Current Events
Page: 7
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Anadolu / Getty
Eric Adams is arguably the most hated mayor in the history of New York City (buddying up to Donald Trump to get his corruption charges dropped definitely didn’t help), so when he was called to testify before the House Oversight and Reform Committee yesterday (March 5), we already knew sparks were going to fly.
According to Raw Story, Bronx representative, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, grilled the embattled mayor of New York City and called him out for blatantly avoiding answering questions related to the scandals that he had brought on himself and his office. Even though Trump’s Justice Department moved to have the charges against Adams dropped, the sudden change in direction led to the resignation of three top U.S. prosecutors who refused to sign off on the move, which prompted the investigation into the matter by Democrats.
Per Raw Story:
When senior Justice Department official Emil Bove ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to dismiss the case, he argued that it had “improperly interfered” with Adams’ re-election campaign. He also noted that Adams has been more cooperative on Trump’s plans for mass immigration raids than any other New York City politician would be expected to — but denied in the footnotes of the order that there was an explicit quid pro quo.
Adams complained that Ocasio-Cortez was repeatedly asking the same question.
“No, these are very different questions,” Ocasio-Cortez said.
He continued complaining as she talked over him.
“I understand. Mayor Adams, will you not answer this question because you believe you will incriminate yourself?” she asked.
Adams continued rambling as the congresswoman asked to submit the resignation letter from Sassoon for the record.
Ocasio-Cortez then read parts of the letter referencing the Jan. 31st meeting. She then cited other resignation letters from Justice Department employees who also refused to kill the Adams indictment.
She went on to lecture Republicans for downplaying the importance of the resignations.
While it was widely rumored that Adams was basically begging Donald Trump for a pardon in exchange for his cooperation with ICE and letting them run rampant through New York City, Adams was only able to secure having his charges dropped. But ultimately, that didn’t help, as he’s still out here defending himself before Congress.
Check out AOC grill Eric Adams below and let us know your thoughts about the matter in the comments section.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: The Washington Post / Getty / Hamilton
Donald Trump and his fellow MAGA Republicans are BIG MAD they won’t get to enjoy the hit musical Hamilton after the folks behind it said it wants nothing to do with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after Felon 47 named himself chairman.
The musical Hamilton telling the Kennedy Center to kick rocks is the latest punch to the gut since Trump decided to take over. The show was supposed to run from March 3 and April 26, 2026, to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Things have been going downhill for the once prestigious institution after the mass firings rocked the Kennedy Center. Artists like Issa Rae canceled her upcoming sold-out show, and other notable names like screenwriter Shonda Rhimes cut ties with the Kennedy Center to protest Trump.
Trump’s reasoning for the takeover, he doesn’t want “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”
Riiiigggghhhttt.
Hamilton’s Creator & Producer Respond To Trump’s Takeover of The Kennedy Center
Regarding the decision, Hamilton’s creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and producer Jeffrey Seller didn’t mince their words and kept it real.
In an interview with the New York Times, Miranda said Hamilton won’t be coming to the Kennedy Center because he didn’t want anything to do with the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
“This latest action by Trump means it’s not the Kennedy Center as we knew it. The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we’re not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We’re just not going to be part of it,” Miranda said.
In a statement, Steller added that the show will not be coming to the Kennedy Center because of the “purge” of the cultural center’s staff, adding that it wasn’t an action against the current Trump administration, but against “partisan policies” following the MAGA takeover.
“The recent purge by the Trump administration of both professional staff and performing arts events at or originally produced by the Kennedy Center flies in the face of everything this national cultural center represents. Given these recent actions, our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center,” Steller said.
The Trumpers Are MAD
As expected, Donald Trump’s supporters, including, Richard Grenell, the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center are S A L T Y about Lin-Manuel and co saying no Hamilton for you.
