The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has announced its 2024 cohort of HBCU Scholars. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the program, which has recognized 110 outstanding students from 80 HBCUs for their academic achievements, leadership potential, and dedication to their communities.

“For 10 years, the HBCU Scholars program has celebrated the exceptional academic talent and achievements of students at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities — a recognition that reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s determination to fight for our nation’s HBCUs and their immense contributions to excellence and diversity in higher education,” stated U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “This year’s 110 outstanding students exemplify Black excellence — and fill us with hope for the promise of tomorrow. We couldn’t be prouder to support them on their journey.”

Since its inception in 2014, the HBCU Scholars program has empowered over 500 students, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, mentorship, and networking. This year’s cohort, selected from a competitive pool of over 350 applicants, represents 23 states and 11 countries. They come from a diverse array of disciplines, including STEM, humanities, social sciences, and the arts, and have demonstrated not only academic excellence but also a strong commitment to service and leadership in their communities.

Throughout the year, the HBCU Scholars will participate in workshops, leadership development programs, and networking events designed to enhance their skills and expand their horizons. They will also have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and program alumni, enriching their educational experience. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Education’s mission to “Raise the Bar,” encouraging students to uplift their communities, promote student success, strengthen democracy, and grow the economy.

A notable component of the HBCU Scholar Program is its partnership with NASA. This collaboration includes the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC). Through the Mini MITTIC program, HBCU Scholars will collaborate to develop ideas for commercializing technology derived from NASA intellectual property, aimed at benefiting their campuses and surrounding communities.

The HBCU Scholars will also be invited to the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, scheduled for September 15-19, 2024, at the Marriott Downtown Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA. This year’s conference theme, “Raising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet,” will feature sessions designed to inspire innovation, leadership, and personal and professional development. The conference will provide Scholars with opportunities to engage with each other, initiative staff, and partners, further showcasing their talents.

Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Dietra Trent, expressed her enthusiasm for the new cohort, saying, “I am delighted to announce the 2024-2025 HBCU Scholars representing 80 of our nation’s HBCUs. These students exemplify the excellence and leadership that is characteristic of the HBCU community. I anticipate and look forward to our partnership over the next academic school year.”

Following the conference, the HBCU Scholars will be invited to participate in various programs, events, and monthly master classes designed to enhance their professional development and increase access to post-graduation opportunities within non-profits, businesses, and federal agencies, ensuring that the nation remains globally competitive.

Below is the complete list of HBCU Scholars. HBCU Scholars are listed in alphabetical order, by their state or country of origin.

ALABAMA

• (Birmingham) Michaela Hart, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
• (Gadsden) Chantara Williams, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL
• (Livingston) Lakenya Blakely, Selma University, Selma, AL
• (Madison) Taron Randolph, Drake State Community and Technical College, Huntsville, AL
• (Mobile) Jeric Packer, Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
• (Mobile) Michael Stallworth Jr., Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
• (Montgomery) Jasmine Bryant, J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College, Huntsville, AL
• (Montgomery) Amia Calandrea Carter, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL
• (Northport) Maia Brasfield, Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
• (Prattville) JaMya Peoples, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS
• (Prattville) Dayja Brown, Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL
• (Tuscaloosa) Chiamaka Okafor, Shelton State Community College, Tuscaloosa, AL
• (Tuscaloosa) Raven Herring, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA

BAHAMAS

• (Bimini) Darius Thompson, Albany State University, Albany, GA
• (Exuma) Wayne Curtis II, Wiley University, Marshall, TX

BARBADOS

• (Bridgetown) Juliana Blackman, Allen University, Columbia, SC

CALIFORNIA

• (Los Angeles) MaKenzie Hanks, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Chester County, PA
• (San Francisco) Charles-Anthony Woodfork, North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC

DOMINICA

• (Roseau) Kyra Edwards, University of the Virgin Islands – Albert A. Sheen Campus, St Croix & St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

• (Santo Domingo) Katherine Pamela Sugilio Peralta, Paine College, Augusta, GA

FLORIDA

• (Jacksonville) Kenyana McCray, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL

