Docuseries On Michael Vick’s First Season As Norfolk State Football Coach To Debut Feb. 4
"This journey has challenged me in ways I never expected, and I’m proud to share it honestly."
Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s first season as Norfolk State University’s head football coach is the subject of an upcoming docuseries.
BET announced this week that The Coach Vick Experience will premiere Feb. 4 on BET. The series follows the hometown hero as he navigates his first year as a head football coach on any level.
Norfolk Statke took a chance when hiring Vick, who was a star quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.
“For me, this chapter is about giving back to the game that gave me everything. Coaching at Norfolk State isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about restoring pride and proving that transformation is possible when opportunity meets belief. This journey has challenged me in ways I never expected, and I’m proud to share it honestly,” said Vick, an executive producer for the docuseries, in a written statement.
The project was produced by SMAC Entertainment, the company owned and operated by NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his partner, Constance Schwartz-Morini.
“I’ve known Vick for a long time, and this moment shows a different kind of greatness. Coaching is about accountability, preparation, and service. This series captures the work it takes to lead, not just play the game,” said Strahan.
According to Norfolk State University, the series will take viewers inside the inner workings of the Spartans as the school changes its philosophy and direction after years of struggle on the football. It focuses on his transition to build a positive culture on and off the field as Vick mentors the students.
There will be exclusive footage from the campus, including interviews and a look into what the athletes learn from Vick throughout the season.
Fellow former NFL player-turned-college coach, Deion Sanders, is also an executive producer on the show.
“Michael didn’t step into coaching lightly. He sought guidance, embraced the work, and committed to leading young men with purpose, especially during such a difficult season, both on and off the field. Get ready for the journey!” Sanders said.
Almost 40% Of Black Professionals Don’t Know How To Stand Out In Today’s Job Market — Check Out Tips To Help
Focusing on highlighting skills is key to helping uncover job opportunities and accelerating the hiring process.
Excessive competition, uncertainty about their job qualifications, and skills gaps are among factors why securing work now is so challenging for Black professionals.
To boot, AI-generated job searches that some claim are possibly unfair, recent higher unemployment for Blacks than other groups and supposedly being confused about the existing employment hiring process maybe exacerbating matters.
As U.S. job growth in 2025 reached its lowest point since the pandemic in 2020, Blacks have been hit extra hard. Their discharges stem from rollbacks in the federal government, DEI pullbacks, and large layoffs in areas such as education, health services and social assistance.
Now, nearly two-thirds of Blacks in the U.S. are looking for a new job in 2026. Yet, 75% feel unprepared for the job search ahead. Sixty-six percent declared it’s more challenging to find a new job over the last year, based on details on Black American provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE from the professional networking site LinkedIn. The facts are tied to the firm’s general market report.
Kory Kantenga, head of economics, Americas at LinkedIn, reflected by email what tools — along with AI —should Black applicants be using to best position themselves in front of job recruiters across industries such as technology, financial services, and healthcare.
For those planning a change this year, Kantenga says focusing on skills is key to uncovering opportunities and accelerating the hiring process. That means knowing which skills are most in demand—such as AI literacy, conflict mitigation, and adaptability — the skills driving the fastest-growing jobs across industries and showcasing them at every stage of the job search to stand out from the competition.
To help job seekers target roles where they’re most qualified for — and most likely to hear back—LinkedIn created a job match tool. It shows how you match any job and highlights skills you lack so you can upskill. To make the tool work best and be discovered for your skills, he suggests keeping your profile complete: showcase in-demand skills in the skills or experience sections, and craft a current, engaging headline, about, and experience section, and add a photo.
Further, Kantenga says one is not clearly signaling skills in ways recruiters search for. He says some applicants have the right experience but fail to highlight their skills effectively. His advice: List your most relevant skills and reinforce them throughout your experience, projects, education, and volunteer work. “Recruiters increasingly source talent by skills, so show clearly how in-demand skills shaped past work to improve discoverability and strengthen your unique profile.”
Another flaw is staying passive instead of visible within their network: Keep communication active with simple check-ins or comments on posts. Network opens doors, makes connections, and provides insights about companies and roles. Kantenga noted increasing LinkedIn activity— including sharing project insights and participating in groups— can showcase expertise and raise visibility.
He cited that casting a wide net without considering role fit lowers your chances as recruiters sift through a barrage of applicants. As such, focus on quality over quantity: prioritize roles where your skills and experience align. Further, use tools like Job Match to assess fit, decide whether to apply, or identify skills to develop for future opportunities.
