Patrick Mahomes proved why he is the NFL’s Most Valuable Player as he shrugged off an ankle injury to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a dramatic 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday to claim their second Super Bowl in four years.

Kansas City’s hopes of returning home with the Lombardi Trophy looked bleak late in the opening half when quarterback Mahomes appeared to re-injure the right ankle that had been a major worry coming into the game.

Grimacing in pain after a tackle, Mahomes hobbled off the field and slammed his helmet to the turf as the Chiefs headed into halftime trailing 24-14.

But when the teams returned after the break a resilient Mahomes produced a heroic effort, tossing two fourth-quarter touchdowns and engineering a final drive to set up Harrison Butker’s 27-yard game-winning field goal with eight seconds to play.

“I told you all this week there was nothing going to keep me off this football field,” said Mahomes after accepting the Super Bowl MVP award to go along with the NFL MVP honor he received on Thursday.

There could be no better end to the NFL season than a championship game featuring the two teams with the best records and two dynamic young leaders in Mahomes and the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts – the first two Black quarterbacks to start a Super Bowl.

It was the type of intriguing matchup that drew a Who’s Who of industry, entertainment and sports to suburban Phoenix, with Elon Musk, Paul McCartney and LeBron James among the capacity crowd of 67,827.

Hurts, who was another leading candidate for the NFL MVP award, turned in an almost equally dazzling performance, running for three touchdowns and throwing for another.

While questions remained over Mahomes’ ankle there were no cracks in his determination as he started the third quarter by leading a 75-yard drive capped off by a one-yard run by Isiah Pacheco to cut the Philadelphia lead to 24-21.

Jake Elliott booted his second field goal to increase the Eagles’ advantage before Mahomes found Kadarius Toney with a five-yard touchdown strike for the Chiefs’ first lead of the night at 28-27.

Toney returned an Eagles punt 69-yards to the Philadelphia five, where Mahomes found Skyy Moore for a four-yard touchdown to increase their lead to 35-27

But the Eagles were not about to wave the white flag, Hurts spotting a wide open Devonta Smith at the two before diving over for the touchdown himself.

Philadelphia tied the game 35-35 with a two-point conversion with five minutes to play.

By Reuters/Steve Keating

Ariel Alternatives, LLC (“Ariel Alternatives” or the “firm”), announced last week the closing of Project Black, LP (“Project Black” or the “Fund”). Project Black is the first private equity initiative of Ariel Investments, LLC (“Ariel”), which celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year.

The Fund seeks to invest in middle-market companies that may not currently be minority-owned, as well as existing Black- or Latino/a-owned businesses, with $100 million to $1 billion in revenue. Under the Fund’s ownership, these companies are expected to be transformed into certified minority business enterprises of scale that can serve as Tier 1 suppliers¹ to the Fortune 500. Ariel Alternatives aims to forge partnerships between its network of the world’s largest corporations and its portfolio companies.

Project Black will leverage $1.45 billion in commitments from its limited partners and co-investors spanning the consumer retail, energy and infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, sovereign and private wealth, and technology sectors. Each investor has committed $100-$200 million over the fund’s nominal seven-year investment period. In addition to Project Black’s $1.45 billion in commitments, JPMorgan Chase & Co. intends to co-invest up to $200 million alongside the Fund in future deals.

Leslie A. Brun, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of Ariel Alternatives, commented: “We chose to partner with large institutions that are seeking to drive widespread corporate vendor diversity. Our goal is to help close the racial wealth gap by creating minority-owned businesses of scale through access to both capital and customers.”

Mellody Hobson, Co-Founder of Ariel Alternatives and Co-CEO & President of Ariel Investments, continued: “We are scaling change. In so doing, we will redefine what it means to be a minority-owned business in the United States. We are grateful to our investors who share our mission.”

 “I’m really proud of this deal and the important work that Mellody Hobson, John Rogers, Les Brun, and Charles Corpening are doing at Ariel. It has been an honor to work with my talented partners to make this materialize,” said Taj Clayton.

