by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

March 13, 2026

The 2026 Women Of Power Legacy Awards Gala Kicked Off The Week With Elegance, Inspiration, And Sisterhood

Held as one of the signature events of the multi-day summit, the Legacy Awards Gala serves as a cornerstone moment where excellence, influence, and leadership take center stage.

The annual Legacy Awards Gala at the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit once again delivered a powerful night of celebration, inspiration, and recognition as leaders across industries gathered to honor extraordinary Black women whose impact continues to shape culture, business, and community.

Held as one of the signature events of the multi-day summit, the Legacy Awards Gala serves as a cornerstone moment where excellence, influence, and leadership take center stage. The ceremony celebrates women who have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations, recognizing their achievements across business, entertainment, public service, finance, and philanthropy.

This year’s honorees include Shellye Archambeau, Roz Brewer, Carla Harris, Angela Bassett, and Benaree Pratt Wiley, who were all recognized for their remarkable contributions and decades of leadership that have not only elevated their respective fields but also expanded opportunities for others. The Legacy Awards are reserved for women who demonstrate resilience, innovation, and a commitment to uplifting their communities while inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Throughout the evening, the room was filled with moments of reflection, celebration, and gratitude as each honoree took the stage to share insights from their journeys. BE’s own Alisa Gumbs opened the evening with grace & dropping a gem of inspiration.

“You don’t have to go all the way back to the ancestors to be someone’s wildest dream. You are your own dream come true.”

Honoree Shellye Archambeau spoke next about timing and how it relates to our career decisions, saying, “Stop waiting for someone to tap your shoulder and tell you it’s your time. Decide what you want to do, whatever you want to do, put a plan in place.”

Source: **The Tyler Twins for Black Enterprise Women Of Power 2026**

Honoree Carla Harris reflected on life lessons she’s learned throughout her iconic journey.

“Three things that impacted me and the woman I am today. One, winners never quit & quitters never win. Two, be so outstanding that there is no debate. Three, never underestimate the power of choice.”

Rosalind Brewer spoke passionately about a legacy that extends beyond one’s person.

“Legacy is not about what you accomplish. It’s about what you made possible for the person who came after you.”

Benaree Pratt Wiley concluded the evening by accepting the Barbara Graves Torchbearer Award and spoke about how special it was to receive this monumental award named after the birthplace of the Women of Power Summit.

“I remember how excited and optimistic Barbara Graves was 20 years ago with the launch of the Women of Power Summit. She believed in the power of community, and that when Black women gather with intention and purpose, there’s nothing beyond our reach. Barbara and I share the commitment to the advancement of Black people.”

In addition to honoring this year’s trailblazers, the evening paid tribute to the summit’s legacy—an event that has become one of the premier gatherings for professional Black women.

The Legacy Awards Gala also serves as a reminder of the lasting influence of the women who continue to redefine leadership across industries. From boardrooms to stages, classrooms to communities, their work demonstrates the power of vision, courage, and collaboration.

As the night concluded, attendees left inspired by the stories shared and the legacy being built in real time—proof that the next generation of women of power is already rising.

With another unforgettable celebration in the books, the Legacy Awards continue to stand as a testament to the extraordinary impact of Black women whose leadership is shaping the future.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 13, 2026

Young Dolph’s Killer’s Conviction Stands After Appeal Denial

His life sentence stands after the ruling

Justin Johnson, who was convicted of killing Memphis rapper Young Dolph in 2021, appealed the ruling, and the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals recently upheld the conviction, which means his life sentence stands.

According to Fox 13 Memphis, Johnson, who used the moniker Straight Drop, sought a new trial, citing four issues from the trial, but the court denied all four. Johnson was given a life sentence for his role in the rapper’s killing. He was convicted after being charged with premeditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

The first thing Johnson brought to the court’s attention was that there was insufficient evidence for the jury to convict him. The appeals court disagreed, saying that the video of Young Dolph’s murder, cell phone records, and surveillance video showed Johnson’s movements before and after the shooting. They also cited his accomplice in the murder, Cornelius Smith’s testimony at trial.

