AirJordan 23, Salesmen
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 28, 2026

A Vintage Revival: Air Jordan 6 Joins Prestigious Bin23 Collection For 2026 All-Star Weekend

The sneakers will cost $350 with only 2,300 pairs available

For $350, you can own a new pair of Air Jordan 6 Bin23, but you’ll need to act quickly, as only 2,300 pairs have been produced for this limited-edition release.

According to Footwear News, the Air Jordan Bin23 is the first sneaker released from the luxury collection in over 15 years; the last release was in 2011.

What makes the latest release special is that these Jordans were the ones Michael Jordan wore when he won the first of his six NBA Championships with the Chicago Bulls in 1991. The all-black footwear features a high-end leather-and-suede tongue and the “Bin 23” logo on the heel. A bright red Jordan Brand logo appears on the tongue.

Reportedly, the original plans for the Bin23 series in 2010 and 2011 were to release refined looks to the Air Jordan 2, Air Jordan 5, Air Jordan 7, Air Jordan 9, and Air Jordan 3.

Nike is labeling this release, The Jordan Brand AJ6 Infrared “Salesman” as the sneaker is slated to be released Feb. 14 at nike.com and at select retailers.

“It’s the centerpiece of the Infrared Collection,” Terrance Harvey, Expert, Streetwear Footwear Product Management Icons, Jordan Brand, said in a written statement. “MJ won his first championship in this colorway, and since then, it has represented greatness. I’m excited for this newly reimagined icon to inspire fans to always strive for more.”

The AJ6 Infrared colorway has been released several times over the years, with the first release in 2000, followed by re-releases in 2010 and 2014 with different looks.

The brand just released a preview of the Air Jordan “Concrete Rose,” a collaboration with Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor (for her role in the movie One Battle After Another), set to release this year, though no date was given. That sneaker will be the second one featuring the Harlem-bred entertainer, continuing the “rose” theme after the Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 “A Rose From Harlem” was released in 2023.

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Ye, Kanye West, Kamala Harris, Trump
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 28, 2026

Ye Defends Apology Letter, Dismisses Claims Of ‘Forgiveness For Sales’ Ahead Of Album Release

Ye is defending the integrity of his recent public apology, despite the letter’s timing, which falls amid an upcoming album release.

The artist formerly known as Kanye West spoke to Vanity Fair about his decision to publish the letter now. In an ad in The Wall Street Journal paid for by the Yeezy brand, the remorseful rapper directed his apologies to the Jewish and Black communities. Ye garnered a lot of backlash for his anti-semitic and anti-Black rants over the past years.

As the letter gained traction, some questioned Ye’s motives as he plans to release a new album,” Bully,” this week. However, Ye denied claims of his inauthenticity, noting how his artistic success never wavered throughout the controversies.

“It’s my understanding that I was in the top 10 most listened-to artists overall in the U.S. on Spotify in 2025, and last week and most days as well,” wrote Ye. “My upcoming album, ‘Bully,’ is currently one of the most anticipated pre-saves of any album on Spotify, too. My 2007 album, ‘Graduation,’ was also the most listened-to and streamed hip-hop album of 2025.”

He further explained that his past words weighed “heavy on my heart,” leading to his public statement.

“This, for me, as evidenced by the letter, isn’t about reviving my commerciality,” he continued. “This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit. I owe a huge apology once again for everything that I said that hurt the Jewish and Black communities in particular. All of it went too far. I look at the wreckage of my episode and realize that this isn’t who I am.

Outside the interview, West further defended his actions in a public forum. He denied the critics’ claim that the apology was a publicity stunt.

“This is not a rollout,” West said in a written message shared online. “I’m not asking for streams or forgiveness for sales.”

While Ye hopes to find a new path, he believes the public acknowledgment of his wrongdoing is the next step. He also emphasized his responsibility as a public figure to remain faithful to certain values, which do not align with his previous stances.

