Destiny B. Sadler is a dynamic entrepreneur, digital creator, and empowerment coach dedicated to helping individuals look, feel, and live at their absolute best. With a background rooted in leadership and community impact, she serves as a Top Executive with the global beauty brand LimeLife by Alcone, where she mentors a growing network of beauty guides and champions the transformative power of confidence.

Driven by a passion for personal development and education, Destiny founded YSTBYOU and You’re Simply the Best Kids, an educational services organization focused on building foundational confidence and leadership skills in youth. She’s a graduate of Lamar High School and Southern University. Destiny’s life work centers on a simple, powerful philosophy: embracing who you are is the ultimate key to success.

Based on reporting by Texas Metro News.

College campuses are supposed to be places where students can learn, grow and feel safe. However, reports of sexual assault at universities across the country continue to raise questions about whether institutions are doing enough to protect their students and hold individuals accountable.

From Louisiana State University to Harvard University and Cornell University, campus sexual assault cases have brought renewed attention to how colleges investigate allegations, discipline students and support survivors. For many, the concern is not only the actions of students accused of sexual misconduct but also how university administrators respond when these situations occur.

At LSU, recent reporting has raised questions about the effectiveness of the university’s Title IX process. According to WBRZ, more than 300 sexual assault reports were made through LSU’s Title IX process between 2022 and 2025, with three resulting in disciplinary action. Although not every report results in a finding of responsibility, the numbers raise important questions about how institutions communicate outcomes and address reports of misconduct.

Cornell University has also faced scrutiny following allegations involving seven students and an alleged sexual assault at a fraternity house in 2024. The university’s investigation resulted in different disciplinary actions, including expulsions and suspensions. However, questions about one student’s return to campus and housing arrangements have continued to draw criticism.

These cases highlight a larger issue: University accountability cannot stop at having a Title IX office or publishing policies in a student handbook.

Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs and addresses sexual harassment and sexual violence. Universities must have procedures for responding to complaints, conducting investigations and providing supportive measures. However, having policies in place means little if students do not understand them or believe reports will be handled appropriately.

Students who are found responsible for sexual misconduct should face consequences that reflect the seriousness of their actions. Universities should also examine whether their investigative procedures are timely, whether survivors receive adequate support and whether disciplinary decisions are consistently enforced.

Accountability must also include university administrators. Institutions should be transparent about their procedures, provide clear reporting options and regularly review whether their policies are working.

At the same time, every student involved in a disciplinary proceeding deserves a fair investigation and an opportunity to respond to allegations. Protecting survivors and respecting due process should not be treated as competing priorities.

Ultimately, universities have a responsibility that extends beyond academics and athletics. Students deserve to know that their safety matters and that misconduct will be taken seriously. A university’s commitment to student safety should be measured not only by the policies it publishes but also by the actions it takes when those policies are tested.

Based on reporting by Southern University – SouthernDIGEST.

Bryson Hannah celebrates his first-place finish in the 2026 HBCU Business Pitch Competition in Birmingham, earning $5,000 for Internably LLC, his networking platform connecting college interns across the country. (Alabama A&M) ” data-large-file=”https://www.birminghamtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/pitchbryson1edit-1024×685.jpg” />

Special to the Times

The Alabama Collective and co-host Digitalundivided awarded $20,000 in cash prizes to HBCU student and alumni founders at the 2026 HBCU Business Pitch Competition, held Thursday, October 29, at Topgolf Birmingham as part of Magic City Classic week.

Fifty-one founders representing 10 Alabama institutions competed in a booth-style format, delivering three-minute pitches with no slides or audiovisual aids, followed by three minutes of questions from a panel of industry judges. Top scorers at each booth earned $1,000 and advanced to a live Pitch Finale.

Internably, LLC, founded by Bryson Hannah of Alabama A&M University, took first place and $4,000. Internably is a networking platform that connects college students, interns, and early career professionals by company, school, city, and career interests.

“I was blown away by these innovative business ideas and the go-to-market strategies,” says Modupe Rouse, Digitalundivided Chair and Pitch Finale Judge. “These student founders took the START program skills and leveled up. I cannot wait for the economic impact of their businesses in Alabama,” added Rouse.

“What we witnessed at this year’s competition was a powerful reminder of the incredible talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial potential emerging from Alabama’s HBCUs,” said Charisse Stokes, Executive Director of The Alabama Collective. “These 51 founders didn’t just show up with ideas — they showed up with vision, determination, and the confidence to turn those ideas into businesses. We’re especially proud that this year’s partnership with Digitalundivided allowed us to expand beyond the competition itself, equipping entrepreneurs with business skills to launch their businesses, coaching, and connections that will serve them long after the prizes are awarded. Our goal is not simply to celebrate great pitches, but to help build the next generation of successful entrepreneurs and business owners across Alabama.”

“Digitalundivided is delighted to partner with TAC in its work with Alabama HBCUs and in supporting the innovation and talent of students here,” says Leah D. Williams, CEO of Digitalundivided. “These student founders are the business leaders of tomorrow. We are excited to add the Digitalundivided network lifting them up as they climb towards their future achievements.”

