The former NFL MVP will expand his role on the flagship show, First Take.
Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton got some more good news after the announcement that he will have his number retired, as ESPN agreed to a multi-year contract with the former Carolina Panthers player.
The former NFL MVP will expand his role on the flagship show, First Take. He will make an appearance on Aug. 28 during the First Take HBCU Tour, which will take place at Norfolk State University.
ESPN & former NFL MVP @CameronNewton have reached a new, multi-year agreement
“I am excited to be back with the First Take team and share my voice on all things sports,” Newton said in a written statement. “This is an incredible opportunity for me to connect with fans and bring my passion and knowledge to a show I’ve always admired.”
Newton will join the diverse personalities that include Stephen A. Smith, host Molly Qerim, and Sirius XM’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.
“Cam Newton is a unique talent who is authentically himself, and that’s a key ingredient for success on First Take,” said David Roberts, executive vice president, executive editor, Sports News and Entertainment at ESPN. “Cam is also an ultimate team player. All of us at ESPN look forward to watching Cam create a strong connection with his teammates and our fans.”
The news comes a week after Auburn University announced that his college number will be retired during the upcoming football season.
Newton will have his number retired at Jordan-Hare Stadium during the Oct. 11 game against the University of Georgia. He will become the fourth Auburn Tigers player to be immortalized by the university. His No. 2 football jersey will join Pat Sullivan (No. 7), Bo Jackson (No. 34), and Terry Beasley (No. 88).
Newton’s collegiate career only lasted one season. He threw for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns and rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns, also scoring a receiving touchdown. He was the first player in SEC (Southeastern Conference Football) history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards in a single season.
Louisville’s First Black-Owned Pharmacy Celebrates Its Grand Opening
Residents living in the historically Black neighborhood have a reason to celebrate.
Good Brothers, Louisville’s first Black-owned pharmacy, has officially opened its doors. Located in the city’s Russell neighborhood, also known as “Louisville’s Harlem,” the pharmacy aims to provide premier services to residents in this historically Black community.
“Good Brothers Pharmacy is more than a business; it’s a promise. It’s a promise that we are going to stay here forever and we’re going to make an impact on the west Louisville community,” Good Brothers’ co-owner, DeShawn King, told WLKY News.
Dr. Michela Brooks, the pharmacist in charge, said her role is pivotal because pharmacies often serve as the first point of contact for patients seeking care.
“A lot of patients don’t know that. As a pharmacist, you are the first contact that a patient has for medical reasons… Some people aren’t comfortable going to hospitals or making appointments. They come here in their most vulnerable states looking for medical advice,” Brooks told the outlet.
Store owners mentioned that before Good Brothers Pharmacy opened, the closest pharmacy was located in downtown Louisville, which made it difficult for residents to access without transportation.
“Families here deserve more than to travel miles to get their medication,” Isaiah Jones, Good Brothers co-founder, told WAVE News.
They added that Good Brothers will focus solely on providing medication and healthcare services, rather than selling convenience items, which will enable them to fill prescriptions more quickly. In addition to prescription medications, the pharmacy provides over-the-counter medicines, health screenings, immunizations, and delivery services.
Childhood friends Isaiah Jones and Deshawn King, who are from West Louisville, said they founded Good Brothers to serve the community. Jones told WAVE News that by opening the business, he hopes to inspire future generations.
“I want the kids from around Louisville, Kentucky, to know sports isn’t the only way out,” Jones explained. “You can be an entrepreneur and open up anything. The people who own the hospitals are not doctors. I am not a pharmacist, and I opened a pharmacy. You can do anything that you allow your mind to do.”
‘Religious Leaders’ Will Not See The ‘Kingdom’ After Arrest For Human Trafficking
Federal prosecutors have charged two self-proclaimed religious leaders in a forced-labor and money laundering operation.
Federal prosecutors have charged two self-proclaimed religious leaders in a forced-labor and money laundering operation disguised as a ministry, according to a press release.
The U.S. Department of Justice revealed that David Taylor and Michelle Brannon were leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International. Taylor and Brannon were charged with coercing followers across four states to work without pay. Members both worked at church-run call centers and served as personal attendants.
The indictment alleges that since 2014, the scheme has collected around $50 million from victims across Michigan, Texas, Florida, and Missouri. The funds were laundered through the Kingdom of God organization. Additionally, funds were used to facilitate a lavish lifestyle for Brannon and Taylor.
