Soccer, Jozy Altidore , Oklahoma City United Soccer League, Owner

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 3, 2026

Former Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Joins Oklahoma City United Soccer League As Owner

He joins NBA player Russell Westbrook as an investor for the team, which will relaunch in 2028.

Former soccer player Jozy Altidore has joined the Oklahoma City United Soccer League team as an investor, with the team scheduled to relaunch in 2028.

OKC for Soccer announced on Feb. 19 that the soccer legend, along with his longtime business partner Alex Lee, is now part of the franchise’s ownership group, with the intention of competing for the USL Championship in the 2028 season.

“It’s an honor to join the OKC for Soccer Ownership Group. Christian and the team are building something truly unique in Oklahoma City and the region,” said Altidore in a written statement. “It’s rare to see a club and its pathway so deeply rooted in the community from day one. It aligns perfectly with an ambition to create a world-class environment for soccer in OKC at all levels of the game.

“Alex and I are energized to build a pipeline here that leaves a lasting legacy for the next generation of players.”

They join the likes of NBA player Russell Westbrook (Sacramento Kings), the Chickasaw Nation, cultural entrepreneur Nick Gross, and Christian Kanady, the team’s founding partner and CEO of Echo Investment Capital, as owners.

https://twitter.com/AfroFootyy/status/2027849545653043540

“We are thrilled to welcome Jozy Altidore and Alex Lee to the OKC for Soccer family,” said Kanady. “Jozy brings something you cannot manufacture: world-class credibility, a player’s understanding of what it takes to develop talent, and the ability to inspire the next generation from the locker room to the boardroom. Alex brings a builder mindset that can translate expertise into repeatable results. Together, they represent the next generation of sports ownership: strategic, technical, and deeply operational.”

Altidore has been quite busy since retiring from the sport and has become an investor in several sports properties. He is a limited partner with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, an equity partner in several leagues and teams, including TGL/TMRW Sports, SailGP, and BayFC, and holds a C-suite role with Sogility.

The former player is a two-time U.S. Soccer Men’s Player of the Year who started playing soccer professionally at 16, when he played for the New York Red Bulls. He had a two-decade career with stints in the English Premier League, Spain’s LaLiga, the Dutch Eredivisie, and Major League Soccer. During international play, Altidore earned 115 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, scoring 42 goals and representing the country at two FIFA World Cups.

jobs report, Ask Your Fairygodmentor®, job, job loss, job advise

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 3, 2026

Ask Your Fairygodmentor®: How To Reclaim Power As You Source A New Job

Go from layoff to leadership with this advice.

Hi Fairygodmentor®,

I’m a newly unemployed executive. How do I stay optimistic in a job search after being let go?

–Let Go and Low

Dear Let Go and Low,

I’m sorry that you’re one of the over 300,000 Black women who have lost their jobs in the past year. I want you to listen very carefully to what I’m going to say to you right now: “This is NOT your fault!”

Now, I need to insert my bootleg version of the Surgeon General’s warning: I don’t know the exact reason you were let go. I don’t know if this was voluntary (you chose to leave) or involuntary (a layoff due to financial reasons, performance concerns, or a violation of law or policy). I’m offering this advice on the assumption that your departure was part of a reduction in workforce.

A lot of folks (including me) used to say, “Man’s rejection is God’s protection.” But I’d like to amend that for you and for the rest of the world: “Man’s rejection is God’s protection — and time for your reflection.”

You could go round and round in your mind thinking of all the things you could have or should have done differently. As one of my Fairygodmentors tells me, “Stop shoulding all over yourself.” Thinking about what could have been is not going to serve you — or your mind — very well.

Instead, first reflect on what you need right now. Not the next job — but what you need in this very moment. My best guess is that you’re going to need some time to take care of yourself and decompress from this career speed bump. And yes, it’s a speed bump — not a roadblock. A temporary slowing down before you pick your momentum back up.

Slow down and grieve. This is a loss. We know it wasn’t personal, but it sure feels that way right now. This is a massive change that touches every part of your life, and it’s important to pause and give yourself time to heal.

