BAL, NBA, Africa, Boris Kodjoe, Eliot Dupuis,

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 17, 2026

NBA Legends & Global Stars Converge For Africa All-Star Soirée In Tinseltown

Dupuis shared the exciting event on his Instagram page.

More than 300 VIP guests, including NBA icons, global music stars, and international investors, gathered at Lucia LA for Africa Courtside Holding’s (ACH) annual Africa All-Star Soirée. The private, invite-only event celebrated Africa’s surging influence within the global basketball and live-entertainment ecosystems.

The evening, hosted by actor and entrepreneur Boris Kodjoe alongside Eliot Dupuis, highlighted the continent’s expanding role in the NBA. Kodjoe, a prominent advocate for African excellence, underscored the unprecedented momentum building in African investment and sports ownership.

Dupuis shared the exciting event on his Instagram page.

“Amazing night at our Africa All-Star Soirée. With family, friends and partners, we celebrated culture, community and changing the narrative through sports and entertainment,” he wrote. “Ownership means prioritizing equity and inclusion, creating real economic impact and developing the entire ecosystem in order to support and protect our talent and grow basketball on the continent. @thebal season 6 tips off March 27, 2026. @nbaafricaofficial franchise investment opportunities are here.
Building teams and arena infrastructure in 12 African cities. The future is here today. Let’s go!!”

A Historic Shift in Ownership
The event featured key remarks from Basketball Africa League (BAL) President Amadou Gallo Falls and NBA Africa investors. A major highlight of the night was the formal introduction of the BAL’s groundbreaking new franchising model. This evolution marks the first time team ownership has been opened to outside investors, a move designed to accelerate sustainable growth and long-term value across Africa’s premier professional league as it enters its sixth season.

Where Sport Meets Culture
The soirée served as a high-level intersection of commerce and a vibrant showcase of African creative power. The night featured:

Art: An exclusive installation of custom basketballs by celebrated artist Kehinde Wiley, featuring The Earl of Wochester and Morpheus Basketball.
Fashion: A presentation by renowned Senegalese designer Adama Paris, spotlighting contemporary African design.
Music: High-energy sets from DJ Tunez, DJ Lavish, DJ Bobby Trends, Jae Murphy, and Juls.

Photo Courtesy of Africa All-Star Soirée at NBA All-Star Weekend – Gladimir Gelin

Strategic Growth and Global Expansion

The Africa All-Star Soirée was more than a celebration; it was a high-stakes networking hub where the future of the African sports economy was drafted in real-time. By bringing together NBA Africa Investors and stakeholders from the broader live-entertainment sector, Africa Courtside Holding successfully demonstrated how basketball serves as a gateway for broader infrastructure and media development.

The emphasis on the BAL’s franchising model signals a transition from philanthropic support to a robust, profit-driven commercial ecosystem. This shift is expected to generate thousands of jobs across the continent, from stadium operations to sports marketing and broadcast production.

The presence of Kehinde Wiley’s custom basketball installation further solidified the event’s status as a premier cultural destination, serving as a physical manifestation of the night’s theme: the fusion of traditional heritage with modern athletic prowess.

As the league prepares for its sixth season, the momentum from this L.A. gathering ensures that African basketball remains at the forefront of the global sports conversation, attracting the visionary capital necessary to sustain a world-class professional athletic landscape for decades to come.

The star-studded guest list reflected a global convergence of talent and purpose, featuring:
Music & Entertainment: Tyla, Wizkid, Wale, Damson Idris, Zara Larsson, and Garcelle Beauvais.
Sports Legends: Serge Ibaka, Tracy McGrady, Chiney Ogwumike, and Festus Ezeli.
Media & Culture: Joy Taylor, Speedy Morman, and Holly Robinson Peete.
The event was presented in collaboration with the Basketball Africa League, Hot 97, and Bacardi, reinforcing a shared commitment to elevating African culture while expanding global investment pathways in sport and live entertainment.

About Africa Courtside Holding (ACH)
Africa Courtside Holding is a strategic investment partner and co-owner of NBA Africa. The firm is dedicated to accelerating basketball’s growth across the continent through ownership expansion and cultural engagement, leveraging platforms like NBA All-Star Weekend to create long-term investment pathways that drive economic impact.