“KOGGC/JMMI received millions of dollars in donations each year through its call centers. Taylor and Brannon used much of the money to purchase luxury properties, luxury vehicles, and sporting equipment such as a boat, jet skis, and ATVs. In total, Taylor received approximately $50 million in donations since 2014,” the press release stated.
Authorities say Taylor and Brannon used abuse, both physical and psychological, alongside punishment and isolation to control victims. Those branded as “armor bearers” lived at ministry facilities, slept under oppressive conditions, and weren’t allowed to leave unless given permission. Refusal to comply reportedly resulted in sleep deprivation, public humiliation, food or shelter restriction, or threats of divine punishment.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon spoke about the agency’s commitment to fight human trafficking and anyone involved in the exploitation of others.
“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” Dhillon said. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims.”
If convicted, Taylor and Brannon each face decades behind bars and substantial fines. Fines range from $250,000 for forced labor counts and up to $500,000 or double the value of the laundered funds.
Black Women-Owned 1010 Wine Named Best Wine Bar In America
The sibling-owned establishment opened in 2021.
USA Today crowned 1010 Wine and Events as the Best Wine Bar in America 2025. Located in Inglewood, California, the luxury establishment is the first and only Black woman–owned wine bar in Inglewood.
Located at the intersection of La Brea and Centinela, the wine bar boasts the largest selection of Black-owned brands, including Taraji P. Henson’s Seven Daughters wine and Issa Rae’s Viarae Prosecco.
USA Todaypraised the establishment for its wide selection of wines and its food menu, which offers fusion dishes inspired by the diaspora, such as black-eyed pea fritters, fried fish, champagne waffles, and chicken wings, as well as Nigerian-style Suya beef skewers.
“We’re very grateful for it. We’re very excited. It’s kind of surreal,” Le Jones, co-owner of 1010, told the Los Angeles Sentinel.
Le, a trademark attorney, and her sister Leslie Jones, an event planner, opened the wine bar in 2021. The sisters said they were tired of having to go outside of Inglewood for an upscale wine experience, so they decided to open a business in the city. Jones said they faced challenges starting a new company on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we first walked into this space, it was really hard to imagine it to look like what it does now. And so now the fact that thousands of people have walked in and out of these doors over these four years is a huge accomplishment for us,” Le Jones told the outlet.
The Jones sisters purchased the building and transformed the 10,000-square-foot mixed-use space into a hub for live entertainment and events. The co-owners say they hope to inspire other aspiring entrepreneurs to start businesses in the community.
Now in its fourth year of business, the first-place award recognizes not only 1010 Wine and Events but also the contributions of African Americans in the wine industry, who own less than 5% of wine companies.
People outside the greater Los Angeles area can join the 1010 Wine Club. With memberships starting at $130 a month, members receive a curated selection of Black-owned wines and enjoy discounts online and in-store.
More Black Women With Disabilities Are Pursuing Self-Employment
New research in the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development highlights the growing number of Black women with disabilities pursuing self-employment
As Black women experience the steepest job losses and rise in unemployment in today’s unstable labor market, Black women with disabilities are surviving these challenges by turning to self-employment.
New research in the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development highlights the growing number of Black women with disabilities pursuing self-employment. The report, “Breaking Barriers: The Economic Realities of Self-Employed Black Women With Disabilities,” part of a special issue on Black Americans with disabilities, found that 43.9% of Black women with disabilities are self-employed.
“Black women with disabilities can create their own paths to financial independence, and they can thrive and survive in the labor market with the right tools,” the study’s lead author, Gemarco Peterson, Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical rehabilitation counseling at Georgia State University in Atlanta, told Phys.org.
The study captures a snapshot of Black women with disabilities in the labor market between August and September 2024, with a deep dive into the self-employment rates among women with specific disabilities. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, researchers analyzed responses from 91 Black women with physical or mental health disabilities.
Among the 43.9% who were self-employed, 66.9% reported multiple mental health conditions, 27.3% had visual impairments, 11.8% faced mobility challenges, and 11.3% reported auditory impairments. The findings also showed that Black women with physical disabilities were more likely than those without to hold a graduate degree (31% vs. 15.5%) and to earn $50,000 or more annually (55.4% vs. 33.7%).
Peterson hopes the findings encourage counselors to recognize that Black women with disabilities want to participate and thrive in the labor market and see self-employment as a viable path. Greater understanding and support in this area will enable counselors to offer stronger career guidance that aligns with the clients’ desires and skill sets.
