• Sports

by Daniel Johnson

April 27, 2025

Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers Draft Pick, Wants To Purchase Grandmother’s Home With His Signing Bonus

In a post-draft night press conference, Golden said that his grandmother is his 'best friend'

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Matthew Golden, the 23rd overall pick of the host city of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers, stated his intention to use part of his signing bonus to buy his grandmother a house during an interview with Andy & Ari, a podcast hosted by On3.

According to People, the wide receiver indicated on the podcast that his grandmother lost her property a few years ago, and he wants to get it back for his family.

“Definitely get my grandma a house, man. We lost our property a couple years ago. That’s somewhere I grew up when I was younger. It would be a blessing to be able to get that back for my family. That’s where they all grew up, that’s where I grew up, so I always told myself I wanted to do that, and now I’m in a position to do it, so if it’s bound to happen I’m going to make it happen,” Golden told the podcast.

Golden continued, “It’s literally for sale right now. I go back and look at it every time. I actually had a camp last week for some kids back at home and I drive down the road. That’s where I grew up at.”

In a post-draft night press conference, Golden said that his grandmother is his “best friend” before adding some context, “We went through so much adversity. Just to be here and cherish that moment with her, it means everything to me. I always told her whenever I was put in a position to get it back for her, I would.”

On the football field, Golden is an electric player, who comes with a ringing endorsement from Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst, who described Golden as a can’t-miss prospect as it relates to their wide receiver room. Golden also became the first wide receiver taken in the first round by the Packers in 23 years.

“Obviously he has elite speed. His ability to stretch the field outside the numbers is really, really important. And when you watch him, we thought he arguably had some of the best hands in the draft, not only going back to it, running through it, but when he tracks it over his shoulder and stuff, too. He’s a strong athlete. He’s really versatile. He’s going to do a lot of things,” Gutekunst said at a news conference.

Golden briefly discussed what he believes his fit will be in Green Bay to The Athletic, and he comes across as a cerebral route runner, via his comments to the outlet.

“I definitely understand the game so well to where I can tempo my routes so I don’t have to run full speed and I just know where my breaking points need to be wherever the defender is,” Golden said. “I got a lot in my game. I could play inside, play out. I could also take the top off, so whatever the team needs me to do, I’m definitely that guy they need to do that.”

RELATED CONTENT: Travis Hunter’s Father Attends NFL Draft After Being Granted Permission By Judge

• Entertainment

by Daniel Johnson

April 27, 2025

Ryan Coogler Sets The Record Straight On His Groundbreaking “Sinners” Deal As Box Office Success Grows

According to Coogler, the movie studios’ focus on “safe,” bankable films post-pandemic bored him as an auteur, and likely bored filmgoers, too.

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While Ryan Coogler’s original film Sinners continues to perform well at the global box office, the writer and director of cinema’s newest genre-blending success story is embarking on a press run to help contextualize the film and its success to moviegoers who may be unfamiliar with how the film industry works.

There has been a considerable amount of discussion about Coogler’s arrangement for Sinners to revert its ownership to himself in 25 years, which some outlets have reported was a groundbreaking arrangement.

Coogler, therefore, has taken the step of clarifying that his deal isn’t necessarily new in a wide-ranging interview with Democracy Now‘s Amy Goodman.

According to Coogler, “I’ve been in the industry long enough to know what kinds of deals are possible, and nothing about this deal is a new thing. This project was really important to me…I’ve missed out on a lot of things in my life making films that will always be owned by other people. For this one, because it was so personal…I asked for a few things for this project…for what it was about and what it meant for my family.”

As The Independent reported, Coogler’s film has made $93 million globally since its release on April 18, making a splash at the box office and the film is also likely to generate buzz when awards season comes later in the year.

Since his breakthrough with 2013’s Fruitvale Station, which showcased his talent for gripping, emotional storytelling, Ryan Coogler has primarily directed franchise films — major hits like Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Creed, and Creed II. While these blockbusters highlighted his writing and directing skills, they were created within the constraints of studio-owned intellectual property, meaning Coogler didn’t fully own or profit from them the way he stands to with Sinners.

As Coogler contextualizes his deal to the media, art is yet again imitating life as a central theme of Coogler’s period film is ownership and to an extent, control.

Proximity Media, Coogler’s production company which he, his wife, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian co-founded in 2018 as a joint venture to help tell stories that own their sensibilities about what they believe films should be.