Doctoral Student, 83-Year-old Woman, Harvard

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 16, 2026

Experts Warn Of FERPA Hurdles Amid DOJ’s Harvard Admission Documents Lawsuit

While Harvard has refused to bow down, legal experts highlight how the lawsuit having “nothing to do with protecting the civil rights of any student.”

After the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Harvard University over allegations that the school isn’t complying with the 2023 affirmative action ban, legal experts are warning the Trump Administration of potential privacy hurdles ahead, according to The Harvard Crimson.

The Feb. 13 suit could present violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) — a federal law banning student records that prevent individual applicants from being disclosed.

Since the DOJ is demanding applicant-level admissions data, such as grades, standardized test scores, race, and internal evaluations, FERPA could be violated when data points are combined, even after names are removed, because this makes individual students identifiable.

A number of legal experts are sounding the alarm, including Vinay Harpalani, a University of New Mexico law professor, who said he would be surprised if the administration is successful in its demands. “That risks particular privacy concerns there,” Harpalani said.

“If the individual data from a single applicant can all be linked — all the data, the grade, the test score, their race, ethnicity, other features about them — then that applicant might be able to be identified as an individual. And that could be problematic, that could run in violation of the FERPA.”

According to The Hill, the DOJ, under the leadership of Attorney General Pam Bondi, claims the Ivy League institution, which was at the forefront of the Supreme Court’s controversial reversal, has avoided document release for over 10 months. Bondi said the suit is a matter of wanting “better from our nation’s educational institutions.”

‘Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination — we will continue fighting to put merit over DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] across America,” the AG said.

However, Jonathan D. Glater, a University of California, Berkeley law professor, said the department may hit some blocks since FERPA doesn’t give them authority to access student admissions records, as they are not a listed entity.

He added that the DOJ may be out of its league when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of admissions decisions and the difficulty of evaluating discretionary variables.

“Student personally identifiable information is protected by FERPA. The DOJ is not a listed entity, and this is not part of a criminal investigation, so I’m not sure how this works,” the law professor explained.

“The College does not admit everyone with perfect test scores and perfect grades, for example. Other factors are at play, and the process is nuanced. I do not know how nuanced a process the DOJ is prepared to tolerate.”

While a Harvard spokesperson said the school “will continue to defend itself against these retaliatory actions which have been initiated simply because Harvard refused to surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights in response to unlawful government overreach,” Boston University law professor Jonathan P. Feingold touched on the lawsuit having “nothing to do with protecting the civil rights of any student.”

“This gambit on the part of the federal government is part of a much broader effort to cripple institutions’ ability to actually have fair admissions processes that take into account a whole range of factors beyond standardized test scores,” Feingold said.

There may be some truth to Feingold’s viewpoint. The latest lawsuit is one of several launched by President Donald Trump and his administration against Harvard. President Trump has launched legal action against the school and demanded that it pay a $1 billion fine, following a report from The New York Times that his administration was stepping back from a cash request in negotiations with the school.

He also took a major blow in September 2025, when a judge ruled that the White House’s $2.7 billion freeze on federal funding for Harvard was unconstitutional.

States,Ban, Federal Agents, Local Police, anit-mask

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 16, 2026

U.S. Border Czar Defends Masks For ICE Agents Despite Democrats’ Demands For Removal

One of the Democrats' demands to end the government shutdown is a removal of the mask mandate for ICE agents.

White House Border Czar, Tom Homan, is defending ICE agents’ ability to wear masks amid the government shutdown, as the mandate becomes a point of contention.

Despite not liking them, he insists on the masks’ importance amid claims of increased violence against ICE agents. He appeared on Face the Nation on Feb. 15 to explain his thoughts on the matter.

“I don’t like the masks either,” Homan stated, as reported by CBS News.

He also added, “These men and women have to protect themselves.”

He also noted a new report from the Department of Homeland Security, asserting that assaults against ICE agents have increased by over 1300%. Given the proposed rise in violence against immigration officers, the mask mandate offers a semblance of safety and less harassment when off the clock.

However, the backlash against ICE agents continues to grow with their ongoing raids nationwide. In light of the agent-related deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Petti, as well as controversial deportations, many anti-ICE advocates have taken to the streets to protest their increased presence across U.S. cities.

However, the masking remains another barrier to reopening the Department of Homeland Security. The U.S. entered a partial government shutdown over the matter on Feb. 14, with Democratic lawmakers refusing to approve an annual budget without revisions to ICE spending.

