by Ahsan Washington

June 30, 2025

Remembering These 13 Musicians For Black Music Month

Celebrate the rhythmic legacy of these entertainers

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Black Music Month serves as a period to celebrate the rhythmic essence and soulful legacy of Black musicians who contributed to the global soundscape. As the month comes to a close, BLACK ENTERPRISE acknowledges these musicians, who are no longer with us but have transformed the music culture by innovating new sounds, from funk and soul to R&B and jazz. This compilation showcases the vocal talents of these genre-defining artists and eternal creatives who demonstrate the best of Black music. Here are 13 legendary musicians to remember and celebrate.

Sly Stone

Sly Stone, the energetic frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, revolutionized late 1960s music culture through his exciting sound, which fused funk, rock, and soul. Stone had an intricate approach to blending members and writing lyrics that focused on free-spirited identity and musicality. The societal impact of his music extended beyond sonic innovation, as demonstrated by the civil rights anthem “Everyday People.” The song demonstrated music’s ability to serve as a danceable tune while delivering profound political messages. Musicians such as Prince and D’Angelo bear the permanent influence of Stone’s boundary-breaking contributions.

Angie Stone

The artist Angie Stone, who originates from Columbia, South Carolina, has made major contributions across the neo-soul, R&B, and hip-hop music genres. The neo-soul movement emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, driven by her authentic songwriting and deeply expressive vocal performances. The song “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” stands as an inspiring anthem that encourages emotional recovery. 

Roberta Flack

Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Roberta Flack achieved legendary status as a singer and songwriter through her complex fusion of soul jazz and R&B. Her performance in “Killing Me Softly with His Song” showcased her vocal skills, expressiveness, and emotional depth. Her performance garnered her a Grammy Award along with critical acclaim and global recognition. Her musical work defied boundaries to establish a platform for introspective and innovative female vocalists across multiple genres.

Luther Vandross

For more than 20 years, Luther Vandross embodied an undeniable Black and brilliant musical identity with his silky vocal delivery. “Never Too Much” emerged as his first solo success. Vandross’ impeccable songwriting and vocal depth defined an era of adult R&B throughout the 1980s. Vandross’ technical skill influenced generations of singers.

Whitney Houston

The world recognized Whitney Houston as a global icon who achieved prominence through her extraordinary vocal power and control. The New Jersey-born singer had the power of sound that extended beyond musical genres to establish her as a legendary figure in pop, soul, and gospel music. Her cover of “I Will Always Love You” transformed the pop ballad genre while breaking numerous records. Houston hailed from a musical household and developed gospel roots that added elegance, strength, and vulnerability to her performances.

Minnie Riperton

Hailing from Chicago, Minnie Riperton had a unique musical voice that combined elements of soul, R&B, and jazz. The legendary ballad “Lovin’ You” by Riperton is iconic. Her artistic output, distinct talent, and impact remain evident among contemporary vocalists.

Donny Hathaway

Musical genius Donny Hathaway emerged from Chicago as a maestro who blended soul gospel and R&B styles. Through “A Song for You,” he demonstrated his exceptional ability to blend profound emotions with his soulful vocal delivery. Hathaway’s influence persists. His foundational work is the framework for the neo-soul genre. 

Phyllis Hyman

Originating from Philadelphia, Phyllis Hyman established herself as a leading artist across soul, jazz, and quiet storm musical styles. The combination of her refined sound and authoritative presence set her apart during the late 1970s and 1980s. Her hit song “You Know How to Love Me” demonstrates her lush tone and phrasing skills. Hyman’s skill in expressing intricate emotions secured her greater fame during her lifetime than many jazz legends she was compared to.

Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Mayfield emerged as a poetic prophet from Chicago, who transformed soul music through his politically infused lyrics and falsetto voice combined with social consciousness. Through his solo work, including the Super Fly soundtrack, Mayfield turned soul music into a robust vehicle for Black liberation and activist empowerment. Mayfield’s legendary song “Move On Up” has elements of perseverance, pride, resilience, and hope. The artistic influence of his work bleeds through hip-hop, funk, R&B, jazz, gospel, neo-soul, and contemporary music to continue to inspire artists from a variety of generations and cultural movements.