Using his angry MAGA fingers, the Trumper wrote on X: “Let’s be clear on the facts. Seller and Lin-Manuel Miranda first went to The New York Times before they came to the Kennedy Center with their announcement that they can’t be in the same room with Republicans. This is a publicity stunt that will backfire. The arts are for everyone—not just for the people who Lin likes and agrees with. The American people need to know that Lin-Manuel Miranda is intolerant of people who don’t agree with him politically. It’s clear he and Seller don’t want Republicans going to their shows. Americans see you, Lin.”
Awwwww, you mad Grenell?
You can see more reactions below while enjoying a big cup of MAGA tears to sip on.
4. LOL, now it’s “woke”
8. Awwww, you mad?
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Anadolu / Getty
A nationwide economic boycott of Target has led to a significant decline in its valuation, with another extended boycott set to begin.
According to reports, a one-day economic blackout held last week (reportedly initiated by the Peoples Union USA group) had a strong impact on Target’s earnings, just as the big box chain is facing another extended boycott of its stores. The data revealed that Target saw an 11% drop in customer traffic in its stores last Friday (Feb. 28), and a 9% drop in visitors from 5.2 million to 4.7 million through its website. Their dedicated app also saw a significant decline, going down 14% from 4.2 million to 3.5 million when compared to figures from Feb. 14.
The findings come weeks after Target’s announcement at the end of January that it had come to the end of a three-year program that focused on building Black careers at the company as well as promoting Black-owned businesses and improving the experiences of Black shoppers. The program was started by the Minneapolis-based retail chain in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by officers from that city in 2020. Target also announced that it would roll back other diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals set for that three-year cycle, leading to backlash from the public.
The chain acknowledged a “small decline” in revenue in February but didn’t acknowledge the one-day blackout, instead projecting that there was “meaningful year-over-year profit pressure in its first quarter relative to the remainder of the year” relative to ongoing consumer uncertainty in combination with the current tariff wars enacted by President Donald Trump. Target’s full-year revenues saw a drop from $107.4 billion in 2023 to $106.6 billion in 2024. Notably, their stock valuation dropped 13% from $135.21 to $117.14 a share.
A new boycott is set to begin Wednesday (March 5), initiated by Atlanta-based pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant of the New Birth Baptist Church. The “fast” will take place over the 40 days of the Lent season. “Black people spend on average $12 million a day in Target, so with that large of a consumption pie, we need to be treated with a great decibel of respect,” Dr. Bryant said in an interview, noting that 50,000 people had signed an online petition stating they’d participate.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Raymond Boyd / Getty
The Jazz and Soul music giant Roy Ayers has passed away. He was 84.
Variety reports that the Jazz vibraphonist’s family confirmed that he passed away on Tuesday, March 4, after a “long illness.”
“It is with great sadness that the family of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4, 2025 in New York City after a long illness,” reads the Ayers family’s statement. “He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed. A celebration of Roy’s life will be forthcoming.”
Ayers is perhaps best known for his song “Everybody Loves The Sunshine,” from his 1976 album of the same name, which has been sampled countless times by Hip-Hop and R&B musicians. Ayers often credited Mary J. Blige’s 1994 “My Life,” which liberally samples the aforementioned song, with reviving his career and enriching his bank account.
Also a composer and record producer, Ayers’ deep and rich catalog of music has long been mined for samples that got flipped into new beats that hipped a new generation of listeners to his grooves. Some of those recognizable songs include “We Live In Brooklyn, Baby,” “Searching,” and “Running Away,” where were in turn chopped and massaged into new works from the like of Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Mos Def, Kendrick Lamar. A Tribe Called Quest and many, many more. Also notable was Ayers’ crafting of the soundtrack to the Blaxploitation classic Coffy, which stars Pam Grier.
One of this writers favorites was Ayers connecting with The Roots on their “Proceed II.”
Rest in powerful peace Roy Ayers.
This story is developing.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Tierney L. Cross / Getty
Texas Representative Al Green made a powerful protest during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address until being ejected.