In addition to a ban on masks, Democrats are also fighting for agents to wear body cameras and identification, as well as the elimination of racial profiling, before agreeing to a deal. As for the profiling, Homan denied the allegations, stating that ICE agents have the right to question people “based on reasonable suspicion.”

“They want to say, stop racial profiling. That’s just not occurring. ICE will briefly detain and question, but only question someone based on reasonable suspicion. It has nothing to do with racial profiling,” continued the Border Czar. “There is no racial profiling.”

Homan also criticized another demand, which would require judicial warrants before ICE agents make arrests on private property. The Trump official said Congress should pass new legislation if it wants to make significant changes.

“If Congress wants that change, then Congress can legislate. But right now, ICE is acting within the framework of federal statutes enacted by Congress and signed by a president,” he expressed.

Despite calls from GOP leaders to agree to the budget, Democrats refuse to back down as DHS funding comes to a halt over the polarizing issue of ICE.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 16, 2026

Nicki Minaj’s Infamous Chicken Wing Bling Designer Plucks Support Amid MAGA Stance

The Taiwanese-American jewelry designer says the piece is being auctioned because “as an artist of color, it matters to me how my work is remembered.”

Jewelry designer ONCH, who crafted Nicki Minaj’s famous pink fried chicken wing chain is auctioning off the piece to benefit the American Civil Liberties Association in protest of her former client’s new MAGA stance, Page Six reported.

The Taiwanese-American immigrant said the piece is being auctioned because “as an artist of color, it matters to me how my work is remembered.” The memorable one-piece chicken chain first appeared on the “Pink Friday” rapper’s neck at the 2011 iHeart Music Festival and caught the attention of several publications, including Billboard and Bon Appétit. Minaj’s opp, fellow rapper Remy Ma, even made reference to it on a diss track.

“Are you dumb? You wore a pink diamond chicken wing chain (Are you dumb?),” the Bronx-born artist said in reference to the eye-catching piece.

Now, ONCH is making the piece public for the first time by listing it on Palmstreet’s shopping app auction block on Feb 24. The minimum bid starts at $30,000. With some of ONCH’s other famous clients including Rihanna, Kate Moss, and Ariana Grande, the designer said the auction is a way of “redirecting this moment toward giving back allows the design to carry new meaning beyond the current spectacle.”

The Trinidad-born Young Money artist has been taking her place in the MAGA world after publicly claiming she is President Donald Trump’s “number one fan” during an interview with grieving widow and new Turning Point USA CEO, Erica Kirk.

Several others in the Hollywood limelight have pulled back from supporting the rapper, including her own fans, famously known as “Barbz.”

But Minaj is convinced some of them will stick around, calling on them to call elected U.S. senators to pass the SAVE Act.

But not everyone in the MAGA or conservative world is feeling the support of the pink leader all the way.

On X, former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly encouraged those on Team Trump to “calm down,” seemingly calling elected officials out for fangirling when some have openly proclaimed not to care about celebrities.

“I think it’s great that @NICKIMINAJ is Team Trump. But can we pls calm down about it? Conservatives purport not to care about celebrity, and for many, it’s actually true,” the Megyn Kelly Show host said.

“Pls remember that when a celeb occasionally deigns to pay the Right some positive attention.”

I think it’s great that @NICKIMINAJ is Team Trump. But can we pls calm down about it? Conservatives purport not to care about celebrity and for many, it’s actually true. Pls remember that when a celeb occasionally deigns to pay the Right some positive attention.
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 13, 2026

But maybe the rapper’s sudden switch-up is working. According to Newsweek, some Barbz are ready to make the jump to MAGA land with their fearless leader, who was an open critic of Trump during his 2016-2020 reign.

“Today is the day I switch to republican,” one fan said.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 16, 2026

As Latest Government Shutdown Begins, Nation’s Airports Face Delays

The travel issue stemmed from a mix of high-volume disruptions, weather, and operations.

Several cities and airports are dealing with thousands of delays and cancellations over President’s Day weekend thanks to the latest federal government shutdown.

The cancellations have affected airports in major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, and Orlando, causing aggravation for travelers as severe flight delays occurred to and from these popular destinations.

The reasons behind the botched travel stem beyond federal control. Across airlines such as American, Southwest, Delta, and Spirit, over 2,000 flights faced delays, primarily due to a mix of severe weather, operational issues, and high airport volumes.

