Bloody Sunday, Lynda Blackmon Lowery
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 13, 2026

Lynda Blackmon Lowery, Bloody Sunday’s Youngest Marcher, Dies In Selma At 75

Dr. Lynda Blackmon Lowery, the youngest Bloody Sunday marcher, passed away in Selma at age 75.

Dr. Lynda Blackmon Lowery, widely recognized as the youngest person to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Bloody Sunday, died in Selma on Dec. 24 at the age of 75.

Lowery’s daughter, Danita Blackmon, confirmed her death but did not disclose a cause, The New York Times reported. Selma honored her legacy with two days of funeral events, including a public viewing on Dec. 29 and a celebration of life on Dec. 30.

A nationally revered civil rights icon and Selma foot soldier, Dr. Lowery was a key figure in the Selma Voting Rights Movement. She vowed as a child to fight for civil rights after witnessing the trauma her family endured when her mother died from childbirth complications, having been denied a blood transfusion due to her race.

“So, I made a vow at the age of seven that when I got big, I was going to change things. And nobody would ever have to grow up without a mother again because of the color of skin,” Lowery said in 2024.

After her mother’s death, Dr. Lowery drew strength from her grandmother, who introduced her to activism and took her to see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in 1963. Her activism began with high school sit-ins alongside fellow students. By age 14, she had marched for justice, been jailed nine times, and was beaten on Bloody Sunday in 1965 while turning 15. Historians credit those marches with helping spur the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

She later spent 27 years as a mental health professional before sharing her story in her acclaimed 2015 memoir, Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom, which became a widely used teaching tool and stage production. In her later years, she continued educating new generations, witnessed her legacy honored through Selma’s Foot Soldiers Park, and offered guidance to Black youth facing racism.

“I still tell them to believe in themselves, because there’s nobody greater walking this earth than you right now. Believe in who you are, and even though all those bricks and stones are going to be thrown at you, be still and believe in you,” Lowery said. “You direct you. And the more you direct you, the more everybody’s going to see the beauty inside you. You are important to yourself. If you like yourself, you love yourself. Ain’t nobody gonna take that from you.”

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Kid Mero, Hot 97
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 13, 2026

The Kid Mero Announced As New Morning Host Of Hot97

'I grew up listening to HOT 97, so to get the morning slot here isn't just a job—it's a responsibility to continue that legacy while bringing it into this next era of media.'

Less than a month after the New York hip-hop world was shocked by Hot97’s release of the Ebro in the Morning radio team, the station announced the replacement: a New York personality known to many hip-hop fans, The Kid Mero.

Hot97 announced that the Bronx-bred host is at the helm of the morning show, HOT 97 Mornings with Mero, which started Jan. 13, bringing a New York host back to lead the morning program for the first time in years. The Kid Mero announced his latest career move on social media: joining the hip-hop station.

The show will air weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“HOT 97 is the station—it’s been the voice of NYC hip-hop and culture for decades,” said The Kid Mero in a written statement. “I grew up listening to HOT 97, so to get the morning slot here isn’t just a job—it’s a responsibility to continue that legacy while bringing it into this next era of media. We’re gonna laugh, we’re gonna get into it, but it’s always gonna be real, and a real good time!”

The Kid Mero is well known to New York City fans as a co-host of the Carmelo Anthony-led program 7PM in Brooklyn, a sports show that also covers other topics with their guests. He also hosts Victory Light with The Kid Mero and is a New York Times best-selling author, Writers Guild Award winner, and Variety named him a “Comic to Watch.”

“HOT 97 has always been about representing the culture of New York, and Mero is New York,” said Kudjo Sogadzi, EVP of Content & Growth at MediaCo. “He’s authentic, hilarious, fearless, and deeply connected to the community. HOT 97 Mornings with Mero is going to set the tone for the city every morning and create must-listen moments for our audience.”

The Kid Mero’s initial claim to fame came as a co-host of Desus and Mero (formerly Desus vs. Mero) with his former partner, Desus (Daniel Baker, formerly a writer for BLACK ENTERPRISE). The show later became Bodega Boys before both went their separate ways.