The Fund’s limited partners and co-investors include:

• AmerisourceBergen Corporation
• Amgen Inc.
• Ballmer Group
• Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation
• Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
• Merck & Co., Inc.
• NextEra Energy, Inc.
• Nuveen, the asset manager of TIAA
• Qatar Investment Authority
• Salesforce, Inc.
• Synchrony Financial (co-investor)
• Truist Financial Corporation (co-investor)
• Walmart Inc.

Carolyn Edith Cooper Fugett, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and Matriarch to the community at large who had a special way of making everyone feel they were her favorite, departed this world of natural causes on February 7, 2023, at the age of 97.

A lifelong resident of Maryland, Carolyn successfully balanced the demands of raising a family of six in West Baltimore, working at least five days a week, finding time to work with community organizations, while maintaining her faith in God and the Church.

Born on September 10, 1925, in East Baltimore to the late Samuel J. and Savilla Cole Cooper, Carolyn was briefly married at an early age to the late Clinton Lewis. Their son, Reginald F. Lewis, would become one of the most successful lawyers, entrepreneurs, and benefactors of his generation. In 1951, Carolyn married Jean S. Fugett, Sr. Together they raised and educated six children. Her family grew to include thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

Carolyn made education a family priority, demanding that her husband finish his college education. Carolyn sent her son Reginald, who attended Dunbar High School and Virginia State University, to Harvard Law School in 1965. She made sure that her children were excellent students and involved in sports and the arts. While all were good athletes in high school, her second son Jean, Jr. played professional football for the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins.

Carolyn had the ear of many politicians over the years, working with Gov William Donald Schaefer to select a site for a museum at Pratt and President Street that would be built and then named after her son Reginald F. Lewis. She also supported City Councilwoman Agnes Welch in improving conditions in the Rosemont Community where they both lived.
Carolyn’s motto, and the title of her autobiography, was “Just Do.” Carolyn was no stranger to hard work but always managed to put her family first. She enjoyed taking care of grandchildren, cooking, gardening, and collecting art and historical artifacts. Over many years Carolyn created what she lovingly referred to as “our heritage trail”, a blend of historical artifacts and images that paint a picture of her family’s history and historical contributions spanning from segregation to integration.

A devout Catholic, Carolyn was a confidant to Cardinals and a member of St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, with service on various boards associated with Catholic Charities. She was also the former president of Saint Edward’s Parish Council and a member of the church’s Sodality. Carolyn was active in West Baltimore’s Rosemont community as an organizer, served on the Wilmer Eye Institute Board, was a loyal Baltimore Colts football fan, and was called “Mom” by many who were fortunate enough to know her.

Carolyn Fugett was pre-deceased by her husband Jean S. Fugett, Sr.; son Reginald F. Lewis, Esquire; sister Charlotte Sullivan, and brothers Samuel Cooper, Jr., Robert Cooper, and Donald Cooper. Carolyn is survived by one brother, James Cooper (Delores); two sisters, Doris Hill, and Beverly Cooper; five children, Jean S. Fugett, Jr., Esquire (Carlotta), Anthony S. Fugett (Trittye), Rosalyn F. Wiley, Ed.D. (Elliott), Joseph M. Fugett, Sharon F. Sands, Esquire (Anthony); daughter-in-law Loida Nicolas Lewis, Esquire; thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Carolyn’s Celebration of Life will include a Viewing on Sunday, February 19th from 2 to 5 p.m. at March Life Tribute Center, 5616 Old Court Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 and a Viewing on Monday, February 20 at 10:00 a.m. followed by Mass at 11 a.m. at Saint Edwards Roman Catholic Church, 901 Poplar Grove Street, Baltimore, MD 21216.

Trugoy the Dove, member of the hip-hop trio, De La Soul, has died, according to reports as well as the group’s official Instagram account.

The cause of death has not been disclosed at this time. Trugoy, born David Jolicoeur, was noticeably absent from the Grammy Awards’ hip-hop tribute performance last week that featured De La Soul groupmate Posdnuos.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by De La Soul (@wearedelasoul)

Jolicoeur’s death comes less than a month before De La Soul’s music would premiere on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services. The group battled with their former record label, Tommy Boy Records, for years over legal and publishing issues that kept their music off streaming services.

