Bill Cosby — Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

by Keka Araújo

March 23, 2026

Bill Cosby $19.25 Million Judgment: Donna Motsinger Wins Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Outside the Santa Monica courthouse, Motsinger expressed a sense of hard-won relief.

In a stinging judicial rebuke of the man once dubbed “America’s Dad,” a California jury has ordered Bill Cosby to pay more than $19 million in damages to Donna Motsinger. The verdict, delivered Monday, concludes that the 88-year-old comedian drugged and sexually assaulted Motsinger over 50 years ago.

The $19.25 million judgment follows a civil trial in which Motsinger, a former waitress, detailed a harrowing account from 1972. She alleged that following one of Cosby’s comedy performances, he provided her with wine and a pill that rendered her unconscious. According to court documents, Motsinger awoke in her home partially clothed, realizing she had been “drugged and raped by Bill Cosby.”

Outside the Santa Monica courthouse, Motsinger expressed a sense of hard-won relief.

“It has been 54 years to get justice, and I know it’s not complete for the rest of the women, but I hope it helps them a little bit,” she said. She added that while the money was “icing on the cake,” the true victory was being believed and seeing Cosby held accountable for his actions.

The jury’s decision marks the second major civil loss for the “Cosby Show” star in recent years, following a 2022 liability finding in the Judy Huth case. Despite the mounting legal defeats, Cosby’s defense team remained defiant. Attorney Jennifer Bonjean confirmed plans for an appeal, stating, “I was obviously disappointed in the decision, but we believe we have a strong appeal and we’ll pursue that.”

This latest sexual assault verdict hits a comedian who has claimed significant financial distress. In a deposition last fall, Cosby likened his dwindling net worth to a “submarine with no motor,” citing a decade-long drought in earnings due to the widespread allegations against him. The California jury is expected to determine further punitive damages, which could increase the final total.

The $19.25 million judgment follows a “downward financial spiral” for the 88-year-old comedian, marked by legal fees and a 2025 mortgage default on his New York townhouse. Despite these asset management failures, Cosby still draws from The Cosby Show residuals, which generated over $1.5 billion in syndication. Ultimately, the California jury prioritized restitution for the 1972 sexual assault, holding him accountable regardless of his reported net worth decline.

During a deposition in the lawsuit last fall, Cosby painted a bleak picture of his current status, claiming he has not earned a cent as a working entertainer in over a decade. He described his plummeting net worth with a vivid, mechanical metaphor:

“Due to allegations, whether they be newspaper, radio, television, magazines or just plain internet, I have not worked in about 10 years, or more… my net worth has gone down like a submarine with no motor.”

Today, the disgraced entertainer is worth a reported $200 million- half of what his previous net worth was.

Slave Haven musuem, fire, Memphis — Photo via Slave Haven

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 23, 2026

Underground Railroad Museum Sues Trump Admin, Says Federal Grant Was Axed Due To Race

The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration targeted Black historical centers in anti-DEI policy.

One of New York’s Underground Railroad museums, the Underground Railroad Education Center, has sued the Trump administration over a federal grant it says was axed because of race.

The educational center, located in Albany, filed the lawsuit on March 20 with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, hoping to overturn the grant’s repeal. The complaint alleges that Trump’s anti-DEI push led to the dissolution of the grant supporting its operations. The National Endowment for the Humanities bestowed the $250,000 allotment before its sudden cancellation last year.

In the filing obtained by NBC News, the Underground Railroad Education Center claims the grant’s axing violated the First and Fifth Amendments. Specifically, the museum asserts that the cancellation stems from racial discrimination tied to DEI concerns.

This anti-DEI policy began with Trump’s executive order in January 2025, which virtually eliminated all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies. The new policy left many departments and programs wiped out, including grants that support various establishments nationwide.

However, the museum’s legal team argues that the Trump administration has “no legitimate basis” to scrap the grant. Instead, attorney Nina Loewenstein believes that anything “associated with the Black race” faced federal cuts impacting their longevity. The policy eliminated 1,400 grants by that April for their “conflict with” the executive order.

“Numerous statements of the current Executive Branch leadership reflect overt and coded racism supporting white supremacy and denigrating Black history in America,” the lawsuit said.