Coogler told The Hollywood Reporter that the movie studios’ focus on “safe,” bankable films post-pandemic bored him as an auteur, and likely bored filmgoers too.

Per their reporting, Coogler is right when he tells Goodman that the arrangement he struck with Warner is not new, although it may be fairly rare. Quentin Tarantino has a similar deal in place for his film Once Upon A Time….In Hollywood with Sony Pictures, wherein that film’s ownership reverts to him after a period of 30 years.

In an open letter, Coogler thanked filmgoers for rewarding his work on the film with their enthusiastic support of Sinners, also counting Tarantino among those who have inspired his filmmaking journey.

“I had the gift of the opportunity of making a film inspired by my family and my ancestry but it was always a film that we wanted to make for audiences, in theaters. We always had our minds on you, the audience, and felt a deep responsibility to entertain you, and move you in the way only cinema can. I believe in cinema. I believe in the theatrical experience. I believe it is a necessary pillar of society. It’s why me and so many of my colleagues have dedicated our lives to the craft. We don’t get to do what we do if you don’t show up. The global theatrical audience has allowed me to dream, find a career, and build a more sustainable life for me and my family,” Coogler wrote.

RELATED CONTENT: Ben Stiller Clowns ‘Variety Magazine’s’ Shady Headline That Downplayed ‘Sinners’ Box Office Success

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 27, 2025

Black Churches Rally Behind Smithsonian African American History Museum As Trump Order Threatens Future

The museum offers a membership for supporters to financially back the institution.

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Black churches are rallying behind the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture as Trump’s new order threatens its future.

The support comes after Trump released an executive order on March 27 attacking the mission of the Smithsonian museums, directly mentioning the African American museum. The order left many concerned about the continuation of these exhibits under the Trump administration, leading Black clergymembers to take a stand. Since then, there have been reports of artifacts and exhibits being removed from the NMAAHC.

The museum follows the journey and plight of Black America from the days of enslavement to its place in the nation’s cultural relevance and history. One pastor, wanting to showcase his solidarity with the museum, added the establishment on his monthly walking journey to advocate for equality.

“I laid my wreath down there to show solidarity with the museum and the history that they present every day,” said Rev. Robert Turner, pastor of Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, to the Associated Press.

Once a month, Turner walks from his Baltimore home to Washington, D.C., as an act of advocacy for reparations for Black people and other pertinent issues. Now, his trip has included a new stop at the museum, where Turner and his congregation have pledged support.

He joined other church communities to obtain memberships for the museum. Starting at $25, members can financially help the museum’s efforts and mission to showcase Black history.

Other pastors and their churches have joined the effort, such as Rev. Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and Rev. Jacqui J. Lewis, senior minister at Middle Church in New York City. Lewis says her congregation made another significant donation to the museum on Easter, a move made to combat the president’s policies against the learning center.

“We belonged to the museum since its opening, and we just made another donation to them in light of this administration’s policies,” she told the AP.

The museum’s leadership has seen some change in light of the order. Its executive director, Kevin Young, left the role in early April. Democrat lawmakers have also spoken out about the potential stripping of its teachings.

Although Trump has yet to state any budget cuts, he did place Vice President J.D. Vance as a member on the Smithsonian’s Board of Regents to remove “improper ideology” from the institutions. Trump also pledged to “restore” the institution to its “rightful place as a symbol of inspiration and American greatness.”

However, as the National Museum directly calls attention to American slavery, this showcase of the darker side of the nation’s history conflicts with Trump’s vision. Furthermore, the president has already begun removing certain artifacts from the premises.

Now, museum supporters are on the defense to ensure it can continue displaying the full scope of American history.

RELATED CONTENT: Jackie Robinson’s Profile On Federal Website Removed, Then Restored As Government’s Attack On DEI Content Continues

• Sports

by Daniel Johnson

April 27, 2025

Shedeur Sanders Picked In 5th Round By Browns After Draft Slide

Sanders is now in a position to battle for a roster spot with four other quarterbacks.

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There was a decided disconnect between the sports media’s perception of Colorado University prospect Shedeur Sanders and the perception of 32 NFL front offices and this led to the quarterback free falling down the draft boards of NFL teams, eventually landing with the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, a disconnect that is unprecedented in the NFL draft.