Jean Carn

Vocalist Jean Carn from Columbus, Georgia achieved fame through her soulful voice which blended soul, jazz, and disco, pushing the boundaries on music. “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” transformed into an underground classic which later served as a muse for hip-hop artists. Through her distinct combination of jazz precision and soulful warmth, Carn established herself as an icon of sophisticated vocal control

Betty Wright

Coming from Miami, Florida, Betty Wright became a pillar with her presence as a singer-songwriter within the soul and Southern R&B musical styles. She launched her iconic song “Clean Up Woman” when she was only 17 years old. Wright’s amazing voice dropped off this funky and empowering anthem, which spoke to heartbreak and resilience, through its gritty, vibrant tones that seemed wise beyond her years. Wright’s mentorship of future musicians created a strong legacy that extended beyond her personal body of work, showcasing her deep influence within the music industry.

Isaac Hayes

The brilliant Isaac Hayes from Covington, Tennessee, changed soul music by integrating cinematic components into his work. Music lovers are drawn to Hayes’s deep baritone voice and orchestral arrangements. Hayes’ “Theme from Shaft” earned an Academy Award, while it simultaneously opened doors for Black film composers. Through his visionary approach to soul music, Hayes expanded its potential, which inspired generations of musicians and defined the era’s sound.

Sylvia Robinson

Sylvia Robinson is known as a formidable musical talent from Harlem, New York, who delivered significant contributions across soul, hip-hop, and R&B genres. Her artistic identity shines through her sultry hit “Pillow Talk,” while her producer role marks a defining moment in commercial hip-hop’s inception with “Rapper’s Delight. Robinson’s musical prowess extends into her role as a behind-the-scenes powerhouse who had a major part of establishing Sugar Hill Records and discovering groundbreaking acts like The Sugarhill Gang and Grandmaster Flash.

RELATED CONTENT: Black Music Month Is In Full Effect With These Black Music Festivals 

• Sports

by Daniel Johnson

June 30, 2025

Angel Reese Drops ‘Mebounds’ Merch To Support Prevention Of Cyberbullying

The “mebounds” collection is affordable, most of the pieces which include hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts and slides.

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Angel Reese, like she does on the court, is continuing to follow her shot and turn missed shots into opportunities. This time, the missed shots are criticisms of her ability to turn her own missed shots into rebounds, which critics have pejoratively termed “mebounds.” Reese is taking the slight, those shots at her, and turning them into opportunities for charitable donations.

As The Athletic reports, Reese, who recently filed a trademark for the term “mebounds,” has followed that effort up with a new merchandise collection utilizing the term, with a percentage of the proceeds set to “support cyberbullying prevention through The Angel C. Reese Foundation.”

There may also be more from Reese on the way; she also filed a trademark for the term “Reesebounds.” The “mebounds” collection is affordable; most of the pieces, which include hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and slides, range in price from $28 to $75.

Reese, ever the savvy businesswoman, noted in a TikTok video posted around the time that the trademark was filed, says that she saw the term as a profitable way to increase her brand profile.

“Whoever came up with the ‘mebounds’ thing, y’all ate that up because ‘mebounds,’ rebounds, ‘crebounds’ … anything that comes off that board, it’s mine,” Reese said, the last part an allusion to a comment made by a play-by-play announcer who was on the call for one of her games. “And a brand? That’s six figures right there.”

Reese filed the “mebounds” trademark application on June 14, and she filed the application to trademark “Reesebounds” on June 20, both of which are still pending examination intended for apparel use.

In only her second season in the WNBA, Reese has already established herself as a historically significant rebounder, holding the most rebounds in the first 50 games of a career in WNBA history. She is also the fastest player in WNBA history to record 500 points and 500 rebounds, achieving this feat in 38 games.