Reservoir Records acquired Tommy Boy Record’s master recordings in 2021 and made a deal with De La Soul to add their first six albums to streaming services on March 3.

Jolicoeur formed De La Soul with Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and Vincent Mason, aka DJ Maseo, while still in high school in Long Island, N.Y., in the mid-1980s. The trio was known as hip-hop radicals and prided themselves on going against the grain of a hip-hop scene that was becoming more masculine and materialistic in the mainstream.

• Lifestyle

by Booker Jones

February 12, 2023

Yes Rihanna is Pregnant Again! Rep Confirms Report after Full-Bellied Super Bowl Halftime Performance

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Mama Rih Rih has another bundle of joy on the way!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, thehttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/rihanna-pregnant-rep-confirms-super-bowl-halftime-show-1235323383/ superstar singer Rihanna is pregnant, which was pretty obvious to see during the full-bellied belting of her hit songs during her her Super Bowl halftime performance.

Rihanna was singing and dancing but it was a bit muted. She didn’t go all-out bad gal at State Farm Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Now we know why.

Rih Rih knew her “Navy” wanted to hear all the jams and she delivered, “We Found Love,” “Where Have You Been,” “Diamonds” and “Work,” according to the outlet. And she caressed her belly a bit, setting off social media on Sunday.

During an interview that took place ahead of her performance, Rihanna revealed her reservations about performing to The Hollywood Reporter.

“I was like, ‘You sure? I’m three months postpartum. Should I be making major decisions like this right now? I might regret this,’” she said.

“When you become a mom, there’s something that just happens where you feel like you could take on the world—you can do anything,” she added. “And the Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world, so as scary as that was…there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all. It’s important for my son to see that.”

Beyond the pregnancy speculation, Rihanna’s set had plenty of highlights. Although there were no other special guests onstage helping her to perform, she had one viral moment where she touched up her makeup mid-song, giving some nice promotion to her Fenty makeup brand.

Also, the moving platforms she performed on gave her a sky-high perch at the game, stressing out fans as she rose higher and higher. With an army of dancers, wild outfits, and a spectacular fireworks finish, it was a triumphant return to performing after Rihanna’s five-year performance hiatus.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way I’m going to go shopping in no maternity aisle,’” she said. “I’m sorry—it’s too much fun to get dressed up. I’m not going to let that part disappear because my body is changing,” Rihanna said to Vogue. 

Cardi B and Offset have joined forces with McDonald’s for a special meal-for-two deal after a commercial just ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, and it has the backing of the hip-hop couple. 

The Cardi B & Offset meal, which becomes available Tuesday on Valentine’s Day for a limited time, includes a cheeseburger with BBQ sauce and large Coke and a Quarter Pounder with Cheese with a large Hi-C Orange Lavaburst, plus a large order of fries and an apple pie. McDonald’s did not release a suggested price for the new meal; it will be determined by individual restaurants and may vary based on location, the company said.

introducing the Cardi B & Offset meal, coming 2.14 pic.twitter.com/5gPR7F0yzu

— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) February 12, 2023

“Whether it’s going for a date night or grabbing a bite after late-night studio sessions … I’m always asking Offset to take me to McDonald’s,” Cardi B said in a press release announcing the meal. “And now, Offset and I have a meal named after us! I want all my fans to try it – especially with that BBQ sauce.”

Let me tell you, McDonald’s is date night done right,” Offset said in the release. “It doesn’t have to be all boujee. Get your date, grab some good food, and have fun, that’s it.”

Today (Feb. 12), Cardi B and Offset spoke to Complex about their romance and working together. 

“I love working with my wife because we got a legacy to leave behind with our kids,” Offset said to Complex. “He’s really my best friend. We’re each other’s best friends,” Cardi B beams.

Complex also spoke with McDonald’s Chief Marketing Officer Tariq Hassan about working with hip-hop artists.

“We unlocked something with Travis Scott, BTS, and Saweetie, but at their hearts, those were [just] campaigns,” he said to Complex. “What we’ve done since then is we’ve unlocked a strategy [that] goes back to this idea of being [part of] an iconic culture.” He says the company’s pillar of authenticity and awareness of music’s impact led them here. “We’re in the 50-year celebration of rap, and I think that you’re seeing [its influence] not only in rap but even [in] what’s happening with an artist like Bad Bunny; the transcendence of culture and how it shows up in music.”