Check in with your body. Reach out to your personal board of directors for support. Who are they? Your friends, family, physicians, mental health professionals — the people who help steady you when life shifts.

Once you’ve given yourself permission to be gentle and have reached out for support, I need you to reflect again.

This time, reflect on the job search. And this does not need to become a 24/7 campaign. In fact, I suggest breaking your week into productive chunks with self-care sprinkled in.

For example:

Monday could be your administrative day — polish your résumé, write that cover letter (yes, they still want cover letters!), and set up virtual coffees to stay visible.

Tuesday could be applications or interview prep day. (I strongly suggest preparing for interviews well before they’re scheduled so you’re not bringing anxious energy into the room when the time comes.)

Wednesday could be networking.

Thursday could be time with your support squad.

Friday? Take a break.

Going back to interview prep for a moment, I want you to think deeply about what you bring to the table and what differentiates you from everyone else who’s looking for a job right now.

If you could rewind the tape and watch a highlight reel of your accomplishments, what would you see? What did it sound like when you were leading your team, launching projects, exceeding sales targets, and winning awards?

Can you picture it?

If someone asked you about those moments, could you provide results-based responses that help them predict your future performance at their organization?

Doing this accomplishes two things.

First, you practice articulating your value with pride and confidence as the accomplished leader you are.

Second, this is where your inner Hype Woman gets to shine.

So, here’s your assignment:

Grieve.

Reflect.

Strategize.

Then walk into your next opportunity remembering exactly who you are.

You are not starting over.

You are starting from experience.

And trust me — experience hits differently.

You got this!

Yours truly,

Your Fairygodmentor®

About Joyel Crawford:

Joyel Crawford, fairygodmentor, contributor — (Photo: Kirten White Photography/BE)

Joyel Crawford is an award-winning career and leadership development professional and founder of Crawford Leadership Strategies, a consultancy that empowers results-driven leaders through coaching, training, and facilitation. She’s the best-selling author of Show Your Ask: Using Your Voice to Advocate for Yourself and Your Career.

Have a question for Your Fairygodmentor®?

Submit your career and leadership questions, whether it’s about navigating a micromanager, setting boundaries, negotiating for a raise, or handling burnout. Ask Your Fairygodmentor® today!

Kimora, Lee, Simmons, Kimora Lee, Aoki lee, Ming Lee, put home on market, sell mansion, lease agreement

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 3, 2026

Kimora Lee Simmons Legally Changes Her Name As ‘Commitment To Clarity And Ownership’

Kimora Lee Simmons has officially removed “Simmons” from her name, saying the change is a personal and professional reset.

Kimora Lee Simmons has officially dropped the “Simmons” in a legal name change she says reflects her “commitment to clarity and ownership.”

In a Feb. 27 statement, the fashion designer shared that she had legally changed her name back to Kimora Lee, describing the move as both a personal and professional reset she sees as an intentional step toward reclaiming control of her name, brand, and future, Complex reports.

“Kimora’s decision to change her name legally—back to Kimora Lee—is rooted in a commitment to clarity and ownership,” the statement reads.

The statement also referenced recent media reports alleging that she refused to vacate a $25 million Beverly Hills mansion purchased by her estranged husband, Tim Leissner, who acquired the property with funds tied to the infamous 1MDB scandal.

Lee said she is challenging what she calls “inaccuracies” in the coverage and pushing back against those connected to the “bad deals” who she claims are trying to force her out of a home she believes is “rightfully hers.”

“She is no stranger to controversy,” the statement continued. “Recently, The New York Post published an article based on a flawed premise and full of inaccuracies. That piece has since been quietly revised on multiple occasions in an attempt to evade accountability.

“She has threatened to sue—and is suing others—in order to combat bad deals and dishonest attempts to bully and extort her out of what has always been rightfully hers. Her focus remains on protecting her family, building a legacy, and moving forward with grace and power.”

As part of the name change, aspects of Lee’s “business and brand portfolio will reflect this evolution,” the statement concludes.

