By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

A report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows that Black Americans continue to face serious challenges in saving for retirement, even as their incomes grow.

The 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, which included a special oversample of Black workers and retirees, found that the wealth gap remains wide at every income level. Among households earning $75,000 or more, only 33% of Black Americans reported having $250,000 or more in savings and investments, compared with 63% of non-Black Americans. Debt remains a significant barrier. 63% of higher-income Black households said debt is a problem, while just 45% of non-Black households at the same income level said the same. Nearly half of upper-income Black respondents said debt affects their ability to save or live comfortably in retirement.

While many Black Americans expressed confidence managing day-to-day budgets, fewer felt prepared to invest or plan for the long term. The study showed that Black Americans with higher incomes were less likely to have personally saved for retirement, 77%, compared with 87% of non-Black Americans. Retirement experiences also differed sharply. Forty-four percent of Black retirees said they retired earlier than planned because of a health problem or disability, compared with 32% of non-Black retirees. After leaving their main jobs, Black retirees were more likely to work for pay to make ends meet, and more often said their retirement lifestyle was worse than expected. Access to financial advice and planning remains uneven. Just 31% of Black respondents reported currently working with a financial advisor, although nearly half expect to do so in the future. Black Americans were more likely to seek help with reducing debt, creating wills or estate plans, and arranging life insurance than simply determining if they had saved enough to retire.

Researchers Craig Copeland and Lisa Greenwald wrote, “Black Americans reported disproportionately lower financial resources, and how they feel about retirement and financial security is clearly impacted by having less resources.” They continued, “In particular, Black retirees are struggling with higher likelihoods of their retirement lifestyle being worse than expected and having to retire earlier than planned because of a health problem or disability.” “Still,” the researchers concluded, “there are some modifications in the financial system that could help improve their prospects, such as increased assistance in balancing competing financial priorities like debt reduction, supporting family, and building long-term savings.”

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

As record-breaking heat waves sweep across the country this summer, a new national poll reveals an overwhelming majority of Americans are linking the punishing temperatures to climate change — and voicing deep concern about the government’s ability to respond.

The American Climate Perspectives Survey 2025, conducted by ecoAmerica, found that 86% of Americans say rising temperatures have increased their concern about climate change, with more than half reporting they are “a lot” more concerned. The sentiment cuts across demographic and political lines, with 97% of Democrats, 83% of Independents, and 79% of Republicans expressing heightened worry about the climate crisis. “Americans are connecting extreme heat to climate change, their health, and government inaction,” said Meighen Speiser, Executive Director of ecoAmerica.

Nearly nine in ten respondents recognize the toll heat is taking on public health, with 58% saying extreme heat affects health “a lot.” This awareness is remarkably consistent across racial, age, and income groups.  Among Black Americans, 91% said rising temperatures have intensified their concern about climate change, reflecting some of the highest concern levels among any group surveyed. Those concerns are not abstract. Decades of research by the Brookings Institution, NOAA, and others show Black communities often face the greatest exposure to extreme heat and the fewest resources to adapt. Studies have documented that historically redlined neighborhoods, where many Black Americans live, are routinely up to 10 degrees hotter than wealthier, predominantly white neighborhoods nearby.

In cities such as Atlanta and Baltimore, Black homeowners are significantly more likely to face heat risks and energy insecurity, limiting their ability to cool their homes as temperatures rise. Nationally, Black renters experience higher rates of energy insecurity, with over half struggling to afford adequate cooling during heat waves. Meanwhile, the latest study also points to a notable shift in how Americans perceive the link between climate change and extreme weather. Eighty-two percent now believe that climate change is making extreme events, such as floods, wildfires, and hurricanes, more frequent and severe, up six points since 2021. The most dramatic change is among Republicans: the share who recognize that climate change is fueling extreme weather surged 17 points over four years, from 58% in 2021 to 75% in 2025.

These findings arrive as proposals to slash funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advance in Washington. The agencies are widely seen as the nation’s front-line defense against disasters and a critical source of weather forecasting and emergency relief. The risks are particularly acute for Black communities already facing disproportionate impacts from hurricanes and flooding, as seen in the devastation of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and more recent storms that have repeatedly displaced predominantly Black neighborhoods in the Gulf Coast and Southeast.