Johnson’s attorney appealed the trial judge’s decision to allow jurors to see two photos of the rapper’s corpse, saying that showing them the pictures prejudiced the jury. However, the appeals court ruled that both photos were admissible and did not prejudice the jury because of their graphic imagery.

The defendant felt that he should have been allowed to sit at his attorney’s table instead of behind them, but the court did not agree, citing that it was done for security reasons based on the case involving gang members and murder-for-hire.

Johnson raised the issue of a prosecutor’s comment during closing arguments about the decision not to allow a witness to testify. The appeals court said that his attorneys did not object to the statement during the trial, only after the fact. The court of appeals opinion states, “the evidence of defendant’s guilt was overwhelming, and the prosecutor’s comments were brief.”

The rapper, born Adolph Robert Thornton, Jr., was shot to death while reportedly buying cookies at a local shop, Makeda’s Butter Cookies, on Nov. 17, 2021.

by Mitti Hicks

March 13, 2026

The Veterans Administration’s ‘Inventing New Reasons’ To Deny GI Bill Benefits, Lawsuit Claims

The lawsuit claims that the VA has blocked eligible veterans from receiving benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill for undergraduate and graduate degrees.

A lawsuit filed by veterans, advocacy groups, and the State of Virginia says the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is “inventing new reasons” to deny former service members access to education benefits they qualify for. The lawsuit claims that the VA has blocked eligible veterans from receiving benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill for undergraduate and graduate degrees.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, or the GI Bill, in 1944 to help returning World War II veterans transition back into civilian life. The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full in-state tuition and fees at public schools, a monthly housing allowance, and up to $1,000 for books, supplies, and money for tutoring and testing.

The Montgomery GI Bill covers military service between 1985 and 2030 and provides veterans $2,518 month in direct payments. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act covers veterans who joined after Sept. 11, 2001. Benefits can be applied to cover full tuition and monthly rent.

According to Task and Purpose, veterans accuse the VA of requiring a formal “break in service” at some point in their careers to be eligible for both the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill, despite a Supreme Court ruling that such a break is not required.

“The VA imposed rules that, among other things, create a break-in-service requirement for veterans to obtain benefits under both GI Bills,” the lawsuit says. “That is, the VA’s position is that a veteran needs a distinct ‘period of service’ — separated by a break — to establish eligibility under each benefit program. This contrived requirement has no basis in the U.S. Code, [the Supreme Court ruling for] Rudisill, or common sense.”

According to the VA’s own data that is included in the lawsuit, the agency has denied more than 1,039,000 claims. Veterans are hoping that the U.S. Court of Appeals will strike down the VA’s rule, which they say “illogically denies full benefits to many of the Nation’s longest-serving veterans simply because they chose to serve continuously.”

In a statement to Task and Purpose, a spokesperson for the VA said it “can’t comment on pending litigation.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 13, 2026

Documentary Examines The Sale Of 272 Enslaved People To Save Georgetown University

A new documentary explores the 272 enslaved people who were sold to save Georgetown University from financial ruin.

A new documentary revisits the story of 272 enslaved people who were sold in New Orleans in 1838 by Jesuit priests in an effort to rescue Georgetown University from financial ruin.

Titled The Georgetown 272: The Journey, the new film, which held its first public screening during Black History Month at Loyola University, the Jesuit institution in New Orleans, follows the lives of the men, women, and children who were sold from Jesuit plantations in Maryland and transported to Louisiana, where they were forced to work on sugar plantations, WWLTV reported.

The story of the so-called “Georgetown 272” remained largely unknown — even to the film’s director, New Orleans filmmaker Al Moten Jr. — until about a decade ago, when Georgetown University formally acknowledged it. The revelation sparked widespread media coverage, prompted reconciliation efforts by the university, and drew attention to a concentration of descendants in the central Louisiana town of Maringouin.

“That’s the whole goal of this documentary — to bring it out to heal it,” Moten said. “Just like a wound, you can’t keep the wound closed. The wound has to get air.”