Kantenga supplied tips on how Black professionals can become more noticeable in today’s highly competitive labor market:
Build a personal brand that extends beyond your resume.
Reach out to recruiters directly. Messaging a hiring manager can nearly triple your chances of getting hired; LinkedIn’s AI tools can help draft messages if you’re unsure what to say.
Join the conversation. Members are more likely to connect with those engaging with their content. Commenting, sharing insights, and participating in discussions can expand visibility.
AI can help you navigate your job search. LinkedIn’s AI-powered job search allows you to type “I’m specifically hunting for an accounting position in the fashion industry.” That action could help you find opportunities that otherwise may have been missed.
Aligned with networking, you can use an AI-powered people search to find professionals as well as hiring managers in roles or companies you want to connect with. For example, you can search for “someone who has grown a small business” or an “expert in digital marketing” who can help you find a job that you’re pursuing.
Additionally, LinkedIn just released its Jobs on the Rise for this year, calling it one of the fastest-growing job ranking in the U.S., It includes trends on entrepreneurship and freelance work as well as the continued rise of AI jobs from technical to infrastructure roles.
The mansion featured in the Will Smith-helmed The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air television sitcom has been listed for sale.
According to TMZ, that infamous property will be up for sale at the end of January for under $30 million. The home, built in 1937, is listed by Sasha Rahban, and Josh and Matt Altman of The Altman Brothers.
The property, located in Brentwood Park, was posted on The Altman Brothers’ Instagram account on Jan. 13.
“YO HOMES TO BEL-AIR! 👑
“One of the most iconic homes in Los Angeles is about to hit the market.
“For the first time in decades, the original exterior façade of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a globally recognized Georgian Colonial estate, will be offered for sale. (AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT’S IN BRENTWOOD, NOT BEL AIR)”
Based on the post, the famous mansion sits on a 38,510 square foot corner lot.
TMZ reported that the Georgian Colonial estate has six bedrooms and seven and a half bathrooms, spanning approximately 10,000 square feet.
The mansion is currently being used as a filming location for a Netflix series.
Over five years ago, Smith teamed up with Airbnb to give fans the opportunity to stay at the “iconic Fresh Prince mansion.” The partnership allowed interested parties to rent a room for $30 a night in recognition of the 30th anniversary of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Fans were told that guests will be treated to some old school fun, “Big Willie Style.”
While promoting it, Smith said to potential renters, “Ready for the freshest staycation ever? If this place looks familiar, that’s because it’s just as fly as it was when I first rolled up the driveway. I’m back. And this time, I’m handing you the keys so you’ll have my wing of the mansion all to yourself – but my sneaker collection is off limits, aight?”
"I am excited for what’s next as we expand alongside our great supporters to reach more young people from communities in need."
World Golf Hall of Famer Tiger Woods announced a $20 million donation from Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank to his nonprofit, the TGR Foundation, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The foundation, established in 1996, marked its anniversary with an event, “RED: Celebrating Legacy,” at which Blank announced his contribution, and the organization stated that more than $50 million has been raised to support TGR Foundation’s mission. A new TGR Learning Lab in Atlanta was recently opened. Blank’s donation will help develop the latest educational facility.
Tiger Woods’ legacy extends far beyond the course.
For 30 years, his vision has driven access, opportunity and pathways for young people through education; our impact continues to grow with every student reached.#TigerWoods#TGRFoundationpic.twitter.com/cz7kqoiKBA
“Tonight was a reminder that the legacy I’m most proud of isn’t on the golf course; it’s the work we’ve done to positively impact the lives of students through TGR Foundation,” said Woods in a written statement. “I am excited for what’s next as we expand alongside our great supporters to reach more young people from communities in need.”
All proceeds from donations will be used to develop and scale new programs and expand into more under-resourced communities. With these resources, the TGR Foundation will reach more young people and have a greater impact.
“I have immense respect and admiration for Tiger, not only for his legendary career, but for the way he continues to lead with purpose off the course,” said Blank, chairman of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.
“It’s truly an honor to partner with someone who believes so deeply in the power of education and community. Seeing the impact of TGR Foundation, from the Learning Labs to the hundreds of thousands of students empowered through its programs, is incredibly inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the impact the TGR Learning Lab Atlanta makes on our community.”
Since its inception, TGR Foundation has served more than 217,000 students, continuing its mission to empower them to pursue their passions through education.