The museum is a nonprofit dedicated to the history and legacy of the Underground Railroad, particularly in the New York region. The initial home of the abolitionists Stephen and Harriet Myers, the building reopened in 2004 by co-founders Paul and Mary Liz Stewart. Its continued mission seeks to educate those in the Albany area about the home’s role in this sector of Black American history.

The grant helped the UREC sustain its communal activities and educational programming, as its facilities also housed relics and other artifacts from the period of enslavement. Now, with the grants removed, the museum’s $12 million construction for the neighboring center has stalled.

However, the UREC is not the only Black historical building to face funding setbacks in Trump’s second term. From local centers to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, many storied institutions have had to navigate the recall of exhibits and artifacts that do not align with the President’s anti-DEI directive.

The filing even asserted how the administration and its executive order “systematically targeted grantees and programs that sought to increase the public’s understanding of Black history and cultures.” However, the UREC hopes to succeed in appealing the grant’s cancellation, potentially setting a precedent for other historical institutions to reclaim lost funding.

Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson — Photo by Lucy Garrett for The Washington Post via Getty Images

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 23, 2026

Justin Pearson Lists All The Reasons Trump Isn’t Welcome As Memphis Preps For A Visit

Pearson, who is running for U.S. Senate, issued a flier for a protest rally on the same date of the president’s arrival to the beat of Crime Mob’s “Knuck If Your Buck."

Tennessee State Rep. Justin Pearson is reminding his constituents why President Donald Trump isn’t welcome to the city of Memphis ahead of his scheduled March 23 visit.

In a video posted to TikTok, Pearson, a Democrat, gave his rundown.

“Listen, he isn’t welcome here as I’ve said before. The reality is he’s trying to use us as a part of his authoritarian playbook and his scheme, and treating our city as a pawn. This is a beautiful place, but we don’t want him here,” Pearson said.

He continued to shine a light on how Trump hasn’t done much to help the city. “He hasn’t actually helped contribute any of the necessary resources to reduce poverty; he’s a racist, posted racist images of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, the first lady and president of the United States, as apes,” Pearson said.

He then referenced the growing conflict in Iran, calling it “unwinnable.” “This man is using us, and anyone who has a sense of who he truly is doesn’t need to stand there and instead needs to be with the community tomorrow as we protest, as we speak up, and we fight to end the unsafe task force.”

@realjustinjpearson
Trump is not welcome to Memphis, Mane! And he can take his unsafe task force with him when he leaves. We want poverty eradication and real investment in Memphis, not military occupation.
♬ original sound – JustinJPearson

Prior to, Pearson, who is running for U.S. Senate, issued a flier for a protest rally on the same date as the president’s arrival to the beat of Crime Mob’s famous “Knuck If You Buck” song.

Trump is scheduled to meet for a roundtable discussion regarding the Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF), mentioned by Pearson, almost six months after the National Guard made its mark in the city. Labeling Memphis as one of the most dangerous U.S. cities, Trump claims it’s because of the task force that crime has gone down.

According to Action News 5, the task force has made over 7,200 arrests, seized close to 1,200 illegal firearms, and located 150 missing children since the task force’s launch. Crime has seen a 45% decrease overall.

While the Shelby County Republican Party held a welcome party, with supporters showing up with signs, Rep. Steve Cohen, who Pearson hopes to unseat in the upcoming election, seems to agree with his opponent and former intern, saying it’s time for the task force and National Guard to go.

“We don’t need ICE and we don’t need national guard,” Cohen said.

the price is right — photo credit: CBS tv, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 23, 2026

Black Models On ‘The Price Is Right’ Say They Faced ‘Raging’ Racism From Bob Barker And Fans

The longtime game show "The Price Is Right" is facing allegations of racism during Bob Barker’s tenure as host.

Kathleen Bradley, the first full-time Black model on The Price Is Right, along with her successor Claudia Jordan, are speaking out about the “raging” racism they say they faced on the long-running game show from fans, producers, and former host Bob Barker.

Bradley, Jordan, and other former “Barker Beauties” open up in the new E! docuseries Dirty Rotten Scandals, revealing they faced racist fan mail, slurs spoken behind their backs, and what they describe as blatant racism from Barker, Entertainment Weekly reports.

“As time went on, at some point it got back to me that some of the fans were writing negative things about me being on the show, as a Black model,” Bradley said. “[It was] just not a good feeling. …And one of the members of the production team brought to my attention that, inside a production meeting, when models weren’t in there, they would use the N-word.”

