#NNPA BlackPress
Jerrod Dukes, Operations Coordinator, Vibestreet: ‘Learn More, Help More’
BIRMINGHAM TIMES — Jerrod Dukes, 24, is operations coordinator of Vibestreet Photography and Recording Studios, a rental space near Five Points South that opened this year and hosts a broad range of photo shoots, videography, art shows, meetings, and even served as a site for a local reality show. He recently spoke to the Birmingham Times about the multipurpose location for creatives in the Magic City.
By Ameera Steward
Jerrod Dukes, 24, is operations coordinator of Vibestreet Photography and Recording Studios, a rental space near Five Points South that opened this year and hosts a broad range of photo shoots, videography, art shows, meetings, and even served as a site for a local reality show. He recently spoke to the Birmingham Times about the multipurpose location for creatives in the Magic City.
Birmingham Times: What do you like most about Birmingham?
Dukes: It’s an emerging city that hasn’t reached its full potential yet, so it still feels quaint, but it’s advancing, so it doesn’t remind me of Mayberry, [the fictional town where The Andy Griffith Show was set]. Also, its location in the middle of the Southeast offers short travel to all the major cities in the region. But if I had to just pick one thing, it would probably have to be the fact that my family is here. I feel that family helps keep you grounded, and having a support system can help you reach farther than you ever thought possible.
If you had someone visit from out of town, what’s the one place you have to take them?
Railroad Park for tacos. While enjoying tacos, we could view the Rotary Trail or simply just walk around the park and people watch, even start up a game of tag or kickball and have it feel like we’re just at someone’s house playing in the backyard.
What’s your favorite movie?
I get torn over classics like “A Streetcar Named Desire” or the hot new thing like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Do I like it because I think the actor was really good, like Leonardo DiCaprio in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” Or do I just think the actress is gorgeous, like Nia Long in “Love Jones”? Well, like I said, I don’t have a favorite movie, but a couple that I could always watch are “A Bronx Tale,” “The Wood,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” and, of course, “Love Jones.”
Who’s your favorite musical artist?
I’ve never had a favorite musical artist because my musical selection tends to change so frequently. Nowadays, I’ve been listening to a lot of Southern rap, such as UGK and Jeezy. With that said, I also had to listen to my sister’s music of choice as a child because she was older, so now I find myself listening to N’Sync and Beyoncé—solo and Destiny’s Child—as well. Also, as many of us can attest, I still go back to the music I listened to riding with my parents, which includes Frankie Beverly and Maze and The Temptations. So, if I had to give you my most played in the last week, it would be Kevin Gates, YBN Cordae, live Beyoncé albums, Celine Dion, and Starlito & Don Trip.
What’s a food dish you can never get tired of?
Chicken wings would be my meal of choice 9.5 times out of 10; the other .5 would probably be tacos. Wings are my favorite because of their versatility and simplicity. They can be fancy or ordinary, but as long as they’re well-seasoned they’re amazing. Also, the abundance of flavors, ranging from spicy to sweet to plain, they can do no wrong if well-seasoned.
What are you most passionate about professionally? Personally?
Professionally, I always want to show people that there is a more convenient way to do things. Everything doesn’t have to be all suit-and-tie and mountains of formalities. If there is something that needs to be done, what is the best way to satisfy all objectives that doesn’t require meaningless meetings? Personally: Find what makes me happy and do it whatever it is. I want to never limit myself because of overthinking. A few years back I went skiing, something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid. So, since then I’ve been on the hunt for what excites me and trying it.
Who is someone you admire, and why?
My mother, first and foremost, because of her strength and selflessness. She literally will break her back to make sure we have everything my family needs, while still getting us some of the things we want. She is an inspiration to my entire family, and we can do nothing but thank her. As far as a celebrity, I really like Samuel L. Jackson, not just because of the profanity, although it does add a certain flair, but for his humanitarianism and his unflinching attitude to do what he feels. He and his wife contribute to many causes worldwide to help bring peace, aid, and just an overall wellness to the world. Also, he is talented enough to say whatever he feels without fear of being blackballed. He has done Broadway, which is a feat in itself, while also having been at least two movies a year for the last 30 years.