The survey shows Americans are not just worried about rising temperatures — they’re anxious about the government’s readiness to protect communities. Seventy-nine percent said cuts to FEMA and NOAA make them more concerned about the federal government’s ability to respond to climate impacts. That includes 92% of Democrats, 76% of Independents, and 69% of Republicans, underscoring that the anxiety is bipartisan.

Generational divides are also apparent. While 95% of young adults reported that extreme heat has boosted their concern about climate change, the figure was lower — but still significant — among adults over 65, at 70%. However, across all age groups, majorities agree that the crisis is escalating and requires immediate action. “These findings show it’s time to drop partisan politics and rather meet this moment with urgency, leadership, and protection,” Speiser said.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The Estate of Michael Jackson has filed an explosive petition in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing Frank Cascio, a man once described as Jackson’s “second family,” of masterminding a $213 million extortion plot to force payouts by threatening to flip decades of public support into salacious allegations about the King of Pop. The court action, exclusively obtained by Black Press USA, reveals in unprecedented detail how the estate contends that Cascio and unnamed associates used their proximity to Jackson—once proudly touted in books and interviews—to demand a fortune from the most successful celebrity estate in history. “For over 30 years, these individuals held themselves out as Michael Jackson’s most passionate defenders,” the petition states, quoting Cascio’s repeated assertions—under oath and on national television—that Jackson never harmed him or any child. “It was a shakedown,” the estate’s lawyers charged.

A Decades-Long Public Defense

As recently as 2011, Cascio promoted his memoir My Friend Michael, describing a warm, fatherly relationship with Jackson. “I want to be precise and clear, on the record, so that everyone can read and understand,” he wrote. “Michael’s love for children was innocent, and it was profoundly misunderstood.” He doubled down in dozens of interviews. During a 2005 ABC Primetime Live broadcast, Cascio—then using the name Frank Tyson—declared: “If Michael ever laid a finger on me, I would not be in this chair right now.” In a 2011 sit-down with Wendy Williams, he said with conviction, “Nothing at all. And that’s what makes me so upset,” when asked whether Jackson had ever acted inappropriately. Even years later, one of the respondents continued to insist Jackson was a target of “liars,” telling Oprah Winfrey during a televised interview: “Michael couldn’t harm a fly. He’s such a kind and gentle soul. Michael was a target.” In 2019, when HBO’s controversial Leaving Neverland documentary ignited a fresh wave of criticism and threatened multiple Jackson-related projects—including Cirque du Soleil’s “Michael Jackson ONE”—estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain, along with the Michael Jackson Company, sought Cascio’s support. Instead, they say, Cascio turned on them.

A Secret Settlement

Facing mounting public pressure and what they describe as repeated threats to invent new claims, the estate entered into a confidential settlement on January 10, 2020. Under the agreement, Cascio and his associates would receive millions over five years—$3 million each, according to sources familiar with the negotiations—in exchange for comprehensive waivers, a sweeping nondisclosure clause, and an ironclad promise to arbitrate any disputes. The estate said it acted reluctantly to protect Jackson’s children and preserve projects that would cement the late artist’s legacy. “We have a fiduciary responsibility to maximize the income of the estate,” Branca said in an earlier interview. “Our counsel insisted we sign the agreement. They didn’t want it disclosed either because Michael’s fans would have gone after these people.” The settlement contained an unusually strict provision barring even the disclosure of the agreement’s existence.

The $213 Million Demand

Despite having collected payments under that deal, Cascio, through lawyers, allegedly re-emerged in July 2024 with a stunning ultimatum: Pay $213 million more, or face a media spectacle. According to the court filing, Cascio’s legal team—then led by attorney Howard King—threatened to “expand the circle of knowledge” and leak allegations to the buyer of Jackson’s $600 million music catalog if their demands were not met. In one email sent August 29, 2024, King wrote, “We expect a substantive response by the end of day tomorrow. Otherwise, we will be forced to expand the ‘circle of knowledge.’” The estate called this an extortionate threat designed to pressure them into paying for silence. The estate responded by initiating a confidential arbitration proceeding on September 17, 2024, accusing Cascio of civil extortion and anticipatory breach of contract. Days later, Cascio’s lawyers delivered draft lawsuits “riddled with outlandish scurrilous allegations” that directly contradicted his years of public statements.