“As a public figure, so many people follow and listen to my every word,” he told Vanity Fair. “It’s important that they realize and understand what side of history that I want to stand on. And that is one of love and positivity.”

RELATED CONTENT: ‘The Blind Side’ Star Quinton Aaron Fighting For Life After Sudden Collapse

jon jones, MAGA, Trump, UFC, champ
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 28, 2026

Trump Makes His Alex Pretti Stance Clear, ‘You Can’t Walk In With Guns’

As Trump pushed for the Second Amendment - the right to bear arms - to be protected during his first term and most recent presidential campaign, Democratic leaders are pointing out the sudden switch.

After first claiming he feels bad for Alex Pretti, the latest Minnesota ICE victim, President Donald Trump has switched his tone some saying, “You can’t walk in with guns. You just can’t.” 

Before leaving the White House to attend a rally in Iowa, reporters talked to Trump to get his thoughts on the tragic killing, which has caused controversial takes as a result of the victim allegedly carrying a handgun. After initially feeling bad, the president reneged on the sentiment and said Pretti should not have had a gun on him in the first place.

“With that being said, you can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns. You just can’t,” he said. 

“You can’t walk in with guns. You can’t do that. But it’s just a very unfortunate incident.”

Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was gunned down by Border Patrol agents after he was assisting a woman who was pushed to the ground. Prior to being shot, Pretti was also shoved to the ground as video shows one agent disarming the victim of his 9 mm handgun. 

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara revealed that Pretti was a legal gun owner with a permit to carry, as state law allows carriers to carry during protests.

Trump pushed for the Second Amendment – the right to bear arms – to be protected as he and other MAGA followers felt gun rights were under attack. Amid the Minnesota drama, Democratic leaders are pointing out the sudden switch. “GOP president: You can’t have guns,” a Democratic National Committee account posted on X, sharing the video of the president’s comments. 

The blue-aisled party is also paying close attention to the president’s stance in comparison to Kyle Rittenhouse, the then-17-year-old gun-wielding Trump supporter who took to the streets of Wisconsin in 2020 following a protest. 

After shooting three people, two of which died, he was acquitted of murder charges in 2021, arguing the shooting was in self defense. Trump once defended the now former supporter, saying, “he was trying to get away from them, I guess, it looks like.” “I guess he was in very big trouble. He probably would have been killed,” he said in 2020, according to NPR.

Former Democratic congressional candidate for Texas, Isaiah Martin, took time to remind Trump of his past stance on guns at protests. “Reminder that Kyle Rittenhouse showed up to a protest like this and Republicans called him a hero,” Martin wrote on X supported by a picture of Rittenhouse sporting a semi-automatic weapon. 

Martin’s comments come as members of the Trump Administration cabinet have continued to bash the ICU nurse for being armed as a protest. Homeland Security Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel both publicly condemned the victim with Noem saying, “I don’t know of any peaceful protester that shows up with a gun and ammunition rather than a sign.”

RELATED CONTENT: Megyn Kelly Shows Audacity And Apathy For ICE Agents Killing Alex Pretti

Coco Gauff, French Open
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 28, 2026

Coco Gauff Questions Lack Of Privacy At Australian Open After Racket Smashing Made Public

Gauff opened the door for discussions on better privacy for players post-matches.

Amid the controversy surrounding her public racket-smashing, Coco Gauff is calling out the lack of privacy for players at the Australian Open.

After a heartbreaking defeat in the quarterfinals of the tournament, Gauff decided to let off steam in a physical way by hitting her rackets on the cement grounds several times. However, cameras can follow players anywhere outside the locker room, even during emotional moments. Given the openness, Gauff had no choice but to share the vulnerable moment with the world.

However, she would have preferred to let out her frustrations privately, even trying to find a hidden area in the Melbourne Parks to do so.

“I tried to go somewhere where I thought there wasn’t a camera,” explained Gauff to reporters. “I don’t necessarily like breaking rackets.”

