Truth Seekers Journal

I’m tired of being mocked and hated because I’m a conservative woman | Opinion

As a conservative woman living in Texas, I often feel like I’m living a dual reality. I’m a mom and a writer, but that’s not all. I go to church, laugh with friends and wave at my neighbors while we are walking our dogs

Progressives claim to value women, but they routinely demonize conservative women who refuse to conform to the molds that the left tries to force us into.

By Nicole Russell | USA TODAY | March 31, 2025

At dinner, my kids and I discuss the Beatitudes, the Bill of Rights and the best and worst things that happened that day (we call them highs and lows). I love to cook, hate to clean and probably need to have a better morning routine. My life is similar to millions of other women in America.

But online, in the legacy news media and in my increasingly ugly inbox, I live in a different world. In that world, I’m portrayed − and viewed − through a singular lens: my conservative beliefs. As such, I am easy to hate, mock and scorn.

I am far from the only woman who experiences this abuse. Progressives claim to value women, but they routinely demonize conservative women who refuse to conform to the molds that the left tries to force us into. That’s not only bad for women like me and for our society, but it’s also a poor reflection of reality. Tens of millions of American women embrace traditional values and conservative ideas.

We’re also more than our politics.

If the trivializing of an accomplished woman wasn’t so disgusting, I’d laugh. Can you imagine The Post smugly diminishing a progressive woman (or man) as “radiant, blond and apple-cheeked”?

Leavitt isn’t the only conservative woman to recently receive The Post’s patronizing treatment. A profile of second lady Usha Vance began with this sentence: “Most of what we know about Usha Vance we know because her husband told us.”

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance tour the U.S. Space Force base at Pitufik, Greenland, on March 28, 2025 Pool Photo Via Getty Images

VP JD Vance & Usha Vance — Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance tour the U.S. Space Force base at Pitufik, Greenland, on March 28, 2025 Pool Photo Via Getty Images

Never mind that Vance is an accomplished lawyer who clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts on the U.S. Supreme Court. Ignore that she graduated from Yale University with a law degree and a bachelor’s degree and from Cambridge with a master’s. Brush aside that she has served on the boards of the Washington National Opera and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

We only know, according to The Post, what her husband allows her to tell us.

Another Post news story − a profile of conservative influencer Alex Clark published the day before the elections in November − is laced with opinionated and condescending observations. Clark, for example, is accused of engaging in conspiratorial thinking about the food industry, “consistent with the right’s Trump-inspired paranoia about deep-state master planning.”

Each of those profiles was written or cowritten by Voght, who worked for Mother Jones and Rolling Stone, both ultraliberal publications, before joining The Post as a politics reporter.

The disdain for conservative women isn’t confined to The Post. Recent Salon headlines have been even more pointed in their attacks, including this one: “The misogynist agenda of “MAHA moms.” Conservative aren’t just wrong, you see, they hate women, including presumably themselves.

Salon also gave us this affront to good taste ‒ “From ‘Mar-a-Lago face’ to uncanny AI art: MAGA loves ugly in submission to Trump.” The article, by senior writer Amanda Marcotte, is filled with cruel attacks on the appearance of conservative women in leadership positions, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The article includes this gem: “Drag queens also embrace outlandish gender performance, but it’s to subvert rigid gender roles instead of reinforcing them. That, plus your typical drag queen knows how to make five pounds of make-up look cool instead of gross, but they won’t share their secrets with the ladies of the GOP.”

Drag queens are cool. Conservative women are gross. And that is what passes for journalism in 2025.

Tune in to ABC’s “The View” to see the progressive hosts, all women, rip on the conservative women in the Trump administration. No one is more misogynistic to conservative women than liberal women. Again, the irony would be funny if not so disgusting.

Voght and Marcotte are part of a bevy of legacy media reporters who seem to be liberals first and journalists second. That bias has destroyed the news industry’s credibility but perversely also has hurt more than helped their allies in the Democratic Party.

Conservative women are denigrated for their beliefs

For all their flaws, Democrats used to promote tolerance and inclusivity. They used to at least say they embraced women’s rights.

But tolerance apparently doesn’t extend to the many women who exercise their right to form their own beliefs and to vote for the candidates of their own choosing. In progressives’ eyes, those women, conservative women, deserve to have their accomplishments devalued and their appearance mocked.

I’m tired of being the butt of jokes and scorn because I’m a conservative woman and a mother. I’m sick of legacy media acting like women such as Leavitt, Vance and me are an anomaly.

And I’m done with seeing progressives in politics and journalism spew hate at women for embracing conservative political and social values.

Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.

DEI Rollback Costs Target Billions and Loyalty

Target faces growing financial and reputational fallout, losing $12.4B in revenue, stock dropping $27, and facing lawsuits after reversing diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

By Stacy M. Brown | Washington, DC | March 31, 2025

Target continues to face mounting financial and reputational fallout after reversing course on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The retail giant has lost more than $12.4 billion in revenue, seen its stock plunge by $27.27 per share, and is grappling with multiple lawsuits linked to its shifting DEI policies. Separate but powerful actions from Black-led organizations and faith leaders have intensified pressure on the company. Rev. Jamal Bryant launched a national Target Fast, calling for continued community mobilization. Meanwhile, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the NAACP initiated public education and selective buying campaigns. While distinct in approach, the collective efforts have amplified scrutiny and economic consequences for Target. “Black consumers helped build Target into a retail giant, and now they are making their voices heard,” said Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA. “If corporations believe they can roll back diversity commitments without consequence, they are mistaken.”