Reese is currently averaging a double-double, putting up 11.7 points a game and 12.3 boards a game to go along with 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 39% from the field for the Sky. Reese also recently recorded her first career triple-double on June 15.

Reese has been asked to do more this season in head coach Tyler Marsh’s system, where she is being used in a similar manner as Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, she is expected to bring the ball up the floor after rebounds and is also responsible for facilitating the offense.

Reese has also been surrounded by veterans in this year’s iteration of the Sky, a departure from the team’s composition last year, which Marsh told the outlet would help Reese develop her other skills.

“It’s (veteran experience) something you can’t really put a price on,” Marsh said. “Those are people who’ve been around this league and have shown their value a long time on the court, but they certainly have value in our locker room as well when it comes to our younger players, and kind of showing them the ropes on how to work, and how to be a professional.”

He continued, “It’s about creating space, and making defenses honest, what it ultimately does is open up the paint. We don’t want to limit (Reese) just to being a rebounder, because she’s so much more than that, her potential is so much more than that.”

RELATED CONTENT: Angel Reese Scores Another WNBA World Record

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

June 30, 2025

Box Office To Bookshelves: Malcolm D. Lee Talks About ‘The Best Man’ Legacy With ‘Unfinished Business’

Malcolm D. Lee talks about extending 'The Best Man' universe and how each character has 'more story to tell.'

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Malcolm D. Lee’s artistry is ingrained into the fabric of Black culture. Lee created “The Best Man,” and it is now an over $100 million franchise. The franchise has been extended into a television series and a book trilogy, titled “The Best Man Unfinished Business.”

The story of Harper, Robin, Jordan, Quentin, Murch, Lance, Mia, Candice, and Shelby has been ongoing for 25 years. The Amazon series “The Final Chapters” was slated to be the end, yet there is more to come. Lee spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about the literary extension of the Best Man’s messy yet loving friend group. Indeed, there is “unfinished business” to be explored.

BLACK ENTERPRISE: What made you say, “You know what, the series is not the final chapters after all?”

Malcolm D. Lee: I thought we were finished. It was incredibly difficult to bring together all those actors. I don’t know if we can do that again, and I didn’t think I had any more story to tell.

But I’ve always loved the written word. I’ve long fantasized about writing a novel. So, I thought, this might be an opportunity to try my hand at it with characters that people are already familiar with.

Harper’s career is thriving; no one’s asking if he “needs some money.” Emotionally, he’s still spiraling. Why did you choose to let his emotional growth lag so far behind his professional success across the franchise?

Harper was always hyper-focused on career success. He was a serial monogamist and focused on getting to the top of being validated as an author. He forgot to take care of home. In a substantial way, it cost him his marriage and a strong relationship with his daughter.

Now he’s living that bachelor lifestyle, but it’s kind of hollow and empty. He feels out of place in his life with his friend group, who have all emotionally matured. It was a good examination of achieving success, but what do you have to show for it at the end of the day?

In ‘Unfinished Business,’ Harper’s working on a film adaptation. Collaboration in film isn’t as easy as writing a book solo. Is that your personal take on the creative process? 

I wanted to make sure this is literary. I can have limitless imagination about what I want to do, and it gives you an opportunity to really delve into these characters’ minds in a way that we haven’t gotten to experience on the big and the small screen. You get to use all five senses. In a movie, you only have sights and sound. Now you get feel, touch, smell, and taste.

Let’s talk about Jordan “motherf**king” Armstrong. She reconfigures her life and hits a wall. Will we ever see her truly win? 

A lot of women see themselves in Jordan. Finally, at the end of the final chapters, she chose herself. She has found love of self. She is in therapy, trying to get the answers to why she is the way she is. She and Harper are very parallel. 

Robin’s still in Africa. Why did she not come back into the fold?

Robin chose herself. She decided, I want better for myself besides this relationship that I give, give, and give to. Also, she did not want to be in America anymore. She was tired of fighting for a country that wasn’t fighting back for her.

Also, those were, by and large, Harper’s friends. She made room for everybody. Now she has to make room for herself. 