According to The Athletic, Sanders’ pre-draft interviews, which at least one NFL insider, The Ringer‘s Todd McShay, shed some light on in an April 24 episode of his podcast, were uneven, unprofessional, and cast doubt on his ability to be a leader among front offices, evidenced by his selection by the Browns with the 144th pick in the draft.

Sanders is now in a position to battle for a roster spot with four other quarterbacks, not including the Browns’ $200 million paperweight, Deshaun Watson, who will likely not play another snap for the organization after two ACL injuries and a shoulder injury in the past two seasons have relegated him to the bench.

Browns General Manager Andrew Berry told the outlet that he feels confident that the draft capital expended to acquire Sanders will not invite scrutiny in the event Sanders proves the evaluations right, and praise if Sanders is a much better quarterback than his fifth-round selection indicates, even in a relatively uninspiring quarterback class.

“I can’t speak to why the market priced him the way it did. We had our own internal evaluation.…Once it got to a price we felt was a pretty steep discount, it just made sense. We talk about QB being the most important position in sports … Shedeur is highly accurate, highly productive,” Berry said. “We do believe in best player available. We love adding competition to every position room.”

ESPN’s resident draft guru, Mel Kiper Jr., who has himself been wrong about quarterback prospects in past drafts, had a meltdown on air about Sanders’ slide before his colleague, College GameDay’s Rece Davis, reined him in.

“The NFL has been clueless for 50 years when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks,” Kiper said on the broadcast as the crew discussed Sanders’ selection by the Browns. “Clueless. No idea what they’re doing in terms of evaluating quarterbacks.”

Kiper had ranked Sanders as one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft for the better part of eight months before the draft, which is probably part of his frustration. To his credit, Davis steered the conversation away from Kiper’s emotions and back to covering the players selected after Sanders.

“Nobody’s criticizing what happened. We’re saying (Sanders) has to deal with the reality of the result from it,” Davis said. “Pick 144, Shedeur Sanders. Everyone wishes him well. As we do.”

According to The Ringer, part of what may have hurt Sanders was his lack of an agent during the draft process, relying on his father and his camp for advice, which led to him not participating in the Shrine Bowl practices or throwing at the NFL Combine.

Sanders, for his part, did show the maturity to recognize that perhaps he could have handled aspects of the pre-draft process better, and told NBC Sports that he looks forward to putting the work in and showing his value to the organization as he competes for a spot on the roster.

“I know I’m going to fit in perfectly,” Sanders said. “It’s first getting in, showing the respect to the vets, showing I’m ready to work, show the coaches and have them understand I’m here ready to work, so they can actually understand the real me. That’s what I’m truly thankful to have, is the opportunity for people to see the real me and not see stuff that could be true, or not. That’s what I’m most excited about being in the building.”

RELATED CONTENT: Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Journey: Media Buzz, Conspiracy Theories, And The Wait For His Name To Be Called

• Celebrity News

by Daniel Johnson

April 27, 2025

Jalen Hurts’ Side-Eye Says It All As Eagles Prep For White House Visit

Hurts’ facial response has gone viral on social media.

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The Philadelphia Eagles are set to visit the White House for the customary post championship trip on April 28, but at least one member, the team’s star quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, hinted on the red carpet at the Time100 Gala on April 24 that he would not be joining the team on that trip.

According to People Magazine, Time reporters asked him if he was going to the White House with his teammates at the event. Although Hurts did not offer a verbal confirmation or denial in response, the look on his face and side-eye glances at reporters resonated with people on social media.

The Eagles’ previous opportunity to visit the White House in 2018 came as Donald Trump, then, as now, the occupant of the Oval Office, insulted NFL players who protested social injustices and although the team left it up to players whether to accept it or not, most of the team’s Black leaders chose not to attend. The subsequent withdrawal of the offer from Trump and the White House prompted commentary from Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

“The Eagles call the birthplace of our democracy home, so it’s no surprise that this team embodies everything that makes our country and our city great. Their athletic accomplishments on the field led to a historic victory this year. Fans all across the country rallied behind them because we like to root for the underdog and we feel joy when we see the underdogs finally win. I’m equally proud of the Eagles’ activism off the field. These are players who stand up for the causes they believe in and who contribute in meaningful ways to their community. They represent the diversity of our nation — a nation in which we are free to express our opinions,” Mayor Kenney said in a statement.

On social media, Hurts’ restrained commentary gained a life of its own as many users quoted the video posted to Time’s official account, offering their interpretations that his response to the question was a loud answer to the question in the negative.