The Geragos Factor

By January 2025, Cascio had replaced his counsel with Mark Geragos—ironically, Jackson’s former defense lawyer who had proclaimed to Good Morning America that “there’s nothing sexual going on” and that Jackson was “100 percent innocent.” In his 2013 book Mistrial, Geragos wrote of Jackson’s 2005 acquittal: “The evidence was overwhelming that he never touched this kid, and the entire thing was a huge shakedown.” He also appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show in December 2021 to blast Leaving Neverland, calling it “a complete rewrite of history” and an “absolute travesty.” However, now Geragos has taken the opposite stance, representing Cascio in a renewed effort to file public litigation. According to the estate’s filing, Geragos lowered the demand to $44 million but warned that if the estate refused, they would sue for defamation, emotional distress, and an alleged “cover-up.” The estate insists these claims are “bogus” and barred by the original settlement’s releases and arbitration clauses. The petition points out that the agreement explicitly requires arbitration for any disputes, even the question of whether a claim is arbitrable. “The question of arbitrability is itself a question to be resolved finally by the arbitrator,” the contract states.

The Estate’s Broader Mission

This latest legal battle comes as the Jackson estate continues to flourish. Since Jackson died in 2009, Branca and McClain have transformed a $500 million debt into an empire generating over $3 billion. Projects include the record-breaking concert film Michael Jackson’s This Is It, Cirque du Soleil productions, and the upcoming Antoine Fuqua biopic MICHAEL, starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar. Yet Branca says managing the estate means protecting it from opportunistic attacks. “Michael was acutely aware of the racial undertones in how he was perceived,” Branca told Black Press USA in a prior interview, recalling Jackson’s lament: “Sinatra’s the chairman of the board. Elvis is the king. Springsteen is the boss. But what do they call me? The Gloved One…that’s racist.” Branca added, “I definitely believe there’s a racist element in the media coverage of Michael Jackson since the 1980s. Michael got so big many were jealous.” The estate has requested that the court order Cascio into arbitration and award legal fees. If the petition is granted, any subsequent proceedings would take place in private. For now, the estate is vowing not to yield. “We will continue to manage the estate with the integrity and dedication that Michael deserved,” Branca said. “Attempts like this to tarnish his memory for financial gain will not succeed.”

Thousands Convene in Washington, DC, Celebrating 112 Years of Public Service, Empowerment, and Impact

Washington – More than a century of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action will take center stage as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, convenes its 57th National Convention, bringing together attendees from across the globe to celebrate its legacy and shape its path forward.

At capacity, 20,000 members of the storied organization will convene July 8-13, 2025, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the nation’s capital, joined by an additional 13,000 tuning in virtually. From empowering communities to elevating its impact, the Sorority is moving forward with fortitude to meet this pivotal moment with purpose, power, and unity.

“It is my honor to welcome our dynamic sisterhood to the 57th National Convention of Delta Sigma Theta,” said International President Elsie Cooke-Holmes. “Our Sorority was founded 112 years ago on the campus of Howard University by 22 young women. We honor our origin and our future through our theme, ‘Forward with Fortitude: A Homecoming of Strength and Purpose.’ During the coming days, we will be inspired by our legacy and energized by the possibilities ahead, as we exchange ideas and information, hear from experts, and learn about best practices to actively engage our sisterhood, empower our communities, and elevate our impact.”

The Sorority’s tradition of activism on the frontlines dates back to just weeks after its inception, when its Founders boldly marched in the 1913 Women’s Suffrage Parade—the only Black women’s organization to do so.

The power-packed 2025 convention week will feature a series of meaningful sessions and events that speak to our sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SISTERHOOD

Golf Tournament

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

9:00 am

University of Maryland Golf Course

3800 Golf Course Road, College Park, MD 20742

OPEN TO PRESS

Helen Webb Harris, a pioneering educator, advocate, and sports leader, will be recognized at Deltas on the Fairway National Golf Tournament, which is the kickoff to the 57th National Convention. This tribute celebrates Harris’s profound contributions to education, community service, and golf.

SCHOLARSHIP

Award Presentation at Public Meeting

Thursday, July 10, 2025

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Halls D&E

OPEN TO PRESS

The 2025 recipient of the Dr. Thelma T. Daley Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair will be announced at this meeting. Since 1977, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair Award—affectionately known as DPEC—has been awarded to a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to provide research support for a distinguished professor in residence. Now named in honor of Delta Sigma Theta’s 16th National President, Dr. Thelma T. Daley, who established the award, DPEC has provided over $2 million to more than 20 institutions. The award supports the research agendas of African American faculty whose work enhances the quality of life for African American families and communities.

