Hollywood’s Black elite are getting the flowers they deserve over the weekend at several HBCUs and other institutions’ 2023 commencement ceremonies. Actress Erika Alexander is adding to this legacy.

Alexander was given an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, as mentioned on the school’s website. The award-winning director and documentarian was awarded and recognized for her humanitarian work and scholarship in the humanities. Famous for her role as one of our favorite lawyers on the hit ’90s sitcom Living Single, Alexander was the speaker before the 94th graduating class of the all-women’s college.

Bennett is preparing to celebrate 150 years of excellence in the upcoming semester. College President Suzanne Elise Walsh, JD, says giving Alexander this honorary degree comes at a very important time.

“Similar to the Belles of Bennett College, Erika Alexander defies easy categorization. She effortlessly resides at the intersection of arts, media, gender, and social justice, embodying the spirit of the College’s mission,” Walsh said.

“Beyond her accomplishments, Erika Alexander has utilized her voice, platform, and influence to advocate for those who have been overlooked or marginalized. The College expresses deep gratitude for her support and acknowledges her as a beacon of inspiration and empowerment.” Alexander, 53, has worked tirelessly on and off screen to tell the stories of Black people worldwide. She produces Audible Original’s Best True Crime Series, FINDING TAMIKA, and the Emmy-nominated and NAACP Best Documentary winner, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE.

Receiving this honor puts her in great company. Bennett has honored Dr. Maya Angelou, Phylicia Rashad, Coretta Scott King, Susan Taylor, Ruby Dee, and U. S. Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC).

When she’s not behind the camera, Alexander can be seen on STARZ’s Run the World as Barb. With season two premiering on May 26, the veteran told Pop Culture she’s excited for fans to see the development of her character.

Barack Obama is opening up about how he and Michelle Obama got through their marital woes during the early years of raising their two daughters.

Back in December, the former first lady revealed 10 years of her marriage where she “couldn’t stand” Barack.

“People think I’m being catty by saying this—it’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” she told a Revolt round-table forum. “And guess when it happened? When those kids were little.”

Now, Barack is sharing how he was able to ease the tension with Michelle at the time and come to a happier place in their marriage.

“Let me just say this, it sure helps to be out of the White House,” Barack jokingly said on CBS Mornings.
And to have a little more time with her.”

Speaking on their journey of raising their two daughters, Malia, 24, and Sasha, 21, Barack admitted that parenthood became such a huge priority for the Obamas that he might’ve been putting his wife’s personal needs on the back burner.

“When our kids were growing, that was priority number one, two, three, and four,” Barack explained. “I did not fully appreciate, I think, as engaged as a father as I was, the degree of stress and tension for her.”

Then add on a two-term presidency that turned Barack and Michelle into two of the most powerful people in the country, all while raising young daughters.

“We were raising our daughters in a kind of situation that just wasn’t normal,” Barack said.

 

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Social media has mixed reactions to the Obamas’ transparency about the ups and downs of their 30+ years of marriage after The Shade Room reposted the clip.

“Damn you can be the President and yo girl will still complain 😂,” one person wrote.

“She said she didn’t like him for 10 years, she never said she stopped loving him,” added someone else.

RELATED CONTENT: Michelle Obama Opens Up About 30-Year Marriage to Barack: ‘Compromise Ain’t Always Fun’

• News

by Iman Milner

May 16, 2023

Brandon Johnson Delivers First Speech As Chicago Mayor, Promises Focus On Public Safety

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Brandon Johnson has been sworn in as the 57th mayor of the City of Chicago.

Johnson took the oath of office at Credit Union One Arena alongside his family in front of a packed house of supporters, including former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. In an impassioned 40-minute speech, Johnson called for Chicagoans to set aside differences to build “a city that works for everyone.” In April, the 47-year-old former teacher and longtime Chicago Teachers Union organizer defeated Paul Vallas in a tight race for the highly coveted position

Johnson, who most recently served as a Cook County commissioner, inherits a city at the crossroads of several major issues. He’ll be tasked with immediately confronting an influx of migrants in desperate need of shelter, mounting pressure to build support among business leaders, and summer months that historically bring a spike in violent crime, according to the Associated Press.