Early data from analytics firms Placer.ai and Numerator confirms a decline in consumer support. Numerator found that Black and Hispanic households are reducing their visits to Target at the highest rates. Placer.ai reported that on the national blackout day last month, Target saw an 11 percent decline in store traffic compared to average Friday visits. Since the company’s January 24 DEI reversal, Placer.ai data shows Target’s overall foot traffic has fallen every week. In contrast, Costco has gained ground. The warehouse chain rejected a shareholder proposal to weaken its diversity programs and stayed firm in its DEI stance. Analysts say Costco’s consistency and longstanding commitment to high wages and strong employee benefits may attract consumers frustrated with Target’s retreat. Costco’s shares have outperformed those of Walmart and Target over the same period. Walmart has also seen a dip in foot traffic, though not as sharp as Target.

While grassroots boycotts are not always financially damaging in the long term, Target’s situation may prove different. “Boycotts put a ‘negative spotlight’ on the company that can have reputational consequences,” Brayden King, professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, told Forbes. He noted that consumer trust, closely tied to corporate reputation, plays a critical role in shopping habits. In addition to its woes, Target issued a string of recalls in 2025 involving products sold on shelves due to undeclared allergens and injury hazards. Affected items included Gerber Soothe N Chew Teething Sticks, Dorel Safety 1st Comfort Ride and Magic Squad child car seats, Nuby stroller fans, Baby Joy highchairs, Chomps beef and turkey sticks, and Pearl Milling Company pancake mix. Rev. Bryant said Target Fast has now mobilized more than 150,000 participants and persuaded over 100 Black vendors to withdraw their products from Target. He urged continued focus and unity in holding the company accountable. “It is critical that Black people can’t afford to get A.D.D; we can’t taper off and lose synergy. It’s important that people stay the course and keep amplifying our voices because it is being heard from Wall Street to Main Street,” Bryant said. He added, “No, I’m now committed and grateful.”

According to the Birmingham Times, the New Birth Baptist Church pastor recently reported that the campaign he helped launch against Target has received robust national support.

From the Times:

The fast-selective-buying campaign, which began during the Lent Season from March 5 to April 17, targets what Bryant describes as the company’s neglect of the Black community. According to Bryant, the boycott has mobilized over 150,000 participants and persuaded over 100 Black vendors to withdraw their products from Target. The movement has led to a $12 drop per share in Target’s stock and a $2 billion decrease in its overall value.

“We just hit 150 thousand people who have signed up to be part of it, with over 100 black vendors that pulled out of Target, so the momentum is going steadily,” Bryant explained.

The NAACP and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, have simultaneously announced the planning and implementation of a national public education and selective buying campaign in response to Target and other corporations that have dismantled their respective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, programs and staffing.

“Now is the time for the Black Press of America once again to speak and publish truth to power emphatically,” NNPA Chairman Emeritus Danny Bakewell Sr. explained.

“We are the trusted voice of Black America, and we will not be silent or nonresponsive to the rapid rise of renewed Jim Crow racist policies in corporate America,” said NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr. “The Black Press of America continues to remain on the frontline keeping our families and communities informed and engaged on all the issues that impact our quality of life.”

Trump Orders Purge of Black History from Smithsonian, Targets African American Museum

The executive order is chillingly titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It declares that the Smithsonian, once a symbol of “American excellence,” has become tainted by narratives that portray “American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The executive order is chillingly titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It declares that the Smithsonian, once a symbol of “American excellence,” has become tainted by narratives that portray “American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.”

By Stacy M. Brown | Chicago, IL | March 29, 2025

Even the most cynical observers knew this day would come.

Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, the dog whistle has become a bullhorn. The whitewashing of American history is no longer implied—it’s spelled out in ink, signed into law, and backed by a government that is now openly in the grip of white supremacist power. In his latest executive order, President Trump has targeted the Smithsonian Institution and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, calling for the erasure of what he deems “divisive race-centered ideology.” He has directed Vice President JD Vance to eliminate these so-called “divisive” elements from the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, educational and research centers, and even the National Zoo. The executive order is chillingly titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” It declares that the Smithsonian, once a symbol of “American excellence,” has become tainted by narratives that portray “American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” “Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn—not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history,” the order states.

The directive goes further, instructing Vance, along with Vince Haley, Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and Lindsey Halligan, Special Assistant to the President, to work with Congress to block all federal appropriations for Smithsonian exhibitions or programs that “degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.” The order also aims at the American Women’s History Museum, demanding that no future appropriations “recognize men as women in any respect,” and calls for new citizen members to be appointed to the Smithsonian Board of Regents—individuals committed to enforcing the president’s vision. This is not an isolated move. Since returning to office, Trump has issued a barrage of executive orders aimed at dismantling every vestige of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the federal government. He terminated all DEI programs, calling them “illegal and immoral discrimination.” The National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America initiative—long dedicated to uplifting historically underserved communities—has been gutted. The Pentagon’s website erased the stories of Navajo Code Talkers. A “Black Lives Matter” mural in the heart of Washington, D.C., was demolished. Perhaps most brazenly, the Department of Defense Education Activity banned Black History Month observances at military base schools and ordered the removal of any book or material that mentions slavery, the civil rights movement, or the treatment of Native Americans.