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The first edition in the “Unfinished Business” trilogy centers on Jordan, Robin, and Harper. However, make no mistake, the full cast of characters is present. The characters leap off the page as though they were on screen. Audiences will be annoyed with Harper, amused by Quentin, proud of Jordan, and grounded by Lance. The crew is back. Get into the “unfinished business” of it all July 1.

RELATED CONTENT: 9 Films That Spotlight The Depth And Power Of Black Fatherhood

• HBCU

by Daniel Johnson

June 30, 2025

Boston Hopes To Land An HBCU Satellite Campus

Boston City Council Vice President Brian Worrell recently called for a hearing to focus on creating an HBCU campus in Boston.

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Like San Diego and Los Angeles County did in 2024, city leaders in Boston are hoping to attract an HBCU satellite campus to a location that has historically lacked an HBCU presence, in the hope that it will have a positive influence on the city’s Black students.

According to The Boston Herald, Boston City Council Vice President Brian Worrell recently called for a hearing to focus on creating an HBCU campus in Boston, in hopes that it can help the city educate more Black students as it did in the 19th century.

“An HBCU presence would provide role models for current Black students by showing them a tangible pathway to success,” Worrell said at a recent council meeting. “Boston led the way in educating Black students in the first half of the 19th century, with the opening of the Abiel Smith School, and we need to discover that trailblazing spirit once again.”

According to Worrell’s hearing order, his efforts with Boston’s Building Bridges HBCU program are also a response to the attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion by the Trump administration.

“There are more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities in the country, with the vast majority of them located in southern states as a response to Jim Crow laws,” the Council order says. “The need for more culturally sensitive schools, such as HBCUs, has grown in the past decade based upon current rulings and the actions of the current federal administration.”

Worrell’s office told the Herald that the program will share more updates this fall as it works toward attracting an HBCU partner. In addition, Boston Public Schools Chief of Student Support Cory McCarthy noted that “the appetite for an HBCU has grown immensely within the last five years.”

He continued, “An opportunity to bring an HBCU to Boston would further highlight the commitment and dedication of our city to create an educational ecosystem that values, elevates and develops opportunities for Black students to be successful.”

Worrell noted that despite integration, and the status of HBCUs composing 3% of higher education institutions nationwide, they still produce 40% of the country’s Black engineers and Black congresspeople, 50% of Black lawyers and doctors, and 70% of Black dentists.

In California, although the Austin, Texas-based Huston-Tillotson University agreed to operate a satellite campus in 2024, it is not expected to open until August 2025, as the university must meet the accreditation requirements of the State of California.

According to the university’s website, “Our efforts to provide an Off-Site presence in California include beginning to offer coursework towards degrees offered by the University starting August 2025. We will begin by providing curriculum and co-curriculum experiences to students who enroll at the Off-site campus as part of their Liberal Studies Requirements. As we work through the requirements of our accrediting agencies and California state regulations, we plan to have approval for a branch campus in California by August 2025.”

RELATED CONTENT: HBCU Huston-Tillotson Tackles Black Male Teacher Shortage

• News

by Daniel Johnson

June 30, 2025

Louisiana-Based Foundation Working On Slave Trade Reparations

The Jesuits’ ties to chattel slavery in the U.S. and beyond have gained more attention recently.

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In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, The Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation is carrying out its mission by providing post-secondary scholarships to descendants of people enslaved by the Jesuits, allowing them to pursue education at the institutions of their choice.

According to Monique Trusclair Maddox, the foundation’s president and CEO, the organization is standing in the gap for universities unsure of how to help Black students as the Trump administration seeks to punish institutions of higher education for any hint of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

As she told The Guardian, “We’re looking to fill the gap where these institutions are somewhat hesitant or unsure how they’re going to be able to support those communities. Teaching this history through Jesuit institutions, allowing dialogue to come in places that wouldn’t otherwise be afforded is something that hasn’t been done in the past. We believe that that whole approach to changing how people look at racism and how people look at marginalized communities is something that will last for a long time.”