Moten said he first learned about the “Georgetown 272” during the pandemic after a friend called and asked if he had heard of the story, which he hadn’t. That conversation prompted him to begin researching the sale of the enslaved people and its lasting impact on generations of their descendants.

Historians say the people sold in 1838 endured a brutal journey to Louisiana that mirrored the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. After arriving, they were separated and sold.

“The enslaved people who left Georgetown endured a Middle Passage,” said Dr. Sharlene Sinegal-Decuir, chair of African American Studies at Xavier University and a participant in the documentary. “Getting on a ship and surviving a month-long trip from Maryland all the way to the deep South, the port of New Orleans.”

Once in Louisiana, the enslaved people faced what Sinegal-Decuir described as “a death sentence” at the time.

The documentary explores how the stories of the Georgetown 272 were erased. In the film, Richard Cellini, founder of the Georgetown Memory Project, recalls asking a university official what happened to the enslaved people after the sale. According to Cellini, the official said the university believed they had all died shortly after arriving in Louisiana and left no descendants.

His research later uncovered records showing many of the enslaved people did survive and that roughly 4,000 of their direct descendants are alive today.

In 2019, a student referendum prompted Georgetown to pledge annual contributions of up to $400,000 to support community projects for descendants. The university later launched a five-year partnership with the Southern University system in 2022 and, in 2023, Georgetown and the Jesuits pledged a combined $42 million to the Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation.

However, some descendants say the university has not fully followed through. Matthew Mims of Maringouin, west of Baton Rouge, said communication with Georgetown about its commitments eventually stopped after a series of emails.

“Georgetown and the Jesuits have responded to this history,” Cellini says in the film. “It’s not that their response isn’t good — it’s just not good enough.”

A university spokesperson said in a statement that the school remains committed to addressing and repairing the harms tied to its involvement in the slave trade.

“Georgetown is engaged in a long-term and ongoing process to more deeply understand and respond to the university’s role in the injustice of slavery and the legacies of enslavement and segregation in our nation,” the spokesperson said. “Through engagement with the members of the Descendant community, collaborative projects and new initiatives and learning and research, the university pursues a path of memorialization and reconciliation in our present day.”

by Black Enterprise

March 13, 2026

Kevin Powell To Host Multimedia Summit For NYC Public High School Students

Powell will be joined by other multimedia professionals to lead workshops.

By Lillien Cirino

Kevin Powell, Grammy-nominated poet, filmmaker, journalist, and public speaker, is set to host a multimedia summit for public high school students in collaboration with the New York City Department of Education. The event is open to students from all five boroughs and will take place March 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Francis College—located at 179 Livingston Street, Brooklyn, New York. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for attendees.

Other multimedia professionals will join Powell to lead workshops on the following five topics: How to Be a Writer; How to Produce Films and Videos; How to Create a Podcast; How to Make and Place Music; and How to Be a Photographer.

This event leans into public speaking, one of Powell’s many strengths. Powell is best known for his work as a public speaker, writer, activist, and television personality. His journey as a public figure began in 1992, when he appeared in the first season of the MTV reality series “The Real World.” In the same year, he became a senior writer at VIBE magazine, where he covered hip-hop culture and interviewed major artists, including Tupac Shakur.

Powell started to build his career as an author, publishing his first book in 1992, titled “In the Tradition: An Anthology of Young Black Writers.” Since then, Powell has released more than a dozen books, including his newest poetry collection, “A Poem for Evangeline, and Other Songs.“

Powell is also known for his activism and political engagement. He has advocated for issues such as racial justice, ending violence against women, youth empowerment, and community development. Throughout his career, Powell has used his platform to encourage social change and highlight hip-hop’s cultural and political influence.

Teen Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II Leads Women’s History Month Talk On Youth Power And Leadership

by Kandiss Edwards

March 13, 2026

Teen Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II Leads Women’s History Month Talk On Youth Power And Leadership

Tillman spoke about her scholarship and ways to walk in leadership.

Dr. Dorothy Jean Tillman II, a 19-year-old scholar and founder of the Dorothy Jeanius STEAM Leadership Institute, joined Excelsior University for a Women’s History Month conversation focused on youth empowerment, mental health, and sustainable leadership.

