by Atiya Jordan

February 22, 2022

Afro-Surrealist Alim Smith To Showcase The History Of Black Memes At A Los Angeles Pop-Up Exhibit

Delaware-born artist and Afro-surrealist Alim Smith will debut a collection of meme portraits at an Instagram pop-up exhibit titled Family Reunion on Feb. 23 in Los Angeles.

It’s no secret that the evolution of Black memes, a culmination of reactions of Black people, has played a significant role in pop culture and on social media. Smith, an interdisciplinary painter, has achieved recent notoriety for his portrait paintings of Black subjects in popular internet memes. In his artistic element, Smith uses a surreal style of portraiture to explore Black identity, past, present, and future.

This Black History Month will see a new exhibit and gallery that pays tribute to Black meme culture. Visitors can learn and take note of some of the best featured Black meme icons, including Kayla Nicole Jones, Kalin Elisa, Sweet Brown, Soulja Boy, and Viola Davis, The Source reports.

“I feel like the emotions that I chose really capture pandemic energy. They capture how the world feels right now to me, at least, or what the world looks like to me right now,” Smith shared, according to the news outlet.

Smith’s artistic adaptions of Black internet memes are notable for utilizing a more striking technique of skewing the subject’s facial features, which allows for a unique interpretation of the subjects. This style remains realistic in recognizable aspects.

Check out some of the artwork featured in the Black History of Memes exhibit below:

Kalin Elisa “Squat and Squint”
Soulja Boy “Draaaaake”
Colin aka “Side-Eyes”
Sweet Brown “Ain’t Nobody Got Time For That”
Quenlin Blackwell “Me Explaining To My Mom…”

With each piece, Smith strives to create reflective art.

“Art is a tool to communicate and express ideas and my only goal currently with art is to connect to the viewer and relate so that they can see themselves in the work. I do it through oil paintings now, but one day I’ll just be the guy standing on the corner with a mirror. I just want the world to see itself,” Smith told Kulture Hub.

(Alim Smith)

Two weeks ago, Smith announced his creation of the season 3 poster of FX comedy-drama Atlanta on Instagram. Featuring the show’s main characters, the artwork captures them in colliding colors, lively pastels, and leaning lines.

“And finally seeing these paintings outside of my art studio, is insanely surreal (every part of this is an oil painting (many oil paintings ) for one of my absolutely favorite shows!! From one of my favorite artist, I’ve been watching Donald glover on YouTube since high school before he was a rapper when he was just making comedy sketches!” he captioned the photo of the poster.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 22, 2022

Black Artist Who Designed the First Ever Kwanzaa Stamp For USPS Publishes Her First Art Book

World-renowned visual artist and author, Synthia Saint James proudly announces the publication of her first art book “My Multicultural World,” now available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

Graced with sixty-five full-color reproductions–a medley of her bold and brilliantly rendered paintings–she personally shares the inspiration behind each of her creations.

Although most noted for designing the first Kwanzaa stamp for the U.S. Postal Service, Synthia SAINT JAMES’ art and celebrity have been utilized in numerous promotional campaigns for such companies as Royal Caribbean International, Johnson & Johnson, Maybelline, Coca Cola USA, Essence Communications, Barnes and Noble and AARP.

Her public art designs include a 150-foot ceramic tile mural for an airport’s international baggage claim, elevators doors for a lobby of a government building, stained glass windows for a landmark library and a four-story mural for an affordable living complex.

Her artworks have been essential to the decor of U.S. Embassies through the Art in Embassies Program since the 90s. A partial listing: Caracas, Venezuela; Gagnoa, Ghana; Accra, Ghana; Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; Abuja, Nigeria; Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa; Asmara, Eritrea; Singapore; Lome, Togo; Valleta, Malta; and Juba, South Sudan.

This article first appeared on Blacknews.com. 

A Black Neurosurgeon Is Suing Wellstar Health System For Racial Discrimination; His Attorneys Say It’s Part Of A Larger Issue
by Derek Major

February 22, 2022

A Black Neurosurgeon Is Suing Wellstar Health System For Racial Discrimination; His Attorneys Say It’s Part Of A Larger Issue

A metro Atlanta neurosurgeon is suing the Wellstar Health System in federal court for racial discrimination, claiming doctors undermined him because of his race.