Now, the National Museum of African American History and Culture—which opened to national fanfare in 2016—is in the crosshairs. “In an almost surprising fashion, the Smithsonian has been outside of the bounds of political wrangling,” said Samuel Redman, a history professor and director of the public history program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. “It’s not as though there hasn’t been political influence … but just in terms of overall funding and support for the Smithsonian, it’s been remarkably consistent.” That consistency has now been shattered. Trump’s executive order doesn’t just attack the museum—it hints at restoring what many hoped America had buried: Confederate monuments, white supremacist names on federal buildings, and the reinstallation of statues that were taken down during the country’s reckoning after the murder of George Floyd.

What the president calls “shared American values” is beginning to resemble a national doctrine rooted in erasure and oppression. The Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex—was founded on increasing and diffusing knowledge. Established by Congress with funds left by James Smithson, a British scientist, the institution spans 21 museums and the National Zoo, with 11 of the museums located along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Now, it faces its greatest threat yet—not from budget cuts or neglect, but from a government determined to rewrite history at the expense of truth. The stakes have never been clearer as the country watches these moves unfold. The battle over American history isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now, in plain sight, with executive orders, political enforcers, and the full weight of the federal government behind it. “This is about power,” said a Smithsonian staffer who asked not to be named out of fear of retribution. “They’re not hiding it anymore.”

Reflecting on What is Happening Before Our Eyes

Proudly Black and faith-filled, I’m committed to justice, truth, and honoring our legacy. We are powerful, resilient, and destined to lead—giants do fall!

By Vickie Hart-Brant | March 29, 2025

Today, as I reflect on text and phone conversations with family and friends about what is happening before our eyes, I am more determined than ever to get more engaged and be the change I wish to see. The context is unclear, but I understand that sitting, talking, and texting will not affect change in this country. The erasure of Black history and culture is an assault and insult to the contributions of our ancestors and elders. Indisputably, America was built on the bLack of our ancestors. And we have every right to exist and be unhindered in our pursuits of life, liberty, justice, and prosperity as any other race of people. Why does generational wealth have to be a curse and not a blessing when spoken from the lips of Black people? It shouldn’t be! We are curators of our past, creators of our present, and influencers of our future. We have, we do, and we will continue to influence culture and the arts, math and science, the humanities, sports, and entertainment, theology, and philosophy, and well beyond words I can conjure when I think of the gifts and talents Black people share with the world every day–unabashed and with great confidence. And should I even courageously mention the theft of our culture and giftedness? The only reason we are a target of erasure is because we are anointed and powerful people. Don’t forget that…we have been to hell and back and continue to survive and thrive against all odds. Mama them taught us survival skills: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding; In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6. It worked for my grandparents, my parents and it’s working for me and my siblings. And I pray that our children and their children and generations unborn will understand there is a power higher and mightier than the President of the United States of America and Congress. So I encourage you not to faint or lose heart in doing what is right, what is just, and honorable before God and the people of God, because it is promised that you will receive generously if you endure to the end. I am confident God will get the last say because throughout scripture we are warned and admonished on the treatment of the poor, widows, orphans and children, strangers, and the foreigner. Hear me, without apology, and screaming from the rooftop, I am Black, a bonafide HBCU and meritorious PWI (predominantly white institution) educated Black woman, and I am proud of my blackness! Somebody’s gotta say it, so it might as well be me—giants do fall! So, be encouraged my sistah and my brother! Fear not, God is able to keep you from falling or failing!💜🙏🏾

Atlanta Jazz Festival 2025: A Free Memorial Day Celebration of Music, Art, and Culture

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at the Atlanta Jazz Festival 2025, a free, three-day outdoor event in Piedmont Park. Enjoy world-class jazz, visual art, and cultural experiences. Highlights include Robert Glasper, Baby Rose, and The Jazz Spot VIP area. Visit atljazzfest.com for the full lineup and event details.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | March 29, 2025

Get ready for one of the country’s premier free jazz festivals, returning to Atlanta this spring. The Atlanta Jazz Festival, produced by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, kicks off in April and culminates Memorial Day weekend with a vibrant, three-day outdoor celebration in Piedmont Park. Featuring world-class jazz artists, the festival honors jazz’s deep roots in African American culture while spotlighting its global influence. It is a can’t-miss event for music lovers, families, and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Kickoff Event: Friday Night Pre-Festival Concert

May 23, 2025 | 8 PM | Atlanta Symphony Hall

Start your festival weekend with a powerful prelude featuring five-time Grammy winner Robert Glasper. His groundbreaking Black Radio series revolutionized modern jazz by blending jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and film scoring. His genre-defying work has earned an Emmy and a Peabody Award and has led to collaborations with legends like Kendrick Lamar, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu.

Joining Glasper is Grammy-nominated singer Baby Rose, known for her rich, smoky voice and emotionally raw ballads. Her music explores heartbreak, healing, and self-reflection, resonating with listeners from all walks of life. Together, Glasper and Rose promise a night of genre-blending brilliance that sets the tone for an unforgettable weekend.