Researchers stressed that counselors must understand how vocation, especially self-employment, affects a client’s overall well-being. They also urged counselor education programs to train counselors to recognize how societal stereotypes and misconceptions harm the mental health of Black women, with or without disabilities.
“Vocation is a key social determinant of health,” Peterson said. “The systemic barriers in today’s society extend to employment, impacting the mental and emotional well-being of the client. If we silo vocation and employment, we miss the bigger picture of the whole person.”
Alicia Keys And Swizz Beatz Bring ‘Giants’ Exhibit To Virginia Museum Of Fine Arts
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz' traveling "Giants" exhibit is coming to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
After stops in Atlanta, Brooklyn, and Minneapolis, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz are bringing their “Giants” exhibit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
From Nov. 22 to March 1, 2026, “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” will feature more than 130 works by 40 Black artists from across the diaspora at VMFA, the museum announced. Organized by the Brooklyn Museum, the traveling exhibit celebrates the artistic greatness of the “giants” Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz selected to be represented in the collection.
Launched in 2024, the celebrity couple curated the eclectic exhibit from their personal collection to honor the giants that live within us all.
“We need to be our most giant selves: to think our most giant thoughts, express ourselves in the biggest way possible, and give ourselves permission to be giants,” Keys said in a statement.
“Giants” features legendary photographers, iconic contemporary artists from the past and present, as well as emerging artists, including Derrick Adams, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kwame Brathwaite, Nick Cave, Barkley Hendricks, Arthur Jafa, Titus Kaphar, Esther Mahlangu, Meleko Mokgosi, Odili Donald Odita, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Gordon Parks, Ebony G. Patterson, Deborah Roberts, Jamel Shabazz, Amy Sherald, Mickalene Thomas, and Kehinde Wiley.
The exhibition will feature not only paintings, photographs, and sculptures, but also albums, musical instruments, BMX bikes, and monumental works that impress in scale and concept while also offering a glimpse into the diverse creativity that inspires the superstar couple in their award-winning artistic endeavors.
Keys and her husband shared the collection to spotlight Black and Brown artists, aiming to “collect, protect and respect,” Keys said when the exhibit launched at the High Museum in Atlanta last fall. The Grammy and Tony-winning singer credits her “brilliant” husband, who gifted her a painting on their third date, for using his artistic eye to spot what’s next in the art world.
The United States tech industry has a diversity problem
The United States tech industry has a diversity problem. African Americans make up a tiny fraction of its workforce at 7% to 9%. Black presence in tech is even slimmer when the top tech jobs are considered. At companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta, Black executives are even more scarce, and account for less than 4% or 5% of leadership roles. Despite all the obstacles, like a lack of funding, guidance, and connections, Black entrepreneurs are quietly running groundbreaking tech companies that are not only innovative but also pushing boundaries in the marketplace.
Robert F. Smith
Robert F. Smith, an investor with an eye for opportunity, launched Vista Equity Partners back in 2000. From its base in Austin, Texas, the company has carved out a niche for itself by putting its money into software firms. Under its umbrella, Vista has amassed a portfolio of over 85 companies, which together provide jobs for 100,00 people. Vista Equity Partners has over $100 billion in assets under management.
David Steward, who made his fortune in tech, started World Wide Technology back in 1990. Today the company is a player in the global systems integration and IT services scene with a workforce of over 10,000 people spread out across 55 locations in the US. As of 2024 the company’s value is $11.4 billion. It pulled in $20 billion in revenue.
Tope Awotona, a software entrepreneur from Nigeria, started Calendly, a platform that makes booking meetings a whole lot easier. He set up the company in Atlanta, back in 2013 and it’s been growing steadily since then. Today, Calendly has a team of 653 people. Awotona’s success has paid off. His net worth is now estimated to be around $1.4 billion. Calendly itself is valued at $3 billion as of 2025.
Dr. Iman Abuzeid, a doctor who made the leap to entrepreneurship, is the force behind Incredible Health, a platform that links nurses with job opportunities since 2017. Based in the US, the company has grown with a workforce ranging from 100 to 250 people. The company has achieved a level of success that’s all too rare. As a business founded by a woman, Incredible Health joined the ranks of unicorns valued at over $1 billion. Dr. Abuzeid’s own net worth is estimated to be around $350 million, a figure that speaks to her vision and determination.
Figgers Wireless is a telecom company that has been around since 2008. The company received its telecom license in 2011. Freddie Figgers, a guy who’s made a name for himself in the tech world as an inventor and entrepreneur, is behind it all. The company’s reported worth is estimated to be around $62 million.