• (Miami) Gabrielle Sinclair, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL

FRANCE

• (Saint Martin) Benz Joseph, Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC

GEORGIA

• (Atlanta) Robert Adams, Fisk University, Nashville, TN
• (Atlanta) Matthew Dormus, Oakwood University, Huntsville, AL
• (Columbus) Alexis Day, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
• (Lithia Springs) Jacob Pearson, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
• (Marietta) Osoniya Wodi, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
• (Snellville) Khelsei Dorsett-Wilson, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC
• (Stockbridge) Jayden Williams, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA

GUATEMALA

• (Chiquimula) Mellany Sophia Morales Menéndez, Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD

ILLINOIS

• (Champaign) Sa’kinah Williams, Rust College, Holly Springs, MS
• (Chicago) Jae’Lynn A. Jordan, Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO
• (Chicago) Darryl I. Hawkins, Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO
• (Chicago) Joshua Claybrooks, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY
• (Chicago) Laila Cooper, Lane College, Jackson, TN
• (Chicago) Asia Rogers, Bennett College, Greensboro, NC
• (Chicago) Kennedy Orr, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA

INDIANA

• (Cedar Lake) Keeley Bernard, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
• (Indianapolis) Kristyn Lyles, Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, FL

JAMAICA

• (Port Antonio) Santasha Johnson, Benedict College, Columbia, SC
• (Portland) Shemar Stewart, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
• (Portland) Kayleah Shelton, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
• (Portland) Roxi-Ann Williams, Benedict College, Columbia, SC

KANSAS

• (Wichita) Aniyah Robinson, Langston University, Langston, OK

LOUISIANA

• (Baton Rouge) Nalone Sumo, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA
• (Clinton) Antoine Johnson Jr., Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
• (Lake Charles) Alonnie Celestine, Xavier University of Louisiana​New Orleans, LA
• (Moreauville) William J. Gaspard Jr., Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
• (Natchitoches) ​Za’Chary Rashad Jackson, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
• (New Orleans) Dana M. Bailey, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
• (Shreveport) Madisyn Nicole Hicks, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
• (Thibodaux) DeAndrew Thomas, Dillard University, New Orleans, LA
• (Ville Platte) Chandler Vidrine, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

MARYLAND

• (Suitland) Sarah Amanda Owusu, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
• (Upper Marlboro) Ashley Anderson, Howard University, Washington, D.C.

MICHIGAN

• (Detroit) Erika Igarashi-Cummings, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
• (Flint) Hailee L. P. Clack, Hampton University, Hampton, VA

MISSISSIPPI

• (Cleveland) John Eubanks II, Coahoma Community College, Coahoma County, MS
• (Flora) Almia Valentine, Tougaloo College, Hinds County, MS
• (Jackson) Frances Sade Lewis, Alcorn State University, Lorman, MS
• (Jackson) Raegan B. Johnson, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
• (Jackson) Anahja Reed, Hinds Community College, Utica, MS
• (Ruleville) Jordyn Johnson, Coahoma Community College, Coahoma County, MI

MISSOURI   

• (St. Louis Missouri) Myia Bradford, Lincoln University of Missouri, Jefferson City, MO

NEVADA

• (Las Vegas) Jalen Gourrier, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

NEW JERSEY

• (East Orange) Sagal Buchanan, Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL
• (Hamilton) Chantel Ilawole, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA
• (Woodbury) Aaliyah Robinson, Delaware State University, Dover, DE

NEW YORK

• (Baldwin) Naja Bostwick, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
• (Bronx) Sean  Carter, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
• (Poughkeepsie) Cody Gibbs, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Chester County, PA

NIGERIA

• (Enugu) Izuchukwu Mba, Talladega College, Talladega, AL
• (Lagos) Favour Adesoye, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA
• (Lagos) Comfort Iretioluwa Olorundare, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC

NORTH CAROLINA

• (Charlotte) Ayanna Anderson, Clinton College, Rock Hill, SC
• (Charlotte) Sanai Price, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC
• (Charlotte) Aeries Hoskins, Tougaloo College, Hinds County, MS 
• (Raleigh) Sierra Williams, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 
• (Whitsett) Josh Kyei, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
• (Winterville) KJ Chadwick, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC

OHIO

• (Cincinnati) Alexandra Nelson, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
• (Maple Heights) Zhane McCorvey, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
• (Toledo) Devon J. Ezell, Morris Brown College, Atlanta, GA
• (Toledo) Cassidy McClellan, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL

PANAMA

• (Panamá City) Isabella Wynter Mitchell, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH

PENNSYLVANIA

• (Upper Darby) Veronica A. Redden, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA

SOUTH CAROLINA

• (Beaufort) Christian Miles, Howard University, Washington, D.C.
• (Greenville) Lawrenz Ellman-Sanders, Voorhees University, Denmark, SC
• (Manning) Aaron D. Smith, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC

TENNESSEE

• (Memphis) Keith Jordan Jr., Lane College, Jackson, TN
• (Memphis) Breeze Smith, Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC
• (Nashville) Erin Armstrong, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

• (Trinidad & Tobago) Jean-Marie Farinha, Wiley University, Marshall, TX

TEXAS

• (Cedar Hill) Olivia LaShay Dyer, Grambling State University, Grambling, LA
• (Dallas) Anthony George II, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA
• (Dallas) Ericka Drinker, Paul Quinn College, Dallas, TX
• (Dallas) Destiny Okonkwo, Texas Southern University, Houston, TX
• (Houston) Nadia Higgins, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
• (Houston) Haile Allen, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
• (Houston) DeAndré K. Bell II, Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Houston, TX
• (San Antonio) Daveon Johnson, St. Philip’s College, San Antonio, TX

VIRGINIA

• (Arlington) Yassin Alallaq, Delaware State University, Dover, DE
• (Richmond) Michael Kevin Crossley Sr., Virginia Union University, Sydney Lewis School of Business, Richmond, VA

WISCONSIN

• (Milwaukee) Dailona I. Dallas, Jarvis Christian University, Hawkins, TX

ZAMBIA

• (Lusaka) Chikomborero Musinga, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, AR

8

Polish sprinting sensation Ewa Swoboda has thrown down the gauntlet, accepting a challenge from internet personality IShowSpeed. The unexpected matchup will see the Olympic hopeful face off against the social media star in a highly anticipated race on August 24th.

Known for her fierce competitiveness and impressive track record, Swoboda is a formidable opponent. The Olympic hopeful has consistently proven herself on the world stage, and this challenge is sure to put her skills to the test in a unique arena.

IShowSpeed, a social media star with a massive following, has often boasted about his speed. This high-stakes race will give him the opportunity to back up his claims against a professional athlete.

The matchup between the seasoned sprinter and the internet sensation has quickly captured the attention of fans worldwide. With less than three weeks until the race, anticipation is building as people eagerly await to see if IShowSpeed can live up to the hype.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting showdown.

Related

1

Rap sensation Latto has unveiled the highly anticipated tracklist for her third studio album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea, set to drop this Friday. The album boasts a star-studded lineup of features and promises to be a sonic powerhouse.

With 21 tracks in total, the project includes previously released hits like “Put It On Da Floor Again” featuring Cardi B, “Sunday Service,” and “Big Mama.” Fans can also look forward to a remix of “Sunday Service” featuring Megan Thee Stallion and Flo Milli.

Latto has tapped an impressive roster of collaborators for the album, including Coco Jones, Young Nudy, Ciara, and Mariah The Scientist. The diverse range of artists suggests a dynamic and eclectic sound that will showcase Latto’s versatility.

As the release date draws near, excitement continues to build around Sugar Honey Iced Tea. With its impressive tracklist and high-profile features, the album is poised to make a major impact on the music industry.

Sugar Honey Iced Tea Tracklist

Stay tuned for the official release of Sugar Honey Iced Tea this Friday.

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Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a lecture entitled “The Other America” in March 1968, outlining our nation’s schizophrenic dualism. “There are two Americas,” he proclaimed. 