She also admitted that she would prefer not to showcase that part of the sport to younger fans. The 21-year-old athlete even called out the Australian Open broadcast for filming and airing the intimate moment.

“I kind of have a thing with the broadcast,” she said. “I feel like certain moments — the same thing happened to Aryna Sabalenka after I played her in the final of the U.S. Open — I feel like they don’t need to broadcast.”

Given their limited space for true solitude, the two-time Grand Slam winner wants to open the floor to discussion of privacy regulations for players.

“Maybe some conversations can be had,” added Gauff. “Because I feel like at this tournament the only private place we have is the locker room.”

The incident has sparked debate over the airtime players face after matches, especially following difficult losses. Gauff has now raised concerns about whether this extra camera time strips players of their emotional safety. The tennis community has also taken note in light of her public concern.

While some viewed Gauff’s racket-smashing as a display of poor emotional control, one tennis legend came to her defense. After her husband, Gauff’s coach, defended the impassioned moment, Serena Williams also took to social media to console Gauff, offering her a private lesson on her signature serve.

“Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose,” wrote Williams. “Now, Coco [Gauff], when you want, I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style.”

RELATED CONTENT: Megyn Kelly Shows Audacity And Apathy For ICE Agents Killing Alex Pretti

Rick Ross
by Ida Harris

January 28, 2026

Rick Ross ‘The Biggest Boss’ Thus Far Turns 50. 

The Teflon Don has plenty to celebrate

William Leonard Roberts, famously known as Rick Ross, has plenty to celebrate. The Mississippi-born, Miami-raised emcee slid onto the hip-hop scene in 2006, at age 30. In 2026, 20 years later, the rapper-turned-music-executive-turned-businessman is still sliding in the music industry but now touts a multimillion-dollar portfolio, representing his mixed bag of businesses. Rick Ross is still “Hustling.”

On Jan. 28, the “Teflon Don” turns 50 years old. In what appears to be a reflective moment, Ross posted on Instagram in the wee hours of the morning. Beneath a photograph of himself, he captioned: “On this day The Biggest Boss was born!!” and declared January 28th “National Hustlers holiday.”

“You look at 50 differently when you own the land you stand on. When I was 25, the dream was getting on. At 30, it was launching an empire. Now, at 50, the dream is infrastructure,” Ross told BLACK ENTERPRISE.  

When asked what it feels like to be an accomplished businessman at this milestone, Ross shared that, “It feels like we just finished the framing, and now we’re finally ready to build the skyscraper. The first half of my life was about proving I could hustle; the next half is about proving I can scale. I’m not interested in being the best rapper in the room anymore; I’m interested in having the best portfolio in the hemisphere.”

To his credit, Ross has an expansive real estate portfolio in Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Ross’ investments are nothing to sneeze at. He’s penetrated the food & beverage industry as owner of 30 WingStop and Checkers locations. His spirits include Belaire Champagne, Deacon whiskey and Bumbu rum.

Ross ventured into the tech industry as an angel investor for Jetdoc, and then there are his health and beauty, luggage, and automotive products, to name a few. Ross’s endeavors and maturity beg the question of what’s next for the middle-aged mogul. 

“What’s next is aggressive expansion. We mastered the franchise game with the restaurants, we mastered the branding game with the spirits,” Ross told BE. 

“Now, I’m looking at acquisitions that shift the culture. I’m looking at fintech, mass-scale agriculture, and real estate development that changes city skylines. I want to own the supply chain, not just the product.

“The accomplishment I’m still chasing is bigger than music; it’s institutional wealth. I want to reach a level of business where my companies run efficiently. That’s the difference between being a boss and being a tycoon.”

Ross continued:

“A boss dictates the move; a tycoon built the board on which the game is played.

“We are not just counting money anymore; we are counting equity, we are counting acres, and we are counting the centuries our name is going to remain on these buildings. The marathon continues, but we are running in a different tax bracket now.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rick Ross And Dr. Mario Montoya Are All ‘Smiles’ After Opening Cosmetic Dentistry Business

ilhan, Omar, ICE, Minnesota
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 28, 2026

Ilhan Omar Rejects Intimidation After Being Targeted In Town Hall Assault

While her team could be heard urging her to go get checked out, the congresswoman was overheard saying “that’s what they want.”