On Tuesday (March 4), President Donald Trump began the first State of the Union address of his second term in office. The tense air in the chambers grew as Democratic Representative Al Green stood up just two minutes in and began to shout at Trump, pointing his cane. “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” he yelled. Republican congresspeople began to chant “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and clapped while yelling at Green to sit down. House of Representatives Majority Speaker Mike Johnson warned Green to sit down or be removed from the chambers, stating that members of Congress “are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the house and to cease any further disruptions.” When Green refused to sit, Vice President JD Vance made a “get out” motion with his thumb.
“Finding that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the Sergeant-at-arms to restore order,” Johnson read from a sheet of paper, making the ejection official. “Remove this gentleman from the chamber!” Green was then led out as Republicans applauded. Outside, the 77-year-old Green spoke to reporters from C-SPAN. “I’ll accept the punishment. It’s worth it to let people know that there’s some of us who are going to stand up against this president’s desire to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security,” he said.
https://x.com/cspan/status/1897117558500700644
Green plans to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump over his comments about acquiring the Gaza Strip – the Houston-based politician initiated three unsuccessful attempts to impeach Trump during his first term. His protest was a contrast to reports that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic congressional leaders to attend and not cause any disruptions. Many who attended held up signs that read “Save Medicaid” and “Musk Steals.” referring to tech billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency).
The protest visibly rattled Trump, as other Democratic congress members walked out at various points during his speech, which included fellow Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett, and Florida Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost who was spotted wearing a black t-shirt with a message on the back that read, “No Kings Live Here.” Other Democratic lawmakers such as New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez chose not to attend the State of the Union address.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Taylor Hill / Getty / Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan is returning to NBC and will star in a new comedy series pilot.
Morgan will play a disgraced former football player on mission to repair his image in the series from Tina Fey and other 30 Rock alum Robert Carlock, who serve as Fey’s co-showrunner and writer, Sam Means, as well as producers Eric Gurian and David Miner.
Variety reports Carlock and Means will pen the new pilot, which will be live on NBC if it gets picked up. Outside of Morgan, no other names have been announced regarding the yet-to-be-named show.
Universal Television and production companies Little Stranger, Bevel Gears, and 3 Arts are also involved in the single-camera pilot.
For Morgan, he will be booked and busy, last year it was announced that he would be starring in a Paramount+ spinoff of CBS’ The Neighborhood titled Crutch, where he will play Cedric The Entertainer’s character, Calvin Butler’s cousin.
If you’re wondering how Morgan will be able to star in two sitcoms on competing networks, Variety reports that his deal allows him to do so without any worries.
This new project will reunite Morgan and Fey, who starred in NBC’s 30 Rock from 2006 to 2013, which lasted seven seasons. His performance as fan favorite Tracy Jordan earned him an Emmy nomination.
Before 30 Rock, Morgan rose to fame during his seven seasons on Saturday Night Live thanks to his characters, Astronaut Jones and Brian Fellows. He eventually got his own comedy series, The Tracy Morgan Show.
That’s not where Morgan’s credits end. In 2023, he released the Max stand-up special Tracy Morgan: Takin’ It Too Far. He was also in Martin and starred in TBS’ The Last OG, Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers, and Green Eggs and Ham.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: WWD / Getty / French Montana
Hip-Hop continues to have a significant Trump problem. French Montana is catching flack for jumping on Lara Trump’s new song and has some headscratching “bars” on it.
French Montana doesn’t care where and how he gets his money. The rapper decided not to read the room and hopped on Lara Trump, the wife of Felon 47 aka Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump’s new song “No Days Off.”
Trump, who is basically a DEI hire in any job she gets, was the former head of the Republican National Committee, where she helped mold it in her father-in-law’s image, is now a Fox News host while also moonlighting as a pop singer.
On the god awful song, Lara Trump sings about her so-called image and career, bellowing on the songs first line, “”I’m a little hard to read/ You only know what they show you when you turn on the TV/ So think of this as a reboot,” before adding “work, work, work” and “can’t stop, won’t stop.”