In recent years, the Jesuits and their relationship to the practice of chattel slavery, both in the United States and elsewhere, has been receiving more attention, notably through the admission from Georgetown University that its founders engaged in human trafficking and sold more than 272 enslaved people to plantations from Maryland to Louisiana to help pay down the school’s debts. The sale of those people generated $3.3 million in today’s currency and made Georgetown University the institution that it is today.

This admission, however long overdue, likely would not have been made were it not for one of the descendants of the enslaved doing genealogy research in 2004. More than a decade after their discovery, a larger discussion about an appropriate response from both the Jesuits and Georgetown occurred, and the conversations between descendants of the enslaved and the Jesuits had a profound effect on Father Timothy Kesicki, a Jesuit priest and the chair of the Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation.

As he told the outlet, “I almost had a 180-degree turn on it, because suddenly it wasn’t a past story. It was a living memory, and it begged for a response. The whole thing was painful for everybody. This is a historic trauma. It was very hard for Jesuits. It’s very easy to be trapped by shame and fear and a prevailing sentiment out there that says: ‘Why are you digging up the past?’ We were understanding the truth differently than our preconceived notions, there was a power and a beauty to it also.”

Eventually, the Jesuits’ shame turned into action, and they agreed to fund the first $100 million of the project, of which, they have delivered $45 million so far, some of which came from the sale of what used to be plantation land.

Georgetown also committed to fund $10 million, and aside from funding scholarships for descendants of the people enslaved by the Jesuits, the reconciliation project is dedicated to home modifications for elderly descendants and projects that are dedicated to racial healing.

One of those projects, an art display that went up on Juneteenth in New Orleans, will head to the Essence Festival, also held in New Orleans, before heading to Cleveland, Ohio for another display.

According to Maddox Trusclair, the work of the foundation is not just helping the Jesuits of the United States, but it’s having an impact across the pond, on England’s College of Bishops in Oxford, who are looking into ways they can respond to their own role in the enslavement of Africans and looking to the Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Foundation for a guide on how to accomplish this feat.

“We’re transforming their church,” Trusclair Maddox told The Guardian, “not just what we’re doing here in the US. The heirs of enslavers and the descendants of those who were enslaved have come together, not from a litigious perspective, but from a moral perspective, and joined hands and hearts together to walk this path. As painful as it may be together, we believe that shows some hope. There is a possibility for a greater America. There’s a possibility for people to not live in fear.”

RELATED CONTENT: $27M Reparations To Be Paid To Descendants Of Enslaved People Sold To Fund Georgetown University

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

June 29, 2025

50 Cent Offers Zohran Mamdani A ‘First-Class One-Way Ticket’ Out Of NYC After Mayoral Nominee Reveals Plan To Hike Taxes On The Wealthy

Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson also offered to pay the Democratic nominee for NYC Mayor close to $300K to exit the race.

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Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is speaking out on New York politics, and the Internet is displeased.

Jackson is making headlines for seemingly dismissing Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York. Mamdani, who won the Democrat primary election, has been running a race that is diametrically opposed to the Republican agenda. Mamdani has proposed raising taxes on the wealthy, free bus rides, and a city-wide rent freeze, among other things. Consequently, he has received backlash from the Trump administration and many other political conservatives who do not even live in NYC. Jackson has now added his name to the throngs of naysayers.

The “Many Men” rapper, who hails from Queens, New York, posted a message on Instagram offering to pay Mamdani to exit the race and leave the city. He also questioned the candidate’s presence in the political landscape.

“Where did he come from? Whose friend is this? I’m not feeling this plan. No. I will give him $258,750 and a first-class one-way ticket to get away from NY. I’m telling trump what he said too!” Jackson said.

One X user drew a parallel between Trump and Jackson: money. The user wrote, “He’s part of the same group as Musk, Bezos and Trump – billionaires who pay little to no taxes.”

Beyoncé fans, also known as the Hive, got in formation and encouraged one another to ignore the Power producer’s attempts at relevancy. According to one user, Jackson’s political talk, among other statements, is “painfully cringe.”