Tillman, a former child prodigy who earned her doctoral degree in integrated behavioral health from Arizona State University at age 17, is an alumna of Excelsior University. During the event, titled “Leading the Change: A Women’s History Month Conversation with Dorothy Jean Tillman II,” she reflected on her academic journey and the importance of community support systems. During the interview, Tillman spoke about her scholarship and ways to walk in leadership. Additionally, she recognized the women who paved the way for others to walk roads less traveled.

“I am proud to stand among these remarkable women who have not only broken barriers but have also dedicated their lives to positive change,” Tillman said.

Tillman joined Daniel Pasco Aguilar, the founding director of the Center for Social Justice and chief diversity officer at Excelsior University, and spoke about her research and initiatives that center the growth and mental health of the youth. Her insight and personal story provide students with practical direction. She is determined to effect change, whether it’s through children’s books, speaking engagements, or youth mental health advocacy. Dr. Tillman is living women’s history.

While Tillman holds a place in women’s history, she is not content to let her past be her legacy. The Excelsior alum is hoping to inspire the future by penning an upcoming children’s book, “The Grass is Greener: Where You Water It.” She explained the title as a metaphor for focusing energy on positive growth rather than ruminating on problems.

“Focus and worrying is equivalent to worshiping a problem,” Tillman said. “It’s important to water that garden and to focus on that garden so you can see flowers bloom there.”

The goal, according to the book’s description, is to teach “young readers the importance of self-love, patience, and personal growth” while “reinforcing the idea that true happiness comes from within.”

“The Grass is Greener: Where You Water It” is scheduled for release on Earth Day, April 22.

houston|homeless, beyonce, kelly rowalnd

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 13, 2026

Destiny Fulfilled! The Knowles-Rowland House Will Open To Combat Homelessness In Houston

The Knowles-Rowland House expects to officially open in summer 2026.

Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland have united again in their hometown of Houston, but this time not for music.

Instead, the former Destiny’s Child members are finishing the final touches on the Knowles-Rowland House, a $8.4 million housing project to address homelessness. According to BET News, the home will feature 31 units for individuals facing housing instability, with 16 designated as accessibility units for individuals with mobility or sensory impairments.

The home’s downtown location is deeply personal for the two singers, who began their careers in the Houston area. The home expects to open in summer 2026, helping those in the Houston community gain permanent shelter. The project was initially announced in 2023, as previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The initiative is a reimagining of the pre-established Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth. Once a facility to engage the local community, the building suffered damages brought on by Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and a fire four years later. Although its slew of infrastructural issues led to its vacancy, the building will gain new life for another social cause.

However, the housing project will do more than provide shelter, offering resources and opportunities to transform its residents’ livilhoods. Sponsored by Bread for Life and in partnership with the Temenos Community Development Corporation, The Knowles-Rowland House will also provide mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, life skills training, and more to uplift inhabitants.

As native Houstonians, Beyoncé and Kelly will have an even greater impact on the future of the Texas city. Beyoncé’s mom and former Destiny’s Child designer, Tina Knowles, reposted a snippet sharing the recent development of the Knowles-Rowland House.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinaknowles)

Once the units finish, the Knowles-Rowland house will offer a new opportunity for its special residents. According to Smart Cities Dive, Houston faced a 16% increase in its unhoused population in 2025, making this home a timely addition to city initiatives to address homelessness.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 13, 2026

Retired Boxer Tommy Hearns Placed Under Conservatorship Of Son, Ronald

'I'm fine. I want the world to know that I'm doing fine. I feel good,' Hearns said

Legendary retired boxer Tommy Hearns has been placed under the conservatorship of his oldest son, Ronald Hearns.

According to WXYZ, the man known in the sport as “The Hitman” is also under Ronald’s guardianship after a court hearing on March 11. Ronald would be the sole person to make decisions regarding his father’s personal affairs, including financial and medical matters, under a ruling by Oakland County Chief Probate Judge Pro Tempore Daniel A. O’Brien.

The boxer spoke to the media outlet about the recent decision.