According to a WSB-TV report, Dr. Dare Adewumi alleges less than a year after he began working at Wellstar Cobb Hospital, doctors and insiders began operating against him.

“There I was, a young Black man, a young Black neurosurgeon who was doing well, my surgeries were going well, my career was blossoming, my reputation was blooming, and all of a sudden I received all these letters attacking everything from my character to my surgeries,” Adewumi said.

“The way I was being treated was very different from the way my white colleagues were being treated.”

Adewumi’s attorney, CK Hoffler, added the situation is larger than Adewumi, who is suing the Wellstar Medical Group and Wellstar Health Systems Inc. Hoeffler says the situation is increasing across the U.S. for Black doctors victimized through anonymous and subjective internal procedures.

“This is happening during a time when we need doctors; we need Black doctors,” Hoffler told WSB. “We have seen a pattern.”

According to Adewumi, things went fine for the first 10 months he was on the job. However, he soon began receiving numerous letters of inquiry, which are often the result of an anonymous peer-review process. As a result, Adewumi was placed on a 12-month performance plan and said doctors began treating him like an intern.

After the 12-month performance plan ended, Adewumi says he was fired by Wellstar and told he’d done nothing wrong and was being terminated because the right relationships were not fostered. The situation also prevented him from getting two other positions after being fired by Wellstar.

The situation has become so common that medical organizations and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, led by Rev. Jesse Jackson, are involved.

Systemic racism for both doctors and patients in the U.S. medical system is no secret, but the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep racial issues in healthcare. Black Americans were infected more and died at a higher rate than white Americans, but due to past atrocities, Black people were more hesitant to listen to doctors and get the vaccine.

Several documents in the case have been sealed and hidden from the public. Additionally, Wellstar has requested a motion to dismiss the lawsuit. William Hill, an attorney for Wellstar, kept things close to the vest in a statement to WSB.

“Wellstar does not discriminate. Dr. Adewumi has not been the subject of discrimination or unfair treatment. Patient care and safety are Wellstar’s top priorities,” Hill said.

Shaquille O’Neal Gets Emotional Acknowledging Loss of Kobe Bryant, His Sister and Father During NBA 75th Anniversary
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 22, 2022

Shaquille O’Neal Gets Emotional Acknowledging Loss of Kobe Bryant, His Sister and Father During NBA 75th Anniversary

The inner workings of Los Angeles Lakers teammates Shaquille O’Neal and the late Kobe Bryant are well documented. Although they worked well on the basketball court, the two didn’t see eye to eye when the game wasn’t being played.

This past weekend, the NBA honored the 75th Anniversary of the league at halftime during the weekend’s All-Star festivities, Essentially Sports reports. It also honored the 75-greatest players, and included on that list were greats such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, LeBron James, O’Neal, and his fallen teammate Bryant.

The TNT commentator got emotional as he spoke on the NBA on the TNT broadcast. He mentioned the many people who helped him along the way to his legendary NBA career, including some of the all-time greats who played on the hardwood as he was growing up.

As he was finishing the emotional discussion, he pointed out three people who were not able to attend the 75th Anniversary Team acknowledgment this past weekend: his father and his sister, as well as his ex-teammate, Bryant.

“What really saddened me about today is that my father couldn’t be there, my sister couldn’t be there, and my main man, Kobe Bryant, couldn’t be there,” O’Neal stated. “A lot of people helped me get here. But those three. Dad pushing me, my little sister covering for me and Kobe going back and forth, making each other great. It was a great moment for me. It’s a great honor.”

 

The center, who was the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, was also included on the NBA’s 50th-anniversary team. He has won a total of four championships while appearing in 15 All-Star Games. He is also in the NBA Hall of Fame.

Byant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people on Jan. 26, 2020.

R&B Songstress Keke Wyatt Reveals She Is Expecting Her 11th Child
by Atiya Jordan

February 22, 2022

R&B Songstress Keke Wyatt Reveals She Is Expecting Her 11th Child

R&B singer and songwriter Keke Wyatt and her husband, Zackariah Darring, expect their second child together in the couple’s growing family. Wyatt, a mother of 10,  took to social media with the announcement.