2026 Pitch Finale Winners

First Place, $4,000: Internably, LLC — Alabama A&M University
Second Place, $3,000: FuelTrip — Alabama A&M University
Third Place, $2,000: NexU — Alabama A&M University

Top-Scoring Booth Winners, $1,000 each

• VARA — Talladega College
• Yardly — Alabama State University
• AccessBelt — Alabama State University
• Nightshift — Talladega College
• FuelTrip — Alabama A&M University
• NexU — Alabama A&M University
• Internably, LLC — Alabama A&M University
• Mobile Therapy Office/Unlimited Potential — Alabama State University
• BeVerified — Alabama State University
• The Vent Avengers — Trenholm State Community College

A New Path to the Stage

The 2026 competition introduced two entry tracks. Members of The Alabama Collective community were invited to apply to START, Digitalundivided’s flagship pre-revenue incubator, a three-week virtual program grounded in Lean Startup methodology. Selected participants built a working Business Model Canvas, earned an automatic slot in the Round 1 pitch booths, and received a $250 completion stipend on event day. Alabama HBCU students, recent graduates, faculty and staff filled the remaining booths and brought in founders new to the organization.

Alongside the competition, the day included entrepreneurship training, small group mentoring with industry leaders, and a Lunch and Learn fireside chat.

The 2026 competition was supported by JPMorgan Chase, HBCU CARES and NEBIUS.

About The Alabama Collective

The Alabama Collective is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating tech talent and entrepreneurs across Alabama. Through partnerships with HBCUs, industry leaders, and innovation hubs, The Alabama Collective builds programs that expose, educate, engage, and empower underrepresented communities in tech, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

About Digitalundivided

For over a decade, Digitalundivided has increased visibility and access for founders. Beginning with groundbreaking research and expanding into founder-centric training programs, strategic partnerships, and a vibrant founder community, Digitalundivided champions an equitable entrepreneurial landscape and provides founders at every stage with the space to improvise and innovate.

Based on reporting by Birmingham Times.

Scott Colom, a Mississippi Democrat challenging Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, could become the first Black person elected to represent the state in the U.S. Senate since Reconstruction.

As of Thursday afternoon (November 5), unofficial results showed Colom leading Hyde-Smith by 1,138 votes, with 96% of estimated votes counted, according to Associated Press election results. The race has not been called.

If Colom wins, the longtime prosecutor would become the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Mississippi since John C. Stennis won reelection in 1982. A seventh-generation Mississippian raised in Columbus, Colom comes from a family with deep legal and political ties.His mother, retired Judge Dorothy Colom, was the first Black person elected to serve on her region’s Chancery Court. His father, Wilbur Colom, is an attorney and former Republican who worked for President Ronald Reagan.

In 2015, Colom defeated 27-year incumbent Forrest Allgood to become district attorney for Mississippi’s 16th Circuit District at age 32, making him the first Black person to hold the position, Mississippi Public Broadcasting reported. His campaign says his office has won 94% of its trials and secured convictions in more than 15 high-profile murder cases.

Colom’s history with Hyde-Smith dates back to 2023 when she blocked his nomination to a federal judgeship despite support from Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, according to CNN.

Colom told CNN, “I’m a Christian. I forgive her,” adding that the blocked nomination was not motivating his Senate campaign.

His campaign website outlines priorities that include raising the federal minimum wage, lowering costs for families, protecting rural hospitals and restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits. He also wants to require data center companies to cover their own electricity and water costs.

Mississippi’s last two Black U.S. senators were Hiram Revels, who was elected in 1870 and became the first Black senator in the country, and Blanche K. Bruce, who was elected in 1875 and served until 1881, according to the U.S. Senate Historical Office.

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The post Meet Scott Colom, The Mississippi Democrat Leading Tight Mississippi Senate Race appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

Big Mama used to say, “Baby, don’t come knocking on my door only when you need something. Come see about me when you need something, too!” And if you knew my Big Mama, you knew that wasn’t a suggestion. That was a standard!

Well, Election Day has come and gone. The campaign signs are coming down, the political commercials have disappeared, and some politicians have already forgotten the roads leading into our neighborhoods. Isn’t it amazing how quickly folks can find our churches, barbershops, restaurants, and community centers when they need our votes? They shake hands, hug babies, take pictures, and some even learn a gospel song! But Big Mama would ask, “Baby, now that they’ve counted our votes, who’s counting our needs?”

Where are they when our schools need resources, seniors need assistance, Black-owned businesses need contracts, and young people need mentors and jobs? Big Mama would remind us, “You can’t eat a handshake, and a photograph won’t pay the light bill!”

But here’s where the village must accept some responsibility. We cannot keep building election machines that disappear after Election Day. We need an ecosystem, connecting our churches, businesses, nonprofits, fraternities, sororities, educators, and community leaders into a year-round network of opportunity, accountability, and collective progress.

