GOVERNMENT WATCH — Black voters could lose as many as 19 House seats due to erosion of the Voting Rights Act and Republican gerrymandering, impacting nearly a third of the caucus. At this year's Congressional Black Caucus conference in Washington, members talk strategy ahead of the midterms just months away, with one lawmaker calling members to "be angry enough to fight, angry enough to vote." Caucus members are mobilizing Black voters, pursuing new state protections, and pressing Congress to rebuild federal voting rights safeguards to combat threats to Black political power.
ECONOMY & WORK — New Census Bureau data shows women earned 83.9 cents for every dollar earned by men in 2025, up from 80.6 cents in 2024, narrowing the gender wage gap by more than three cents in a single year. But that progress isn't shared equally—the gender wage gap is improving, but not for Black women. Black women working full time, year-round typically make only 65 cents for every dollar white non-Hispanic men make. The disparity underscores how systemic racism compounds gender discrimination, leaving Black women's economic security far behind.
LAND & LEGACY — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens launched a zero-cost $500 rent microloan program to help residents avoid eviction, with the two-year pilot program partnering with nonprofit Flagstone Initiative to assist households experiencing financial hardship. Atlanta is currently leading the nation in eviction filings, with over 140,000 cases reported in the metro area this year, and Black residents who make up about 52% of renters account for nearly 70% of eviction cases. Funding includes $50,000 from Atlanta along with support from Airbnb, Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta and William Josef Foundation.
MARKET WATCH — The Federal Reserve approved its first interest rate hike in more than three years, with the Federal Open Market Committee voting 12-0 to increase its key interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a target range of 3.75%-4%. The move aims to combat inflation brought on by spiraling oil prices and other factors. Federal Reserve officials foresee hiking interest rates by a quarter point at least one more time this year, with four of 18 officials believing rates will need to be a half point higher by year-end. For Black homebuyers already facing affordability pressure, rising rates make the path to homeownership steeper.
Fashion and entertainment moments from the latest episode highlight Black excellence and style.
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