THE DAILY DRUMBEAT
TODAY'S EDITION — VOL 1 NO 16 — WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026
[ P2 · POLICY & JUSTICE · BRIEFING ]

Missouri Man's Death Renews Police Accountability Calls

POLICY & JUSTICE — Lloyd Gilmore, 44, died in Sikeston police custody on June 10 following a physical altercation involving seven officers. Police used a Taser and hobble restraints on Gilmore, who had mental health issues and sought police help. Two autopsies were performed but his cause of death has not been released, and toxicology results remain pending. His death fuels calls for accountability in a town with a history of racial violence.

The takeaway
Gilmore sought help at the police station but did not return home—renewing questions about police response to mental health crises.
[ P3 · ECONOMY & WORK · BRIEFING ]

Data Center Boom Compounds Rising Electricity Bills for Black Families

ECONOMY & WORK — Residential electricity rates have increased 18% despite Trump's promise to slash prices by 50% by July 2026, disproportionately affecting Black households, with more than 1 in 10 carrying overdue balances—three times the rate for white households. Power demand from data centers is expected to double by 2027 and quadruple by 2035. Utility executives warn blackouts could hit some regions as early as next year without investments in infrastructure.

The takeaway
AI data centers are reshaping electric grids—and forcing low-income Black families to choose between electricity, medicine, and food.
[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE · BRIEFING ]

Edwin Raymond Sworn in as NYC's First Haitian Sheriff

BLACK EXCELLENCE — Edwin Raymond was sworn in on July 27 as New York City sheriff, after his appointment by Mayor Mamdani on May 29. The son of Haitian immigrants took office on the same day Temporary Protected Status expired for more than 300,000 Haitians living in the U.S. Before his appointment, Raymond served in the New York State Attorney General's Office as the nation's first social justice liaison.

The takeaway
A former NYPD whistleblower and police reform advocate now leads the Sheriff's Office during a critical moment for immigrant communities.
The quick 10
[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

Courtney McClain is challenging Rep. William Timmons in South Carolina's 4th district to become the state's first Black woman in Congress.

[ P2 · POLICY & JUSTICE ]

Rep. James Comer introduced the D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act, which would require joint congressional resolution before any local tax or fee increase takes effect.

[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE ]

HARLEM WEEK returns August 1-16 to honor gospel legend Richard Smallwood and the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute.

[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE ]

Sheldon Candis's coming-of-age boxing drama 'They Fight' made its Hulu and Andscape debut July 17, directed by the Baltimore native best known for his 2012 film 'LUV.'

[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

The U.S. has paid reparations to Rosewood massacre survivors, Chicago police torture victims, state eugenics targets, and Japanese Americans—proving the nation knows how to remediate historical wrongs.

[ P5 · HBCUS & EDUCATION ]

HBCU CONNECT offers $1,000 scholarships with December 1, 2026 deadline for students attending or planning to attend HBCUs.

[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

L'Oréal and Deed are awarding six $25,000 grants to entrepreneurs in the beauty industry through the NAACP Empowerment Programs, with applications open through April 23, 2026.

[ P3 · ECONOMY & WORK ]

86% of administrative assistants worry about AI replacing them, but many are embracing technology to enhance rather than eliminate their positions.

[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE ]

On July 29, 2016, DJ Khaled released his ninth album 'Major Key,' which debuted at the Billboard 200 top spot and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.

[ P5 · HBCUS & EDUCATION ]

The Hall of Fame General Scholarship supports African American HBCU students on a rolling basis with awards covering food, housing, transportation, and educational expenses.

[ P4 · MONEY MOVES ]
S&P 5007,428.78 +0.2%
Dow Jones52,747.32 +1.0%
30-Yr Mortgage6.58%FRED / Freddie Mac
CPI (YoY)3.5%BLS via FRED
Bitcoin$64,254 +1.4%CoinGecko
Ethereum$1,903 +1.5%CoinGecko
Black Wall Street Watch
UONE$5.22+3.8%
RLJ$12.43-0.4%
CARV$1.75+0.6%
[ P6 · SPORTS ]
HBCU Watch
NCAA hits HBCU with penalty involving Washington Commanders RB [HBCU Gameday]
North Carolina A&T close to naming AD, per sources [HBCU Gameday]
Last Night
WNBA: Mystics vs Sun 92-84 (final)
WNBA: Lynx vs Tempo 100-93 (final)
WNBA: Storm vs Fever 95-105 (final)
WNBA: Aces vs Fire 98-83 (final)
WNBA: Sparks vs Liberty 109-113 (final)
MLB: full slate, 16 games
On Deck Tonight
WNBA: Wings vs Dream (12:00 AM ET)
WNBA: Mercury vs Valkyries (2:00 AM ET)
MLB: full slate, 16 games
MLS: MLS All-Stars vs Liga MX All-Stars (12:00 AM ET)
[ P10 · THIS DAY IN LEGACY ]
1895 — First National Conference of Colored Women Convention convenes in Boston—a historic gathering of Black women organizing for civil rights, education, and racial justice.
[ GB · THE GREEN BOOK ]
Business Spotlight

Farina Pasta & Noodle

Veteran-owned craft pasta restaurant serving the Philadelphia community

Owned by U.S. Army Veteran Daniel Lee, Farina crafts custom pasta dishes using locally sourced, quality ingredients. Lee secured a $30K small business loan in 2023 and now serves dine-in, takeout, and delivery throughout Center City, providing employment and authentic Italian cuisine rooted in community investment.

Visit Business →
Opportunity

HBCU CONNECT Student Scholarship — $1,000 per award — Deadline December 1, 2026

Multiple $1,000 scholarships available for HBCU students and incoming freshmen. Funds apply to tuition or books within the semester of receipt. HBCU CONNECT, the largest HBCU alumni organization, has awarded thousands in scholarships since 1999 and supports the largest student network of its kind.

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

The Drum Roll

The Number
6.58%
30-year fixed mortgage, this week · FRED
[ THE CLOSER · P7 · CULTURE & COMMUNITY ]
“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
— John Lewis