Days after issuing the statement, it was confirmed that Lee filed legal paperwork to change her name from Kimora Lee Simmons-Leissner to Kimora Lee. In the filing, she cited “consolidation of records and names used in different documents” as the reason for the change.

Born Kimora Lee Perkins in St. Louis, Lee married Russell Simmons in 1998 and welcomed two daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki, before the couple divorced in 2009. She retained the Simmons surname after their split.

In 2014, she married Tim Leissner and combined his last name with Simmons, becoming Kimora Lee Simmons-Leissner. The couple welcomed a son, Wolf Lee, before separating in 2022. Kimora is also mother to sons Kenzo Lee Honsou, whom she shares with the actor Djimon Honsou, and Gary Lee Foster.

In recent years, both of Lee’s former spouses have faced serious legal controversies.

Russell Simmons has been accused of multiple sexual assaults and misconduct lawsuits. Leissner, the former Southeast Asia chairman of Goldman Sachs, was arrested in 2018 and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and to participating in a money laundering conspiracy related to the 1MDB scandal, ultimately becoming a U.S. government witness in the case.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 3, 2026

Viola Davis, Courtney B. Vance, And Common Join New W.E.B. Du Bois Documentary

The actors will lend their voices to help narrate the film on the acclaimed Black scholar-activist.

Some of the greatest talents within Black Hollywood have lent their voices to a new documentary on W.E.B. Du Bois.

Legendary actors such as Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright, Courtney B. Vance, and Common took part in the new trailer for PBS’s “W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause.” The latest installment in the educational network’s American Masters documentary series focuses on the life of the trailblazing scholar and historian.

According to Blex Media, the film will center its narrative on the personal and professional journey of Du Bois, who dedicated his life and scholarship to Black progress and socio-political equity across the world. Davis narrates the film as her fellow actors dramatize some of Du Bois’ speeches and writings featured in the documentary.

“I very early got the idea that I was going to prove to the world Negroes were just like other people,” recited Common, Wright, and Vance to begin the trailer.

A pioneer of what would become a global movement for racial equality and justice, Du Bois vocalized the plight of Black people in the late 19th century. Challenging the restrictive norms of what society regarded as Blackness, the NAACP founder championed the humanity and character of the Black community.

Historian Chad Williams also proclaimed, “W.E.B. Du Bois is arguably the greatest Black intellectual scholar-activist in American History.”

A formidable scholar, Du Bois became the first Black man to receive a Ph.D from Harvard University. He later used his platform to advocate for equality efforts for Black people in general society and politics. He also used his writings, including his 1903 volume of essays titled “Souls of Black Folk,” to further explain the dual-lived reality of Black people in America, a concept popularized as “double consciousness.”

A writer, scholar, and voice for Black advancement, Du Bois’s speeches and work will gain a modern spotlight with “Rebel With A Cause.” Directed by acclaimed documentarian Rita Coburn, the film will span Du Bois’s 95 years of life, including archival footage and dramatized readings from its star-studded cast.

Du Bois later expanded his advocacy to the Black diaspora, becoming a voice for the Pan-African movement across Ghana and several African nations. Du Bois continued his fight for progress throughout the early 20th century, dying in Accra just one day before the 1963 March on Washington.

Alongside its recognizable voices, the feature will also include modern-day historians and sociologists, lending their expertise to how Du Bois’ groundbreaking work still shapes commentary and scholarly advancements regarding race today. As an American revolutionary in his own right for his work for the global recognition of Blackness, Du Bois’s work now has an American media revival in this new documentary.

“Rebel With A Cause” will premiere Tuesday, May 19th at 9 p.m. ET on PBS.

Trump, Iran War, inflation, NAACP, Democrats

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 2, 2026

Trump Floats The Idea Of A ‘Friendly’ Cuba Takeover

Trump's vague comment follows reports a Florida-registered speedboat carrying 10 armed Cuban nationals was intercepted by Cuban border guards.

President Donald Trump claims the U.S. is in talks with Havana about a possible “friendly takeover” but failed to give context, leaving questions on what that means, NBC News reports.