According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, although the players are free to decide whether they will or will not attend in their own personal capacities, as is their prerogative, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt indicated in a statement that the Trump administration expected the Eagles to visit the White House.

“April 28, I can confirm that the Philadelphia Eagles will be here at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl victory,” Leavitt said. “I know there was a lot of fake news about an invitation that wasn’t sent or was sent. We want to correct the record. We sent an invitation they enthusiastically accepted and you will see them here on April 28.”

RELATED CONTENT: Jalen Hurts And The Eagles Downplay Trump, Mahomes And Company Have Different Response

• News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 27, 2025

Supreme Court To Hear Arguments Over Atlanta Women’s Lawsuit Against FBI For Mistakenly Raiding Home

The justices will determine if the U.S. government can be sued on these grounds.

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The U.S. Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments after an Atlanta woman sued the FBI for mistakenly raiding her home.

On Oct. 18, 2017, FBI agents raided the Atlanta home of Trina Martin, pointing guns at her and her then-boyfriend, Toi Cliatt, as her 7-year-old son screamed in another room. The agents were looking for a suspected gang member, but realized too late that they had raided the wrong residence. Martin remained separated from her child until they uncovered the mistake.

Although years ago, the incident has left the family traumatized. Now, they will re-attempt to seek justice from the U.S. government for the alleged FBI’s negligence. According to Fox News, Martin’s attorney will go before the Supreme Court on April 29 to ask for the reinstatement of her 2019 lawsuit.

“We’ll never be the same, mentally, emotionally, psychologically,” she told The Associated Press on April 25 at the home that was raided. “Mentally, you can suppress it, but you can’t really get over it.”

The original legal filing accused the FBI agents of assault and battery, false arrest, and other violations of protocol. However, the lawsuit was dismissed in 2022 by a federal judge in Atlanta. Once the 11th U.S. Circuit of Appeals upheld the ruling in 2024, justice for Martin seemed nearly diminished.

However, Martin’s defense argued that Congress approved the legality of such lawsuits following a 1974 push against no-knock, warrantless raids. Moreover, the attorneys believed that blocking individuals’ ability to sue on these grounds would stifle any opportunities for justice.

“If the Federal Tort Claims Act provides a cause of action for anything, it’s a wrong-house raid like the one the FBI conducted here,” wrote Martin’s lawyers in a brief to the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, lawyers for the government have argued that courts should not second-guess law enforcement decisions. They emphasized how the FBI did advance work in their efforts to locate the correct house. The 11th Circuit agreed with this rationale, stating courts cannot question police officers for “honest mistakes” in such searches.

The FBI agent in charge of the raid explained that his GPS directed him to the wrong place. The actual home was a few doors down.

However, Martin claims the incident has severely impacted her livelihood. Martin quit coaching track because the starting pistol reminded her of the flash-bang grenade used in the raid. As for Cliatt, he also quit his truck-driving job because of his sleep issues, detailing that he became a “liability” to his company. Martin’s son has since dealt with anxiety issues.

After leaving the home, the lead FBI agent returned to Martin’s residence to apologize and give the business contact of his supervisor. However, the family expressed that they received no compensation for their distress or to cover the damage to their home.

The justices must determine under what circumstances people can sue the federal government to hold law enforcement accountable for their unjust actions. Martin’s lawyer, however, remains hopeful that the family will receive some compensation for their struggles.

RELATED CONTENT: FBI Raids Homes Of NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Top Cabinet Members, NYPD Police Commissioner 

• Business

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 27, 2025

The Wealth Weekend: Kentucky Derby Returns To Expand Social Impact Investing And HBCU Endowment Growth

This year's programming will help advance the nation's HBCU endowments as well as social impact investing.

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The Wealth Weekend: Kentucky Derby returns for the second year of investing in Black communities.

Black Wealth Events’ flagship occasion, from April 30 to May 1, will host exclusive engagements at Simmons College of Kentucky and Kentucky State University. Known for fostering economic competitiveness and innovation, this year’s programming will help advance the nation’s HBCU endowments and social impact investing.

Alongside discussions on talent retention and public-private partnerships, a cohort of investors, executives, and thought leaders will come together to advance these goals to champion Black institutions. Moreover, their gathering aims to positively impact the future generations of trailblazing professionals in a variety of sectors.