”I think people should know the truth—the good, the bad, and the ugly,” she added.

Fellow The Price Is Right alum Holly Hallstrom recalled an incident in which Barker’s alleged racism contributed to a heated clash with co-star Dian Parkinson, who had an affair with him following his wife’s death and during his later relationship with Nancy Burnett. According to Hallstrom, tensions escalated in part because Parkinson dated celebrities, “including several Black men.” She added that the racial undertones didn’t surprise her, given Barker’s background as an older white man.

“[Burnett] said, ‘Oh my gosh, Bob has no idea that he’s had sex with a woman who has had sex with Black men. Bob has always said that Black men are the most diseased people on Earth,” Hallstrom recalled.

A decade after Bradley, Jordan became the second Black “Barker’s Beauty,” but the racism on set hadn’t changed. In the documentary, she claims producer Phil Wayne made racially charged remarks and alleges he also sexually harassed her.

”’Let’s make a reverse Oreo, Claudia, you get in the middle of the two white models,'” Jordan recalled him saying to her. “Or [he’d] tell me I’m the ‘ass model’ because stereotypically, Black women have a larger behind—and I guess that’s why he wanted to grab and feel it.”

Jordan claimed the show’s alleged bias extended to contestants, describing “a darker side” behind the scenes. She said producers leaned into negative stereotypes when selecting participants and alleged there was a limit of two Black contestants at a time—an order she attributed to Barker—with cards marked to indicate their race. She added it was “pretty sad,” recalling moments when Barker would appear to pull away from Black contestants who tried to hug him.

Barker, who died in 2023 at the age of 99, hosted the show from 1972 until his retirement in 2007. In response to the documentary’s explosive claims, Barker’s longtime representative, Roger Neal, denied any allegations of sexual misconduct involving Barker or the show.

”Barker was and is beloved, and people to this day love him,” Neal said. “He was part of the fabric of American pop culture. He was the greatest MC in TV history. I was honored to have represented him.”

Gail Lumet Buckley, Lena Horne, — Actress Lena Horne as Selina Rogers in the 1943 film Stormy Weather. (Photo by George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images)

by Kandiss Edwards

March 23, 2026

‘African American Gold Coast’ Home Formerly Owned By Lena Horne Under Contract for $1.2M

The Addisleigh Park residence, once owned by legendary entertainer and civil rights icon Lena Horne, has sold for $1.2 million.

The Addisleigh Park residence in St. Albans, Queens, once owned by legendary entertainer and civil rights icon Lena Horne, is under contract for $1.2 million.

The recent news involving the Tudor-style home in a once-Black enclave was announced in March 2026 by Architectural Digest. The sale is being handled by Matthew Wynter of Brown Harris Stevens, who emphasized that the property’s value lies as much in its “X-factor” provenance as its physical structure. Camille Chin-Kee-Fatt has owned the home since 2004. Both she and Wynter spoke with Mansion Global about the home’s value and eventual sale. Chin-Kee-Fatt expressed a commitment to finding a “responsible steward” who would honor the home’s place in the Civil Rights narrative.

“Regardless of whether you knew the legacy of who lived there, this house has a magnetic pull,” Wynter stated. “The fact that so much of the fabric of this community still exists is a reflection of history that continues to inspire.” The $1.2 million price point reflects the growing market interest in Addisleigh Park, where homes are rarely listed and often pass through generations within the same families.

Horne lived in the St. Albans home from 1946 to 1962, a period when the neighborhood, nicknamed the African American Gold Coast, served as a sanctuary for the Black elite during widespread segregation. The 2,287-square-foot property includes six bedrooms and retains much of its original architectural details, including wooden banisters and a vintage credenza Horne reportedly left behind for the subsequent owners.

June 30, 1917 — Actress, singer and civil rights activist Lena Horne was born in New York. pic.twitter.com/1XsYdpTLMj
— MoorInfo (@MoorInformation) June 30, 2023

Addisleigh Park earned its Gold Coast moniker in the 1940s and 50s when it became a premier destination for Black luminaries who were often barred from other affluent New York suburbs. The neighborhood’s transformation was a hard-fought victory against restrictive covenants that often barred Black homeownership in high-end neighborhoods, according to Untapped New York. Residents in the area included African American elite and cultural icons. Horne’s neighbors included jazz royalty like Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Fats Waller. Additionally, sports icons Jackie Robinson and Joe Louis. During her time there, the home of Lena Horne was known as a center of hospitality; local lore even recalls the star serving hot chocolate to neighborhood children during the winter holidays.