U.S. sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos demonstrated as much six months later, each raising a gloved fist for Black power while “The Star-Spangled Banner” played at the Mexico City Olympics. The Summer Games have been our time to make a statement since 1904 when hurdler George Coleman Poage became the first African-American to win an Olympic medal. And ain’t nothing changed.

Sports contain metaphors for life and lessons on commitment, sacrifice, winning and handling defeat. They’re taught in a universal language that’s understood by every athlete around the world. But extraterrestrial visitors would have a skewed picture of the United States if their observations were based solely on Team USA.

If the aliens happened to catch Fox News first, they’d think DEI had run amok in Paris. But we know the truth.

Unlike the Whiter Winter Olympics, the Summer Olympics are warmer and more welcoming toward Black athletes, especially in track & field. Ever since Jesse Owens figuratively gave Adolf Hitler the finger by winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Games, Team USA has gladly made room for our best runners and jumpers.

But we’re bringing flavor and special sauce to way more events nowadays. Gymnastics, obviously, but also swimming, fencing, judo, rugby and water polo. Images of Team USA at the Summer Games burst with diversity, capturing the nation’s multicolored, multicultural quilt far better than the Winter Games, held in the cold and snow.

It’s like noticing a glaring difference in pictures from the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention. We’re all over the place in the former, but few and far between in the latter.

The Summer Olympics don’t discriminate. An entire continent and her diasporans are virtually non-existent in the other Games. Only six athletes from five countries represented Mother Africa at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Black America didn’t produce a Winter Games medal winner until figure skater Debi Thomas (bronze) in 1988; at the 2006 Games, speedskater Shani Davis became the first African-American to win an individual gold medal.

I have no doubt that African-American and other Black athletes could excel at skiing, skating and other cold-weather sports. But barriers to access, including expense, don’t help that cause. I suspect cold weather is another turnoff. Beach vacations over ski trips are no-brainers in my book. 

Winter is coming. Those words are ominous on “Game of Thrones,” conveying an astronomical fact and grave warning. While our challenging months ahead might not include White Walkers, shorter days and lower temperatures are guaranteed. We’ll long for the days of summer, which this year includes a glorious historic visual.

Sports

Donald Trump can ask when Rebeca Andrade of Brazil turned Black, but she’s 100% ours as much as Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles. When those gymnasts medaled in the women’s floor exercise, they formed the first all-Black podium in Olympic history. Biles (silver) and Chiles (bronze) went all out in congratulating their Brazilian sister, bowing in respect and admiration for her battling through poverty and three ACL knee injuries.

Biles told People they were “showing good sportsmanship and having fun out there because it was the last competition.” But having three Black women on the podium wasn’t lost on the greatest gymnast of all time. “It was representation,” Biles said. “For all the little girls and boys that look like us, for them to believe in themselves that they can do it too.”

We see little girls and boys that look like us all over the world. They come together in the Summer Olympics to compete against one another and athletes who look nothing like us. 

Nationalities differ and melanin varies, but racing doesn’t care about the races. Neither does hooping, swimming, fighting or any other event. U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles said, “Don’t get me wrong, I love the U.S., at times, but that ain’t the world,” sounding like many of us. We root for the red, white and blue but also have a soft spot for Team Black, athletes on our side of the international color line. Competitors on Team Jamaica are a given, but some members of Team France look like folks at my supermarket. You’d never know a brother or sister repped Team England unless they opened their mouth.   

That’s part of the beauty of the Summer Games, the Olympics kaleidoscope. 

It’s among the few instances when two Americas show up as one.

Deron Snyder, from Brooklyn, is an award-winning columnist who lives near D.C. and pledged Alpha at HU-You Know! He’s reaching high, lying low, moving on, pushing off, keeping up, and throwing down. Got it? Get more at blackdoorventures.com/deron.

9

Did the showrunners subtly plant the seeds of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s tragic fate throughout the series?

Fans of House of the Dragon have been dissecting every frame of the show, looking for clues about the characters’ destinies. While the series is still unfolding, several chilling moments have emerged as a potential foreshadowing of Rhaenyra’s ultimate demise.