What are three pet peeves?
People who don’t eat all the chicken off of the bone and don’t break the flat wings apart. It’s shameful and wasteful. People who don’t use the right direction for explaining how to travel from place to place, like from Birmingham to Nashville they would say, “We’re going down to Nashville,” even though it’s definitely to the north. When people pop their tongue off the roof of their mouth like they’re a dog trying to get peanut butter off of it, it irritates me to my core! Honorable mention: People who don’t know how to play cards.
How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who sought knowledge and helped everyone he could with it. I found out a few years back that I find real joy in helping others make their dreams come true. That’s the main reason I started working with Vibestreet. I saw [fellow co-founder Micah Lewis’s] passion for it, and I felt compelled to help.
What do you want to do before you die?
I wish to open a production house to help people get interested in or even rekindle their passion for films and filmmaking. I was not always set in my dreams of being in the film industry, and the people around me have always heard me speak of it as an idea. So, before I die, I want it to become a reality.
What publications or websites do you regularly read?
I’m a huge sneakerhead, so daily I receive upwards of 250 messages from various websites and magazines, such as Sneaker News, Sole Links, and Nike, about shoes. From these messages, I look at the websites and blogs, learning about new colorways and how the creator was inspired to make the shoe. I also use Internet Movie Database (IMDb) a lot. Every time I watch something new, be it movie or TV show, I check out IMDb to learn more about the actors and actresses. It also comes in handy if you can’t quite remember where you remember an actor from. Another magazine I read is Bon Appétit. It provides me with different versions of staple recipes, such as low-calorie or gluten-free options. It also gives me fresh takes on new recipes from different countries. Another great thing is that the recipes are usually some adaption of a family recipe, so you feel like it was handed down to you and you’re a part of the family.
What is your personal motto?
“Learn more, help more.” I always want to keep learning about everything because that way you can always find what works best for you. Also, when you constantly learn, you can help others more effectively by being able to help them find what works for them.
This article originally appeared in The Birmingham Times.
#NNPA BlackPress
Trump Set to Sign Largest Cut to Medicaid After a Marathon Protest Speech by Leader Jeffries
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S.

By Lauren Burke
By a vote of 218 to 214, the GOP-controlled U.S. House passed President Trump’s massive budget and spending bill that will add $3.5 trillion to the national debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The bill also represents the biggest cut in Medicare in history and is a threat to the health care coverage of over 15 million people. The spending in Trump’s signature legislation also opens the door to a second era of over-incarceration in the U.S. With $175 billion allocated in spending for immigration enforcement, the money for more police officers eclipsed the 2026 budget for the U.S. Marines, which is $57 billion. Almost all of the policy focus from the Trump Administration has focused on deporting immigrants of color from Mexico and Haiti.
The vote occurred as members were pressed to complete their work before the arbitrary deadline of the July 4 holiday set by President Trump. It also occurred after Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries took the House floor for over 8 hours in protest. Leader Jeffries broke the record in the U.S. House for the longest floor speech in history on the House floor. The Senate passed the bill days before and was tied at 50-50, with Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski saying that, “my hope is that the House is gonna look at this and recognize that we’re not there yet.” There were no changes made to the Senate bill by the House. A series of overnight phone calls to Republicans voting against, not changes, was what won over enough Republicans to pass the legislation, even though it adds trillions to the debt. The Trump spending bill also cuts money to Pell grants.
“The Big Ugly Bill steals food out of the hands of starving children, steals medicine from the cabinets of cancer patients, and equips ICE with more funding and more weapons of war than the United States Marine Corps. Is there any question of who those agents will be going to war for, or who they will be going to war against? Beyond these sadistic provisions, Republicans just voted nearly unanimously to close urban and rural hospitals, cripple the child tax credit, and to top it all off, add $3.3 trillion to the ticking time bomb that is the federal deficit – all from a party that embarrassingly pretends to stand for fiscal responsibility and lowering costs,” wrote Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) in a statement on July 3.