The newest owners of the 1935-built gem have inherited a piece of “Black Hollywood East” that remains one of the most historically and culturally significant residential neighborhoods in the United States.

Shilo Sanders, NIL, lawsuit — (Photo: Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 23, 2026

Shilo Sanders Returns To Jackson State For First Time Since Leaving The University

The safety also took the stage with the school's marching band, Sonic Boom of the South

Former Jackson State University (JSU) player Shilo Sanders returned to the college where he once played football for an event geared toward high school students to encourage them to make the right decisions during prom season in Mississippi. The visit marks his first time on campus since he left to play with his father in Colorado.

The school posted on social media about his recent appearance on March 21 at the P.R.O.M. (Please Return on Monday) promise event, held with the Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition. The event drew hundreds of students from local Jackson Public Schools.

The video clip shows the former student-athlete taking the stage with the school’s band, Sonic Boom of the South. He is also seen having a one-on-one discussion on stage, speaking to the audience.

https://twitter.com/JacksonStateU/status/2035066432396972478

While Sanders was back on campus, he livestreamed his appearance on his Twitch channel, and he posted the footage to his YouTube account. He is seen arriving on campus, meeting with school personnel, and appearing on stage with the Sonic Boom of the South, where he had an impromptu catch-up with two of the band members before they took the stage.

Sanders, who was cut from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of the NFL preseason, has stayed in touch with players from JSU. Last June, he gifted the football team brand-new Apple Watches.

While playing for Colorado, under the guidance of his father and NFL Hall of Fame coach, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, he started 19 games in 2023 and 2024. He totaled 134 tackles, forced five fumbles, and recorded one sack and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He left the school to follow his father, who went on to coach at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he is preparing to start his fourth year.

Brandy Norwood, Cinderella, cinderella, descendants, rise of red, money, Disney, Disney original — Brandy in Los Angeles on November 10, 2022. (Photo: Randall Michelson/Getty Images for Blaze PR)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 23, 2026

The Vocal Bible Ascends: Brandy To Be Immortalized On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

The singer will receive the 2,839th star on the famed walkway

Brandy is slated to receive the 2,839th star when she is presented with a spot on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 30.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has announced that the “Moesha” star will be honored when she receives her star in the recording category. The emcee for the ceremony will be Sibley Scoles, and the guest speakers for the singer will be Issa Rae and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome performer Brandy to the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer, said in a written statement. “Brandy has captivated audiences for decades with a voice and artistry that helped shape modern R&B and inspire generations of performers. Honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a celebration of not only her extraordinary music career but also her lasting impact on television, film, and popular culture. We are proud to welcome Brandy to this iconic sidewalk that celebrates the very best of entertainment.”

The talented singer and actress was recently honored in January at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles by the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective. She received the Black Music Icon Award, which honors Black music creators whose artistry, innovation, and service have shaped the industry and inspired generations worldwide. Also honored that evening were Kirk Franklin and Pharrell Williams.

On March 20, Brandy posted on social media that she had been announced as a performer at the Roots Picnic, scheduled to take place at the historic Belmont Plateau in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on May 30 and 31. She is one of the featured artists taking the stage that weekend. Along with the Philadelphia hip-hop band The Roots, other announced performers include Erykah Badu, T.I., Jermaine Dupri, Kehlani, De La Soul, and the headliner, JAŸ-Z.

So excited to hit the stage at the legendary Roots Picnic… a celebration of music, culture, and pure soul.

Grateful to share this moment with such incredible artists. Let’s make it unforgettable. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/VAvkdYhLHb
— b r a n d y (@4everBrandy) March 20, 2026

Zohran Mamdani, rental protections, tenant's rights — Photo credit: Bingjiefu He

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 23, 2026

Inside Zohran Mamdani’s $80 Million Capital Infusion For NYC’s Small Business Class

The initiative stems from a 2025 pilot as a way to decrease borrowing thresholds for small business owners, reduce interest rates and introduce more flexible repayment structures in effort to assist with growth.