Another user criticized fans of Jackson’s. He likens the support to “worship” and believes Jackson is selfish and cares nothing of his fans’ wellbeing. 

Jackson has since removed the post from his Instagram account. Though, no one will be surprised if he interjects himself further into the conversation. Mamdani recently won the Democratic primary against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and will be running in the general election in November against current Mayor Eric Adams and the Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. 

RELATED CONTENT: Zohran Mamdani Could Be NYC’s First Muslim Mayor After Securing Democratic Primary: ‘We Made History’

• Entertainment

by Daniel Johnson

June 29, 2025

Keke Palmer Reveals Podcast Team Pulled Jonathan Majors Episode

Accoding to Palmer, her podcast production team decided to shelve the episode and replaced it with an interview with rapper Kash Doll.

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In a recent appearance on Power 105.1 FM’s The Breakfast Club radio show, actress, singer, and podcast host Keke Palmer opened up to Charlemagne tha God and crew regarding the decision by the producers of her podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer, to pull an episode featuring Magazine Dreams actor Jonathan Majors, a decision she did not seem to agree with.

According to Variety, when The Breakfast Club crew broached the topic of her interview with Majors that never dropped, Palmer said that she believed that having Majors on and having the conversation, which was recorded during his press run for Magazine Dreams, meant that she was being objective.

“I’m here to be unbiased,” Palmer said. “You don’t agree with everything they did, you don’t love everything, but you got to have the conversation. You have to set the stage for them to speak and for people to watch and take what they want to take from it, so that’s why I was open and excited to do the interview.”

She continued, explaining that the production team behind her podcast made the decision to shelve the episode and replaced it with an interview with rapper Kash Doll.

Palmer said that the cancellation of the episode was “based off of the reaction” that came after it was announced that Majors would appear on her podcast, before continuing further.

“People felt it was insensitive. I always want to be respectful and understand where everybody’s coming from. If they’re not going to feel like they’re going to receive anything good from the interview, then okay, cool. But I sat down with the brother for us to talk and let him be heard. I mean, people sit down with serial killers,” Palmer said.

Quickly, she adjusted, aware that it might come off as though she was comparing Majors to a serial killer, closing her comments by continuing to express hope that the episode might one day see the light of day.

“I’m not comparing him to a serial killer,” Palmer continued. “At the end of the day, I felt as a journalist, I’m supposed to talk and let the public decide how they want to feel. But that didn’t get a chance to happen. I wish them all the best. I really want to say that because I don’t judge nobody because I don’t want to be judged. So at the end of the day, I’m happy for Meagan. I’m happy for them. Maybe one day, we get a chance to put [the podcast interview] out. I’m not sure.”

Majors was on a trajectory to become Hollywood’s next leading man after his roles in The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Lovecraft Country, and a particularly menacing role in Michael B. Jordan’s Creed III. Marvel also tapped him to play the role of a villainous time-traveling despot, Kang the Conqueror, and was building out the back half of its Phase 5 and Phase 6 slate of films around the character, which was first introduced in the Marvel original series Loki.

However, once Majors was accused of and found guilty of assault and harassment in a domestic violence case brought by his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, Marvel dropped him and Magazine Dreams struggled to find a wide release.

RELATED CONTENT: Jonathan Majors Secretly Marries Meagan Good Days Ahead Of ‘Magazine Dreams’ Coming Out

• Sports

by Daniel Johnson

June 29, 2025

Dave Parker, Pittsburgh Pirates Legend And MLB All-Star, Dies At 74

Parker battled a long fight with Parkinson's.

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Dave Parker, the longtime Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder who stepped into the daunting role of replacing baseball legend Roberto Clemente after his tragic death in 1972, died on June 28 at the age of 74 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Parker, who will enter the Hall of Fame in July after being selected to enter in December 2024, finished his career just shy of reaching 3,000 hits, often the benchmark for a player to enter Baseball’s Hall of Fame, but his other bullet points on the résumé, like a National League MVP Award, two batting titles, and three gold gloves are impressive. As a footnote, Parker was the inaugural winner of the Home Run Derby in 1985, the Derby has since become a centerpiece of baseball’s All Star Game festivities.