Community Labs Brings Harun Coffee Back To LA’s Historic Leimert Park
Harun Coffee originally closed in 2023.
Harun Coffee has returned to Los Angeles’ historic Leimert Park Village after Community Labs stepped in to help stem the wave of closures among minority-owned businesses in the traditionally Black neighborhood.
On Jan. 9, Harun Coffee celebrated its grand reopening, drawing a long line of locals nearly three years after its 2023 closure, the Los Angeles Times reports. Led by Community Labs, founded by Prophet Walker and Cheron Hall, the firm has been working to support and preserve the legacy of underrepresented communities.
“We are one part of a really powerful movement to pour into this community to create commercial revitalization and beautiful spaces where we can identify ourselves,” Hall said.
Opened in 2019 by veteran entertainment executive Chace Johnson, Harun quickly became a hub for artists, entrepreneurs, and tastemakers before closing in 2023 due to operational challenges.
Now, through a partnership with Community Labs, the coffee shop has been completely reimagined to blend speakeasy vibes with functional art, including a bi-level table and spool stools by designer Shin Okuda.
Guests enter by pulling open a canary-yellow wall disguised as a merch display. By day, it’s a spot for casual conversation; by night (6–11 p.m., it transforms into a hub for Black social justice, poetry, politics, and performance, honoring the historic role of coffeehouses in Black culture.
“The idea for us to stay open until 11 o’clock at night really came from studying coffee movements in Black communities and what it meant to us in the civil rights era,” Johnson said “A lot of our coffee shops flourished at night, where people had a chance to gather together and talk about whether they were going to be protesting and exchanging ideas.”
The reopening of Harun Coffee is part of Community Labs’ revitalization work in Leimert Park. The firm has funded and advised on other projects the upscale Lore bookstore next door to Harun Coffee, and the spacious Ora Cafe across the street on Degnan Boulevard. Hall calls the area a “gold mine of culture, community, and creativity,” noting that the roughly $300,000 invested in the coffee shop is small compared with its potential impact.
“When we look at commercial assets and small businesses, all of these things revolve around and are anchored by that cultural vibrancy,” Hall said. “Mandate number one is how do we preserve and protect that as we grow.”
Finger Licking Fried Chicken Candle Is Coming To Bloomingdale’s
The Fried Chicken Candle is created by Gohar World, a design brand known for unique and playful household objects that reinterpret everyday items.
Major retailer Bloomingdale’s is selling a novelty home décor item that blends food culture with design: the Gohar Fried Chicken Candle.
The candle is modeled to resemble pieces of fried chicken. For those looking to decorate their homes with realistic appearing food items, the Gohar Fried Chicken Candle is priced at $38. The decor is sold as a set of four and is unscented, according to the retailer. The candles are made of soy wax and are designed as decorative objects rather than traditional fragrance candles. Each piece is shaped to look like a different cut of fried chicken.
According to Bloomingdale’s, the product is created by Gohar World, a design brand known for unique and playful household objects that reinterpret everyday items. The listing describes the candles as imported and intended for tabletop or display use.
The candles have drawn attention online as part of a broader trend of food-inspired décor appearing in high-end retail spaces. Bloomingdale’s has previously carried novelty home items that reinterpret common objects through luxury design. While the company advertises luxury, in this creation, it cannot boast originality. Fried chicken candles, as well as candles sculpted to look like other food items, are available from independent sellers. Many of the creations are up to 30% cheaper.
BigFanArtStudio sells a chicken and waffle-themed unscented candle for $29.99. The seller also offers a fried chicken candle without the waffle for $9.99. For those who are less enthused by design and more enraptured by the smell, fried chicken scented candles are also available from multiple online stores. Printerval offers a soy scented candle for $18.95. Additionally, Homesick offers a KFC Bucket of Chicken scented candle that boasts the aroma of multiple spices, including a hint of garlic.
If Gohar is the goal, then its fried chicken candle is available for purchase through Bloomingdale’s website. Shipping and availability may vary.
Altadena’s Historic Little Red Hen Café Facing Landlord Woes Year After Devastating Fire
The future of the iconic restaurant remains uncertain as its owners struggle to secure the land where the restaurant once stood.
As Altadena, California, continues rebuilding a year after the devastating Eaton Fire, the owners of the town’s Little Red Hen Café are confronting uncertainty about the landmark restaurant’s future.