“Let’s show the world, Chicago, where our heart is,” Johnson said in his inaugural address. “Let’s build a Chicago that is the economic marvel of the state, the Midwest, and this nation. Let’s build a Chicago that means our economy gets to grow by rerouting the rivers of prosperity to the base of disinvestment. So that no one goes thirsty.”

His win marked a victory that proved to pundits that taking a strong stance on divisive topics can be a winning recipe for other progressive candidates. One such topic will be public safety. Chicago is often a scapegoat for national discourse around gun control. Something that Johnson believes he and his team are ready to improve. “A safe Chicago means a safe Chicago for all, no matter what you look like, who you love, or where you live,” the Mayor said Monday. He also promised his strategy would be rooted in more mental health care, violence prevention programs, and police accountability.

Thus far, Johnson has not deviated from the promises he made during his campaign.

In April, violence erupted in the streets of Chicago, and he took the time to stand on his dedication to the city’s youth. He issued a statement urging leaders not to “demonize youth who have otherwise been starved of opportunities in their own communities.” He echoed his commitment on Monday, calling on the community to help reshape the public opinion of the city. “I say this today, with a deep belief and conviction that our best and brighter days are ahead of us. We can lead Chicago to a new era. Together, we can build a better, stronger, safer Chicago. We just have to look deep into the soul of Chicago. Can I get a witness?” Johnson asked.

A performance from legendary Gospel artist Karen Clark Sheard capped the momentous celebration.

• Health and Wellness

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 16, 2023

North Carolina Lawmakers to Vote on Overriding Veto of 12-Week Abortion Ban

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North Carolina’s Republican-controlled state legislature on Tuesday is expected to vote to override Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill banning most abortions after 12 weeks, unless one Republican lawmaker sides with the governor and upholds the veto.

The legislature in early May passed the measure, which would cut the window for most abortions in the state back from 20 weeks. It would also curtail access to the procedure for millions of women across the U.S. South where a number of states have greatly restricted abortions.

Cooper vetoed the bill at a rally in Raleigh, the state capital, on Saturday, where he asked Republican lawmakers who had previously expressed support for reproductive rights to let his veto stand.

“If just one Republican keeps that promise made to the people, then we can stop this ban,” Cooper said.

The legislature can override a veto with three-fifths of the members present in each chamber. Republicans hold a majority of exactly three-fifths in each chamber, 72-48 in the House and 30-20 in the Senate.

The bill whizzed through the legislature with a party-line vote in fewer than 48 hours, passing the Senate 29-20 and the House 71-46. It would ban elective abortions after the first trimester, except in cases of rape, incest, life-limiting fetal anomalies and medical emergencies.

It would also require doctors to be present when abortion medication is given and require those seeking medical abortions to have an in-person consultation with a doctor 72 hours before the procedure. That would make it more difficult for women from out-of-state to obtain an abortion in North Carolina.

Republican lawmakers called the bill “common-sense legislation” that represented a compromise that stopped short of the more restrictive bans opposed by a majority of U.S. voters. Democratic opponents called it “devastatingly cruel,” and said it would force women into seeking illegal abortions.

The bill includes funding for foster and childcare as well as paid parental leave.

Near-total abortion bans have taken effect in 14 states since the U.S. Supreme Court revoked federal abortion rights in June 2022, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights advocacy research group.

Abortions in North Carolina rose by 37%, more than any other state, in the first two months after the ruling, according to a study by the Society of Family Planning, a nonprofit that promotes abortion rights and research.

(Reporting by Julia Harte; Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Leslie Adler)

The upcoming NBA Finals are getting quite pricey. According to Forbes, although the teams for the NBA Finals haven’t been settled yet, secondary market tickets are already at a record high. The average price tag is reportedly more than $3,800 to nearly $5,200 per ticket.

Gaining fresh backing to potentially help minority firms grow, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has obtained a $500,000 grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation.

Through its Corporate Plus program, the large business advocacy group plans to use the funding to connect minority-owned businesses with major employers. The program allows vetted, certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) to become better able to execute national and global contracts.