The first day of sessions will include a keynote address from Sen. Gerald Neal. Taking place at Simmons College, his speech will be a call to action toward social impact investing and public-private partnerships. With the announcement of the college’s joint project with Kentucky State University, developing curricula in collaboration with the Circular Economy Alliance, the address will further highlight the importance of creating these new opportunities.

The first day will conclude with the Urban League’s Derby Gala, with VIP attendees coming together to celebrate Black excellence during Kentucky’s most famed weekend. After the night of festivities, the call-to-actions continue.

The following day, Kentucky State University will host a conversation on talent retention and the importance of strengthening HBCU endowments. With the launch of the “Friends of HBCUs” endowment fund, the capital-raising initiative hopes to boost long-term financial sustainability for HBCUs and Black students.

Notable attendees for this year’s Wealth Weekend include Brandon Gibson, managing partner at investment firm The Steinbridge Group; Michael Sudarkasa, chairman of African Business Group; and Laurent Gilles Houekpon, vice president at Stock Yards Bank & Trust. With other esteemed individuals within business, finance, and real estate, the Wealth Weekend seeks to progress and initiate conversations that result in new strategies for the Black community’s growth.

As The Wealth Weekend continues to advance Black America’s contribution to the national GDP, it does so by collaborating with local and corporate leaders to stimulate wealth within this demographic. By also emulating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s economic strategy to become financially self-sufficient and successful while still uplifting the Black community, The Wealth Weekend promotes economic growth and reinvestment for a sustainable future.

The Wealth Weekend encouraged investors, business leaders, and donors to join this multi-day event of critical discussion and support for Black America. More information, including VIP attendance and contribution to the “Friends of HBCUs” endowment fund, can be found on the Black Wealth Event’s website.

RELATED CONTENT: The Undefeated Names Norfolk State University And Kentucky State University 2021 Top HBCU Bands

• Entertainment

by Daniel Johnson

April 27, 2025

Revolt Reemerges Under New Corporate Structure As Part Of Media Powerhouse Relaunch

Samuels sees the vision for Offscript as an incubator for creatives to build their audiences, using cultural capital to create demand

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Detavio Samuels, the CEO of both Revolt and Offscript Worldwide, recently folded Revolt, 440 Artists, Rebel House, and Six Zeroes into Offscript Worldwide; his goal is to create an integrated media and commerce platform that leverages Revolt’s young and multi-ethnic audience in hopes of turning those who visit the platform’s social media channels into the backbone of a new next-generation media company.

According to Variety, Revolt’s rebrand officially began just ahead of news that Sean Combs’ sex trafficking and sexual assault trial is set to get underway early in May. Combs founded the platform but was largely inactive in its day-to-day operations before selling his ownership stake in 2024 after the company cut all ties to the mogul.

In a statement released to Variety, Samuels hinted that the rebrand is an attempt to bring the focus onto the diverse viewership that his platform creates in a corporate environment that sometimes seems pliant to the whims of the Trump administration on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“Revolt’s viewership is two-thirds people of color and 33% white. We’re trying to use this moment of becoming Offscript to force brands to understand who our audience really is, not what they imagine it to be. We need to prove to brands that we can help them drive sales and conversion by connecting them to the dopest creators and culture. We’re not building this thing for what media was. We’re headed for a world that is more diverse where creators power everything,” Samuels said.

Samuels spoke at length with Forbes in an exclusive interview about his plans to take the company and its various divisions to a new audience, utilizing what he calls the Offscript ecosystem to do so.

“Now that all these brands live under one umbrella, we’ve built an ecosystem that can take creators further than ever before. We can now nurture creators through the entire lifecycle of their careers. We’ve got multiple media brands to amplify their voice and a whole infrastructure to help them scale across formats, channels, and business models. From writing to visual media, live events and culture-defining brand partnerships, we have everything a Creator needs to succeed. For musicians, we can even support music distribution through 440 Artists. When it was just REVOLT, we were already a cultural force. But now? We’ve built the operating system for the culture—and we can move creators through it in ways no one else can,” Samuels told Forbes.

According to Samuels, he sees the vision for Offscript as an incubator for creatives to build their audiences, using cultural capital to create demand.

“Infrastructure is everything. Many creators have the talent but need the scaffolding—production tools, monetization strategies, studio access, and business guidance—to thrive,” Samuels said. “We built OffScript to provide that. It’s not just about giving someone a viral moment—it’s about giving them the support to turn that moment into a movement, a brand, and ultimately a business. That’s how we sustain culture long-term. This is the new media powerhouse. We don’t want to be invited to the table. We’re building the damn house.”

