Spike Lee and Denzel Washington collaborate on a new film
I’m excited to see Spike Lee and Denzel Washington’s newest film, Highest 2 Lowest. When these two get together, you know it’s about to be a conversation starter. The story follows two Black men, a wealthy music executive, David King (Denzel) and Paul Christopher, King’s chauffeur (Jeffrey Wright). King is leveraging his assets to buy out his company before it’s taken over. However, he discovers his son’s best friend, Christopher’s son, has been kidnapped and the kidnapper demands a $17 million ransom.
Spike Lee has always made films that challenge America to face its truths. With Highest 2 Lowest, he reminds us that being Black in America has many stories, shaped by class, money and survival.
His work is characterized by its directness, uncompromising nature and willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about American society. These are the types of films we need, especially in this day and age.
1% tax on remittances hurts African families
Effective January 1, 2026, a new 1% federal excise tax will be imposed on certain remittance transfers sent from the United States to other countries. This would highly impact Black immigrants(U.S. citizens, green card holders and non-citizens) who send funds back home to take care of family and business.
According to the World Bank, people in the U.S. sent $669 billion abroad in 2023. Now, the U.S. government wants to tax those transfers by 1%. At first, that may not sound like much. But if you send $500, that’s $5 less your family gets. Over time and across millions of people, it adds up to billions lost. I can only imagine the burden, considering I’ve watched family members take on this responsibility my entire life.
Many immigrants already manage to pay their bills in America while helping their families survive overseas. Now, they’re being asked to carry an extra burden. And this tax isn’t alone. It comes alongside visa restrictions, cuts to African aid programs and possible changes to AGOA (the African Growth and Opportunity Act). Put together, it feels like America is building a wall between itself and Africa.
Brandy & Monica’s reunion tour
When Brandy and Monica announced their first-ever reunion tour, the internet exploded. For years, fans thought it would never happen. The two singers were often painted as rivals, their 1998 hit The Boy Is Mine turning into a symbol of conflict instead of collaboration. But now, decades later, they will be standing on stage together. And that means more than just good music.
Brandy and Monica were the soundtrack of many Black women’s lives. Their songs carried people through heartbreak, friendships and finding themselves. They show that reconciliation is possible, even after years of distance and misunderstanding.
This tour celebrates Black womanhood, resilience and unity. In a culture that profits off drama and division, Brandy and Monica’s choice of peace is powerful. It’s proof that joy can win, that healing can be public and that Black women’s stories can shine in harmony instead of rivalry.