According to a news release, the grant will enable NMSDC to expand the program and increase its impact in several ways that, include:

• “Growing Corporate Plus membership by 20% year-over-year.”
• “Facilitating increased direct corporate introductions to MBEs.”
• “Driving an overall revenue growth rate for Corporate Plus members exceeding the national average.”
• “Increasing capacity building for MBEs focused on meeting industry gap areas.”

“All too often MBEs are associated primarily with the small business community. While this may be true in many cases, Corporate Plus recognizes that there are also numerous large, minority-owned businesses that are primed to do business on a national and global scale,” stated NMSDC Chief Growth Officer Sylvia Acosta, Ph.D. She added the program had helped many minority firms and MBEs take the next step in their business development.

The new support adds to efforts by NMSDC as it continues to attain $1 trillion in annual revenue for its certified MBE members. Blackstone Charitable Group is the philanthropic arm of the giant investment firm Blackstone.

Blackstone Charitable Foundation Executive Director Maura Pally said, “At Blackstone, we believe supporting the growth of diverse businesses delivers strong performance, drives entrepreneurship, and builds a more resilient supply chain. We are thrilled to be supporting NMSDC as we seek to enable our portfolio companies to align their supply base with their consumer base.”

Also, the NSMDC announced the launch of the Capital Managers Program to help capital providers, minority firms, and related services connect more simply with MBEs to provide funds needed to grow and scale their businesses. The initiative is being launched due to initial support of $100,000 from the investment bank Barclays. The program’s first goal is to establish the largest and most comprehensive database of capital providers and services for firms with an ethnic minority founder or focusing on MBEs.

Doc Rivers is once again unemployed.

The veteran head coach has been fired by the Philadelphia 76ers after a disastrous game seven playoff game against the Boston Celtics, New York Post reports. The team reached the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs under his leadership, but that wasn’t good enough, as the team lost all three series.

They ended their playoff journey with a 112-88 loss.

President of Basketball Operations for the 76ers, Daryl Morey, shared a statement via Twitter about the organization’s decision to part ways and said they are grateful for his leadership. “Doc is one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, a future Hall of Famer and someone I respect immensely,” Morey said. “We’re grateful for all he did in his three seasons here…”

Sixers officially announce that they’ve parted ways with Doc Rivers.

Statement from Daryl Morey: pic.twitter.com/J3x3OPKuox

— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 16, 2023

Speculation of Rivers firing came after an ESPN analyst reported that “it would be hard to see James Harden return to Philadelphia if Rivers were still in charge,” reported by Bleacher Report. Rivers joined the team after parting ways with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020 and signed a five-year $40 million contract. Things were going well under his leadership as the team held a 49-23 record in his first season, even making it the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Rivers was optimistic about his future as the 76ers head coach even after Sunday’s blowout. When asked if he thinks he will keep his job, he said he “thinks he has two years left.” “No one is safe in our business and I get that,” he continued. Harden had a different tone when asked about his relationship with Rivers. “Uh, our relationship is OK,” the point guard told the NY Post.

It’s rumored that Harden may return to the Houston Rockets in the offseason.

Rivers is now added to the list of other Black NBA coaches who have lost their jobs during the playoffs. Sam Cassell and Monty Williams were recently fired from their teams.

• News

by Iman Milner

May 16, 2023

Lizzo Makes Her ‘The Simpsons’ Debut, Calls It A ‘Dream Come True’

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Lizzo made her debut on the iconic animated sitcom The Simpsons this past weekend playing herself alongside Bart, Homer, and Lisa.

The 35-year-old Grammy winner called the moment “a dream come true” as she previewed her feature on the show via a post on Instagram. “Every Icon has been on @thesimpsons — now I can add my name to the list!” she said. “Thank you to the whole team for making this a dream come true 💖 (yes I’m wearing @yitty and playing @sashabefluting ) !!!!” In the clip, Lizzo is seen recording a voiceover with Homer for an animated project, dressed in a look from her shapewear line and playing her infamous flute, Sasha. During the scene, she’s instructed to slap Homer, and while she’s hesitant to do it, Bart gladly obliges and proceeds to hit his father in rhythm while Lizzo and Lisa have a jam session.