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Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, coach, football
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 13, 2026

Notre Dame Football Coach Marcus Freeman Won’t Face Assault Charge

'While the evidence suggests that a touching may have occurred, an inadvertent touching is not sufficient.  The State is therefore declining to file any criminal charges.''

A video played a part in the authorities’ decision not to file charges against University of Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman after he was accused of battery following an incident at his son’s high school wrestling event earlier this month.

According to CBS Sports, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office stated that no charges are being filed against Freeman for the alleged assault against New Prairie High School wrestling assistant coach, Chris Fleeger, at Mishawaka High School, Jan. 3. Freeman denied the allegations immediately. Notre Dame backed their football coach, releasing a statement that the accusation was untrue.

Mishawaka police investigated the accusation of Fleeger, who told police officers that the football coach assaulted him during the Al Smith Wrestling Invitational, where Freeman’s son, Vinny, was a participant. The incident allegedly occurred after Vinny lost his match; no details were revealed on what started the altercation.

Prosecutors issued a statement confirming that no charges will be filed against Freeman after viewing evidence, including a video that shows Freeman did not assault Fleeger. However, he may have touched the wrestling coach.

“While the evidence suggests that a touching may have occurred, an inadvertent touching is not sufficient. The State is therefore declining to file any criminal charges.”

Last year, history was made when Notre Dame beat Penn State to advance to the College Football Championship, making Freeman the first Black man to lead his team to the championship at the FBS level (NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision). The Fighting Irish lost the championship to Ohio State, 34-23, Jan. 20, 2025.

Sports Illustrated reported that Notre Dame has recently rewarded Freeman with a restructured contract that adds an extra year to the seven-year deal he signed last year. The contract places him in the “top tier” of college coaches.

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Renee Hardman, Iowa, Senate
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 13, 2026

Iowa Lawmaker Renee Hardman Makes History As First Black Woman Appointed To State’s Senate

Hardman's win also ensured that Iowa Republicans would not get two-thirds control of the senate.

Renee Hardman is making history as a Black woman leader in Iowa.

Hardman was officially sworn in during the first legislative session of the season, Jan. 11. The historic ceremony made her the first Black woman to serve in the Iowa State Senate. The Iowa Senate Democrats marked the occasion for their party members’ achievement.

The swearing-in ceremony took place minutes before legislators began the session. The State Board of Canvass certified Hardman’s appointment, allowing her to partake in the lawmaking process. According to CBS 2, Hardman will serve on multiple committees, including government oversight, health and human services, and natural resources and environment.

Hardman won the special election race held Dec. 30, sparked by the October death of Sen. Claire Celsi. She will now represent the residents of District 16, which serves parts of Des Moines. Her win maintained the seat for the Democratic Party amid the loss of her predecessor, while also ensuring that State Senate Republicans do not reclaim a two-thirds majority.

PBS previously reported that Hardman won by a wide margin against GOP candidate Lucas Loftin. The CEO of Nonprofit Lutheran Services of Iowa also has a background in city politics, having served on the West Des Moines City Council.

As she prepares to enact change on behalf of all Iowans, Hardman is well aware of the history she has made. Upon her victory, she thanked her supporters for allowing her to be a voice for their fight.

“I rest on the shoulders of my ancestors who fought the good fight and lost their lives so that I could serve,” remarked Hardman. “With this comes great responsibility — responsibility to live out those five words on my yard sign and be A Voice For All People — a beacon of light and hope that Iowa can be a better place — where every family has the opportunity to thrive.”

Hardman remains part of a shift toward Democratic appointments across several states, working to ensure that local legislatures stay blue as midterms near.

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L.A. Reid, Russell Simmons, Dixon, Drew
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 13, 2026

L.A. Reid Settles Sexual Assault Lawsuit

L.A. Reid has settled with former Arista Records exec, Drew Dixon, who accused him of sexual assault and harassment.

Music mogul Antonio “L.A.” Reid has reached a settlement with former Arista Records executive Drew Dixon, ending her sexual assault lawsuit and sidestepping a trial where John Legend was slated to testify.

The case was settled on Jan. 12, just ahead of jury selection and opening statements in Dixon’s lawsuit alleging sexual assault and retaliation by Reid in the early 2000s, as cited by The Hollywood Reporter. Reid’s attorney, Imran Ansari, said the matter was “amicably resolved” without any admission of liability.