One of the most striking instances occurred in Season 1, Episode 4. During a nighttime stroll, Rhaenyra is offered a glimpse into her future by a fortune teller. The ominous question, “Do you wish to know your death, child?” is immediately followed by a shot of a dragon gargoyle breathing fire. This chilling sequence has sent shivers down viewers’ spines, hinting at a fiery end for the would-be queen.

Season 2, Episode 6 provided another eerie foreshadowing. As Rhaenyra watches Ser Steffon Darklyn perish in a fiery dragon attack, the scene mirrors a potential future for herself. The parallel is even more striking when considering that her son, Jace, calls out to her in distress, much like Aegon the Younger will in the tragic events to come.

A third piece of the puzzle can be found in Daemon’s vision during Season 2, Episode 8. As he peers into the future, Rhaenyra is shown seated on the Iron Throne, but her crown is strangely reflective, almost as if it’s ablaze. Moreover, the preceding shot features a dragon gargoyle spewing fire directly at the throne, further emphasizing the fiery motif associated with Rhaenyra’s destiny.

Perhaps the most explicit foreshadowing comes from a surprising source: Game of Thrones. In Season 3, Episode 4, King Joffrey casually mentions to Margaery Tyrell the gruesome fate of Rhaenyra: devoured by her own brother’s dragon while her son watches in horror. While this revelation comes from the perspective of a cruel and unreliable narrator, it nevertheless serves as a stark warning of the tragic events to come.

These carefully placed details have ignited intense speculation among fans about Rhaenyra’s ultimate fate. While the series is still in its early stages, these ominous foreshadowings have undoubtedly heightened the anticipation and dread surrounding her character’s journey.

Do you believe these are deliberate clues or simply coincidences? Share your theories in the comments below.

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Though Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate, Tim Walz, may be seen as an “old white guy” – a phrase the Minnesota governor used in jest during his first campaign rally on Tuesday – those familiar with his record say he has always been on the side of Black and marginalized communities. 

“He has proven to be a friend of the Black community,” said Fred Redmond, secretary-treasurer at AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest union organization. Redmond continued, “Just by virtue of some of the legislation that he passed as governor, some of the bills that he supported while he was a member of Congress … I think our community will really get behind his candidacy.”

Redmond, who is the highest-ranking Black American in labor movement history, said Gov. Walz, who served 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, has an “impeccable record” on civil rights.

As Vice President Harris highlighted at Tuesday’s rally in Philadelphia, as governor, Walz signed a bill in 2023 restoring the voting rights of formerly incarcerated Minnesotans. The law allowed 50,000 formerly convicted individuals to rejoin the state’s voting rolls.

Redmond noted that the vice presidential nominee also served as “a great spokesman” for the voting rights of Black and brown communities.

He recalled the then-congressman “spoke out publicly when he was a member of the House in favor of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.”

The labor leader also noted other pieces of legislation that benefited Minnesota’s nearly 400,000 Black residents, including establishing universal school meals for students and a public safety law establishing universal background checks and red flag restrictions to prevent gun violence, which disproportionately impacts Black youth. 

In June, Walz also announced $2.7 million in grants to build career pathways into “good-paying” union trade jobs as well as in construction, clean energy, and energy efficiency for people of color, such as Black and Indigenous individuals, and low-income Minnesotans.

Markus Batchelor, national political director at People For the American Way, told theGrio that Walz’s record will “add something to the ticket and give Black folks surety that they’re going to have a champion in the White House, both in President Harris and Vice President Walz.”

Batchelor noted that in addition to Walz having an appeal across demographics, he will especially “bolster” appeal to “white working-class voters, white suburbanites, [and] white men in particular.” He added, “[It’s] going to be important to a successful coalition this fall.”

The progressive advocate believes Walz, who coined the “weird” term Democrats have lodged at Republican nominee Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, will also serve as a “really effective messenger” and an “additive” to Harris’ “already aggressive stance against Trump.”