Celebrating Jazz Through Art

Every year, the Atlanta Jazz Festival commissions a visual artist to design the festival’s official artwork, featured on posters and merchandise. The 2025 artists are selected based on their ability to reflect jazz’s influence through visual media—from painting and photography to mixed media and digital design.

In addition to the honor, the selected artist receives a free prime location at the festival, complete with a tent, tables, and chairs to showcase and sell their work. This initiative highlights the synergy between music and visual art while supporting local and emerging talent.

A Cultural Legacy

More than just a concert series, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is a cultural institution. It aims to educate, inspire, and entertain a wide audience—from lifelong jazz aficionados to curious newcomers and young musicians. Rooted in jazz’s rich African American heritage, the festival serves as both a tribute to the past and a celebration of the genre’s ongoing evolution.

Visitors will experience performances by international stars and local talents, spanning classic, contemporary, and experimental styles. The festival fosters cross-generational dialogue through music and brings the community together in shared celebration.

The 2025 Lineup

Day 1 Saturday | May 24, 2025

1 PM – Khari Cabral & Jiva

3 PM – Aneesa Strings

5 PM – Takuya Kuroda

7 PM – Marsha Ambrosius

9 PM – Derrick Hodge

Day 2 Sunday | May 25, 2025

1 PM – Kenny Banks Jr.

3 PM – Jarrod Lawson

5 PM – Ravi Coltrane

7 PM – Andromeda Turre

9 PM – Russell Gunn & Blackhawk Quartet

Day 3 Monday | May 26, 2025

1 PM – Brandon Woody

3 PM – Tyreek Mcdole

5 PM – Charles McPherson

7 PM – Dianne Reeves

9 PM – Joe Gransden and his Big Band

The Jazz Spot: Elevated Viewing Experience

For attendees seeking an upgraded experience, The Jazz Spot offers premium seating in shaded private tents. Located on a scenic hill overlooking Piedmont Park’s meadow and main stage, it provides the perfect setting for relaxing while enjoying top-tier performances.

The Jazz Spot is available for private rental or individual purchase and is ideal for groups, corporate outings, or anyone looking to enjoy the festival in comfort and style.

Getting There Made Easy

Piedmont Park is centrally located and easily accessible by bike, train, or car. To ensure a smooth arrival, here are the best ways to get to the festival:

By Bike or Scooter:

Enter via Park Drive Bridge (off Monroe Drive), 10th Street & Charles Allen, or Piedmont Ave at 12th or 14th Streets.
Use the free bike valet near Park Tavern (10th Street entrance)
Scooter parking is available across from the bike valet. Note: bikes and scooters must be walked through the park and cannot enter festival grounds.

By MARTA (Train):

The Midtown and Arts Center stations are a short walk to Piedmont Park, making MARTA a fast and eco-friendly option.

By Car:

Parking is limited. Reserve your space in advance via SpotHero to secure convenient, discounted parking near the park. Visit the Atlanta Jazz Festival SpotHero page to book your spot.

A Weekend to Remember

The Atlanta Jazz Festival continues its tradition of excellence, uniting music, art, and community in the heart of the city. Whether you’re dancing under the stars, discovering new artists, shopping at local vendor booths, or soaking up the sun with family and friends, this event has something for everyone.

Mark your calendars and get ready to experience the rhythm, creativity, and spirit of jazz—all for free. For festival updates, artist lineups, and event details, visit https://atljazzfest.com/.

Senate Votes to Overturn Overdraft Fee Cap, Undermining Key Consumer Protections

Senate repeals CFPB rule capping overdraft fees, blocking future reforms. Move favors big banks, harms low-income families, and undermines consumer protections championed by Senator Warnock.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | March 27, 2025

In a blow to consumer advocates and working families, the U.S. Senate voted 52-48 on Thursday to repeal a landmark Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule that capped overdraft fees at major banks. The rule, finalized in December 2024, aimed to rein in predatory banking practices that disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities.

The resolution now heads to the House of Representatives, where a companion bill already passed the Financial Services Committee on a 30-19 vote. Passed under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), the measure not only invalidates the CFPB regulation—it also bars future administrations from implementing any “substantially similar” protections. If the House passes the resolution, it will permanently strip away guardrails meant to shield consumers from exorbitant overdraft fees.

A Hard-Fought Reform Reversed

At the heart of the controversy is the CFPB’s now-overturned rule, which targeted financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets. Under the regulation, large banks had three choices when it came to charging overdraft fees: impose a modest $5 fee, charge only enough to cover actual costs or losses, or treat overdraft as a loan—subject to standard lending laws and consumer disclosures.

The CFPB estimated the rule would have saved Americans up to $5 billion annually, or approximately $225 per household that incurs overdraft fees. Currently, banks charge an average of $35 per overdraft transaction.

But financial industry lobbyists—backed by Republicans and some moderate Democrats—mobilized quickly to kill the rule, arguing it would limit consumer access to overdraft services. In the hours after the rule was finalized, banks filed lawsuits, and by February, Republican leaders in Congress had introduced CRA resolutions to overturn it.

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC), who led the effort, framed the rollback as a victory for “consumer choice,” claiming that the rule was part of President Biden’s “politically motivated ‘junk fee’ agenda” meant to distract from inflation. Yet critics argue the real beneficiaries are the banks—many of which have posted record profits from overdraft fees.

