FY26 LIHEAP structure in documents filed with the federal government. The District’s plan shows that heating assistance, cooling assistance, weatherization, and year-round crisis assistance operate from October 1 through September 30. The District allocates 50 percent of its LIHEAP funds to heating assistance, 10 percent to cooling, 13 percent to year-round crisis assistance, 15 percent to weatherization, and 10 percent to administrative costs. Two percent is used for services that help residents reduce energy needs, including education on reading utility bills and identifying energy waste.

The District’s plan lists a minimum LIHEAP benefit of $200 and a maximum of $1,800 for both heating and cooling assistance. Crisis benefits are provided separately and may reach up to $500 when needed to resolve an emergency. The plan states that a household is considered in crisis if it has been disconnected from energy service, if heating oil is at 5 percent or less of capacity, or if the household has at least $200 owed after the regular benefit is applied.

The District’s filing notes that LIHEAP staff conduct outreach through community meetings, senior housing sites, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, social media, posters, and mass mailings. The plan confirms that LIHEAP applicants can apply in person, by mail, by email, or through a mobile-friendly online application and that physically disabled residents may request in-home visits.

As agencies nationwide begin distributing the newly released funds, states continue working through large volumes of applications. Wolfe said LIHEAP administrators “have been notified that the award letters have gone out and the states can begin to draw down the funds.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think

Published

4 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Swinging side by side with a friend on the playground. Sharing chalk over bright, colorful sidewalk drawings. Hiding behind a tree during a spirited game of hide-and-seek. These simple moments between children may seem small, but they matter more than we think: They lay the foundation for some of life’s most important skills.

Through everyday play, young children begin learning essential social and emotional skills like sharing, resolving conflicts, showing empathy, and managing their emotions. These social skills help shape emotional growth and set kids up for long-term success. Socialization in early childhood isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s essential for development.

Yet today, many young children who haven’t yet started school aren’t getting enough consistent, meaningful interaction with peers. Research shows that there’s a decline in active free play and peer socialization when compared to previous generations.

There are many reasons for this. Children who are home with a parent during the day may spend most of their time with adults, limiting opportunities for peer play. Those in daycare or preschool may have restricted free play, and large classrooms can reduce supervision and social coaching. Some children live in rural areas, are homebound due to illness, have full schedules, or rely on screens to fill their playtime. And for some families, finding other families with young children to connect with isn’t easy.

While these challenges can feel significant, opportunities for connection still exist in every community. Families can take simple steps to help children build friendships, create a sense of belonging, and strengthen social skills. Here are some ideas to get started:

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores

Some of these community activities are free or low-cost and give kids the chance to build friendships and practice social skills. Parents can also model positive social behavior by interacting with other parents and encouraging their children to play with their peers.

These may seem like small moments of connection, but they can have a powerful impact. Every time your child shares a toy, plays make-believe with peers, or races a friend down the slide, they’re not just playing—they’re learning the skills that build confidence, empathy, and lasting friendships. And it’s good for you, too. Creating intentional opportunities for play also helps you strengthen your own network of parents who can support one another as your children grow together.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections

Published

4 days ago

December 1, 2025

Oakland Post

By Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer, Stride/K12

Storytime sessions at libraries or local bookstores
Community offerings such as parent-child workshops, art, music, gymnastics, swimming, or sports programs
Weekly events at children’s museums, which may include art projects, music workshops, or science experiments
Outdoor exploration, where kids can play with peers
Local parenting groups that organize playdates and group activities
Volunteer opportunities where children can participate, such as pet adoption events or packing meals at a food bank
Classes for kids at local businesses, including hardware, grocery, or craft stores