Cardi B & Offset share the secret sauce to their relationship 🥫 #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/duJPgi4Xlc

— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 12, 2023

Also coming to McDonald’s soon: the Shamrock Shake and the Oreo Shamrock McFlurry, both of which return to the menu Feb. 20.

Idris Elba felt the need to clarify a recent quote he shared with Esquire where he talked about no longer wanting to identify himself as a Black actor.

During the interview, the London-born star, 50, revealed how he thought the Black actor label put him in a ‘box’, and that an ‘obsession’ with race can hinder aspirations and growth.

Days after the interview was released, the Luther: The Fallen Sun star decided to take to Twitter and elaborate on his quote, all while making sure everyone knows he’s a proud Black man.

“There isn’t a soul on this earth that can question whether I consider myself a BLACK MAN or not,” he began in the tweet.

He continues, “Being an actor is a profession, like being an architect, they are not defined by race. However, If YOU define your work by your race, that is your Prerogative. Ah lie?”

In that sit down with Esquire, the Golden Globe- winning actor addressed racism in Hollywood and beyond, and the need we all have to improve as humans, no matter the color of your skin.

“Racism is very real. But from my perspective, it’s only as powerful as you allow it to be,’ the father of two shared.

“I  stopped describing myself as a Black actor when I realized it put me in a box. We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to. Our skin is no more than that: it’s just skin. Rant over,” he explained Esquire.

There isn’t a soul on this earth that can question whether I consider myself a BLACK MAN or not. Being an ‘actor’ is a profession, like being an ‘architect’ ,they are not defined by race. However, If YOU define your work by your race, that is your Perogative. Ah lie?

— Idris Elba (@idriselba) February 11, 2023

The star continued that while he is a member of the Black community, he doesn’t put emphasis on this when it comes to his career. Elba also explained that his choice to be an actor wasn’t because of the lack of diversity in the profession, but because it was a career he felt he would thrive in.

“As you get up the ladder, you get asked what it’s like to be the first Black to do this or that. Well, it’s the same as it would be if I were white. It’s the first time for me. I don’t want to be the first Black. I’m the first Idris,’ The Wire alum added.

Recently, Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba called on political leaders to support to the world’s poorest countries in the form of investment as opposed to aid.

“The poor of this world are not just looking for aid and handouts, they’re looking for investment,” Idris Elba said.

“We understand the power and change that can come from this room … We can move with agility and speed and your speed is needed now,” the star of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Beasts of No Nation added.

Never mess with an accomplished actor from “money-earning Mount Vernon” because no matter how much money he’s earning as an A-list celebrity, the N-Y-C will show up when need be.

Case in point, superstar Training Day actor Denzel Washington seemed to get a little heated in a video that went viral last week, seemingly showing the seasoned thespian yelling and ready to throw hands at a b-ball game before billionaire music mogul Jay-Z stepped in.

JAY-Z attempts to calm Denzel Washington down during heated argument at Lakers gamehttps://t.co/52WCdDsvQr pic.twitter.com/heGdklV0qy

— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) February 10, 2023

Last Tuesday, Washington and Jay-Z attended Los Angeles Lakers for LeBron James’ historic-making night when he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record and secured the ranking as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with his 38,388th point.

It was a night to remember as James, his family and the whole arena celebrated the moment and stopped the game for 10 minutes to mark the ceremonial occasion.

While there was a lot going on on the court, one unique moment caught on video was of Washington dead-set in a dust-up with someone and it looked like things were getting heated with the actor mouthing off so much that Jay-Z attempted to grab him unsuccessfully a few times as Washington snatched his arm away.

We’re not sure who Washington was squaring up with but we’re glad that things cooled down with Jay’s help.

This was surely out-of-character for Washington who normally keeps it classy.

For instance, last year President Biden named his 17 picks for the highest civilian honor, among those being Oscar-winner Washington, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, civil rights attorney Fred Gray, Sandra Lindsay, the NYC nurse who was the first American to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and civil rights activist Diane Nash.