 

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Lizzo joins the likes of Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, 50 Cent, and Britney Spears, who’ve all made guest appearances on the longest-running animated series of all time. The moment seems to be full circle for the singer who, last year, dressed as Marge Simpson for Halloween.

 

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This isn’t the first time Lizzo, and her flute, have gone to a place of make-believe. Last year, she appeared in an episode of The Proud Family Louder and Prouder and appeared on Sesame Street alongside Elmo and Cookie Monster.

 

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As a “thank you” for her visit, Elmo appeared on the European leg of Lizzo’s “Special” Tour. During a shoutout from the singer, everyone’s favorite red monster introduced a performance of one of her biggest hits, saying, “Elmo is feeling good, baby!”. The adorable moment was captured at her Moscow show.

It seems like Lizzo’s star keeps on rising. We love to see it!

Fearless Fund, the premier venture capital fund dedicated to supporting women of color entrepreneurs, is proud to announce its latest investment in LS Cream, a revolutionary cream liqueur that is set to shake up the wine and spirits industry.

Inspired by the traditional Haitian drink known as cremas, LS Cream Liqueur is on a mission to introduce a new generation of drinkers to the luxury and versatility of cream liqueurs. The brand’s founders, Myriam Jean-Baptiste and Stevens Charles are both of Haitian descent and are passionate about staying true to their heritage while creating a product that can be enjoyed year-round.

“The wine and spirits industries are overwhelmingly male-dominated, and women of color’s stories and legacies are significantly underrepresented,” says Jean-Baptiste. “Fearless Fund’s investment in LS Cream will allow us to scale our business and increase our distribution footprint in the US while expanding our presence in our current markets.”

Arian Simone, Co-Founder of Fearless Fund, says that partnering with LS Cream is a natural fit for the organization’s mission. “We are always looking for trailblazing women of color who are pushing the boundaries in their respective fields, and LS Cream is a perfect example of that,” says Simone. “After many taste tests from our team and personal contacts, everyone agrees that LS Cream is a delicious and transformative product that is sure to become a staple in the wine and spirits industry.”

LS Cream Liqueur is an award-winning cordial made from a rich blend of fresh cream, neutral grain spirits, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It is gluten-free, low in lactose, and made with all-natural ingredients. The brand’s luxurious bottle design is a nod to its exotic heritage and is sure to catch the eye of anyone looking for a premium alternative in the cream liqueur category.

This news first appeared on prnewswire.com.

• News

by Iman Milner

May 16, 2023

Naomi Osaka Smashes Concerns On How Motherhood Will Affect Tennis Career

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Naomi Osaka is not here for performative concern about how her tennis career may change after the birth of her first child—due in June or July—with rapper Cordae.

The 25-year-old four-time Grand Slam singles champion took to Twitter to urge people to put some respect on her name and check their internalized sexism at the door.

“Btw to the people that are suddenly concerned about my career- There are plenty of male athletes with kids that are significantly less accomplished, you might wanna worry about them instead,” Osaka wrote. “Thanks for the concern, might wanna redirect it to someone that needs it though.” In a thread, she added, “Not trying to make this a male and female thing but let’s be fr.”

Btw to the people that are suddenly concerned about my career- There are plenty of male athletes with kids that are significantly less accomplished, you might wanna worry about them instead. Thanks for the concern, might wanna redirect it to someone that needs it though 😬.

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 12, 2023

Heard you, champ!

Osaka, who announced her pregnancy in January, is no stranger to the online trolls and 24/7 commentary that come with being a global icon in sports, especially as a woman of color.

When she decided to lend her support to the racial and social justice movements of 2020, donning the names of victims of police killings on her face masks before matches, many implored her to stick to tennis. She refused.

After standing up for her mental wellness as well as her peers’ by critiquing post-match media press conferences, she was deemed both ungrateful and unprofessional. However, her actions spawned long overdue conversations about the humanity of athletes and empowered competitors outside of tennis to prioritize their own mental well-being.

The mom-to-be has always been a leader and now it seems she’s ready to silence her detractors in her newest challenge: motherhood.