Ecstatic about the news, Wyatt posted a maternity photo of herself in a red flowing gown with a cut-out that reveals her growing baby bump. “My husband, Zackariah David Darring and I are proud to announce that our family will be adding a “plus 1” to the Wyatt Bunch!” she captioned the photo.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Keke Wyatt (@keke_wyatt)

She concluded her news the hashtags #Baby11, #TrustingGod, #BabyDarring, #TheWyattBunch, #Family and #KekesKids.

The 39-year-old has been married to Darring since 2018, following her divorce from Michael Ford, according to Essence. The pair announced the birth of their first child together on social media, writing, “My husband Zackariah and I are blessed to welcome our beautiful and healthy 7 lb 11ounce son, Ke’Riah Darring,” she writes. “He came to our family on 1/6/2020.”

Wyatt has eight children from her previous relationship with Ford and one from her first marriage to Rahmat Morton.

In a separate post, Wyatt shared two family pictures of the “Wyatt Bunch,” noting that their daughter Kayla Ford “wasn’t available for the picture but you’re with us in spirit Shuga!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Keke Wyatt (@keke_wyatt)

Amid the announcement, well wishes and congratulations poured in from fans and fellow celebrities. NeNe Leakes wrote, “Blessings upon Blessings,” Tamar Braxton commented, “Chile Finally I love u sister,” while Karlie Redd gushed, “Wow You Look Beautiful Congratulations.”

Chad Ochocinco Johnson, former American football wide receiver, hinted at competing with the soon-to-be mother of 11. “KeKe Wyatt really think she finna outdo me….,” the father of nine tweeted.

The Indianapolis native says that she believes that God blessed her with the gift of motherhood. She told the Christian Post in 2017, “I think I have an anointing on motherhood. I know it sounds funny, but I really think that it’s a gift of mine. That’s one of my many gifts [and] talents.”

 

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 22, 2022

MasterClass Announces Class on Tracing Your Roots Through Food With Michael Twitty

MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world’s best across a wide range of subjects, announced that Michael Twitty, two-time James Beard Award-winning writer and author of “The Cooking Gene,” will teach a class on tracing your roots through food.

Bringing years of research and his personal philosophy on the culinary habits and practices of African American culture, Twitty will teach members how food can help them discover their unique cultural and familial history. Twitty’s class is now available exclusively on MasterClass, where subscribers get unlimited access to all 150+ instructors with an annual membership.

“Michael is a culinary historian who has revolutionized the way we understand what we eat,” said David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass.

“He roots his class in his personal journey, teaching members how to see food as the lens and vehicle for understanding who we are, where we come from and how to preserve a family legacy.”

In his class, Twitty will teach members how to discover, track and document their family food histories through storytelling, genealogy and writing, according to a press release. By uncovering the unspoken truths of African American food culture and its influence throughout history, Twitty shares that in order to pass down our food legacies, we must confront the good and bad histories of our ancestors. Using his book “The Cooking Gene” as an example, he will teach members why it is critical to preserve and promote family food history. Twitty will break down the meaning of “foodways,” which are inherited cultural and social practices surrounding food, and share the history of foodways during the transatlantic slave trade and the antebellum South. Twitty will also explore the role cultural appropriation and environmental racism have in perpetuating an unhealthy diet that denies African Americans credit for their own culinary creations. Twitty will provide members with a step-by-step guide on how to interview family members, break down his process for writing and food blogging with purpose and share how to confront their DNA story. He will also discuss authentic soul food and teach members how to cook traditional recipes such as black-eyed pea fritters and okra, corn and tomato “stewp.” Members will walk away with a new appreciation of preserving food experiences past and present to not only uncover their food story but deepen their relationship with their family and culture.

“As someone with many intersections of identities—Black, gay, Jewish, Southern, male—all of those things put together means that if my experience is something rich and worthy of dialogue, so is yours,” Twitty said.

“Understanding the culinary journey of our ancestors gives us something to be proud of, and in my class, I will teach members how to preserve their ancestors’ legacy and continue telling their story through food.”