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is proof that Minnesota is built to fight after she continued her speech following being sprayed by an unknown substance during a Minneapolis town hall discussion. 

Omar was speaking about her stance on the tragic instances that have taken place in the city and throughout the state at the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), taking the lives of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. “ICE cannot be reformed, ICE cannot be rehabilitated. We must abolish ICE,” Omar said. 

Shortly after, a man was seen standing up and approaching Omar at the podium, spraying her with an unknown substance. 

Security and those standing behind her immediately came to her assistance. While her team could be heard urging her to go get checked out, the congresswoman was overheard saying, “That’s what they want.”

“Please don’t let them have the show,” the leader was heard saying. 

“Here is the reality that people like this ugly man don’t understand. We are Minnesota strong, and we will stay resilient in the face of whatever they may throw at us.”

According to ABC News, the Minneapolis Police Department identified the suspect as 55-year-old Anthony James Kazmierczak, who was charged with third-degree assault. 

Following the troubling incident, Omar told reporters that she won’t be intimidated by anyone as she is a survivor. “You know, I’ve survived more, and I’m definitely going to survive intimidation and whatever these people think that they can throw at me because I’m built that way,” she said.

Before the Trump administration targeted Minnesota and the city of Minneapolis, Omar had been attacked by President Donald Trump, referring to her as a “fake sleazebag” and calling for her and other members of the Somali community to be thrown out of the U.S. 

When asked for his thoughts on the attack, the president revealed he doesn’t have any, even blaming her for the attack. “I don’t think about her. I think she’s a fraud,” Trump said. 

“She probably had herself sprayed, knowing her.”

The president may not believe her, but many supporters on social media were praising how she handled herself during the situation. One X user even pointed out how Omar approached the man after he was taken down by security, seemingly standing up for herself. “Can we talk about how Ilhan Omar was ready to throw hands with a man twice her size and then just got straight back to work?” @karlykingsley wrote. 

“I wish I lived in Minnesota just so I could vote for her.”

Another pointed out how her survival makes her more American than most, especially Trump. “Ilhan Omar spent four years in a refugee camp and ended up becoming a Congresswoman,” @strandjunker said.

“She represents the best of America, while Donald Trump represents the worst.”

RELATED CONTENT: Megyn Kelly Shows Audacity And Apathy For ICE Agents Killing Alex Pretti

ICE, detroit, civil rights leaders
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 28, 2026

Metro Atlanta Leaders Urge Citizens To Stay Alert After ICE Agent Sightings

City leaders have yet to verify if the federal government directed ICE agents to Metro Atlanta.

City leaders in Metro Atlanta have warned citizens of potential ICE sightings around parts of the city.

Although it is unverified whether the immigration agents have been designated to Metro Atlanta, city officials in College Park, Georgia, want residents to stay alert. The area’s mayor and other elected officials have also called out the federal government’s lack of transparency about whether ICE agents are stationed in their area.

Despite the lack of verification, several reports have placed ICE agents in the city, particularly near the Georgia International Convention Center and surrounding neighborhoods, all located in the College Park area. According to Fox 5, the increased sighting reports have led College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom to issue a statement.

“Like many of you, I’ve heard about the federal immigration enforcement presence in our area. I want to be clear: ICE is not operating out of the Georgia International Convention Center,” shared the mayor on her website.

However, Motley Broom has yet to receive word from any federal agency confirming the ICE sightings, but has encouraged citizens to remain vigilant amid safety concerns. As violent ICE raids that have even taken lives in Minnesota, many Georgians are especially hesitant to have these agents roam the streets.

Although Mayor Motley Broom could not verify the claims, other College Park City Council members have taken matters into their own hands to confirm the sightings.