The awardees are highlighted for their “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” reads the statement from the White House.

AfroTech has reported that a one-of-one NFT of Giannis Antetokounmpo Sorae NFT card from the officially licensed fantasy basketball game Sorare NBA hit a new record as it racks up around 113.888 ETH, about $187,384, by far the biggest sale ever for the young platform.

 Antetokounmpo aka “Greek Freak” is a player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA. In September 2020, an autographed rookie card of Antetokounmpo brought in almost $1.8 million, holding the title of the most expensive basketball trading card sale briefly.

Last October, Sorare launched the “Sorare: NBA” game for the NBA’s 2022-23 season as it entered into a multi-year deal with the NBA and NBPA. The Giannis Antetokounmpo NFT sale comes after a significant period of market turmoil, making it noteworthy for a platform that just recently launched in October.

According to TheNewsCrypto, this is the biggest selling of Giannis Antetokounmpo NFTs. On NBA Top Shot, Dapper Labs’ Flow blockchain-powered marketplace for video collectibles, the NBA champion Bucks player was auctioned for $95,000. The date of this deal was February 2021. It’s tied for the 16th biggest Top Shot sale in the history of the business.

Antetokounmpo made his NBA debut during the 2013–14 season. During the 2016–17 season he had a breakthrough season, earning the league’s Most Improved Player award. A versatile forward, he was praised for both his offensive and defensive play.

With a coaching change during 2017 season, and Antetokounmpo’s strong play, Milwaukee finished the 2018–19 season with the best record in the league. Antetokounmpo was named the NBA’s MVP, averaging 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. The team, however, had disappointing playoffs, losing in the conference finals. The Bucks again posted the best record in the league in 2019–20 but lost in the second round of the playoffs. That season Antetokounmpo won his second MVP award and was named Defensive Player of the Year; he was the third person to win both honors in the same season.

Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl more than three decades ago, shares his thoughts on two starting Black quarterbacks in Super Bowl LVII, and says to CBS News that it is time to open the door for more Black coaches.

“I know there’s a lot of young guys across the country, realize that if it’s a dream, it could happen,” Williams, 67, told CBS News this week. “Because it happened for these guys.”

According to Williams, who serves as the Washington Commanders’ senior advisor to team president Jason Wright, the impact of having two top Black quarterbacks in the big game on Sunday has already taken effect with Mahomes and Hurts – this season’s AP NFL MVP and the runner-up, respectively. However, Williams believes teams around the league need to work on hiring more Black coaches.

Ahead of the #SuperBowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says there’s still “more work ahead” when it comes to increasing diversity in the league.

“We’re pleased to see progress, but it’s never enough,” he says. pic.twitter.com/18a0vqtEeG

— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 8, 2023

“It’s time to open the doors for more Black coaches,” he said to CBS. “[I] want owners to open up their heart and their mind” to deserving coaches to lead teams in the NFL. “There’s an awful lot of guys out there of color, Black guys out there that deserve the opportunity to be a coach.”

Williams also spoke on the legacy of Black quarterbacks in the NFL–who at one time were not considered intelligent enough to lead an NFL team on the field.

“I think every Black quarterback knows that this role wasn’t always easy for us,” he told CBS News. “It’s a lot of easy for the guys playing in this week than it was the guys behind. Because when I think of those two guys [Mahomes and Hurts], I cannot help myself to think of James Harris, Joe Gilliam, Warren Moon and Marlin Briscoe. All the guys back then who did not get the same opportunity to equal opportunity as these two guys got. You gotta think about those guys who had the talent but just wasn’t let in the door.”

Read Williams’ interview with CBS News in its entirety here.

Also, many will be tuning into tonight’s game to watch Rihanna’s half-time performance. While Rihanna debuted two new songs in last year (both for the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), the nine-time Grammy winner hasn’t dropped a new album since Anti in 2016.

In 2019, the singer reportedly declined to perform in the halftime show out of solidarity with Colin Kaepernick. The halftime show marks RiRi’s first performance in years, further fueling fan speculation that new music is on the horizon.