Michael Twitty is an African American Jewish writer, culinary historian and educator from the Washington, D.C., area. In 2010, he launched “Afroculinaria,” a culinary history blog dedicated to exploring and educating readers on African and African American foodways. In 2016, Twitty received the inaugural Taste Talks Culinary Pioneer Award and won both reader’s choice and editor’s choice for his letter to chef Sean Brock from “Saveur.” Also in 2016, he was named a TED Fellow. Twitty’s memoir, “The Cooking Gene,” tracks his ancestry through food from slavery to freedom; it received the 2018 James Beard Award for Best Writing as well as Book of the Year—making him the first Black author so awarded. Twitty penned a piece for “Bon Appétit” on his visit to Ghana, which was included in “The Best American Food Writing 2019.”

His next book, “Rice: A Savor the South Cookbook,” was published in 2021, and he has plans to release “Koshersoul,” the follow-up to “The Cooking Gene,” later this year. Celebrating his food story, Twitty partnered with Spice Tribe and launched The Cooking Gene Spice Collection. He’s known to merge his love of food, travel and history, and has appeared on “Bizarre Foods America” with Andrew Zimmern, “Taste the Nation” with Padma Lakshmi, “High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America” and Michelle Obama’s “Waffles + Mochi” show on Netflix.

Twitty is also part of the National Geographic Society’s 2021 class of Emerging Explorers.

How a Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Finalist Used a Loss to Propel His Spice Crafters, Chilau Foods Product Line
by Yolanda Baruch

February 22, 2022

How a Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Finalist Used a Loss to Propel His Spice Crafters, Chilau Foods Product Line

In the words of Truman Capote, “Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor.” This sentiment is reflected in the steady ascension of Michael Anderson, founder of Spice Crafters L.L.C. | Chilau Foods.

Anderson was a top-five finalist in the Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch competition in 2011. Anderson presented his then-product Primo27 to the judges, Black Enterprise CEO Earl G. Graves Jr., television personality Star Jones, comedian J. Anthony Brown, and Magnus Greaves, co-founder of 100 Urban Entrepreneurs. The winner received $10,000 toward the launch of their business. Even though Anderson did not win the contest, his destiny was in the food business.

Anderson presented his then-product Primo27 to the judges, Black Enterprise CEO Earl G. Graves Jr., television personality Star Jones, comedian J. Anthony Brown, and Magnus Greaves, co-founder of 100 Urban Entrepreneurs. Photo Credit: Michael Anderson.

From Primo27, Anderson continued to toil and developed a spicy garlic seasoning that received rave reviews from friends and family. His latest creation compelled him to start a crowdfunding project via Kickstarter to launch his new brand two years later, in 2013. His Hot Clove Garlic Co. brand gained 357 backers netting $13,000 in less than 30 days to launch.

The Birth of Hot Clove Garlic  

After the Kickstarter promotion, Hot Clove Garlic was accepted into the Specialty Food Association using the proceeds from Kickstarter. Anderson exhibited at the 2014 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco to showcase his new line of spicy garlic rubs and seasonings. He landed a phone call with a buyer from TJX Cos. “From there, I sent out a few samples, and she liked them,” he explains. 

Anderson’s success at the Fancy Food Show continued to propel his brand forward, garnering shelf space in 150 Win-Dixie stores throughout Central Florida in addition to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls.

The Power of the Pivot 

Anderson was thrilled with his progression on his second brand but felt there was more he could do and another level he could reach. During his second stint exhibiting at the Fancy Food Show in the summer of 2015, he had an epiphany, “I need a sauce!” he thought, “the way I saw people respond to sauces at the show was just different and more engaging than dry seasonings. The [experience] planted the seed, but I had no idea at the time what would come of it.”

Michael Anderson and his Chilau Foods product line. Photo Credit: Michael Anderson.

 

He took inspirational cues from a family vacation where Anderson honed in on the idea for his sauce and turned to Kickstarter once again to launch Chilau Sauce in August of 2016.

 

The Chilau Foods, sauces, and seasonings. Photo Credit: Michael Anderson.

 

 He raised $7,973 in 30 days. Incorporating crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter into his business model served as a vital tool for increasing the necessary capital and conducting consumer research.

