44 percent: Miami muralist, TPS in limbo for Haitian immigrants
When I spoke with Addonis Parker about his journey to become an artist, it was truly a lesson in embracing one’s gifts. Parker said he’d keep his art hidden and would sometimes do the assignments of his classmates growing up, but never considered it a career.
It’s a good thing he reconsidered at the urging of mentors, professors and an art teacher who caught onto him doing others’ assignments. Now, his work is seen throughout all of Miami and he’s made an impact on young pupils he taught in his nonprofit. Parker’s story is truly a lesson in leaning into your gifts and using them for the good of community.
INSIDE THE 305:
Anxiety rises as judge mulls suit brought by Haitians with Temporary Protected Status
Haitian immigrants are in limbo as they await a decision on if the Trump administration was lawful in its move to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian nationals, Miami Herald reporters Jacqueline Charles and Jay Weaver reported.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan was expected to issue his decision on the lawfulness of the government’s decision ending TPS for the Haitian immigrants in early June. But as he continues to mull it over, anxiety has spread among more than 500,000 Haitian immigrants who fear they will soon lose their work permits and deportation protections, as the Department of Homeland Security’s Aug. 3 deadline looms for removing their TPS shield.
This muralist paints about power, liberation and love. See his work in Opa-locka
At first, Adonis Parker ran from his craft, often seeking art as a way to create his own reality. He ran wild with it after mentors urged him to pursue it professionally. Today, he’s painted murals throughout Miami and has a new exhibit open in Opa-locka.
“If the teacher asked me to do something on the board, I would almost collapse,” Parker said. But art was a refuge. “I could run to art and create my own worlds where I was brave.”
OUTSIDE THE 305:
Tamir Rice fundraiser receives $50,000 from Kyrie Irving
A foundation started by the mother of Tamir Rice received a hefty donation from Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving on Wednesday, the Black Wall Street Times reported. According to the Black newspaper founded in Tulsa, Irving donated $50,000 on what would’ve been Rice’s 23rd birthday. Rice was shot and killed in 2014 by Ohio police while playing with a toy gun. Irving played for the Cavaliers at the time of Rice’s killing.
His mother, Samaria Rice, created the Tamir Rice Foundation to “invest in the growth and enrichment of all children,” the outlet reported. ”This month, she launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe asking supporters to donate $23 for Rice’s 23rd birthday on June 25. The goal is to raise $110,000.”
HBCUs Reel as Trump Cuts Black-Focused Grants: ‘This Is Our Existence’
A half-century-long federal effort to turn more than a dozen HBCUs into Research 1 powerhouses has been significantly set back by Trump’s attack on so-called DEI-related research, according to administrators and advocates, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported. Despite Trump publicly touting his love of HBCUs, the grant pauses and terminations at the 13 HBCUs seeking Research 1 status have resulted in institutionwide budget cuts, potential layoffs, and the loss of scholarships. The colleges collectively serve 40 percent of all HBCU students.
HIGH CULTURE:
Brandy and Monical announce tour (finally)
No, it’s not 1998, and yes, you read that correctly: Brandy and Monica are finally going on tour. The R&B singers announced their joint tour “The Boy Is Mine,” named after their Grammy Award-winning single, earlier this week. It comes after an on-again, off-again years-long feud which they’ve attributed to “outsiders.” No matter the reason for the long-awaited tour, 8-year-old me is squealing about this tour.
This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM.