Why diversity, equity, and inclusion may be dying in other spaces and places, in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is keeping DEI alive to make sure entrepreneurship thrives by allocating $80 million to the city’s small business loan program, BK Reader reports.

NYC Future Fund, a city-supported loan program to make financing more accessible to small businesses across the five boroughs, recently received a huge relaunch from the city’s youngest mayor, as he hopes to expand access to capital for entrepreneurs, including immigrant-, minority-, and women-owned businesses, who over the years have faced several barriers.

“Small businesses are the backbone of New York City’s economy and the heart of our neighborhoods,” Mamdani said, according to Patch.

“But many entrepreneurs — especially immigrant and working-class New Yorkers — have been locked out of the affordable capital they need to grow.”

The initiative stems from a 2025 pilot to lower borrowing thresholds for small business owners, reduce interest rates, and introduce more flexible repayment structures, in an effort to support growth.

The relaunch allows business owners to apply for loans starting at $25,000, down from the previous minimum of $100,500. Interest rates have gone down from 9% to 7.5%, and repayment terms are now based on revenue. Rates go as low as two percent of monthly income.

The minimum annual revenue threshold has been reduced from $300,000 to $50,000, giving newer and lower-income businesses a shot at applying. City officials say the relaunch is all based on constructive feedback from business owners in addition to addressing financial gaps.“ The NYC Future Fund shows what the government can do when it listens to small businesses and acts on what it hears,” Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su said.

“By offering more loan options, lower interest rates, and flexible repayment terms, the city is expanding access to capital at a time when the affordability crisis is putting real strain on entrepreneurs,” Department of Small Business Services Commissioner Kenny Minaya said.

Minaya appeared in a video with Mamdani to announce the fund and explain why it’s so important. “Whether you’re serving the finest homemade Sancocho in the five boroughs or you’re the bike shop that’s always there for the neighborhood, small businesses are the beating heart of our city’s culture,” he said.

Send this to a small business who deserves all the funds.

Applications are open for the NYC Future Fund: a loan program with affordable, flexible financing for seasonal and growing small businesses.

Apply now at https://t.co/x5lhcpN4Q9 pic.twitter.com/N2jIOZoXHc
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) March 17, 2026

Before the relaunch, the program’s earlier pilot was supported by funding from JPMorgan Chase and TD Bank, with a total of $1.2 million available for distribution to only four businesses. Now, with support from the city, the program can expand to the five boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and The Bronx, reaching underserved communities that deserve support.

Applications are now open for small businesses.

NAACP, xAI, Elon Musk, lawsuit — (Photo: Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Pexels)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 23, 2026

Black Woman Wins $15M Discrimination Suit After Supervisor Allegedly Called Her ‘Entitled N-Word’

Wilson received $15.4 million in damages as the jury ruled in her favor after one day of deliberation.

A Black woman won over $15 million in a racial discrimination lawsuit after her supervisor allegedly called her an “entitled n-word.”

La-Kebbia “Kiki” Wilson teamed up with a co-worker to sue the city of Fresno in 2019, citing workplace discrimination that occurred a year earlier. Wilson says she experienced wrongful treatment due to her race from her supervisor, Howard Lacy, at the city’s code enforcement department.

A jury ruled in favor of Wilson, awarding her $15.4 million in damages, as reported by The Root. Now, Wilson says that the department has been “exposed” for its racist treatment of Black employees. The awarded plaintiff claimed that she endured the “angry Black woman” stereotype, with one exchange between her co-worker, Charles Smith, and Lacy being enough for the jury to validate her claims.

Despite having a bigger check than she ever did working for Fresno, she says she paid for it with the experiences she underwent at the city department.

“We look at the huge number, but nobody looked at the huge price I paid,” she told reporters at the GV Wire.

The complaint detailed how Lacy allegedly called Wilson an “entitled N-word” who used her Blackness to her advantage. Smith also detailed in the complaint that the manager called Wilson “lazy” and a “piece of sh*t.”

However, Lacy denied the accusations during his testimony, claiming that an internal investigation found that he never said such offensive words. Despite the claims, Wilson remained adamant that he did use such profanities to describe her, calling out the department as well for allegedly trying to cover up his actions.

Smith and Wilson’s legal team noted how Lacy never faced any repercussions following the investigation. Despite the lack of consequences at the office, the California jury decided to administer its own justice for Wilson. They came to a verdict after one day of deliberation, holding the city of Fresno accountable for its treatment of the Black woman employee.