Iddris Sandu, is the entrepreneur behind Spatial Labs Inc., a company he set up in 2021. Based in Los Angeles, Spatial Labs is an outfit with 11 to 50 people on the payroll. Spatial Labs area of focus is working to find ways to blend the physical digital worlds together seamlessly. It has caught the attention of some big hitters. Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partnership has invested in the company. As a result Spatial Labs is now valued at $10 million. Sandu’s background is in software engineering and he’s also an advocate for the metaverse, which perhaps explains why he’s so keen on exploring the possibilities of technology.
Tristan Walker is a man on a mission: To change the face of health and beauty tech for people of color. Back in 2013, he founded Walker & Company Brands, a company that would go on to make waves in the tech industry. Originally calling Palo Alto, California, home, the company eventually set up its headquarters in Atlanta. One of its claims to fame is the Bevel shaving system, a game changer for many. Then in 2018, the company was acquired by Procter & Gamble in a deal reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars though the exact figure was never disclosed.
Jessica O. Matthews, a woman with roots in both Nigeria and the US came up with an idea: To create a company that would make renewable energy more accessible. That’s how Uncharted Power was born. It specialize in building technology for our infrastructure like streets and sidewalks. One of its projects involves creating smart energy systems that can be hidden in things, like sidewalks, roads, and even kids play equipment. The company started back in 2011 under the name, SOCCKET. It later changed its name to something that better reflected it’s mission. Today, Uncharted Power is based in Harlem, where a team of 30 to 50 people work together to bring these ideas to life. Uncharted Power has managed to raise over $12.5 million.
Chris Bennett started Wonderschool back in 2016. His company, based out of San Francisco, helps people set up and run their early childhood education programs from childcare to preschool. With 200 employees on the payroll, Wonderschool has managed to raise over $50 million in investments.
WADDUP DOE? AfroFuture Detroit 2025 Takes Over The ‘D’ & The Diaspora Showed Up And Out
AfroFuture Detroit 2025 is a clear statement that Detroit, a historical center for change, is now at the forefront of shaping a future where technology and identity are celebrated together.
The AfroFuture Detroit festival made its U.S. debut Aug. 15-17, turning the city’s streets into a bustling center of art, music, and technology. Positioned in a city known for its tremendous cultural influence, the festival presented a vivid portrait of a future built on African heritage and global innovation.
The two-day event showcased a wide array of talent. The crowd erupted as Ghanaian artist King Promise took the stage, where a custom cake from Hennessy marked a surprise birthday celebration.
On the final night, Davido delivered a powerful closing performance, while Tee Grizzley brought a commanding presence to his hometown crowd. South African duo TXC infused the event with the rhythms of amapiano, reinforcing the festival’s international character.
In a notable partnership, Hennessy brought its Highline space to the festival. It was an immersive experience that fused African heritage with modern mixology. Offering cocktails like the Henny-Rita, the Highline served as a central gathering spot, attracting attendees that included NBA players Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Reggie Jackson.
The area was brought to life with live art, DJ sets, and various interactive displays.
The festival’s influence extended beyond the stage. AfroFuture Detroit 2025 was the marketplace for Black-owned businesses, highlighting the economic potential at the core of Afrofuturist principles.
The participation of prominent figures like Jackie Aina, who discussed her brand Forvrmood, further solidified the festival’s role in advancing a progressive narrative. From the first drink to the last song, AfroFuture Detroit 2025 demonstrated that it was more than an event; it was a powerful statement that the future is being constructed, one beat and one invention at a time.
A Convergence of the Diaspora Perhaps the most potent element of the weekend was the deliberate assembly of the global Black diaspora. Throughout the festival grounds, attendees carried flags from nations including the U.S., Jamaica, Haiti, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, and Djibouti. The heartwarming collective act of pride was not a mere gesture; it was a purposeful gathering where the shared history and varied expressions of Black identity coexisted.
The festival’s capacity to reunite a family separated by continents was a noteworthy achievement.
Despite physical distance, the bonds of culture, rhythm, and common experience remain. The event proved that when a venue is established to celebrate the entire spectrum of Black identity, the diaspora will find its way home to connect, create, and celebrate.
Building the Future AfroFuture Detroit 2025 surpassed the typical festival structure, establishing itself as a crucial forum for cultural exchange and progressive dialogue. The event’s program extended beyond the stage with curated discussions that examined the connections between art, technology, and social action.
Leaders from fields such as urban planning and digital innovation discussed how the tenets of Afrofuturism can be applied to create more equitable and sustainable communities within Detroit and beyond. This emphasis on practical strategy distinguished the event, shifting the conversation from possibility to active construction.