The settlement avoids a trial expected to feature high-profile testimony, including from John Legend, with whom Dixon worked during her time recruiting him at Arista before later reuniting when she became general manager at Homeschool Records.

Dixon, who filed the suit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act—which temporarily reopened the window for sexual misconduct claims regardless of the statute of limitations—said she hopes her advocacy for the law “helps to bring us closer to a safer music business for everyone.”

“In a world where good news is often hard to find, I hope for survivors that today is a ray of light peeking through the clouds,” she said.

In a 2023 New York federal lawsuit, Dixon accused Reid of sexually assaulting her twice in 2001—once on a private jet and again in a car—and alleged he retaliated after she distanced herself, creating a hostile work environment that pushed her out of the industry. The suit followed Dixon’s earlier public allegations in 2017 against Russell Simmons and Reid, which she later detailed in HBO Max’s 2020 documentary On the Record.

Dixon has said the alleged assaults, retaliation, and resulting health issues derailed her career.

“Drew has been one of the most courageous and outspoken supporters of survivors of sexual abuse,” said Kenya Davis, a lawyer for Dixon. “Her advocacy, including her instrumental role in advancing the Adult Survivors Act, has helped shift the balance of power in the music industry, creating a path to justice for survivors.”

In addition to Reid, Dixon sued Simmons in 2024, accusing him of defamation for denying her allegation that he raped her in 1995. The case is pending, in the discovery phase, as Dixon is among roughly 20 women who have accused the disgraced hip-hop mogul of sexual assault or misconduct.

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ICE, immigrants, citizens, video, agents
by Mitti Hicks

January 13, 2026

Residents Are Banding Together To Film, Monitor ICE Agents. Is It Legal?

Legal experts say people have First Amendment protections to record and report on federal law enforcement in public spaces.

There’s a group in Minneapolis that monitors and informs residents when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conduct raids in the community. The group, known as neighbors, is precisely that.

They are a group of residents, all of them volunteers, who check license plates and flag vehicles they believe are carrying ICE agents. According to USA Today, they carry whistles during school drop-offs to warn parents, drop off groceries to neighbors who are afraid to leave their homes, and even take their neighbors to doctors’ appointments.

You will find them throughout Minneapolis, including the neighborhood where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 7. The South Minneapolis neighborhood has seen a heavy presence of immigration agents in the past six weeks, prompting the coalition of residents to band together to protect their neighbors.

It’s been one week since Good died, and the group of “neighbors” said they are not backing down. Her death has sparked protests nationwide and debates over the tactics used by ICE agents and the community groups that monitor agents.

“I don’t see anyone deterred. What I see is more people clear-eyed,” Neighbors Organizer Andrew Fahlstrom told USA Today. “The murder of Renee Good made it clear to everyone in the city just how dangerous and unhinged this group of armed agents actually is.”

While President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have called groups that track ICE agents and warn neighbors “domestic terrorists,” it is legal to monitor or film federal agents while they’re on duty.

Since Trump’s inauguration, the co-director of The States at the Core, Jill Garvey, said more than 10,000 Americans have taken its virtual ICE Watch training. The training teaches volunteers how to monitor ICE activity and focuses on how to help those detained. The group also teaches volunteers about their observer rights and what can get them in trouble, such as interfering with an arrest.

According to CTM Legal Group, people have strong First Amendment protections to record and report on federal law enforcement in public spaces. However, there’s a critical legal line that could result in serious federal criminal charges if crossed.

Seven federal circuit courts have all confirmed that the First Amendment protects your right to film police and federal agents in public spaces. This protection exists regardless of immigration status.

States at the Core said that more than 1,000 Minneapolis residents signed up for Community Defense and ICE Watching training the day after Good died.

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Morris Brown College, president, Kevin James
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 13, 2026

Interim Leadership Appointed At HBCU, But Former President Of Morris Brown College Isn’t Leaving Quietly

Ex-Morris Brown President Kevin James called out the board's decision, calling it "deeply concerning."

