THE DAILY DRUMBEAT
TODAY'S EDITION — VOL 1 NO 15 — TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2026
[ P8 · TECH & INNOVATION · BRIEFING ]

Data Center Boom Doubles Electricity Costs for Black Families

ECONOMY & TECH — Despite Trump's pledge to slash electricity prices by 50% by July 2026, residential rates have actually increased 18%, disproportionately affecting Black households. Data center demand is driving rising utility bills and disconnections, with more than 1 in 10 Black households carrying overdue balances—three times the rate for white households.

The takeaway
As AI data centers proliferate, Black communities shoulder outsized energy costs while promised relief fails to materialize.
[ P2 · POLICY & JUSTICE · BRIEFING ]

Georgia Special Election Today Tests Black Political Influence

POLICY & JUSTICE — Georgia's 13th Congressional District special election is being held today to fill the seat vacated by Democratic Rep. David Scott's death in April. The heavily Democratic district gave Harris 71% support in 2024 versus 28% for Trump, making it a bellwether for Black voter turnout and Democratic control.

The takeaway
Today's election offers a test of Black political power in a district where Scott championed voting rights and agricultural equity for decades.
The quick 11
[ P9 · HEALTH EQUITY ]

Prevention spending under PEPFAR dropped 51% from 2024 to 2025, with implementing partners reporting that key knowledge prevention services halted across 46 countries.

[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE ]

For the first time in its nearly 75-year history, the Basketball Hall of Fame features a dedicated exhibition honoring an active NBA player—Stephen Curry.

[ P2 · POLICY & JUSTICE ]

A Secret Service agent and two others were arrested and charged with violent felonies in connection with brutal April beatings during fraternity hazing that left two hospitalized with severe injuries.

[ P2 · POLICY & JUSTICE ]

Lloyd Gilmore, 44, died during police custody on June 10 after officers Tasered him and placed him in hobble restraints; two autopsies and toxicology results remain pending.

[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

Houston Council Member Edward Pollard says new gas stations are popping up too close to neighborhoods and requested a three-month pause on accepting applications within 200 feet of residential property lines.

[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE ]

R&B icon Keith Sweat performs July 28 at the California State Fair Toyota Concert Series as part of a lineup of Black musical legends who have shaped R&B, hip-hop, soul, and pop culture for decades.

[ P3 · ECONOMY & WORK ]

More Black-owned restaurants are opening on Chicago's West Side and in south suburbs, with this year's Chicago Black Restaurant Week featuring nearly 40 establishments highlighting growth across cuisines from BBQ to fine dining.

[ P10 · LAND & LEGACY ]

Graham's death has triggered a race to fill one of South Carolina's most influential elected offices, with Darline Graham attracting the most attention and benefiting from Trump's strong endorsement.

[ P9 · HEALTH EQUITY ]

The International Black Theatre Festival runs July 27–August 1, 2026, in Winston-Salem, featuring works from August Wilson's Century Cycle and performances by Wynton Marsalis.

[ P5 · HBCUS & EDUCATION ]

U.S. citizens enrolled full-time at Thurgood Marshall College Fund member HBCUs can qualify for scholarships requiring demonstrated financial need and leadership qualities.

[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

Many corporations and foundations offer grants specifically for Black-owned businesses through programs like Coalition to Back Black Businesses and the Fearless Fund with dedicated funding.

[ P4 · MONEY MOVES ]
S&P 5007,413.18 +0.0%
Dow Jones52,210.08 +0.5%
30-Yr Mortgage6.58%FRED / Freddie Mac
CPI (YoY)3.5%BLS via FRED
Bitcoin$63,396 -2.6%CoinGecko
Ethereum$1,875 -4.1%CoinGecko
Black Wall Street Watch
UONE$5.03-2.4%
RLJ$12.48+1.1%
CARV$1.74+12.3%
[ P6 · SPORTS ]
HBCU Watch
HBCU band won’t pay to play at SEC school this fall [HBCU Gameday]
College football’s eighth-year man determined to finish strong [HBCU Gameday]
Last Night
MLB: full slate, 12 games
On Deck Tonight
WNBA: Mystics vs Sun (11:30 PM ET)
WNBA: Lynx vs Tempo (12:00 AM ET)
WNBA: Storm vs Fever (1:30 AM ET)
WNBA: Aces vs Fire (2:00 AM ET)
WNBA: Sparks vs Liberty (2:00 AM ET)
MLB: full slate, 16 games
[ P10 · THIS DAY IN LEGACY ]
1917On July 28, 1917, the NAACP's Silent Protest Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York City became one of the first major mass demonstrations by African Americans, protesting racial violence and discrimination.
[ GB · THE GREEN BOOK ]
Opportunity

Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship — $25,000 total (multiple recipients) — Deadline Application currently closed; check back August 2026

Delta Community Credit Union awards $25,000 in scholarships to HBCU students selected based on academic achievement, community and campus involvement, and essay submission.

Apply →
Ad Slot — Money Moves Sponsor · 300x100 · Available
D

The Drum Roll

The Number
44.0%
Black homeownership rate · Census via FRED
[ THE CLOSER · P7 · CULTURE & COMMUNITY ]

Black Excellence Shines at International Theatre Festival

The International Black Theatre Festival showcases August Wilson's Century Cycle, Wynton Marsalis' 'A Fiddler's Tale' with Phylicia Rashad, and Allan Harris' exploration of Black American cowboys, celebrating artistic brilliance across genres.