Warnock’s Fight for Fairness

Today’s vote is a bitter setback for Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), who has championed consumer protections since taking office. In March 2023, Warnock, alongside Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), launched a campaign demanding accountability from the ten U.S. banks that generated the most revenue from overdraft and insufficient fund fees in 2021. The senators sent formal inquiries to institutions including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Truist Bank, and PNC Bank, pressing them on how they justified such steep fees.

Later that year, Senator Warnock chaired a Senate Banking Subcommittee hearing on the harmful impacts of overdraft fees. In his opening remarks, he laid bare the inequities baked into the system:

“One-third of unbanked households cite high fees as the reason they remain without a bank account. These types of fees affect people of color at a disproportionate rate. Banks with branches in predominantly Black neighborhoods charge more for overdraft services. And the customers hit hardest are often low-income, have poor credit, and are disproportionately Black and Hispanic.”

Warnock’s advocacy helped pave the way for the CFPB’s December 2024 rule, which sought to close an outdated regulatory loophole that had long exempted overdraft loans from lending laws. The rule was hailed by consumer advocates as one of the most meaningful financial protections in over a decade.

A Rare Break in the Ranks

While the Senate vote fell largely along party lines, one Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri broke ranks and voted to uphold the rule. “I do not want to give big banks the ability to charge people outrageous sums of money,” he said on the Senate floor, noting that the regulation would save the average working-class household about $265 a year.

His lone vote of dissent highlights the stark contrast between political rhetoric around working families and legislative action that directly impacts their wallets.

What’s Next?

With the House poised to vote on the resolution, the future of overdraft fee protections hangs in the balance. If the CRA is passed by both chambers and signed into law, it will permanently block the CFPB from revisiting the issue, leaving consumers vulnerable to high, often unexpected, fees at a time when many families are still struggling to recover from the economic shocks of inflation and housing costs.

For Senator Warnock, the fight is far from over.

“Today’s vote puts corporate profits above working people,” Warnock said in a statement. “I will continue to advocate for financial fairness and dignity, especially for those who are too often left behind by our banking system.”

20 Million Predatory Loans Drained Over $2.4 Billion From Consumers

In 2022, predatory payday lenders drained $2.4B in fees from low-income, largely Black and Latino borrowers through high-interest, deceptive loans, Center for Responsible Lending report finds.

By Charlene Crowell | Washington, DC | March 28, 2025

New research from the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) finds that in just one year – 2022 – cash-strapped borrowers took out over 20 million predatory loans totaling nearly $8.6 billion. The triple-digit annual percentage rates (APRs) and high costs attached to these loans – whether payday, single-payment or installment loans – drained more than $2.4 billion in fees from low-income borrowers.

CRL’s Down the Drain, report provides an update on the effects of payday lending, including online and app-based lending, that remains dominant in low-wealth, largely Black and Latino neighborhoods. Many of these lenders use misleading advertising to lure working people into a cycle of repeat borrowing and growing fees that can leave them struggling for months to repay a debt that reduces each subsequent paycheck.

Photo By Milton Kirby TitleMax Store Front

“Payday loans are designed to trap people in debt and this report shows the scale of the harm,” said report co-author Yasmin Farahi, CRL’s deputy director of state policy and senior policy counsel. “Predatory lending is a public policy choice. Congress and policymakers in states without common sense interest rate limits should enact these usury laws and the executive branch has a duty to enforce them – that is how to keep payday loan sharks at bay.”

Predatory high-cost lenders that offer loans with triple-digit APRs and high, often hidden fees, are trying to evade responsible interest rate limits that currently are in place in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

But these consumer-oriented reforms still leave 30 states where triple-digit interests rates remain legal, including Texas (662%), California (460%), Mississippi (572%), Alabama (456%), and Wisconsin (537%).

These abusive lenders often target working households and communities of color. A 2020 poll by CRL found that Black consumers were twice as likely as white consumers to live within a mile of either a payday lender or a pawnshop. The targeting of these communities can worsen longstanding racial economic disparities.

“Although payday loan fee volume declined early in the pandemic, the Down the Drain report shows a $200 million rebound from 2021 to 2022, reflecting increased strain on consumers’ finances,” said report co-author Lucia Constantine, senior researcher at CRL. “Especially considering changes in the market toward online and longer-term loans, storefront payday lenders in 2022 continued to drain a massive amount of wealth from people and communities with very little wealth.”

Among the report’s notable findings:

• Between 2021 and 2022, payday loan fee volume increased in California by 20%, Texas by 22%, and Florida by 17%. All are bigger percent increaes than the national fee volume experienced;

• States where payday lenders took in highest fee volumes are: Texas at over $1.3 billion, Florida at over $252 million, California over $224 million, Mississippi at over $149 milion, and Michigan at over $78 million. Mississippi’s payday fee total, the fourth highest, is out of proportion to its population size, which is the 35th largest; and

• In the only two states that collect and report statistics on online lending, the share of online payday lending increased from 2019 to 2022: Alaska from 55% to 57% and in California from 25% to 49%.

“As national payday lenders have continued to close storefronts across the country, the market share of online payday lending has increased. By 2019, online lending accounted 41% of single-payment payday loan volume nationally,” states the report.

“Beyond the impacts of the pandemic, the alternative financial services market has shifted online and expanded to include underregulated products like installment loans, earned wage advance, and buy now pay later”, the report continues. “Rent-a-bank’ schemes, in which a non-bank company uses an out-of-state bank offer loans that evade state usury caps, have also made payday lending more readily available even in states with legal protections.”