The president told reporters that he and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, have had “very high level” discussions with Cuban leaders after claiming the country “is, to put it mildly, a failed nation” and wants help from the U.S. “The Cuban government is talking with us. They have no money. They have nothing right now. But they’re talking to us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba,” Trump said before leaving for Texas for a rally.

“We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

The vague comment comes just two days after the country’s government reported a Florida-registered speedboat carrying 10 armed Cuban nationals opened fire on Cuban soldiers. Four of the Cuban nationals were killed, leaving six and one other official injured. It also comes weeks after Trump blocked fuel from coming into the island, causing massive flight cancellations and a public health crisis for the city of Havana.

The United Nations’ top official for Cuba confirmed the crisis, warning that everyday life in Cuba is “becoming fragile,” according to The Hill, with heightened strains on health care, water services and food distribution. Cuban government officials have instituted emergency measures in an effort to move past the fuel shortage, revealing they have roughly between six and seven weeks of fuel left before a major blackout occurs.

Tensions with Cuba have seemingly come to a head since U.S. forces captured one of the country’s closest allies, Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolás Maduro, in early January 2026. His new comments are a switch up from him once claiming military action in Cuba might not be necessary due to the island’s weak economy. “We’ve had a lot of years of dealing with Cuba. I’ve been hearing about Cuba since I’m a little boy. But they’re in big trouble,” Trump said.

There seems to be some confusion on Capitol Hill about the dealings with the country as more than 40 civil society organizations urged Congress to “press the Trump administration to reverse its aggressive policy towards Cuba” in a letter highlighting efforts to cut oil shipments to the Caribbean island could possibly cause a humanitarian collapse.

But one lawmaker is already preparing voters for more issues with Cuba. During a Fox News interview, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham claimed that Cuba will be next, referring to recent military activity in Iran. “President Trump finished the job that President Reagan failed to do! I am a big admirer of Ronald Reagan, but I’m here to tell you that Donald Trump is the gold standard for Republicans, maybe any president, when it comes to foreign policy,” he said.

“Maduro? Everybody talked about him; well, Donald Trump’s got him in jail! Cuba’s next. They’re gonna fall. This communist dictatorship in Cuba? Their days are numbered.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 2, 2026

Lawsuit Against Pittsburgh Call Center Whose Manager Allegedly Referred To Black Employees As ‘Good Blacks, Not N*****s’ Can Proceed

A supervisor is accused of referring to an employee's Black husband as "garbage" and saying that the husband was “going to bring her down.”

A federal judge ruled that a racial discrimination lawsuit against a call center whose supervisor allegedly told a Black employee to get “those monkeys in line” and made a reference to workers as “good blacks, not n*****s, can proceed, Atlanta Black Star reports.

U.S. District Judge Mark R. Hornak gave a discrimination lawsuit against Allegheny Health Network (AHN) the green light after plaintiffs, including a white director who alleges he was fired for speaking up, presented strong evidence of continuous racial slurs and discriminatory conduct by AHN management. Hornak felt a jury may believe “a stark picture of outright racial bigotry.”

The 2021 lawsuit, filed by Santos Albert, accuses director Diane Allen of making derogatory and unprofessional remarks about him and his direct supervisor, John Guthrie, shortly after being hired.

In one incident, while holding a photo of a white employee’s husband, who is Black, Allen allegedly said, “Look at this garbage, I thought she was a nice girl.” She continued to make claims that the husband was “going to bring her down.”

Another time, Allen allegedly mocked Albert for being a K-Mart and Walmart shopper, calling it “ghetto.”

Then there was a time when Allen allegedly told Albert to focus on “getting those monkeys in line” after inquiring about an operations manager role. One of the most eye-opening comments was made during a May 2019 meeting when Allen allegedly asked, “Who are they going to believe, us or a nasty, lying Black woman?” while describing a dispute with an employee at AHN’s parent company.

Also, in April 2018, Allen allegedly planned to fire all the Black employees from the company. Guthrie feels it was he reporting it that resulted in his termination, according to The Inquisitr.