According to data from Travel and Tour World, airports such as Dallas/Fort. Worth saw an average flight delay of 45 minutes, with over 300 thunderstorm-induced flight disruptions. At the same time, Miami International Airport had similar average delay times, with nearly 80 flights impacted, primarily due to terminal operations and capacity constraints.

Another city and major airline hub, Denver, had its own bout of disrupted travel due to weather, as well as stops through New York City’s JFK airport and San Francisco International Airport, carrying their own ripple effects.

While the issue may not be directly related to the partial government shutdown, travelers should anticipate more turbulence in the skies as the closure freezes funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS oversees TSA, meaning officers at airport security will not get paid until the shutdown ends.

The shutdown is expected to last until lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can agree on a DHS budget. The biggest strain comes from current ICE funding, which is overseen by the DHS.

The rise of ICE-related violence, as well as protests against the immigration enforcement agency, has prompted Democratic congress members to refuse any more funding for the venture.

The shutdown’s impact on air travel may not occur immediately. Despite this, travelers, especially ahead of spring break, should prepare and remain flexible if their plans go awry due to airport-related issues.

With the government at a standstill, travelers can expect even more issues at all airports. Following last year’s historic shutdown, many airports are gearing up for longer wait times at security screenings.

FAMU, Florida A and M University, FAMU Board Of Trustees, Dubious Donation

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 16, 2026

FAMU Community Members Say DEI Policies Impacted Black Studies Degree At HBCU

The school has faced backlash over its handling of Florida's DEI policies.

As Florida A&M University seeks to align its curriculum with state standards, the HBCU has consolidated one major degree program, which has angered community members.

The Board of Trustees at FAMU approved a measure to consolidate seven degree programs, including one that merges African American (Black) studies. That move, the Tallahassee Democrat reports, aims to help FAMU meet performance standards required by the state.

Naysayers found multiple issues with the degree changes, calling out the measure as a way to appease anti-DEI officials in Florida. The board of trustees unanimously approved the measure during a Feb. 12 on-campus meeting.

Students called out the private nature of the matter, stating that the board should have engaged the campus community on the hot-button issue.

“I do believe it would have been beneficial to host a public informational session – not only for the students directly impacted, but for the broader student body as well,” expressed FAMU student Amany Hilario at the public comments section of the meeting. “Transparency and open dialogue cultivate trust, and when students feel informed, the university community is stronger.”

Degrees ranging from environmental science and studies, engineering technology, philosophy and religion, and history were consolidated, alongside its African American studies.

The solely eliminated degree, studio/fine art, will be replaced by a new field of study encompassing digital arts and graphic design, as well as AI integration. The move seeks to “[position] students for evolving career pathways in technology-driven creative sectors.”

After approving the consolidation, the board released a statement.

“African American (Black) Studies remains foundational to the history, identity and mission of Florida A&M University. The university has no plans to eliminate or diminish scholarship in this area. Any programmatic adjustment reflects structural alignment only and does not change our enduring commitment to this field of study,” wrote the school.

As for the reason Black studies fell under this consolidation plan, the school’s provost called the decision a strategic move to address low program productivity.

“What I said to our team, administrators and faculty is let’s maintain African American studies but meld history, philosophy and religion—all of which are very intricate in the African American experience,” shared FAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson Watson. “It was very strategic, but also very much a level of excellence with caring.”

While Watson claimed that several meetings took place before the vote to ensure the school’s “integrity” remained intact during the academic transition, many consider the vote the latest instance of GOP state leaders’ influence.

FAMU’s latest President, Marva Johnson, also received pushback for being an alleged supporter of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The school has already faced backlash this February for its rigid standards, including omitting the word “Black” from a Black History Month event flyer issued by the school’s Black Law Student Association. The school has since taken back the omission.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 16, 2026

From Banned To The Ballot: Uncle Luke Launches Congressional Bid For South Florida Seat

"It's the perfect timing," the former 2 Live Crew member says.

Uncle Luke is going from hip-hop to politics. The retired rapper said it’s “perfect timing” to run for Congress this midterm election season.

The Miami-based rapper, whose real name is Luther Campbell, wants to head back to Broward County to represent his community.

In a recent interview with This Week In South Florida, the former 2 Live Crew member shared his political ambitions to hold a seat in Florida’s 20th congressional district, which covers most of Broward and parts of Fort Lauderdale.