RELATED CONTENT: Detavio Samuels Discusses ‘New Era Of Entertainment’ At Revolt

• Arts and Culture

by Mary Spiller

April 27, 2025

Basquiat Work Expected To Fetch Up To $525M At Sotheby’s Auction

The never-before-sold Jean-Michel Basquiat piece is estimated to go at between $10 million to $15 million.

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On May 13, a recently discovered an early painting by the Black artist Jean-Michel Basquiat will be sold at Sotheby’s Contemporary Evening Auction in New York. The late artist’s piece has a $10 million to $15 million estimate, as the piece hasn’t been seen publicly in over 30 years, according to Grégoire Billault, Sotheby’s chairman of contemporary art.

As reported by ARTnews, the untitled work was painted in 1981 and will be one of the most anticipated pieces to be featured in the Modern Evening Auction.

The exhibitions for Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary sales officially open on May 2 and will remain available through May 15.

Billault explains that the painting was done when the artist was just 20 years old. The piece is five feet wide and is described as “[capturing] the heat and urgency of his breakout moment: a frenetic, mythic figure scrawled in oil stick on paper, hovering…between the street and the studio.”

Billault stated that this upcoming May auction is unique as it comes during a lull in the high-end art sales world, as global sales have dropped 12% by value in 2023. With rare and unique art pieces becoming harder and harder to secure, Sotheby’s hopes the Modern Evening Auction’s lineup will be successful.

Billault began, “Because there’s less volume, you need to be more astute and bring things that are really exciting for everyone to get people’s attention, because people’s attention right now is very much in the news. These are works that have never been seen. Completely fresh to the market.”

Sotheby’s Contemporary Evening Auction includes an original Basquiat but also will have top lots from artists such as Lucio Fontana, Robert Rauschenberg, Sally and Victor Ganz, and others, all valued at upwards of $10 million.

Billault revealed that Sotheby’s estimates that its two evening sales in Modern and Contemporary will take in somewhere between $382.9 million and $525.2 million.

“There’s less for sale,” Billault acknowledged, before continuing, “But in terms of pricing, I see a market that’s doing actually very well.”

“This may not be the biggest season,” he speculated, “but just imagine being able to buy what Barbara Gladstone was collecting for forty years. Or works from the estate of Roy Lichtenstein, one of the giants of American art history. The last estate of that caliber was probably Warhol at Sotheby’s in the 1990s.”

• Celebrity News

by Mary Spiller

April 27, 2025

Meagan Good Tapped To Inspire Graduates At Old Dominion University’s 2025 Commencement

Good will speak in front of an estimated 2,000-plus ODU undergraduates.

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Actress and director Meagan Good, 43, has been chosen to speak at Old Dominion University’s 142nd Commencement ceremonies on May 9 and 10. Held in Norfolk, Virginia, the celebrations will also feature remarks from John Ford, professor of Marketing and International Business, Eminent Scholar, and Haislip Rohrer Fellow at ODU.

The president of ODU, Brian O. Hemphill, said in a statement, “We are honored to welcome Meagan Good to Old Dominion University.”

He continued, “The Class of 2025 has worked hard to get to this pivotal moment in their lives, and hearing about Ms. Good’s remarkable career and message of self-empowerment will propel them to step out into the world inspired and ready to make a difference.”

Currently, just over 2,000 students are registered to attend the ceremony with Good as their commencement speaker.

The ceremony is for undergraduate students and will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Kornblau Field in S.B. Ballard Stadium.

Good will celebrate ODU graduates of the “Batten College of Engineering and Technology, the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, the Ellmer College of Health Sciences, the Ellmer School of Nursing, the Strome College of Business, the College of Arts and Letters, the College of Sciences, the School of Cybersecurity and the School of Data Science.”

John Ford will speak at the Advanced Degree Ceremony for graduate students in all of ODU’s colleges the night before, on May 9.

Good began her career as a child actor in “Eve’s Bayou.” She began to make a name for herself, working in television shows, music videos, and big-budget feature films such as the multimillion-dollar franchises “Think Like a Man” series and “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.”

Good notably plays the lead role in Tracy Oliver’s critically acclaimed series titled “Harlem” on Amazon. She has been nominated for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on the Amazon exclusive.

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