Albert also accused his former supervisor described him and another employee as “good blacks, not n*****s. According to him, she referred to a senior operations manager, who is of Middle Eastern descent, as a “sand n*****.”

Outside of the racial discrimination and humiliation Santos endured, he claims Allen used to force him to do things outside of his work scope, even though he wasn’t trained on it, and attend 6 a.m. orthopedic meetings. During his testimony, Allen said the changes were designed to make him fail on purpose.

Allegheny Health Network has denied any discrimination and retaliation efforts within the organization, but it is up to a jury to decide with a conference on the ongoing case scheduled for September 2. While it was found that Allen was let go from her position in 2019, the Pittsburgh-based company has been under intensified scrutiny due to the litigation, pushing for sudden policy changes and racism training.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 2, 2026

Deon Cole Receives Death Threats After Jokes About Nicki Minaj, MAGA

Racial epithets were also used against the comedian in social media posts.

Comedian Deon Cole didn’t disappoint, and his jokes and commentary about recording artist Nicki Minaj have led to death threats and insults levied against the former black-ish star and Old Spice pitchman, AllHipHop reports.

While hosting the 2026 NAACP Image Awards on March 1, Cole took aim at the Queens rapper, who has been seen at recent MAGA-related affairs, even cozying up to President Donald Trump.

“Lord, we want you to bless our sister Nicki Minaj,” Cole said. “She’s been going through a lot lately and hasn’t been herself, Lord. I believe whatever’s in her body is affecting her brain, Lord.”

Although it drew applause from the crowd, online, it was a different story. It seems the “Barbz” and MAGA enthusiasts were none too pleased.

In an Instagram post, Cole collected a number of responses and threats from some of these people and posted them to his account. The comedian posted responses that called him the N-word.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Deon Cole (@deoncole)

All of Cole’s jabs weren’t directed at Minaj and MAGA. Deon Cole commented on the recent British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTAs) controversy with John Davidson, the Tourette’s Syndrome activist who shouted out the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award. Making light of the situation that has been in the news lately, he warned that if anyone does have Tourette’s, they had “better read the room tonight.”

Megan Tthee Stallion, restraining order, Tory Lanez

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 2, 2026

Tory Lanez’s Last Chance At Appealing Conviction Rejected

The Canadian has exhausted all legal means

Daystar Peterson, known to the world as Tory Lanez, has lost his chance to have his sentence either reduced or thrown out when the California Supreme Court refused to hear arguments levied by Lanez’s attorneys from the recording artist’s trial regarding Megan Thee Stallion getting shot in the foot in 2020.

According to AllHipHop, in an attempt to get his conviction overturned, the state’s highest court rejected the appeal petition filed. This was the Canadian’s last chance to reverse the decision made by a California jury in December 2022, when they found him guilty after being charged with assault with a semiautomatic firearm, possession of a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

Lanez was sentenced in August 2023 and appealed the decision.

In November, a three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the appeal in a 46-page decision that stated that Lanez’s assertions of prosecutorial misconduct were baseless. The court ruled that no reversible error was found in the trial judge’s decisions. The California Supreme Court upheld the court of appeals’ decision, meaning the prison sentence handed down to Lanez stands.

The “Luv” rapper was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot on July 22, 2020, after a party at Kylie Jenner’s house in California. During the trial, Megan Thee Stallion testified that Lanez shot a gun at the back of her feet and told her to dance as she walked away from an SUV they were riding in. The two musicians, a friend, and a bodyguard had just left a party at Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood Hills home.

Before being sentenced, Lanez was facing up to 22 years in prison and possible deportation back to his native Canada.

He is currently serving his sentence at the California Men’s Colony. In an incident that took place last year, he was stabbed in prison and hospitalized with serious injuries. Lanez was reportedly stabbed 14 times, and both lungs had collapsed.

by Black Enterprise

March 2, 2026

Sundresses & Seersuckers® Festival Will Be Back To Party With Purpose In Atlanta

The event offers panels, wellness discussions, and networking opportunities for Black professionals in Atlanta.