According to a press release from Major League Baseball, Parker’s career numbers are solid; he compiled 2,712 hits during his career, batting .290 while hitting 339 home runs and producing 1,493 runs across 19 seasons from 1973-1991. He also won two World Series, a decade apart, and was a key part of the Willie “Pops” Stargell led “We Are Family” version of the Pittsburgh Pirates, arguably their most successful incarnation.

“Dave Parker was a gifted all-around player whose numerous accomplishments led to his upcoming induction in Cooperstown this summer,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in the press release. “He was a World Series Champion with the 1979 Pirates and the 1989 Athletics, a beloved All-Star Red in his hometown of Cincinnati, and an All-Star in Milwaukee. Dave was also a three-time Gold Glover on the strength of his famous arm, a two-time batting champion, and the winner of the inaugural Home Run Derby in 1985. All of us throughout the game are deeply saddened by this loss. We will remember the Cobra forever, especially as his name soon officially joins the legends of our National Pastime. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my sympathy to Dave’s family and his fans across the game.”

Although Parker was given the unenviable task of replacing Clemente, a man whose legend is near that of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson in terms of his impact off the field, he did an admirable job, and as Omar Moreno, a teammate of Parker’s in Pittsburgh, told The Athletic, he was at least comparable to the play of Clemente, no easy feat.

“He reminded me of Clemente,” Moreno told the outlet.

Parker, a brash, confident player, was often compared to Muhammad Ali for his quotes, sometimes given in couplet form, like “When the leaves turn brown, I’ll be wearing the batting crown,” Parker also carries the distinction of being the first player to earn a $1 million salary, and was one of the first professional athletes to wear an earring in his ear, now a common sight.

According to The Athletic, Parker also acknowledged the 1985 drug trial alleging that he was part of a cocaine ring that was active in the clubhouse at Three Rivers Stadium, the former home of the Pirates franchise. In the trial, Parker was said to be a “regular user” of the drug, and he and other players caught up in the scandal received a one-year suspension from the MLB that was later converted into fines.

“I’m pretty satisfied with my career,” Parker said in 2019. “I made one mistake, which was the 1985 (drug) trial. That’s the only mark against me. But even with all that going on, I played hard and at a high level under all that pressure.”

That was considered to be a slight against Parker, with many in the baseball world believing that it was what had kept him from getting the call to Cooperstown from the Baseball Writers Association of America, whose ballot he spent the maximum of 15 years on, before being moved to the Modern Baseball Era ballot where, alongside Dick Allen, he received the necessary votes to get in.

“We join the baseball family in remembering Dave Parker,” Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Jane Forbes Clark said in a press release. “His legacy will be one of courage and leadership, matched only by his outstanding accomplishments on the field. His election to the Hall of Fame in December brought great joy to him, his family and all the fans who marveled at his remarkable abilities. We will honor his incredible life and career at next month’s Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, where his legacy will be remembered forever.”

RELATED CONTENT: Pittsburgh Pirates Will Place Roberto Clemente No. 21 Logo Back On Right Field Wall

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

June 29, 2025

100 Black Entrepreneurs, Biden, And Harris Attend Funeral For Slain Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman

Black Entrepreneur Day is nationally celebrated and Melissa Hortman 'never missed it.'

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Black Entrepreneur Day is nationally celebrated and Melissa Hortman “never missed it.”

For that reason, 100 Black entrepreneurs attended the funeral service honoring her and her husband, Mark on June 28. The entrepreneurs planned to wear matching wristbands to show support for Hortman’s surviving loved ones and honor her legacy. The Minnesota House speaker was killed in a politically motivated attack in her home on June 14.

Hortman’s husband, Mark, and dog were also fatally shot during the attack by Trump supporter Vance Boelter. The Minnesota Black entrepreneurs spoke about Hortman’s unwavering support of their endeavors.