What Every Small Business Needs to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act

Small businesses must file beneficial ownership reports under the Corporate Transparency Act to combat financial crimes—though enforcement is paused as of March 2025.

All the latest updates about the Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirement.

By: Miranda Fraraccio , Contributor

Under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which went into effect on January 1, 2024, many U.S. small business owners are required to file corporate transparency reports with beneficial ownership information.

The CTA was enacted in 2021 to combat illicit activity including tax fraud, money laundering, and financing for terrorism by capturing more ownership information for specific U.S. businesses operating in or accessing the country’s market. Under the new legislation, businesses that meet certain criteria must submit a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This report provides details identifying individuals who are associated with the reporting company.

The CTA was established to prevent individuals with malicious intent from hiding or benefitting from the ownership of their U.S. entities to facilitate illegal operations which, according to Congress, is a widely-used tactic that affects national security and economic integrity.

Who is considered a beneficial owner of a company?

According to the CTA, an individual qualifies as a beneficial owner if they directly or indirectly have a significant ownership stake in a company. This person either has a major influence on the reporting company’s decisions or operations, owns at least 25% of the company’s shares, or has a similar level of control over the company’s equity.

What information must be reported about a company’s beneficial owners?

All reporting companies must provide their legal name and trademarks, as well as their current U.S. address, which could be either the address of its main business site or, for foreign-based companies, their U.S. operational location. They’ll also need to provide a taxpayer identification number and specify the jurisdiction where they were formed or registered.

Businesses registered or established post-January 1, 2024, must provide information regarding the business, its beneficial owners, and its company applicants — including owners’ and applicants’ names, addresses, birthdays, and identification numbers (such as a license or passport number), and the jurisdiction of the documents. Businesses established before that date can omit information regarding company applicants, and must only submit information on the business and beneficial owners.

While the CTA does not require businesses to submit annual reports, the initial filing period may not be the only time you’ll be required to submit information.

“In addition to the required initial filing, there are requirements to update the original filing when things change,” explained Roger Harris, President of Padgett Business Services. “Some of the things that require an updated filing are not things a business owner has ever thought were important to track, and the timeline to report these changes can be as short as 30 days.”

Harris noted that business owners may be surprised by some requirements for updated filings. For instance, if a beneficial owner changes their address, legally changes their name due to marriage or divorce, or obtains a new driver’s license, it may necessitate an update to a company’s BOI report. Operational changes or a new delegation of authority could also qualify.

“If you make changes in the operation and delegation of duties within your business that could be considered to give a new person substantial control of your business, you could be required to update your filings, even if the person performing those duties did not own any of the business,” said Harris.

While the CTA does not require businesses to submit annual reports, the initial filing period may not be the only time you’ll be required to submit information.

Are businesses required to file with FinCEN as well as their financial institutions?

Many financial institutions require small businesses to submit beneficial ownership information, which protects the institution from being used for illegal activity. However, these are two distinct reporting requirements, and sharing beneficial ownership information with a financial institution does not fulfill a small business’s federal requirements.

Keep in mind, however, that FinCEN can share beneficial ownership information with other entities — including government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and some financial institutions.

What is the beneficial ownership information reporting process?

Two types of reporting companies will be required to submit BOI reports: domestic reporting companies, including LLCs, corporations, and other entities formed through filing with a secretary of state or a comparable office in the U.S.; and foreign reporting companies that are registered to conduct business in the United States through filing with a secretary of state or an equivalent office.

Businesses will not incur a fee for submitting their reports, and electronic forms are available on FinCEN’s website.

Where can business owners get help with their beneficial ownership information reports?

Though companies may opt to file their own BOI reports without legal assistance, Harris advised business owners against this.

“It may not be difficult to complete the forms, but with everything a small business owner must do to operate a successful business, I fear this is something that could be missed or not done [promptly],” Harris explained.

Instead, he recommends consulting a knowledgeable advisor, such as an attorney or an accountant, when filing the initial and/or updated reports to ensure they’re completed on time and to FinCEN’s standards.

“There are some issues in the law that could require an interpretation of certain facts to determine who is a beneficial owner that must be included in the filings,” Harris said. “If you find yourself in this situation, … consult with an attorney to help you decide how your set of facts fits within this law.”

For those with a straightforward path, Harris believes an accountant or tax preparer may be sufficient. However, he cautioned that not all accounting and tax professionals will offer this service due to potential insurance policy limitations.

“Some in the accounting and tax profession are not going to offer this service to their clients because the errors and omission policies these firms have will not cover these services,” Harris explained. “We are already seeing companies pop up that claim to be specialists in this area. If a business wants to go in this direction, they should make sure they choose a legitimate firm with the proper expertise and reasonable fees that will stand behind their work.”

CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.

CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.

What Lies Beneath: The Drowned History of Lake Lanier

Revealing the hidden history of Lake Lanier, Georgia’s playground, where a thriving Black community named Oscarville was erased by racial terror and forced displacement, leaving a legacy of injustice and resilience.