SERVICE

Impact Day

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Room 150 AB

OPEN TO PRESS

To combat period poverty and promote menstrual equity worldwide, volunteers will pack menstrual hygiene supplies for donation as part of the Sorority’s R.E.D. (Restoring Equity and Dignity) Circle of Compassion initiative. The Sorority has a history of giving back to the city in which its convention is held, as part of its global service initiatives. Nearly 3,000 items are being packed and donated to support Washington, D.C. nonprofits, including Covenant House Washington, Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter (Catholic Charities), and Dolls & Dreams.

The initiative’s global impact can be seen both through donations of supplies to Mombasa Relief in Kenya, as well as a financial contribution of $10,000 to support menstrual health and education programs at I Can Fly High School in Kenya and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Elementary School in Ch’erette, Haiti. This large-scale effort will make a direct and measurable difference, since millions of girls around the world are still forced to miss school or face shame simply because they lack access to basic menstrual supplies. 

Blood Drive

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Floor 2, Room 208AB

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the American Red Cross are partnering to host a blood drive during the convention. One in three Black donors is a match for someone with sickle cell disease – an enduring and often invisible condition. The disease disproportionately affects individuals of African descent, many of whom rely on routine blood transfusions as an essential treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.

Red Tank Pitch Competition

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Room 144 ABC

OPEN TO PRESS

The third iteration of the Delta Red Tank Pitch Competition for aspiring and established “Deltapreneurs” will culminate with a live grand finale during the 57th National Convention. Collegiate and alumnae members representing all seven regions have successfully advanced through two rounds of competition, vying for the opportunity to present their elevator pitch in person to a review panel. The six Red Tank finalists will receive mentoring, business guidance, and monetary awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 to support their business, products, or services. Under the National Program Planning and Development Committee’s Economic Development Subcommittee, this initiative advances the Women’s Small Business Entrepreneurship Program and supports the Sorority’s Financial Fortitude initiative.

Public Meeting

Thursday, July 10, 2025

6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Halls D&E

OPEN TO PRESS

As a signature event of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated’s National Convention, the Public Meeting—led by the International President—welcomes community leaders, public officials, and convention guests for an evening of celebration and recognition. This open-to-the-public gathering honors individuals and organizations for their outstanding service, leadership, and contributions to civic life, the arts, and the humanities. Dignitaries offering remarks often include national and local elected officials, corporate sponsors, and leaders of fellow Divine Nine organizations. This year’s event will be hosted by WUSA 9’s Lesli Foster.

SOCIAL ACTION

Social Action Luncheon

Friday, July 11, 2025

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Halls A&B

A cornerstone of the national convention, the Social Action Luncheon reflects Delta Sigma Theta’s legacy of driving change, influencing policy, and empowering communities through sustained civic involvement. This year’s keynote address will be delivered by U.S. Senator Cory Booker, whose presence affirms the power of civic participation and the urgency of collective action. His message will speak directly to the critical issues shaping our communities and the nation at large.

ABOUT DELTA SIGMA THETA

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 13, 1913, on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence; to provide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities. Since its founding, more than 350,000 women have joined the organization, making it one of the largest predominantly Black women’s organizations in the country. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, the Arabian Gulf, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, the Republic of Korea, West Africa, the United Kingdom, and the Virgin Islands. The Sorority utilizes its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to guide national programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships. To learn more about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, visit http://www.deltasigmatheta.org.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The United States has recorded its highest number of annual measles cases in 33 years, with at least 1,277 confirmed infections spanning 38 states and the District of Columbia. According to information published by the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation (CORI), the country has already exceeded the number of infections reported in 2019. The current total represents the largest outbreak since 1992, when more than 2,100 cases were documented nationwide.

Officials link the rising case counts to declining vaccination rates in multiple communities, combined with travel-related exposures that have seeded outbreaks across state lines. The surge has placed significant strain on local and state public health agencies working to contain transmission. CORI, which operates within the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, has developed a set of specialized tools and resources intended to help jurisdictions prepare for and respond to outbreaks. These resources include tailored analytic platforms, structured risk assessments, and real-time decision-support products. “These tools are designed, tested, and refined to ensure they are practical and useful in real-world public health settings,” CORI states on its website.