The Coke Boys crafter didn’t help elevate the track either, stupidly rapping, “working like a slave, living like a king,” adding, “Me and Lara at your front porch, knock knock.”
French Montana and Lara Trump showing up on your front door is definitely something nobody wants, just like this song, that we will not be sharing.
The Song Is Getting Trashed
As expected, social media has been clowning both artists, specifically French Montana, for even doing the song.
https://x.com/BeanzGotGamez/status/1893066540527816903
“The new Lara Trump & French Montana song is a disgusting display of how someone with only a tiny amount of actual talent can slug their way up to the top of a corrupt industry. To a lesser extent you can say the same about Lara Trump, too,” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Rolling Stone wrote about the song, “French Montana Can’t Save Lara Trump’s Atrocious New Single,”.
Damn.
You can see more reactions to the trash record below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
The Daily Show’s host Jon Stewart called out Elon Musk for proposing to sit down for an interview with him and backing out.
On Monday night’s (March 3) episode of The Daily Show, host Jon Stewart kicked the show off with a quip about injuring his finger the week before while critiquing tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for cost-cutting attempts and wreaking havoc on the federal government. That led to Musk announcing in a post on X, formerly Twitter,
that he’d come on the Comedy Central show on one condition. “I will do it if it airs unedited.” Stewart quickly accepted. “Sure, we’d be delighted – as a matter of fact, let me sweeten the pot. The interview can be 15 minutes, it can be an hour, two hours,” he began before quipping, “’ll be honest, I don’t think this network makes any other programming, so we can do whatever the f—k we want as long as we wrap before the new season of ‘South Park,’ which comes out like May or June of 2026.”
But Stewart then mentioned seeing Musk’s follow-up posts on X where he attacked Stewart as being “very far left” and a “propagandist”, highlighting them as he spoke on-air, concluding with Musk’s stating that he was “not bipartisan”. That led Stewart to fire back, “Again – the guy who custom-made his own dark MAGA hat that he wears to opine in the Oval Office with the president who he spent $270 million to elect thinks I’m just too partisan.” Stewart wasn’t done with his skewering of Musk. “I’m really not sure what he thinks “bipartisan” means, but it’s generally not, but it’s generally not, I support Donald Trump and also Germany’s AFD party That’s not bipartisan. That’s just the same s–t.”
The host stated that he does support more efforts toward government efficiency and that he has serious critiques of DOGE but isn’t interested in playing games. “If you want to come on and talk about it on the show, great. If you don’t want to, sure,” he said. “But can we just drop the pretense that you won’t do it because I don’t measure up to the standards of neutral discourse that you demand and display at all times? Because, quite frankly, that’s bull–t. You know it. I know it. Bull–t.”
Check out the entire monologue above.
Source: MICHAEL TRAN / Getty / Megan Thee StallionMegan Thee Stallion definitely stole the show at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party with her head turning drip.Fresh off her birthday celebration abroad, the Houston rapper popped out and bared all, well almost, taking a page out of Lil Kim’s book, but opting to have both breasts out, instead of just one.Thee Stallion had jaws dropping in her olive-green gown, which featured feather details and an open back paired with two barely there nipple parties styled by Erica Archibald. She also wore her hair up to complement the look.Source: Taylor Hill / Getty
Speaking about her look on the Vanity Fair Oscar Party red carpet she said, “I just really wanted to give like ‘she’s baring it all at Vanity Fair.”
“She’s definitely giving Poison Ivy,” she continued.
While the hotties were here for the look, Megan Thee Stallion’s dress definitely garnered plenty of negative reactions.
“Gorgeous woman but this pasty looks like she went right on Amazon and bought it the night before. Same with when Nicki did it years ago. Lil Kim did it best: hers felt like a part of the outfit and not an accessory,” one user on X, formerly Twitter said.
Another user on X wrote, “this could’ve been executed way better, a chop sista.”
Damn.
Earlier in the day, Megan Thee Stallion attended the 33rd annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, where she served on the event’s hosting committee.
