CULTURE & POWER — Director Paul Schrader cast AI-generated characters in his crime film after Black actors rejected roles where all three protagonists are criminals—a corrupt cop, a drug lord, and a serial sex offender. Schrader later clarified that he and co-producer Antoine Fuqua couldn't find bankable Black actors willing to sign on. Filmmaker Boots Riley called that explanation a lie, given the film's own track record. The controversy highlights how AI threatens to expand opportunities for stereotyping when real actors exercise control over their representation.
BLACK EXCELLENCE — Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter announced he will donate $427 for every tackle he makes this season, turning the NCAA suspension amount into a charitable pledge. Carter is donating the funds to Nashville cancer charities after his girlfriend Mariah Bryant was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. He is partnering with the nonprofit Girls in Real Life Situations and will also donate $500 per sack, $1,000 per interception or forced fumble, and $5,000 per defensive touchdown, with proceeds benefiting Sisters Network Nashville and other cancer support organizations. Carter said: 'You can't really change the circumstances that you're put in... So I tried to turn a negative into a positive, put a smile on people's faces.'
51% of first-generation Black professionals say they lack the connections needed to advance their careers, according to a new survey. Hiring is 30% slower than 2022, with fewer job opportunities appearing on the platform.
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NBUF Houston works to fill gaps left by government through food distribution and community support services, serving families, mothers, and returning citizens in Houston's Black neighborhoods with practical aid and solidarity.
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