In addition to analytic software, CORI provides modeling outputs, situation reports, and guidance documents to support containment strategies. The organization also manages a national Community of Practice that connects state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments to share experiences and strengthen outbreak response capabilities. “Our Community of Practice is a network of health departments committed to integrating modeling and analytics into their outbreak response capabilities,” CORI states. “Together, we are working to strengthen our nation’s readiness to respond to infectious disease emergencies.”

The program is structured to build capacity that can be activated rapidly as outbreaks evolve. According to CORI, “Our goal is to equip health departments with decision-support tools, training, and analytic capacity that can be activated rapidly during an outbreak.” “Our work focuses on helping health departments improve preparedness and response to measles outbreaks through real-time modeling and collaboration,” CORI states.

The year-long Intuit IDEAS Program is now accepting applications and, in partnership with the National Urban League, is expanding to nine cities across the country, and the creation of a veterans and military spouse entrepreneurs-only cohort.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — (XXXX) – July 9, 2025 – Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, announced today the national expansion of the Intuit IDEAS (Invest, Develop, Empower, Accelerate, and Scale) accelerator program in partnership with the National Urban League. The program has begun accepting applications and will expand to nine cities across the United States and a nationwide cohort consisting of only veterans and military spouse entrepreneurs.

Intuit IDEAS, launched in Los Angeles and then expanded to Atlanta and Philadelphia, helps small businesses grow and save time by pairing Intuit’s AI-driven products, services, and experts with business and executive coaching provided by the National Urban League and Zella Life. In its first year, IDEAS participants reported on average a 23% revenue increase and 16.5 hours saved monthly.

“We have seen firsthand how Intuit IDEAS has made a lasting impact on participants, their families, and communities. Unquestionably, this unique and innovative business accelerator has helped small business owners take their companies to new heights,” said David Graham, Senior Vice President of Customer Success at Intuit. “We created this program – and continue to invest in it- because it is an incredible example of our mission and platform coming to life and a proven model of what a small business owner can achieve when they have the products, services, and support they need to not only survive but to thrive.”

As a result of the program’s success in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Philadelphia, Intuit IDEAS is expanding to support an additional 250 small business owners across the country in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New Orleans, New York City, and San Diego. Intuit IDEAS will also support a cohort of military veteran-owned and military spouse-owned small businesses nationwide.

“The success and impact of Intuit IDEAS is undeniable,” said President and CEO of the National Urban League Marc H. Morial. “We know that small businesses face myriad challenges from limited funding, access to capital,  to a lack of support. By combining Intuit’s products and services with the National Urban League’s 115 years of experience supporting and coaching small business owners, the possibilities for us together to make a real difference are endless.”

Intuit IDEAS offers participants complimentary access to Intuit’s financial technology platform, including TurboTax, QuickBooks, Mailchimp, and Credit Karma, all supported by Intuit platform experts.

In addition to accessing Intuit’s products and experts, participants receive business coaching from the National Urban League and executive coaching from Zella Life, helping them build strategies for business success and professional growth. During the program, participating small businesses receive a technology grant for hardware needs, and after the 12-month program, they receive a cash grant to help fuel their business growth.

The combination of Intuit’s technology platform, access to experts, skill development, and dedicated coaching has proven invaluable for entrepreneurs participating in the program.

“Intuit IDEAS was more than just a program—it transformed my life. It empowered me to overcome impostor syndrome while providing the support and business coaching I needed to believe in myself and step into my potential as a CEO and entrepreneur. I went from struggling to soaring, and Intuit IDEAS has left a lasting mark,” said Emilio Daniel Vasquez, CEO and founder of Coffee Cart Boys and an inaugural cohort member of Intuit IDEAS.

The application for the Intuit IDEAS program is now open. Interested business owners in the nine program cities, as well as veterans and military spouse entrepreneurs nationwide, should complete the online application no later than July 21, 2025, to be considered.

About Intuit

Intuit is the global financial technology platform that powers prosperity for the people and communities we serve. With approximately 100 million customers worldwide using products such as TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to prosper. We never stop working to find new, innovative ways to make that possible. Please visit us at Intuit.com and find us on social for the latest information about Intuit and our products and services.

About National Urban League

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 92 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research, and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of nearly 4 million people annually nationwide.