Publix – Florida Local Program

Soon after the production of Chilau, Anderson set his sights on his dream grocery chain and went through the process of presenting samples to Publix around January of 2017. Eventually, he received his first purchase order of $60,000 from Publix and got his products in over 400 stores in the southeast. Anderson was ecstatic but quickly realized getting on the shelf and staying on the shelf is a different game requiring the type of financial backing he lacked. In the summer of 2018, he made a massive decision to pivot to 100% e-commerce to move his brand forward on his terms.

The Pandemic and Social Media Marketing Strategies

The proof is definitely in the sauce; from 2019 to 2021, Chilau Foods brought in $670K in online sales. In  2020, the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he cleared $376K in sales. He feels that most of the sales were fueled by people who could not eat at restaurants or shop at grocery stores due to the pandemic. For 2022, he intends to approach retailers in locations with a significant customer base and partner with influencers on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

Anderson’s mission and vision for Spice Crafters L.L.C. and Chilau Foods are to produce staple pantry products and become a nationally recognizable brand.  

To read reviews, visit here. For more information, visit chilaufoods.com

Miss Alabama 2021 Zoe Sozo Bethel Dies From Severe Brain Damage 8 Days After Fatal Accident Falling From Building
by Atiya Jordan

February 22, 2022

Miss Alabama 2021 Zoe Sozo Bethel Dies From Severe Brain Damage 8 Days After Fatal Accident Falling From Building

Zoe Sozo Bethel, who was crowned Miss Alabama for America Strong 2021, has died after succumbing to injuries after a falling accident, Insider reports. She was 27.

Police say that Bethel fell from a third-story window.

Bethel’s family announced her passing three days after the news of her confirmed accident, saying that she “may not have much time left” on her official Instagram page. The statement revealed that the beauty queen had been in an accident “Thursday night, February 10th, & sustained severe damage to her brain/brainstem & is in a coma.”

Eight days later, Bethel’s heartbroken family updated her Instagram with the following announcement:

“On Friday, February 18, 2022, at approximately 5:30AM Eastern time in Miami, Florida, our beloved Zoe Sozo Bethel passed from this life into the next as a result of succumbing to her injuries.”

 

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A post shared by Zoe Sozo Bethel (@zosobe)

They went on to say that Bethel “touched the hearts of many people and was involved in several organizations. At the time of her passing, she remained as a political commentator for RSBN, a Brand Ambassador for Turning Point USA, and Liberty University’s Falkirk Center. She was also a spokeswoman for Students for Life, which has become one of the leading pro-life advocacy organizations in the world and is affiliated with the nonprofit journalist enterprise, Project Veritas.”

Bethel’s family asked for “effectual and fervent prayers” and privacy as they take this time to grieve. Bethel’s family has also extended an invitation to supporters to donate to their GoFundMe page to assist with medical and funeral expenses. The campaign has garnered more than $40,000 of its $500,000 goal.

Tributes have been pouring in on social media platforms since news took over the internet.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear friend and reigning Miss Alabama for America Strong, Zoe Bethel,” the pageant said in a statement on its Facebook page, changing its cover photo to one of her. “She was a light in this world, and we are heartbroken over the loss of such a bright and beautiful woman.”

Upon hearing the news, Grace Saldana, editor-in-chief of RSBN, where Bethel was a political commentator, also paid tribute on Twitter.

“In loving memory of Zoe,” Saldana wrote alongside a series of photos. “Besides the fact that she was always incredibly stunning, I’ll always remember how convicted Zoe was in her faith in God, how dedicated she was to her beliefs in protecting life, and how much she cared for others. May she rest in peace ❤️.”

Former NBA Player Al Harrington to Speak to Fellow Athletes at Financial Sports Summit
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 22, 2022

Former NBA Player Al Harrington to Speak to Fellow Athletes at Financial Sports Summit

Being successful and continuing to make money after a career in sports isn’t always guaranteed if you’re not one of the top-earning athletes.

It’s been widely reported that 78% of professional athletes go broke within three years of retirement. This is why the NKSFB Sports Wealth Summit was created to guide athletes so they can avoid becoming a statistic when their career in sports is over.