As Morris Brown College announces that a new interim president will lead the HBCU, its former leader says he was fired for no cause.

The institution shocked community members with its push to distance itself from its longtime president, Kevin James, whom it thanked. It acknowledged James for helping it reach its current point of fruition. The Morris Brown College Board of Trustees announced that one of its members, Ms. Nzinga Shaw, will assume the responsibilities of interim president.

The revived HBCU overcame years of accreditation issues before finally allowing students back on campus. Now, as it seeks to return to its former glory, the school is parting ways with the president who served it during this transition.

However, James has spoken out about his apparent firing, which came as a surprise to the educational leader as well. In a Facebook post, he wrote of the “deeply concerning” transition of power without an apparent reason.

“Today, the Morris Brown College Board of Trustees terminated my service as President without providing specific cause or substantive explanation,” wrote the academic leader. “This action is deeply concerning. Research and my lived experience demonstrate that many HBCUs have struggled with board overreach and interference. Unfortunately, those dynamics are evident in this situation.”

James has served as president of Morris Brown College for the past seven years. During his tenure, he helped the school in its reaccreditation efforts, which they finally secured after almost two decades in 2022. He further noted that news of his removal could jeopardize the school’s upcoming reaccreditation review.

“The timing of this decision is particularly troubling, as the institution is approaching its accreditation reaffirmation review in a few weeks,” detailed James.

In his public appeal, James also reminded the Morris Brown community of his work to lead the school into good standing. He emphasized enrollment growth, the return of financial aid for students, and the successful financial audits conducted by the school. Given the accolades he received during his tenure, he expressed concern about what might lead to his removal, especially at this crucial time for the school’s future.

He added, “It is important to note that I recently completed a successful annual evaluation and have received consistently strong performance reviews throughout my seven years of service. Morris Brown College has literally made history under my leadership as President…I dedicated myself fully to the restoration and resurgence of Morris Brown College, and I stand firmly behind the progress we achieved together.”

While James thanked the Morris Brown Community for allowing him to serve for years, others also noted that the Board’s hasty removal could impact the school’s future. Supporters of James highlighted the Board of Trustees’ apparent “lack of transparency” regarding what led to their unexpected decision.

One commenter wrote, “This lack of transparency from the Board of Trustees is precisely why institutions struggle to reach their full potential. Decisions made without explanation undermine trust, accountability, and progress you’ve made. We stand firm with you.”

Another added, “To dismiss a president with a valid contract, strong evaluations, and historic outcomes, especially on the eve of accreditation review, raises serious governance concerns that deserve scrutiny.”

James also noted that his removal also violates his existing contract with the HBCU, which states that he remains in leadership until 2029. Given this, he intends to “pursue all rights and remedies” in light of this legal violation. As his firing gained traction, a Board spokesperson released a statement.

“Dr. James has played a meaningful role in guiding the institution through critical seasons of growth, resilience, and transformation,” detailed the statement obtained by 11Alive. The Board thanks him for his dedication to the students, faculty, staff and alumni, and the broader Morris Brown College community, and wishes him well in his next chapter.”

While this story is developing, check out BLACK ENTERPRISE’s podcast interview with James on Class Is In Session.

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Mattel, Barbie, autistic
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 13, 2026

Mattel Releases First Ever Autistic Barbie In Doll Line Dedicated To Diversity And Awareness

The doll features several additions that align with the experiences of autistic people.

Mattel has released a new Barbie doll that serves a unique purpose, representing those on the autism spectrum.

The first-ever Autistic Barbie will join Mattel’s line of Fashionista dolls that amplify diversity and inclusion in our world. The line includes several Barbies, including some with Down syndrome or even blind dolls, to help every doll enthusiast feel empowered through the toys.

According to ABC News, Mattel worked with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network for over 18 months on the doll’s development. The end product featured several additions aligned with the needs of those diagnosed with autism.

The doll itself has elbow and wrist articulation, allowing for stimming, hand flapping, and other gestures often used by those in the autism community to express themselves or their emotions. The dollmakers also included an eye gaze. This addition allows the doll to avoid eye contact, another recurring habit among many autistic people.