Dr. Jamelle McKenzie, who represents Ward 1, validated claims that ICE is in Atlanta but not stationed at the convention center. Despite this, she still warned citizens to carry proper identification in case they are stopped. Vice-Mayor Joe Carn, on the other hand, has suggested that the agents have actually found their home base in College Park’s 5th district.

As the situation escalates with more sightings reported, officials urge those across Atlanta, regardless of citizenship status, to remain alert and carry necessary legal documents at all times during this period. News of ICE agents’ presence is especially alarming as the nation sees their impact in Minnesota. While immigration enforcement continues to occupy Minneapolis, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both American citizens, were killed in fatal shootings by ICE officers.

Of Pretti’s death, Mayor Motley Broom also issued a statement calling for clear protocols and justice. She also reminded her constituents that the loss in Minneapolis could happen anywhere, even in their Georgia city.

“We need to ensure that every community is safe, that protocols are clear, and that justice and accountability are paramount. This situation is a stark reminder that what happens in one part of our nation resonates everywhere. If it could happen in Minneapolis, it could happen in College Park.”

RELATED CONTENT: Anger And Activism Rises As ICE Agents Can Now Access Ring Cameras

Tyra Banks, Smize
by Kandiss Edwards

January 28, 2026

‘Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model’ Exposes The ‘Monster’ Created By Tyra Banks

The forthcoming docuseries will revisit memorable and frequently commented on aspects of ANTM.

Netflix is dropping Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model, and the snippets are showing the dark side of the Tyra Banks creation.

The three-part documentary, peeling back the layers of the show, will premiere Feb. 16, giving an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the long-running model competition series America’s Next Top Model, which is drama- and tear-filled.

Netflix dropped a sneak peek trailer to promote the upcoming documentary. The exposé features interviews with key characters from the original show, including the creator and host of ANTM, Tyra Banks, and judges Jay Manuel, Miss J Alexander, and Nigel Barker. Additionally, former contestants are speaking up to share the horrors they endured on their quest to be the best. 

The production aims to explore both the show’s cultural impact and its controversial moments from its 24-season run. Banks said her goal was to “fight against the fashion industry,” though it seems in many instances she acknowledges she’d “gone too far.”

Netflix describes Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model as an in-depth look at a program that became a global phenomenon with millions of viewers. The show was the first of its kind and shaped reality television history.

The forthcoming docuseries will revisit memorable and frequently commented-on aspects of ANTM. While visibility for unseen models was guaranteed, visibility for other, now frowned-upon, subjects, such as body-shaming, was also brought into the spotlight. The promotion of models maintaining a thin, nearly unhealthy aesthetic, as well as ethnic insensitivity, are only a few of the topics being broached. Contestants also spoke about on-the-fly medical procedures.

America’s Next Top Model originally aired from 2003 to 2018 and helped launch modeling careers while also drawing scrutiny for its competitive format and provocative challenges. The new Netflix docuseries is positioned as part of the streamer’s slate of documentary projects that revisit influential media properties with a fresh perspective. 

RELATED CONTENT: Alfonso Ribeiro Says Tyra Banks Was ‘Set up For Failure’ During ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Stint

Paul Tazewell
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 28, 2026

Paul Tazewell, Emma Grede, JJ Johnson Among TIME 2026 Closers List

Released on Jan. 27, just ahead of Black History Month, the third annual list highlights 18 Black leaders from diverse fields who leverage their talents to drive positive change.

British businesswoman Emma Grede, Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell, and James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson are among TIME Magazine’s 2026 “Closers,” 18 Black leaders advancing greater equality.

Released on Jan. 27, just ahead of Black History Month, the third annual list highlights 18 Black leaders from diverse fields who leverage their talents to drive positive change.

This year’s honorees span social justice, business, sports, entertainment, and the arts, including Erin Jackson, Olympic champion speed skater; Abre’ Conner, director of the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice; and Marc Philpart, CEO of the Black Freedom Fund.