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | March 24, 2025

Lake Lanier is often called Georgia’s playground—38,000 acres of water and 692 miles of shoreline that draw over 30 million visitors annually, even more than Niagara Falls. Officially named Lake Sidney Lanier, it honors a Confederate soldier, poet, and musician, a choice that reflects another complicated legacy. Just 50 miles north of downtown Atlanta, the lake is now a thriving resort area and scenic escape—yet its beauty obscures the troubled history beneath its waters and the name it bears.

But beneath its shimmering surface lies a history far less serene—one marked by racial terror, forced displacement, and the erasure of a once-thriving Black community named Oscarville. This is not just a lake. It is a flooded ledger of lives uprooted and stories buried, still seeking air.

The Making of Lake Lanier: Progress at an inhumane Cost

Lake Lanier was born of ambition and necessity. In 1946, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launched a project to control flooding, generate hydroelectric power, and supply water to a rapidly expanding Atlanta. The Buford Dam, completed in 1956 on the Chattahoochee River, made it possible.

The construction was vast. Crews built three saddle dikes, new bridges and roads, and excavated land for a power station. The price of progress was steep: 56,000 acres of land were seized—often through the forced hand of eminent domain. More than 250 families were displaced, 15 businesses were closed, and 20 cemeteries were moved. Thousands of lives were disrupted. Homes, churches, and entire communities were cleared to make way for a reservoir.

By August 1, 1958, the lake had reached its full pool elevation of 1,071 feet. What remained under the water were not only roads and buildings—but histories, headstones, and unanswered questions.

Oscarville: A Community Buried but not Forgotten

Before the lake, there was Oscarville.

Founded during Reconstruction, Oscarville was a flourishing Black agricultural town. It stood as a testament to resilience in the face of systemic oppression. By 1911, its roughly 1,100 residents had built a thriving local economy. Fifty-eight families owned land. Others worked as sharecroppers, poultry farmers, carpenters, and cotton hands. They built schools, churches, and lives filled with dignity and hope.

But in 1912, that hope was shattered by a wave of white supremacist violence that would drive nearly every Black resident from Forsyth County—and from Oscarville itself..

The Racial Cleansing of 1912

The violence began with the assault and death of 18-year-old Mae Crow, a white woman. Three Black teenagers—Rob Edwards, Ernest Knox, and Oscar Daniel—were arrested. Before a trial could begin, a white mob lynched Edwards in the town square of Cumming. Knox and Daniel, both under 18, were quickly convicted by an all-white jury and publicly hanged.

What followed was a campaign of racial terror. White vigilantes calling themselves “night riders” looted homes, burned Black churches, and issued ultimatums: leave or die. Over 1,000 Black residents were expelled in just three months. Their land was abandoned, stolen, or sold under duress.

Oscarville, like other Black towns across the South, was wiped off the map—not by natural disaster or economic collapse, but by deliberate racial cleansing.

A Lake Built on Dispossession racial hatred

Decades later, that same land—emptied by violence—was sold or seized for the Lake Lanier project. Cemeteries were relocated, but many graves may still lie beneath the water. Submerged buildings, roads, and foundations remain intact under the lakebed, adding to the lake’s reputation for mystery—and its eerie nickname: haunted.

But this is no ghost story. It is a story of stolen legacies and the silent weight of injustice.

Today’s Lake, and the Communities It Now Serves

Today, Lake Lanier is a vital resource. It provides drinking water for nearly 6 million people and supports hydroelectric power, tourism, and recreation. Towns like Buford, Gainesville, and Cumming benefit from its presence, with marinas, lakefront homes, and rental cabins lining its shores.

The Lake Lanier Islands were created following the completion of Buford Dam in 1956. When the reservoir, Lake Sidney Lanier, was filled with water from the Chattahoochee River, the rising waters submerged vast portions of North Georgia. The high ground that remained above water became a scattering of islands — essentially, the former mountaintops of the region.

Development and Governance: LLIDA

In1962, the Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority (LLIDA) was established by the Georgia General Assembly as a state agency. Its mission was clear:

“To plan, develop, and operate four islands in the southern portion of Lake Sidney Lanier for resort and recreation purposes and to enhance the tourism potential of North Georgia.”

LLIDA oversaw the early development of the islands, initiating projects like:

The PineIsle Resort
The beach and its expansions
The entrance bridge
Waterpark attractions (now part of Margaritaville at Lanier Islands)
The Legacy Lodge (formerly Emerald Pointe)
Golf courses and equestrian stables

Initially, some operations were leased to concessionaires, but LLIDA resumed direct control in the 1980s. By the mid-1990s, LLIDA entered into a privatization agreement with KSL Lake Lanier, Inc., signaling a new era of resort management.

Ownership: The Williams Family & LLIMC

In August 2005, Georgia businessman Virgil Williams purchased the Lake Lanier Islands resort complex from KSL Corporation for $14.5 million. The acquisition was made through his company, the Lake Lanier Islands Management Company (LLIMC)— a local, family-operated business.