AfroFuture’s COO, Akosua Ayim, expressed what the festival’s presence in the city meant, saying, “We chose Detroit because of the richness of Black culture, the influence that Detroit has on the world when it comes to music, and just the innovation and creativity of the city. AfroFuture is a cultural entertainment platform with the goal of really bridging the gap of the diaspora from the continent with the rest of the world.”
Community participation was a vital part of the weekend. Local artisans and entrepreneurs filled the marketplace, offering a diverse range of products that showcased the strength of Detroit’s creative economy. This support for Black-owned businesses was a clear sign of the festival’s commitment to creating wealth and opportunity from within.
The interactive art installations, in particular, provided spaces for attendees to engage with one another and with the concepts on display, fostering a sense of shared purpose. The festival’s U.S. debut was a tribute to Detroit’s central role in cultural movements. It made a clear statement that Detroit, a historical center for change, is now at the forefront of shaping a future where technology and identity are celebrated together.
Ex-Inmate Helps Nebraska Youth Get CDL Training For High-Demand Jobs
A former inmate is giving back by helping local youth earn their CDLs and land high-demand jobs.
A formerly incarcerated man has turned mentor, using his CDL business to help local youth train for high-demand blue-collar jobs.
Meet Clay Anders, owner of Road to Redemption LLC, a CDL-focused business that helps youth in Lincoln, Nebraska, earn their commercial driver’s license and launch careers in the lucrative trucking industry. Anders was inspired to start the business after serving time in prison and choosing trucking as his post-prison career path.
“I had ambitions to get out and become a trucker and make a bunch of money, and the Lord didn’t work like that,” Anders told KLKNTV. “Now, he’s using my past to propel my future and help these youngsters with theirs.”
Faith and trucking helped Anders get back on track, and now he’s paying it forward by helping young adults find stability in an industry that’s always in demand.
“I wanted to be able to provide and help these youth learn a new trade and teach them a trade that helped change my life,” he said.
“Christ gave me a second chance. That’s it,” he added. “How can I not want to give back what somebody gave to me when I was undeserving? That’s what grace is.”
Road to Redemption LLC isn’t just about teaching a skill,’ Anders says, it’s about rebuilding confidence and healing a part of himself, a lesson he draws from the Holy Bible.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” Anders said, quoting Romans 12:2.
Through faith and entrepreneurship, Anders has found a new purpose, seeing his past not as a limitation but as motivation. Since launching Road to Redemption, he’s helped dozens of students earn their CDL licenses and plans to expand his operation. Featured in the local news for Black Business Month, Anders deflects praise, saying all credit belongs to God.
“When I die, I want my funeral to be packed with people, mainly young adults saying, ‘This man dropped some jewels of wisdom in my life,’” Anders said.
Justice Cleo E. Powell Makes History In Virginia Judiciary
Justice Cleo E. Powell will make history on Jan. 1, 2026, when she takes the helm as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Justice Cleo E. Powell will make history on Jan. 1, 2026, when she takes the helm as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Her colleagues voted unanimously to elect her, making Powell the first Black woman to lead the state’s highest court.
Powell grew up in Brunswick County and has spent much of her career in her home state, breaking barriers. The soon-to-be Chief joined the Supreme Court in 2011 after serving on the Court of Appeals. Also, she served on the Chesterfield Circuit Court and the Chesterfield General District Court. She was re-elected to the high court in 2023. She will succeed Chief Justice S. Bernard Goodwyn, who is stepping down after more than three years in the role.
Her professional path has spanned private practice, corporate law, and public service. Early in her career, she worked as a labor and employment attorney and later served as corporate counsel and director of employee services for an energy company. She also held the role of Senior Assistant Attorney General before taking the bench.
Outside her day-to-day judicial work, Powell has been deeply involved in shaping how Virginia’s courts operate. She chairs the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee, has served on the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission, and has taught and mentored judges and lawyers through programs at New York University and the Appalachian School of Law.
Chief Justice Goodwyn called her “a dedicated jurist who exemplifies integrity, civility, and professionalism.”
Powell is also known for mentoring young attorneys and encouraging students to consider legal careers. She has been a visible advocate for representation and inclusion in the legal profession. Her steady commitment to uplifting others reflects the values that have guided her career: fairness, service, and opening doors for others.
Her appointment is more than a personal milestone, it is a reminder to future generations that Virginia’s courts belong to everyone.
