THE DAILY DRUMBEAT
TODAY'S EDITION — VOL 1 NO 20 — SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2026
Good morning, Drummers — it's Sunday, August 2, and we're starting the day with the latest on Howard University's enrollment saga, critical food assistance cuts hitting Black families hardest, and the opportunities of Black Business Month in full swing.
[ P3 · ECONOMY & WORK · BRIEFING ]

SNAP Cuts Disproportionately Threaten Black Food Security

POLICY & JUSTICE — The "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act," signed into law in 2025, slashed $187 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program over the next decade, triggering new work requirements and stripping benefits from legal immigrants. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that more than 1 million adults aged 55 and older will lose food assistance under the expanded rules, with Black Americans bearing disproportionate impact.

The takeaway
More than 4 million people have already lost SNAP since the law took effect, reshaping hunger across Black communities.
The quick 11
[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

Black Business Month 2026 runs throughout August, celebrating Black entrepreneurs and their impact on the U.S. economy as a dedicated period to promote and support Black-owned enterprises.

[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

The City of Minneapolis is hosting its sixth annual Black Business Week through Sunday, Aug. 2, featuring markets, workshops, and networking to support local Black entrepreneurs.

[ P5 · HBCUS & EDUCATION ]

Of 4,504 Black eighth-graders who took the Specialized High School Admissions Test, only 140 received offers, representing just 3.5 percent of all offers for the admissions cycle.

[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE ]

Dr. Johnson became the first African American to lead MiraCosta College in its 92-year history effective August 3, bringing leadership from his prior role as president of Imperial Valley Community College District.

[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

BLACK EXCELLENCE FESTIVAL 2026 at St. Andrew's Playground in Brooklyn on Saturday, August 8 will celebrate culture, talent, and success with music, food, and school supply giveaways.

[ P8 · TECH & INNOVATION ]

Black Woman Leading is enrolling for August cohorts of its Early Career and Mid-Career professional development programs focused on leadership development, mental wellness, and workplace advancement.

[ P9 · HEALTH EQUITY ]

Black Women for Wellness will host its 27th Annual Reproductive Justice Conference on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.

[ P11 · BLACK EXCELLENCE ]

Karen S. Carter became CEO of Dow in July 2026, making her one of the few Black women leading a Fortune 500 company, bringing nearly three decades of Walmart leadership experience.

[ P1 · BUSINESS & ENTERPRISE ]

The 4th Annual Black Business Day Expo on August 29, 2026 will celebrate Black excellence and economic empowerment with entrepreneurship, networking, and community connection.

[ P3 · ECONOMY & WORK ]

L'Oréal is supporting the NAACP Empowerment Programs by awarding six grants of $25,000 each to entrepreneurs in the beauty industry, with applications open through April 23, 2026.

[ P5 · HBCUS & EDUCATION ]

Morehouse College will receive $556,000 in federal funding to enhance campus security, including new motorized entrance gates, security cameras at residence hall entrances, and proximity locks for classrooms.

[ P4 · MONEY MOVES ]
S&P 5007,489.72 +0.7%
Dow Jones52,485.03 +0.5%
30-Yr Mortgage6.66%FRED / Freddie Mac
CPI (YoY)3.5%BLS via FRED
Bitcoin$63,159 +0.3%CoinGecko
Ethereum$1,868 +0.3%CoinGecko
Black Wall Street Watch
UONE$5.04-0.2%
RLJ$12.25-0.5%
CARV$1.75-1.0%
[ P6 · SPORTS ]
HBCU Watch
HBCU Top 20: Forbes Names America’s Best in 2026 [HBCU Gameday]
Jackson State Community Mourns Recently Graduated Football Player [HBCU Gameday]
Last Night
WNBA: Sky vs Aces 84-83 (final)
WNBA: Mercury vs Liberty 92-94 (final)
MLB: full slate, 15 games
MLS: full slate, 14 games
On Deck Tonight
WNBA: Lynx vs Fever (5:00 PM ET)
WNBA: Fire vs Sparks (7:30 PM ET)
WNBA: Wings vs Sun (11:00 PM ET)
WNBA: Valkyries vs Tempo (12:30 AM ET)
MLB: full slate, 15 games
[ P10 · THIS DAY IN LEGACY ]
1865 — A statewide conference of fifty African American delegates met in Virginia demanding legal title to land occupied during the Civil War—a foundational moment in Black land ownership advocacy.
[ GB · THE GREEN BOOK ]
Business Spotlight

Eve Milan New York

Black-owned skin care line celebrating heritage and legacy

Founded by esthetician Eden Gilliam, Eve Milan New York offers a complete range of premium skin care products including cleansers, toners, and serums crafted for all skin types, with inspiration drawn from a desire to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation.

Visit Business →
Opportunity

NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant — $25,000 per award — Deadline October 24 - November 1, 2026 (next cycle)

The NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant empowers rising and established Black entrepreneurs through $25,000 grants and comprehensive resources to accelerate business growth and economic opportunity across all industries.

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

The Drum Roll

The Number
6.66%
30-year fixed mortgage, this week · FRED
[ THE CLOSER · P7 · CULTURE & COMMUNITY ]
“When you know better, do better.”
— Maya Angelou