And of course, no Barbie feels complete without its accessories, and the same goes for its autistic version. However, this doll has more than a purse and some high heels. Instead, the doll has an all-pink fidget spinner, noise-cancelling headphones, and a tablet to help with sensory overload. This Barbie’s outfit was also mindfully curated. It’s a flowy, purple A-line dress that allows for less fabric-to-skin contact, paired with flat-soled shoes for stable movement.

With these heightened details, the doll aims to authentically represent autistic people’s experiences. In its promotion, Barbie has joined forces with vocal members of the autism community. These advocates were able to get a first look at this transformative doll for autistic youth.

“Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and we’re proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work,” said Jamie Cygielman, Global Head of Dolls, Mattel, in a press release.

“The doll, designed with guidance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie.” 

To further celebrate this ground-breaking toy’s release, Barbie will donate 1,000 of these specialty dolls to hospitals serving autistic children. This toy will also help children of color, particularly Black children. According to Autism Speaks, Black children in the U.S. have the third-highest rate of autism prevalence among other racial groups. Now, this awareness amplified through Barbie will comfort children who want to feel seen in all aspects of life.

For those wanting to purchase the doll for a developmentally diverse person in their life, the dolls are available at multiple Mattel retailers.

Bible, Trump, Oklahoma, IVF, education
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 13, 2026

Yeah, Right! Trump Claims Civil Rights Act Prompted White People To Be Treated ‘Very Badly’

Referring to it as “a reverse discrimination,” Trump admitted “it accomplished some very wonderful things” but his policies tout other viewpoints.

Echoing claims from Vice President JD Vance and other Trump administration officials about a sudden discrimination against white men and people, President Donald Trump dialed in, stating it all comes from the Civil Rights Act of 1964, creating space for white people to be “treated very badly,” The New York Times reported. 

In an interview, the 47th president said he thinks the legislation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson set white people back in several ways, touching on admission to colleges and universities. “White people were very badly treated, where they did extremely well, and they were not invited to go into a university or college,” he said. “So I would say in that way, I think it was unfair in certain cases.”

Referring to it as “a reverse discrimination,” Trump admitted “it accomplished some very wonderful things,” but his policies tout other viewpoints. 

During his second term campaign trail and after taking office, the president has zeroed in on “anti-woke” politics that have resulted in the controversial overturning of affirmative action, ending race-conscious admissions in higher education, following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina. 

The case served as a domino effect, resulting in the termination of Black student unions and even grants for Black women-owned businesses, as the ruling claimed they violated the Equal Protection Clause. 

Trump seemingly expressed his thoughts on “woke” policies and white discrimination well before the ruling and well before serving as commander-in-chief during the Black Lives Matter uprising. In 2017, during a protest in response to a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a woman was run over and killed by a driver. In response, the president defended racist protesters, saying, “You had some very fine people on both sides.” 

The sentiments have resurfaced since the chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Andrea Lucas, pushed for white men to come forward if they felt they have been discriminated against in the workplace. “Are you a white male who has experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?” Lucas said in a cringey video posted on X, reposted by Vance. 

“You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws. Contact the E.E.O.C. as soon as possible. Time limits are typically strict for filing a claim. The E.E.O.C. is committed to identifying, attacking, and eliminating ALL forms of race and sex discrimination — including against white male applicants and employees.” 

As the vice president labeled diversity policies as “a deliberate program of discrimination primarily against white men,” according to The Independent, NAACP President Derrick Johnson blasted Trump’s comments regarding the Civil Rights Act, saying there is “no evidence that white men were discriminated against as a result of the civil rights movement, the Civil Rights Act, and efforts to rectify the long history of this country denying access to people based on race in every measurable category.”

However, evidence of discrimination against Black people in the workplace — and beyond — is overwhelming and growing. Studies reveal that because of the administration’s anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, Black people, particularly women, suffered immensely, with the number affected directly reaching the thousands. 

Gender economist Katica Roy said it was “not a coincidence” as public sector jobs gave Black women a “lifeline” that they once lacked in economic opportunities.

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South Africa, Freedom Day, Nelson Mandela
by Ahsan Washington

January 13, 2026

10 South African Entrepreneurs Who Are On The Come Up

The next generation of Black entrepreneurs in South Africa includes township-born fashion disruptors, tech founders, and clean-energy innovators, who create businesses that merge cultural pride with economic ambition. 