“Our annual Closers list launches just ahead of Black History Month,” TIME editors said. “We are proud to tell the stories of these 18 leaders who, despite ever-evolving challenges, remain determined to make change and to better the world we share.”

Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem

Here’s the full 2026 Closers List:

  • Abre’ Conner, director of the NAACP Center for Environmental and Climate Justice
  • Angela Doyinsola Aina, co-founder and executive director of Black Mamas Matter Alliance
  • Calvin Butler, CEO of Exelon
  • Danielle Deadwyler, actor and producer
  • Dara Eskridge, CEO of Invest STL
  • Darren Walker, philanthropist
  • Emma Grede, founder, entrepreneur, author, and host of Aspire with Emma Grede podcast
  • Erin Jackson, Olympic champion speed skater
  • Imani Perry, author and scholar
  • JJ Johnson, chef and advocate
  • Jamal Joseph, filmmaker and professor
  • Jennifer Eberhardt, social psychologist and Stanford professor
  • Karen Pittman, actor, producer, and activist
  • Marc Philpart, CEO of the Black Freedom Fund
  • Nneka Ogwumike, president of the WNBA players association
  • Paul Tazewell, Oscar-winning costume designer
  • Sarah Lewis, art historian and Harvard professor

The list highlights Black leaders across the U.S. committed to building a more equitable world.

Pittman uses her experience with food insecurity to advocate for those relying on government assistance. Ogwumike is fighting for a collective bargaining agreement to reward players as the WNBA grows. Together, these leaders drive innovative, community-focused initiatives at a time when equity initiatives have been challenged.

“We have to meet the moment,” Perry said. “We can still read the banned books, teach each other what needs to be taught, and maintain an imagination for a just society.”

A ceremony celebrating the 2026 Closers List will be held Feb. 12 in Atlanta.

RELATED CONTENT: Costume Designer Paul Tazewell’s Award-Winning Looks Part of Upcoming Chicago Exhibit

SOCCER,Michelle Alozie, Houston Dash Pierreline Nazon
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 28, 2026

Trinity Rodman Inks New Deal With Washington Spirit, Now Highest-Paid Female Soccer Player

Her deal deal is reportedly worth over $2 million annually.

Trinity Rodman has recently signed a new three-year contract with the Washington Spirit, making her the world’s highest-paid female soccer player. The Spirit announced the record-breaking contract.

Rodman will be with the franchise until 2028.

ESPN reports that the deal is worth over $2 million annually, including bonuses. Rodman’s agent, Mike Senkowski of Upper 90 Sports Group, confirmed that she is now the highest-paid player in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history.

The previous record was held after Rodman extended her rookie contract in 2022, signing a four-year contract with the Spirit worth more than $1.1 million. That happened after she led the team to the NWSL championship and was named the league’s rookie of the year.

“I’ve made the DMV my home and the Spirit my family, and I knew this was where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career,” said Rodman in a written statement. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season, and I’m excited about where this club is headed. We’re chasing championships and raising the standard, and I can’t wait to keep doing that with my teammates and the best fans in the NWSL.”

Rodman broke into professional sports as the second overall selection in the 2021 NWSL Draft. At 18, she was the youngest player ever drafted by a NWSL team.

“Trinity is a generational player, but more importantly, she represents the future of this club and the future of women’s soccer,” said Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit and founder of Kynisca. “This agreement reflects our belief that elite talent deserves elite commitment. At the Spirit, we are building something enduring: a club that competes for championships every year, invests in excellence, and creates an environment where world-class players can thrive long-term. Trinity choosing to continue her career in Washington is a powerful statement about what we are building here.”

Rodman, the youngest player in league history to reach 50 career goal contributions, is a two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin finalist and a 2024 NWSL MVP finalist. In less than five years with the Spirit, she holds the franchise’s all-time assists record. She is also a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) which won a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

RELATED CONTENT: Dennis Rodman’s Son To Join Bronny James On USC Basketball Team

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