“I’m fine. I want the world to know that I’m doing fine. I feel good,” Hearns said in an exclusive conversation. “I just want things to just be calm and good, and just move smoothly.”

The move comes after a diagnosis of dementia was disclosed by the family. He also recently lost his home due to tax foreclosure, but he is living with Ronald.

In recent court appearances, family members complained that he was being kept from other members of the family and that he may have been a victim of financial exploitation and alleged kidnapping by some relatives. At an emergency guardianship hearing on Feb. 23, Judge O’Brien heard from family members and Adult Protective Services (APS) workers who were searching for Hearns after being told that Tommy’s daughter and his sister would not disclose his whereabouts.

APS officials were suspicious after Hearns’ sister, Louise, started a GoFundMe fundraiser for the 67-year-old former boxer.

Before the judge’s ruling, all family members agreed to appoint Ronald as Tommy’s guardian and conservator.

“My dad is a great man, has a big heart, and for him to be going through this type of situation at this time in his life is terrible,” said Ronald.

Now that everyone is on board with Tommy’s care, he feels better about his situation.

“Knowing that you’ve been loved and been thought about, it’s a good feeling because people don’t have to think about you or care anything about you at all. But when people do care about you, and they really do love you… ” It’s a good feeling for me,” Tommy said.

The fighter has won six championship titles and, during his career, became the first boxer to win titles in five different weight classes. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.

BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Women Of Power Summit Revisits The Spirit Of Its Past 20 Years

by Ida Harris

March 13, 2026

BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Women Of Power Summit Revisits The Spirit Of Its Past 20 Years

The energy that filled the room was electric

On March 11, over 1,500 Black women executives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries filled the Grand Ballroom of Bellagio Resort & Casino to celebrate 20 years of BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Women of Power Summit and its 2026 Legacy Awards honorees. The energy that filled the room was electric and it was just day one. BE’s CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. welcomed attendees, sharing the summit’s history, which was conceived by his mother Barbara Graves, and giving flowers to its earliest supporters. Check out the illustrious evening in the following gallery:

The Tyler Twins for Black Enterprise Women Of Power 2026

Butch Graves Black Enterprise, Women of Power — The Tyler Twins for Black Enterprise Women Of Power 2026

by Kandiss Edwards

March 13, 2026

Jalen Hurts Explores What’s ‘Better Than A Touchdown’ In New Children’s Book

Illustrated by Nneka Myers, ‘Better Than A Touchdown’ draws from Hurts’ own childhood experiences.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts has added a new title to his resume: children’s book author. His debut picture book, Better Than a Touchdown, arrived in bookstores nationwide on March 10.

Illustrated by Nneka Myers, the story draws from Hurts’ own childhood experiences. The narrative follows a young protagonist named Jalen who enters a new school year eager to try out for the football team, only to discover that the program has been cut. Facing this setback, Jalen and his friends must rely on community support and persistence to save the day.

The project was inspired by Hurts’ adolescent memories of school book fairs. During a recent appearance on Good Morning America, Hurts recalled how seeing books by NFL players like Tiki and Ronde Barber showed him that representation mattered.

“Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve brought into my adult life were passed down to me during childhood, like the importance of doing something bigger than yourself,” Hurts said in a statement. “I’m excited to share some of that wisdom with a new generation of kids in ‘Better Than a Touchdown.'”

The book is a core component of Hurts’ philanthropic efforts through the Jalen Hurts Foundation. The foundation has previously donated over $200,000 for air conditioning units in Philadelphia schools. A vocal supporter for education, Hurts is now leveraging the book to launch new literacy programs. Hurts noted that the book’s central theme is that an acorn already contains everything it needs to become an oak tree. It’s a message he hopes resonates with young readers facing their own obstacles.

“I hope this book strikes a chord of resilience, encourages self-belief and resonates with not only kids, but also teachers, mentors and parents,” Hurts said.

Hurts released Better Than A Touchdown to coincide with “Eagles Spirit Days,” a new initiative launched by the School District of Philadelphia to celebrate the quarterback’s continued investment in local students.