Under along-term lease and management agreement with LLIDA, LLIMC now:

Oversees daily operations
Manages long-term development strategies
Maintains the resort’s public-private partnership with the state

Amenities & Attractions at the Islands

Lake Lanier Islands offers a vast array of activities and accommodations, including:

Game Changer Arcade and Bar

A lively indoor attraction featuring:

Axe Throwing
Virtual Sports Suites
Duckpin Bowling
Arcade Games
On-site restaurant and bar

Legacy Lodge & Guest Exclusives

Guests of the Legacy Lodge, Legacy Villas, and LakeHouses at Legacy enjoy:

A 24-hour saltwater lounging pool
Poolside service from Bullfrog’s Bar
A 6-court pickleball venue
A 24/7 business center with free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and printer access

Additional Resort Features

Margaritaville at Lanier Islands water park
Lakefront dining and boating
Golf courses and trails
Special seasonal events and group activities

Revenue From Parking Fees Alone

One of the resort’s most straightforward — yet substantial — revenue streams is its daily parking fee of $20 per vehicle. With an estimated 30 million visitors to Lake Lanier each year, the potential income from parking fees is staggering.

By the Numbers:

If just 15 million vehicles (half the visitor count) pay the fee:
- 15 million x $20 = $300 million per year
If every visitor arrives by car and pays:
- 30 million x $20 = $600 million per year

Even under conservative estimates, the annual revenue from parking fees alone may exceed hundreds of millions of dollars, not including resort stays, dining, attractions, or retail.

But amid the jet skis and fishing tournaments, the story of Oscarville is often forgotten—or worse, never told.

Reclaiming the Past, One Story at a Time

In recent years, historians, educators, and community leaders have begun to reclaim Oscarville’s story. Efforts to memorialize the lost town are growing. Documentaries, articles, and educational programs are shifting the narrative—moving away from myths of hauntings and toward historical truth.

Oscarville was not a legend. It was a living, breathing community, destroyed by fear and greed, not by fate.

A Legacy That Refuses to Sink

Lake Lanier will always shimmer with beauty. But beneath its surface lies a reckoning still in progress. The story of Oscarville is not just about what was lost, but about what still lives—in memory, in truth, and in the movement to honor those who were forcibly silenced.

What lies beneath is more than water. It is a legacy. One that must not be forgotten.

One of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen remembers struggle for recognition amid Trump’s DEI purge

Tuskegee Airmen Legacy Under Threat: Despite efforts to honor their memory, Black Air Force unit’s history is being erased under President Trump’s executive order, sparking bipartisan outrage and outrage from surviving airmen.

By Mead Gruver and Thomas Peipert | Aurora, CO (AP) | March 23, 2025

With members of a trailblazing Black Air Force unit passing away at advanced ages, efforts to remain true to their memory carry on despite sometimes confusing orders from President Donald Trump as he purges federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

Col. James H. Harvey III, 101, is among the last few airmen and support crew who proved that a Black unit — the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen — could fight as well as any other in World War II and the years after.

He went on to become the first Black jet fighter pilot in Korean airspace during the Korean War, and a decorated one after 126 missions. He was one of four Tuskegee Airmen who won the first U.S. Air Force Gunnery Meet in 1949, a forerunner of today’s U.S. Navy “Top Gun” school.

“They said we didn’t have any ability to operate aircraft or operate heavy machinery. We were inferior to the white man. We were nothing,” Harvey said. “So we showed them.”

Shortly after Trump’s January inauguration, the Air Force removed new recruit training courses that included videos of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The removal drew bipartisan outrage and the White House’s ire over what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as “malicious implementation” of Trump’s executive order.

The Air Force quickly reversed course.

Announcing the reversal, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said in a statement that the initial removal was because the service, like other agencies, had to move swiftly to comply with Trump’s executive order with “no equivocation, no slow-rolling, no foot-dragging.”

The videos were shown to troops as part of DEI courses taken during basic military training. Some photos of Tuskegee Airmen were also among tens of thousands of images in a Pentagon database flagged for removal.

“I thought there was progress in that area, but evidently there isn’t,” said Harvey, who blamed Trump for contributing to what he sees as worsening prejudice in the U.S.

“I’ll tell him to his face. No problem,” he said. “I’ll tell him, ‘You’re a racist,’ and see what he has to say about that. What can they do to me? Just kill me, that’s all.”

The Tuskegee Airmen unit was established in 1941 as the 99th Pursuit Squadron based at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The 99th became the 332nd Fighter Group, which by war’s end destroyed or damaged more than 400 enemy aircraft in North Africa and Europe during the war and sank a German destroyer in action.

Of the 992 Tuskegee Airmen trained as pilots starting in 1942, 335 were deployed, 66 were killed in action and 32 who were shot down became war prisoners.

In 1949, two months after the airmen’s gunnery meet victory in the propeller-driven class, the U.S. Air Force integrated Black and white troops and the Tuskegee Airmen were absorbed into other units.

It took the Air Force almost half a century to recognize 332nd’s last achievement: Its success in aerial bombing and shooting proficiency in the gunnery meet at what is now Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

For decades, the winners were listed as “unknown” and their trophy was missing.

“We won them all,” Harvey said. “We weren’t supposed to win anything because of the color of our skin.”

Harvey trained during World War II but was not deployed to combat before the war ended. In Korea, he flew the F-80 Shooting Star jet fighter and earned medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1965 and received an honorary promotion to colonel in 2023.

Trump in 2020 promoted another of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, Charles McGee, to brigadier general. McGee died in 2022 at age 102.

Harvey still regards the Air Force Gunnery Meet as his biggest accomplishment, one the Air Force finally recognized in 1993.

Their missing trophy was found in a museum storeroom not long after.

“We were good, and they couldn’t take it away from us,” Harvey said. “We were good. And I’ll repeat it until I die.”