Batchelor said it was always important for Democrats to “run an aggressive campaign” against Trump, his behavior, and “abnormal” vision for the country, but one that didn’t “stoop to his level.” He added, “I think Walz is doing that in very effective ways.”

Democratic strategist Joel Payne said Walz’s “folksy” and “say it plain” style is something that can resonate in a political environment where there is “generally low trust of public officials” and “misinformation all over the place.” He told theGrio, “Having a messenger who can actually break through is helpful.” 

“My guess is that the Harris campaign thinks that that will be something that will ultimately benefit them to have that type of messenger with that type of credibility and appeal,” Payne added.

Despite Walz’s perceived likability and appeal to a broad electorate, Republicans are taking aim at the Minnesota governor and delayed response in sending the National Guard during Black Lives Matter protests in Minneapolis following the police murder of George Floyd in 2020. Though protests were largely peaceful across the country, there were incidents of businesses being vandalized. 

At a rally on Tuesday, Walz’s Republican opponent, Vance, questioned whether “Black business owners in Minneapolis are grateful” that the governor “allowed rioters to burn down their business.”

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According to the BBC, Walz said at a press conference earlier this month that the Minneapolis mayor at the time did not give his office “adequate information to provide the soldiers a mission at that time.”

“Decisions were made in a situation that is what it is … and I simply believe that we tried to do the best we can,” said Walz.

Payne told theGrio of the criticisms over 2020, “If you talk to folks on the ground there, they will say that … there was frustration with local officials and that Walz was being deferential to those local officials.”

“They’re going to spin up whatever they want to spin up, because that’s all they do because they don’t have good ideas,” Payne added. “I don’t know if that oppo is going to stick the way that Republicans hope.”

Batchelor dismissed attacks from Republicans as “pretty ridiculous” given the party’s “rhetoric and positioning on police reform and racial justice.”

Minnesota Attorney Keith Ellison told theGrio’s April Ryan that Gov. Walz asked him to take on the case in prosecuting former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of Floyd. 

“He was genuinely disturbed by what he saw,” said Ellison, who also shared that Harris called to thank the state prosecution team after Chauvin was convicted.

Ellison said of both Harris and Walz, “both of them touched that case and … were critical parts of how we were able to get a good result for the Floyd family.”

We all know the feeling of walking into your newly booked Airbnb after a long day of travel. You expect to be welcomed by the comfortable decor and cute welcome message left by the hosts.

But for this Airbnb guest, a relaxing stay in Virginia quickly turned into something reminiscent of the 1800s when she entered the spot and was immediately surrounded by cotton. Yes…that type of cotton.

Erica W, known as @tasteofmelanin on TikTok, took to the app to show her followers the Airbnb she booked last week. In the video, Erica called it “Southern Airbnb Core” as she showed the house’s decorations including bouquets made of cotton, cotton branches, cotton wreaths…and even more cotton.

One of the especially disturbing parts of the decor was the unnecessary amounts of stuffed monkeys hanging from plants and cotton branches. Clearly, the Airbnb host didn’t consider the racial implications of the aesthetic (or maybe they did…?), and commenters on the video quickly called out the host and Airbnb for allowing “racist” decor on the site.

TikTok user @seesee.rose advised Erica to “Report to Airbnb IMMEDIATELY”

Another user, @maryjanexx.x, said “not the GET OUT sequel set up 😩😭”

User @kamesha.xx333 wrote “The way my jaw dropped 🤯😲”

The video has now reached 2.2 million views on TikTok and has over 5,000 replies. Most of them shocked by the decor, and some are urging Erica to report it to Airbnb. Since the video was posted last week, Erica updated the public, saying Airbnb reached out to her directly and has taken the listing down.

Even though the listing has been removed, many say this is just another example of the state of the nation.

@lowk3y.briiii replied “There’s no way it’s just decorated like that … this was done just for yall”

Another user, @Mango89012, insisted the listing’s choice to decorate was “very intentional.”

Erica assured concerned viewers that she made it home safe. Airbnb has not publicly addressed the matter.