These founders create companies that generate employment opportunities, transform traditional industries, and establish new power structures in Africa’s most dynamic economy. BLACK ENTERPRISE presents 10 emerging Black entrepreneurs from South Africa.

Rivoningo Mhlari

Rivoningo Mhlari leads Rikatec as its CEO and co-founder, pioneering tech advancements that have transformed commercial transport safety through predictive maintenance powered by vehicle data. Rikatec emerged from Phalaborwa in Limpopo, South Africa, in the late 2010s and quickly gained fame by making Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list. Mhlari aims to establish Africa’s first AI/telemetry solution to transform the commercial transport industry.

Nondumiso Sibiya

Nondumiso Sibiya serves as the co-founder of Boomba.mobi and leads innovative initiatives in waste management. The Waste-for-essentials platform developed by Sibiya transforms waste materials into essential food, clothing, and hygiene products. Sibiya works from Diepsloot, Johannesburg, to eliminate illegal waste disposal, fight hunger, and create small economic opportunities for underprivileged communities.

Siyanda Mthethwa

Through his company Kuloola, Siyanda Mthethwa is transforming rural South Africa’s access to essential goods through an e-commerce and delivery service. Kuloola operates in South Africa’s rural and peri-urban areas to link businesses with customers. Mthethwa’s initiative showed promise in transforming neglected communities and stimulating economic development.

Mahlatse Mamaila 

The green energy revolution needed a leader, so Mahlatse Mamaila established INO-Biodiesel. INO-Biodiesel transforms used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel and provides educational programs to local communities. INO-Biodiesel started operations in 2021 from Pretoria and has received the Visa She’s Next and UN Young Leader awards. INO’s mission unites sustainable practices, rural job creation, and renewable energy development throughout Africa.

Kay Yarms

The beauty industry features Kay Yarms as a prominent figure who founded Saxx Beauty and maintains a strong online presence. Her national attention on YouTube and Instagram has significantly increased her influence. Yarns is a trusted South African influencer in the beauty sector. Saxx Beauty is a glam studio in Cape Town that provides hair and makeup services to clients. 

Sihle Magubane

Sihle Magubane established Sihle’s Brew as the first Black-owned, South African coffee brand to reach national retail distribution. Sihle’s Brew now sells its products online and through Pick ‘n Pay stores across South Africa. Sihle’s Brew started its journey more than ten years ago, and its latest growth phase has established it as a leading brand in the premium consumer market segment.

Kgothatso Moloto

Kgothatso Moloto, the founder of Niche Parfums, is a global perfume curator. Niche Parfums is a luxury fragrance line with an artisanal retail footprint and online sales. The shop is located in Johannesburg, Parkhurst, and the company also has an online presence. Niche Parfums expanded in the early 2020s. The company aims to reinvent luxury retail from a Black South African perspective and has export ambitions. 

Aphiwe Khambule

Aphiwe Khambule received the Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 and beyond award for transforming funeral services and financial products through this entrepreneurial work. Through her role as COO at 21st Century Funeral Services, Khambule launched MYPrestige Rewards to improve policyholder benefits. Khambule leads innovative initiatives throughout South Africa’s death care industry, which generates R10 billion in revenue by merging financial support services with funeral services.

Fundi Sithebe

Sithebe Fundi, a pioneering South African business executive, made history as the first Black woman to lead a major horse racing organization. Her leadership has significantly impacted traditional business practices in both the sports and corporate sectors. She led 4Racing from 2021 to 2025 while maintaining her board memberships in corporate organizations.

Theo Baloyi

Theo Baloyi established Bathu Shoes, a South African sneaker brand, and, as founder and CEO, led its rapid expansion. Bathu Shoes has become a well-respected local footwear brand with stores across the country. Baloyi launched the brand in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, South Africa, in 2015 and has since earned recognition in Forbes 30 Under 30 and GQ Business Leader of the Year. Through his work, Baloyi demonstrates that African-owned brands have the ability to excel in design and retail impact while fostering cultural pride.

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