For that look, she showed off the curves, but kept things more tamed in terms of having g
Source: Michael Kovac / Getty / Megan Thee Stallion
If you think Megan Thee Stallion’s looks were a miss, we will leave that up to you. You can see more photos in the gallery below.
1. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
Source:Getty
Megan Thee Stallion at the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones held at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,arts culture and entertainment,usa,california,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
2. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Inside
Source:Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/VF25/WireImage for Vanity Fair) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,california,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
3. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
Source:Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,looking at camera,arrival,film industry,california,fashion,award,awards ceremony,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
4. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
Source:Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,topix,film industry,california,fashion,award,awards ceremony,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
5. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
Source:Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,film industry,california,fashion,award,awards ceremony,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
6. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
Source:Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,film industry,california,fashion,award,awards ceremony,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
7. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
Source:Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,topix,film industry,california,fashion,award,awards ceremony,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
8. 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones – Arrivals
Source:Getty
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 02, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,film industry,california,fashion,award,awards ceremony,entertainment event,vanity fair oscar party,oscar party,beverly hills – california,wallis annenberg center for the performing arts,megan thee stallion,radhika jones
9. Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party – Arrivals
Source:Getty
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: (Exclusive Coverage) Megan Thee Stallion attends the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 02, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage) color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,california,west hollywood,annual event,elton john,oscar viewing party,aids,oscar party,megan thee stallion
10. Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party – Arrivals
Source:Getty
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 02, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/FilmMagic) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,arrival,music,rapper,california,west hollywood,fashion,annual event,red carpet event,elton john,oscar viewing party,aids,oscar party,black tie event,megan thee stallion,hip hop music
11. Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party – Arrivals
Source:Getty
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 02: Megan Thee Stallion attends the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 02, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robin L Marshall/FilmMagic) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,arrival,music,rapper,california,west hollywood,fashion,annual event,red carpet event,elton john,oscar viewing party,aids,oscar party,black tie event,megan thee stallion,hip hop music
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Boston Globe / Getty
Hazel Dukes, the former NAACP national president and national civil rights leader, passed away in Harlem over the weekend.
On Saturday (March 1), longtime civil rights activist Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes died at her home in Harlem, New York. She was 92. Her passing was announced by her only son, Ronald. Former New York Governor David Patterson, a close friend and former neighbor of Dukes when she lived in Roslyn, Long Island, confirmed to reporters that she passed away at 6:20 a.m. surrounded by her family.
Born in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 17, 1932, Dr. Dukes was born to Edward and Alice Dukes. Activism was a strong influence from her youth, as Edward Dukes was a Pullman porter and union organizer, and one of their neighbors was Rosa Parks, who would become an iconic figure of the Montgomery bus boycott. After moving to New York in 1955 with her family, Dr. Dukes worked for President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Head Start program and became one of Nassau County’s first Black hires at the county’s Attorney’s office as well as the Economic Opportunity Commission.
She would make education and anti-poverty initiatives her focus for her political career, becoming a force alongside the “Gang of Four” – Percy Sutton, David Dinkins, Charles Rangel, and Basil Paterson – representing Harlem and the Black community’s interest for decades. It led to her 1977 election to lead the NAACP’s New York State Conference (a position she held until her passing) and to become president of the national organization from 1989 until 1992. Dr. Dukes was a passionate activist, unafraid to spar publicly with enemies such as former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, as she recounted in a New York Amsterdam News profile last year. “I had fights with them,” said Dukes. “We had a NAACP convention. Giuliani was so bad that I said he could not even bring greetings. His behavior toward the Black community was so bad that he could not speak at an NAACP convention.”
Numerous political allies paid homage to Dr. Dukes upon the news of her death, including Mayor Eric Adams, who ordered all flags at City Hall to be lowered at half-staff in her honor. Republican Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also decreed the same honor for Dr. Dukes upon hearing of her passing. Adams counted her as one of his most staunch supporters, having appointed her to his Charter Revision Commission in 2023, which was a temporary panel to suggest changes in city government.