For Black professionals looking to reconnect for a good cause around Atlanta, Sundresses & Seersuckers XV is back this April.

The fundraising event will connect over 15,000 Black professionals to bask in spring fashion and weather for a community give-back. Taking place April 9 through April 12, the weekend will feature programming dedicated to uplifting Black youth through scholarships and mentorship.

Sundresses & Seersuckers XV directly supports Commitment to Excellence, Inc., a local nonprofit established by Delta Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., that provides resources and enrichment for tomorrow’s leaders. Specifically focused on Black male youth and families, its Black Rhinos Mentoring Program offers children guidance and inspiration to help achieve their academic goals.

https://www.tiktok.com/@originalsns404/video/7516962599846677790

Attendance throughout the weekend will directly serve this mentorship program and the CTE scholarship fund, which provides financial support to college-bound high school seniors. With a jam-packed lineup from meets and greets to vendor fairs, participants can expect networking fun and community engagement across the vibrant Atlanta community.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Original Sundresses & Seersuckers®️ (@originalsns)

“Sundresses & Seersuckers has always been about more than just a good time,” said Wendell Span, co-chairman of Sundresses & Seersuckers, in a press release. “It’s a celebration of Black excellence, unity, and the power of giving back.”

The festivities begin with an elevated networking mixer at Opium ahead of the multi-day programming. Following an all-day marketplace filled with Black-owned brands, Sundresses & Seersuckers starts the evening of Friday, April 10, at Southern Exchange.

The next morning features a bootcamp, powered by E.F.F.E.C.T. Fitness. There’s also an “Ask The Divine 9” Doctors panel, with medical professionals sharing their insights on maintaining healthy lives inside and out. As for its marquee celebration, participants should arrive in their finest spring attire for the main event.

Interested attendees also can find more information on ticket purchases through the Sundresses & Seersuckers’ official website.

Alabama, Supreme Court Ruling,Police, ID

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 2, 2026

Pennsylvania Mom Says She Was Racially Profiled After Bringing Son Coffee: ‘I’m Pissed!’

Biancha Tatum went viral after posting a video capturing her interaction with a white police officer who suspected she was conducting an illegal transaction with her son.

A Pennsylvania mother is speaking out after alleging she was racially profiled by Fairview Township police officers who assumed she had engaged in a drug transaction with her son when she handed him a cup of coffee.

Biancha Tatum went viral after posting a Jan. 15 video capturing her interaction with a white police officer who suspected she was conducting an illegal transaction with her son. The encounter occurred after she dropped him off at home and returned to hand him a coffee cup he had left in her car.

“I just dropped my son off at his house and two police officers from Fairview Township or should I say One was a Attorney General Agent drug task force his name was Agent Edwards 599 and the police officer from Fairview Township was Officer L Alexander badge number.5218,” Tatum wrote. “So I proceed to go on about my business and this is the outcome of why he stopped me. You look at this video. This is crazy because it look like we was doing a drug transaction when I say I am pissed. I’m pissed.”

Two days after posting the footage, Tatum shared a follow-up message thanking supporters and vowing to pursue justice, describing the recording as a “horrible example of racial profiling at its fullest.”

“I also wanna let you know I will be taking this all the way to the highest possible level that I can. I refuse to sit down and let this happen to me and there be no repercussions,” Tatum explained.

She also responded to viewers asking what happened once the camera stopped rolling.

“I did not allow him to search my car. I did not give him my son‘s last name when the video ended. I continue to fuss and cuss both of them out as well as my son,” Tatum wrote. “I did reach out to Fairview County Township however the person I needed to speak to was out until Monday now Monday is a holiday so we gonna see how this goes. I have to follow the proper steps but just know that I’m not letting up.”

Tatum also shared an article outlining the incident, which began after her son left a coffee cup in her car. When she pulled over to pass it to him through the window, an officer stopped her, claiming it looked like they were involved in an “illegal transaction.” During a tense exchange, the officer insisted he was simply “doing his job.”

“Yup!!!!! I promise you this is just the beginning,” she wrote on Facebook.