Campbell, 65, dived into his desire to hold office. The Neighborhood Talk shared a clip of the conversation with the show’s host, Glenna Milberg.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

“It’s the perfect timing…I was thinking about doing it the last cycle, but it wasn’t the right time,” Campbell said. “I needed to do a lot of things, you know, to get myself prepared. I need[ed] to do more outreach to the community.”

The South Florida native had become a controversial voice in his community, remaining politically involved and outspoken throughout his music career. This is also not the rapper’s first attempt at holding office. He put his hat in the race for mayor of Miami-Dade County in 2011.

“I just go meet with the stakeholders, not necessarily politicians, at the end of the day, once I did my due diligence,” Campbell said of this recent attempt. “You know, I said, let me come to Glenna’s show and let her know I’m gonna run for Congress.”

Uncle Luke had been political through his raps. An advocate for free speech, his 1989 album with 2 Live Crew, As Nasty As They Wanna Be, became politically infamous after a U.S. court ruled it legally obscene due to its explicit lyrics and cover art.

Prosecution of members of the rap group also led to supporters calling out the racism surrounding their legal battles.

Now, Uncle Luke wants a return to the political arena.

by Mary Spiller

February 16, 2026

Immigration Crackdown Sparks Economic Strain for Minority-Owned Businesses In Minnesota And Beyond

Shop owners report steep losses as federal enforcement actions dampen foot traffic.

As federal immigration enforcement intensifies under President Donald Trump’s deportation push, small business owners in Minnesota say the economic fallout is undermining promises that stricter policies would benefit Black and Hispanic workers.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump argued that immigrants were taking jobs from minority communities. “They’re going to be attacking—and they already are—Black population jobs, the Hispanic population jobs, and they’re attacking union jobs too,” he said at a rally in Reading, Pennsylvania.

But in Minnesota, where federal agents have carried out one of the largest recent enforcement deployments, many entrepreneurs say the opposite is occurring. Storefronts in diverse neighborhoods report sharp declines in customers and revenue, with some warning they may not survive the year.

Local business leaders launched “A Week to Shop Local for Truth & Freedom,” urging residents to spend money in neighborhood stores ahead of Valentine’s Day. Organizers argue the downturn is not seasonal but tied directly to fear surrounding immigration raids.

Brian Atkins, co-owner of Custom Designs in Brooklyn Park, said his shop typically sees slower sales after the holidays. “November, once after Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas is slow,” he told The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. But ICE’s presence has “made it even slower.”

Community advocates say many residents are avoiding public spaces, concerned about potential encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Yusra Mohamud told the outlet the impact along Minneapolis’ Lake Street corridor is staggering.

“Right now, ICE activity is hitting our corridor hard. Businesses on Lake Street are losing tens of millions of dollars a month,” she said. “That number continues to grow.”

Financial estimates reflect the depth of the downturn.

Russ Adams, of the Lake Street Council, a nonprofit serving the largely immigrant neighborhood of the same name, said projections show between $10 million and $20 million in weekly losses citywide, with approximately $46 million in revenue disappearing across December and January on Lake Street alone.

“You don’t come back from that in a single quarter,” Adams said.

Carl Swanson of the Minnesota CDFI Coalition warned that prolonged disruption could destabilize lending networks. “Even a 20 percent default rate would mean a $140 million loss to Minnesota’s economic ecosystem,” he said, noting there is “no federal safety net” to offset such damage.

For many owners, the crisis is also about principle. “Shopping local for truth and freedom is about saying clearly and publicly that our local economy should not be built on fear,” said Lawrence Eddison of Custom Designs.

Emilia Gonzalez Avalos, the executive director of Unidos MN, added, “Where you spend your money is one way we show what kind of community we want to live in. It’s also about solidarity.”

The economic ripple extends beyond Minnesota. In Columbus, Ohio, immigrant entrepreneurs gathered at the Global Mall to describe similar struggles.

Khalid Turaani of CAIR-Ohio said “we’re seeing ICE agents are parked at the front literally to disenfranchise these businesses who are legal, who are taxpayers, who are employers,” he told WCMH-TV.

On the West Coast, Los Angeles County officials reported roughly $3.7 million in losses between July and September 2025 following federal immigration raids. County supervisors commissioned the study after enforcement operations intensified, citing concerns about harm to local economies.