“The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 17 million people will lose their health insurance, including over 322,000 Virginians. It will make college less affordable. Three million people will lose access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And up to 16 million students could lose access to free school meals. The Republican bill does all of this to fund tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations,” wrote Education and Workforce Committee ranking member Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) in a statement. The bill’s passage has prompted Democrats to start thinking about 2026 and the next election cycle. With the margins of victory in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate being so narrow, many are convinced that the balance of power and the question of millions being able to enjoy health care come down to only several thousand votes in congressional elections. But currently, Republicans controlled by the MAGA movement control all three branches of government. That reality was never made more stark and more clear than the last seven days of activity in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

#NNPA BlackPress
Congressional Black Caucus Challenges Target on Diversity
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — we found that the explanations offered by the leadership of the Target Corporation fell woefully short of what our communities deserve and of the values of inclusion that Target once touted

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Target is grappling with worsening financial and reputational fallout as the national selective buying and public education program launched by the Black Press of America and other national and local leaders continues to erode the retailer’s sales and foot traffic. But a recent meeting that the retailer intended to keep quiet between CEO Brian Cornell and members of the Congressional Black Caucus Diversity Task Force was publicly reported after the Black Press discovered the session, and the CBC later put Target on blast.
“The Congressional Black Caucus met with the leadership of the Target Corporation on Capitol Hill to directly address deep concerns about the impact of the company’s unconscionable decision to end a number of its diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” CBC Chair Yvette Clarke stated. “Like many of the coalition leaders and partner organizations that have chosen to boycott their stores across the country, we found that the explanations offered by the leadership of the Target Corporation fell woefully short of what our communities deserve and of the values of inclusion that Target once touted,” Congresswoman emphasized. “Black consumers contribute overwhelmingly to our economy and the Target Corporation’s bottom line. Our communities deserve to shop at businesses that publicly share our values without sacrificing our dignity. It is no longer acceptable to deliver promises to our communities in private without also demonstrating those values publicly.”
Lauren Burke, Capitol Hill correspondent for Black Press of America, was present when Target CEO Cornell and a contingent of Target officials arrived at the U.S. Capitol last month. “It’s always helpful to have meetings like this and get some candid feedback and continue to evolve our thinking,” Cornell told Burke as he exited the meeting. And walked down a long hallway in the Cannon House Office Building. “We look forward to follow-up conversations,” he stated. When asked if the issue of the ongoing boycott was discussed, Cornell’s response was, “That was not a big area of focus — we’re focused on running a great business each and every day. Take care of our teams. Take care of the guests who shop with us and do the right things in our communities.”
A national public education campaign on Target, spearheaded by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the NNPA’s board of directors, and with other national African American leaders, has combined consumer education efforts with a call for selective buying. The NNPA is a trade association that represents the more than 220 African American-owned newspapers and media companies known as the Black Press of America, the voice of 50 million African Americans across the nation. The coalition has requested that Target restore and expand its stated commitment to do business with local community-owned businesses inclusive of the Black Press of America, and to significantly increase investment in Black-owned businesses and media, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU, Black-owned Banks, national Black Church denominations, and grassroots and local organizations committed to improving the quality of life of all Americans, and especially those from underserved communities. According to Target’s latest earnings report, net sales for the first quarter of 2025 fell 2.8 percent to $23.85 billion compared to the same period last year. Comparable store sales dropped 3.8 percent, and in-store foot traffic slid 5.7 percent.
Shares of Target have also struggled under the pressure. The company’s stock traded around $103.85 early Wednesday afternoon, down significantly from roughly $145 before the controversy escalated. Analysts note that Target has lost more than $12 billion in market value since the beginning of the year. “We will continue to inform and to mobilize Black consumers in every state in the United States,” Chavis said. “Target today has a profound opportunity to respond with respect and restorative commitment.”
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