Other notable attendees of the service were former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris. The two were seen holding hands in the front row of the services during The Lord’s Prayer. Neither Harris nor Biden spoke at the service, yet, their presence as former leaders of the nation extending support and respect for the victims of political assassination was noted. Donald Trump did not attend the service.

According to many, Hortman was enthusiastic to interact with the community during Black Entrepreneur Day events at the state capitol. She also paid more than lip service, they said, often reaching out beyond Black Entrepreneurs Day to follow up. Sheletta Brundidge, organizer of Black Entrepreneur Day events, spoke to News Talk 830 of Hortman’s support.

“She always showed up for us, so we’re going to show up for her,” said Brundidge. “Tomorrow at the memorial, we will be 100 strong to make sure Melissa’s family and colleagues know how much we loved and appreciated her.”

Yolanda Pierson of Pierson & Sons Trucking spoke about a meeting with Hortman. Pierson presented a legislative issue plaguing her small business. She was pleased with the bipartisan gathering. Additionally, she was pleased with Hortman’s genuine curiosity to understand the barrier presented to Pierson’s company.

“In the meeting we had, she had both Republicans and Democrats present,” Pierson recalled. “It’s important to humanize the work they do for us and remember her legacy.”

Black entrepreneurs were not the only notable group of people present for Hortman’s memorial. Gov. Tim Walz led the Hortmans’ eulogies. He spoke of Melissa’s tireless work. Walz also spoke of Mellisa and Mark’s impact on those who’ve crossed paths with the couple.

“Melissa Hortman will be remembered as the most consequential speaker in Minnesota history. I get to remember her as a close friend, a mentor, and the most talented legislator I have ever known,” Gov. Tim Walz said.” For seven years, I have had the privilege of signing her agenda into law. I know millions of Minnesotans get to live their lives better because she and Mark chose public service and politics.”

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• Education

by Kandiss Edwards

June 29, 2025

Florida HBCU Sees Highest Application Numbers In 158-Year History

Edward Waters University is receiving a record number of applications for the upcoming fall 2025 academic term. 

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Edward Waters University, a historically Black college or university, is receiving a record number of applications for the upcoming Fall 2025 academic term. 

The HBCU announced it has received 11,500 applications so far. The figure marks the highest volume of applications in its 158-year history. This is a significant milestone for the university as Edward Waters is one of the HBCUs that does not receive the same public acclaim as its counterparts.

A private, Christian, historically Black university in Jacksonville, Florida, Edward Waters University was founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church as a school to educate freedmen and their children.

The leap in applications represents a 6.2% increase when compared to the 2024 application season. Beyond just applications, the university has seen a 17.6% rise in enrollment deposits from prospective new students. The boost is a great sign of growth and a clear indicator that Edward Waters is on the rise. 

This notable expansion at Edward Waters shows a broader trend occurring among many other HBCU communities as universities continue to diversify their academic portfolios and attract a wider array of students.

University officials attribute this remarkable growth to a confluence of strategic initiatives implemented in recent years. These include the development of innovative academic programs designed to meet modern career demands. Additionally, the school is prioritizing aggressive and well-targeted outreach efforts to prospective students and their families.

A particularly key factor driving this enrollment boom is the university’s recent expansion into graduate-level education. Expanding into higher degree programs provides new options for students seeking advanced degrees and positions at Edward Waters University.

Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., president and CEO of Edward Waters University, expressed enthusiasm for this achievement. “This historic milestone speaks volumes about the growing momentum, relevance, and reputation of Edward Waters University across the state, nation, and globe,” Faison said in the announcement.

He emphasized the university remains steadfastly dedicated to building upon this strong foundation by continuously striving to offer an education that is both widely accessible and academically rigorous.

Dr. Jennifer Price, vice president of Enrollment Management and Strategic Matriculant Services, credited her enrollment team for this success. She explained that their approach centers on effectively sharing “the Edward Waters story,” a narrative that resonates deeply with prospective students. 

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