From Minneapolis to Columbus and Los Angeles, business owners say the effects of heightened enforcement are measurable not only in dollars lost, but in communities strained by fear and uncertainty.

by Mary Spiller

February 16, 2026

Tubi Debuts HBCU Film Hub, Spotlighting Black Student Filmmakers, For Black History Month

The partnership with HBCU First LOOK Film Festival launches during Black History Month, expanding national access for emerging storytellers.

Streaming service Tubi has unveiled a slate of films created by students and graduates of Historically Black colleges and Universities for the launch of its partnership with the HBCU First LOOK Film Festival during Black History Month.

The platform released 20 films as part of the rollout, delivering on plans first shared in November at the festival’s annual awards ceremony.

At that event, founder Sheila Eldridge announced a collaboration with Tubi designed to give rising Black filmmakers broader visibility through a national streaming outlet.

Eldridge, a Howard University graduate and CEO of Miles Ahead Entertainment, described the partnership as a turning point for creators from HBCUs, calling it “a milestone for Black creatives.” The initiative aims to elevate voices that have traditionally faced barriers in film and television.

In addition to the 20 newly available titles, the dedicated streaming hub—branded “HBCU First Look”—is expected to feature more than 100 films from HBCU-affiliated creators. The collection spans documentaries, scripted projects, and experimental works from institutions including Morehouse College, Howard University, Florida A&M University, and Spelman College. The films explore themes ranging from student life to deeply personal narratives and broader cultural stories.

Tubi, known for its expansive digital catalog and growing original programming, said the partnership reflects an effort to connect with emerging filmmakers earlier in their careers. By providing a free, widely accessible platform, the company hopes to offer both exposure and sustainable opportunities for independent artists.

Among the highlighted selections is HIM+, a first-place short film written by Florida A&M alumnus Chazriq Clarke. Other featured projects include a documentary about the 15th Annual Café Mocha Salute THEM Awards, directed by Lee Solomon, along with experimental pieces such as Echo Of 22 by L. Palmer and Timeless by Dr. Shaina Thomas.

Eldridge’s career in media began under the mentorship of Cathy Hughes at WHUR-FM. She has since collaborated with major brands and cultural institutions, maintaining a focus on Black storytelling throughout her work.

Founded to create a professional pipeline for HBCU creatives, the festival now engages more than 15,000 students and alumni annually and drew over 700 submissions last year—evidence, organizers say, of growing demand for platforms centered on Black voices.

cheesesteak, Carter’s Cheesesteaks, Chinatown, philadelphia,

by Mary Spiller

February 16, 2026

Philadelphia’s Chinatown Welcomes First Black-Owned Spot, Carter’s Cheesesteaks

The new counter-service spot pairs classic rib-eye sandwiches with seafood twists while creating space for other Black entrepreneurs.

A new cheesesteak shop in Philadelphia is reshaping part of the city’s Chinatown’s business landscape.

Carter’s Cheesesteaks at 1016 Race St. is the first Black-owned business to establish itself in the neighborhood. The counter-service restaurant features both traditional rib-eye cheesesteaks and inventive variations topped with shrimp or lobster, blending familiar, city-loved flavors with surf-and-turf flair.

The restaurant officially opened its doors on Nov. 1, but has taken off during the new year. Owner Garci said opening the doors carries personal and historical weight.

“Me at 38 years old, I’m the first person to accomplish that goal,” he told Philadelphia’s FOX 29. “I could understand why some people wouldn’t want that to happen, so I felt like, because of that, let’s double down on that.”

Beyond operating the sandwich shop, Garci purchased the entire building and reimagined it as a small food-hall concept. The space now houses multiple Black-owned food ventures offering a range of cuisines, an effort he says is designed to expand opportunity and representation within the corridor.

“Let me bring some more Black people down here, let them also be a part of the history that’s being made because I feel like it’s a wonderful thing and change is needed,” Garci said.

The opening has sparked discussion among residents about growth and evolving business ownership in a district traditionally associated with dim sum parlors and bubble tea cafés. Supporters view the project as an addition to the area’s culinary diversity rather than a departure from it.

Garci said his own upbringing motivates him to set an example for younger generations.

“Chase your dream,” he said. “I really truly believe the more you chase your dream, put the work in, in the end you’ll get the reward.”