Former NBA player and entrepreneur Al Harrington, a featured speaker at last summer’s summit in Aspen, Colorado, is returning to the upcoming NKSFB Sports Wealth Summit in Miami on Feb. 23–Feb. 25.

After allowing other athletes to sit in on a conversation that was beneficial to those who attended, he will enlighten others in Miami this week.

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to Harrington about the benefits of attending this summit and how he was able to further make money after his basketball career.

After attending last year’s wealth summit in Aspen, what are your expectations for the Miami summit? 

I think a lot of the younger guys are interested in their financial futures, so I feel like there will be more players than last year. I’m excited to see the different industries that show up this year. With everything happening in the crypto space and Miami being a big hub for it, I’m sure it’ll be a big topic of conversation.

You’re one of the athletes who has maintained a good financial portfolio, having several businesses you are involved in. Why do you think it’s difficult for many professional athletes to keep a healthy bank account after their sports career is over?

Young athletes aren’t always given the tools to be successful financially. For most of the guys, when they get into the league, it’s their first experience with real money, and a lot of times, they don’t have any idea how to invest properly. Either they manage their money themselves or have their managers/homeboys do it, and they don’t have the education either. That’s why things like NKSFB are so important.

How vital is this wealth summit in terms of educating athletes to help them invest their money in the right places and not fall into the trap of overspending, especially at the start of their careers?

It’s extremely vital. It should be mandatory for all new players that come into the league to attend the summit. I truly believe that it would help keep them from blowing their money and create real long-term wealth past the league.

How would this summit have helped you if this started when you first entered the NBA?

I probably would’ve saved a bit more money, but I hired a financial adviser early on who was pretty strict, so I didn’t do too much damage.

What suggestions would you give any athlete who hasn’t attended the wealth summit, and how would you persuade them to participate if given a chance to speak to them?

Do it! Basketball doesn’t last forever, and it’s important to set yourself up for a future beyond the game. There are so many opportunities and industries out there to learn about that can make you more money and wealth than you could ever make hooping.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 22, 2022

Univ. of Michigan Basketball Coach Juwan Howard Suspended After On-Court Brawl, Fined $40,000

Former NBA player and now head basketball coach for University of Michigan Juwan Howard has been suspended for the remainder of the collegiate basketball season.

According to CNN, “The Fab Five” alum of the 1991 University of Michigan basketball team that made it to the NCAA Championship game has been suspended for five games. During a confrontation with an opposing coach over the weekend, Howard struck the University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Greg Gard, after losing a game to his team.

The punishment was handed down by the Big Ten Conference as Howard was also issued a $40,000 fine. The conference also cited Gard for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy.

The Big Ten Conference issued a statement regarding the action.

“It has been determined that there was a clear violation of the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy by Michigan Men’s Basketball Head Coach Juwan Howard. Additionally, the University of Wisconsin Men’s Basketball Head Coach Greg Gard was in violation of the conference’s sportsmanship policy.”

After viewing the video of the incident, there were other penalties handed out.

Two forwards from the Michigan basketball team, Terrance Williams II and Moussa Diabate, were suspended for one game. Wisconsin guard Jahcobi Neath was suspended for one game as well. All three players were suspended for violating the Big Ten Conference’s Sportsmanship Policy.

Gard, Wisconsin’s head coach, was fined $10,000.

“Big Ten Conference coaches and student-athletes are expected to display the highest level of sportsmanship conduct,” said Commissioner Kevin Warren in a written statement. “I am grateful for the partnership with Michigan Athletics Director, Warde Manuel and Wisconsin Athletics Director, Chris McIntosh. Our expectation is that the incident yesterday will provide our coaches and student-athletes with the opportunity to reflect, learn and move forward in a manner that demonstrates decorum and leadership on and off of the court.”

Howard was a part of the famed all-freshman team dubbed “The Fab Five.” They were the first team to reach the NCAA Championship, with every starting player being a freshman. The 1991 team lost the game in the last seconds when Chris Webber called for a timeout the team did not have. The penalty for doing so cost Michigan the chance at becoming the first all-freshman team to take it all.

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