“We proved our case, and the city of Fresno never took this case seriously,” Wilson’s attorney said. “They fought it for over seven years in court, and we finally had our day in court and justice prevailed.”

However, the legal fight may wage on. Fresno leaders hinted at appealing the verdict, especially as the payout would mark a huge dent in the city’s budget.

culture atlanta, consigner, seller, shoe, Cumberland mall, Cobb county, burglary, robbery, theft — Photo by Avneet Kaur/Pexels

by Ahsan Washington

March 23, 2026

Sneaker Heads: Black Women Who Branded Their Own Sneaker Line

These women lead athlete-founded startups and independent design studios

Black women are very much a part of the multibillion-dollar sneaker market. They have endorsed, designed, and branded footwear that combines cultural elements with essential performance features. These women lead athlete-founded startups and independent design studios, creating brands that transform the story of ownership, representation, and innovation in sneaker culture. The following list features Black women who lead sneaker brands with intentional impact. During Women’s History Month, BLACK ENTERPRISE celebrates their historical achievements and ongoing progress.

Allyson Felix, Saysh

Allyson Felix, the most decorated U.S. track and field athlete in history, founded footwear brand Saysh. The Saysh One sneaker is the brand’s first product, a women-focused lifestyle and sneaker brand that creates footwear to address design disparities in athletic shoes. Saysh began operations in 2021 after Felix ended her contract with Nike. Felix established Saysh to create a women-focused brand that supports women’s health and performance while building community, following her work to secure maternal protections and fair treatment for female athletes. Saysh operates from the United States, processing direct-to-consumer sales through its online platform.

Brittney Perry, PerryCo Shoes

In 2018, Brittney Perry established PerryCo Shoes in the United States to produce minimalist sneakers that defy conventional footwear standards through gender-neutral design. The brand emerged to fill design voids. Perry Co is an inclusive footwear brand with versatile everyday sneakers and a purposeful mission.

Angela Simmons & Vanessa Simmons – Pastry Shoes

Angela and Vanessa Simmons founded Pastry Shoes in 2007, creating one of the first widely distributed sneaker brands owned by Black women. Pastry footwear designs catered to performance, combining fashion elements to attract dancers and young buyers seeking expressive, functional sneakers. The brand achieved worldwide retail distribution through Foot Locker and other major outlets.

Angel Reese – Reebok Signature Line

In 2024, WNBA star and NCAA champion Angel Reese signed a multi-year deal with Reebok to launch her own signature sneaker line, marking a major achievement in women’s basketball footwear. The partnership demonstrates increased investment in women athletes, seeks to enhance representation in performance sneakers, and places Reese among a limited group of players who receive signature shoe recognition.

A’ja Wilson – Nike Signature Sneaker

WNBA MVP and Olympic gold medalist A’ja Wilson landed a signature sneaker agreement with Nike and released her first model in 2025, making her part of the exclusive group of athletes with branded footwear. The partnership includes worldwide distribution and demonstrates Nike’s growing commitment to women’s basketball while working to boost the representation of Black women in performance sneaker markets.

Teyana Taylor, Air Jordan Collaborations

Actress, singer, and choreographer Teyana Taylor worked with Jordan Brand to create several sneaker collections, which received major attention in 2023 and 2024, with her latest collaboration being the Rose Jordan 3. Her work introduced Black female creative direction to the Air Jordan brand by merging its performance legacy with lifestyle narratives, broadening cultural diversity within one of the most powerful sneaker brands.

Cardi B – Reebok Collaboration

Since 2018, Grammy-winning artist Cardi B has teamed up with Reebok to create sneaker and apparel collections. The partnership between Reebok and Cardi B was created to connect with female customers and bring Reebok back into lifestyle sneaker discussions. Cardi B’s cultural impact increased market visibility and consumer engagement.

Rihanna – Fenty x Puma

Music and fashion icon Rihanna joined Puma as creative director to produce the Fenty x Puma sneaker line in 2015, and relaunched it in 2023, achieving worldwide commercial success. The partnership rendered stylish sneaker designs that attracted female buyers to Puma, thus expanding the brand’s market presence while strengthening Rihanna’s status as a fashion and footwear innovator.