Imagine turning voter mobilization into economic mobilization. Imagine churches connecting families to resources, businesses opening doors for young entrepreneurs, and elected officials reporting measurable results instead of delivering another campaign speech. That’s how we turn political influence into community investment.

And let’s stop measuring success by how many politicians attend our events. Let’s count jobs created, contracts awarded, young people mentored, and promises kept. Accountability isn’t partisan. It’s personal, and it belongs to the entire village.

Now, I’m asking you, my readers: Send me the name of an organization, business, or community initiative we should invest in and support. Let’s connect our resources and build an ecosystem that strengthens the entire village! I have two organizations I’d like to add to the conversation: Don’t Believe the Hype, which focuses on scholarships and educational opportunities, and City Men Cook, which provides mentoring, leadership development, and opportunities to invest in the next generation of young men. Both are about more than talking about change. They’re about putting resources, relationships, and opportunities into action.

Big Mama understood that relationships require reciprocity. You cannot keep withdrawing from a community without making deposits. So whether your candidate won or lost, our responsibility remains. The election determines who holds office, but the village determines what accountability looks like.

Big Mama said, “Baby, if they know the road to your house when they need your vote, make sure they know the road back when you need results!”

The election is over. Now let’s build something that outlives the campaign!

Based on reporting by Texas Metro News.

By Special to The Baltimore Times

“Bring the Jerk to Thanksgiving” puts a real Jamaican spin on the holiday table with a signature jerk turkey recipe and cocktail and mocktail pairings.

Chicago, IL – The Jerk Man, a Jamaican jerk dry rub made in Jamaica, has partnered with Chef Nelson German, Top Chef alumnus, restaurateur, and author, for its first-ever “Bring the Jerk to Thanksgiving” campaign.

The campaign invites families to bring a new flavor to their Thanksgiving tables with The Jerk Man’s signature jerk turkey recipe, accompanied by Chef Nelson German’s cocktail and mocktail pairings. Balanced for heat, flavor, and spice, The Jerk Man offers a bold new take on a holiday classic.

Thanksgiving is about the people, stories, and traditions that bring families and friends together. “Bring the Jerk to Thanksgiving” celebrates that spirit, inviting home cooks to give the turkey its own place among the most-loved dishes on the table.

A Top Chef’s Guide to Thanksgiving with Flavor

Named one of TIME’s 2026 Latino Leaders, Chef Nelson German is known for his Afro-Latino culinary perspective and restaurants including alaMar Kitchen & Bar, Sobre Mesa, and Meski. He recently released the cookbook Caribbean Cocktails: Drinks and Bites from the Afro-Latino Diaspora.

“Food is how I bring people together and share a little of who I am,” said Chef German. “My Dominican roots and Caribbean heritage are always part of that, especially around the holidays. I love using Jerk Man Jerk Seasoning on my Thanksgiving turkey because it brings that authentic Jamaican flavor, with bold spices and beautiful heat that make every bite even more delicious than the last. It’s my way of bringing Island culture to a holiday classic and giving everybody at the table a reason to come back for more.”

The idea is simple: honor the traditions everyone loves, and give them another reason to ask for seconds.

Real Jamaican Jerk, Made in Jamaica. Your Way.

The Jerk Man Jamaican Jerk Dry Rub is made in Jamaica with allspice (pimento) and Scotch bonnet, the heart of real jerk, and balanced for heat, flavor, and spice so you taste the jerk, not just the burn. It comes in two heat levels, Spicy and Mild, and because it’s a dry rub, you’re in control: use a little for a gentle kick or more for full jerk. It’s made for the holiday table and stays by the stove all year.

Home cooks can use it to bring real Jamaican jerk to season:

The turkey: a real Jamaican jerk kick for the star of the holiday table.

Sweet potatoes: a savory, spice-filled makeover for a classic side.

Roasted vegetables: everyday vegetables turned into crowd-pleasers.

Holiday leftovers: a jerk twist on the day-after turkey sandwich.

The campaign also features “The Toast,” pairing jerk turkey with Caribbean-inspired holiday cocktails and mocktails, inspired by Chef German’s new book, Caribbean Cocktails: Drinks and Bites from the Afro-Latino Diaspora. Published by Ten Speed Press in June 2026 and written with Andréa Lawson Gray, a James Beard Award-winning author, Caribbean Cocktails includes more than 40 drink recipes and 20 food recipes.

Recipes for The Jerk Man 24-hour Jamaican Jerk Turkey and Two Signature cocktails below:

THE JERK MAN 24-HOUR JAMAICAN JERK TURKEY (For a 12–14 lb whole turkey)

3/4 cup The Jerk Man Spicy Dry Rub

6 scallions, roughly chopped

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

6 cloves garlic

2–3 Scotch bonnet peppers

1½ tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

2 tablespoons ground Jamaican pimento (allspice)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

¼ cup fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon Jamaican Browning

2 tablespoons white vinegar

3 tablespoons neutral oil

2 tablespoons water, as needed for blending

JERK MAN SIGNATURE COCKTAILS BY CHEF NELSON GERMAN

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