Barbara Shay and her daughter, Annisa Shay, the co-owners of The Little Red Hen, say efforts to reopen the restaurant have stalled. Despite donations from Paris Hilton, the 15 Percent Pledge, and a GoFundMe, Annisa tells BET that funding remains the biggest hurdle.
Rebuilding costs are estimated at $2 million because “everything costs more.”
“We have to rebuild. When you’re trying to buy a space and own the building, that’s how much it’s gonna take,” she explained. “Probably even more, but that’s the minimum.”
For more than 50 years, as Altadena emerged as a hub for first-time Black homeowners, The Little Red Hen on Fair Oaks Avenue became a beloved community-gathering spot known for its comfort food, lively atmosphere, and frequent celebrity visitors. That reputation ended when the historic restaurant was destroyed in the Eaton Fire.
A year later, the Shays are now working to secure ownership of the land where it once stood. In the days following the fire, they were offered the chance to buy the property from landowner Perry Bennett for a significant sum, but the offer was later withdrawn.
The Shays say Bennett initially quoted them $500,000 for the property and assured them the sale could move forward, but later reversed course, calling back to say, “We’re not selling the property. We’re just going to keep it.”
“She just hung up the phone because she was like, ‘You’re playing games. He wanted all the money up front,” Annisa recalled. “My mom was really pissed off because he knows the family and the situation.”
The Shays say the experience left them feeling manipulated during one of the restaurant’s most vulnerable moments, and they fear that even if they rebuild and lease the space, Bennett could later raise the rent significantly.
“He said one thing, then double-backed,” Annisa said. “So, why would we wait to rebuild when he’s probably going to charge us crazy [rent]?”
The Shays are now searching for a temporary location and hope to open later this year while trying to return to their longtime home on Fair Oaks Avenue.
“I just feel like we need to be back where we were on Fair Oaks. So if we can buy that property, then that’s what we will do,” Annisa said.
Annisa is hopeful Altadena will preserve its historic character and avoid gentrification, noting that many longtime residents “aren’t leaving” and won’t “let anybody come in and infiltrate our stuff.”
She’s confident that The Little Red Hen will again stand as one of the community’s most cherished dining spots.
“We’re definitely gonna be back up and running somewhere,” she said. “The business will be popping. Everybody’s pulling up like usual. That’s what it’s gonna look like. We’ll be back in motion.”
A’Ja Wilson Gifts Nike A’One Sneakers To Entire Benedict College Women’s Basketball Team
A’Ja Wilson paid tribute to her father’s HBCU by gifting the Benedict College women’s basketball team each a pair of her signature A’One Nikes.
WNBA star A’Ja Wilson is celebrating her family’s HBCU legacy by giving her signature Nike A’One sneakers to every player on the Benedict College women’s basketball team.
Las Vegas Aces champ and 2025 TIME Athlete of the Year paid tribute to her dad’s legacy at Benedict College by gifting the women’s basketball team each a pair of her signature sneakers, HBCU Game Day reports. The squad showed love on social media on Jan. 12, thanking the WNBA star for the generous gift.
“The Benedict College Women’s Basketball team extends a heartfelt thank you to A’ja Wilson, multi-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, TIME Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year, and WNBA All-Star, for blessing our program with her Nike A’One signature shoes,” the team wrote.
The Benedict College Women’s Basketball team extends a heartfelt thank you to A’ja Wilson, multi-time MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, TIME Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year, and WNBA All-Star, for blessing our program with her Nike A’One signature shoes.
The gift honors Wilson’s father, Roscoe Wilson Jr., a standout Benedict College Tiger in the 1970s. A dominant big man in the SIAC and NAIA, he earned multiple all-conference and All-American honors, played at Rucker Park alongside legends like Julius Erving, had a pro career overseas, and later coached at Benedict and Morris College.
Wilson carried on her father’s basketball legacy while forging her own path. After a dominant high school career at Heathwood Hall Episcopal, she joined Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks and became one of college basketball’s most decorated players. In the WNBA, she rose to superstardom with the Las Vegas Aces, winning three championships (2022, 2023, 2025) and two Finals MVPs. A four-time league MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA, Wilson has firmly cemented her status as a basketball superstar.
“Your impact goes far beyond the hardwood,” Benedict College wrote. “You continue to inspire the next generation of women who play with purpose, power, and pride. We’re honored to lace up greatness and carry the standard forward.”
‘New Racist’ Judge Officially Resigns After Investigation Reveals Disturbing Recordings About Black People, LGBTQ+ Community
Ryan spoke out on how she despises the Black Lives Matter movement, referred to Black people as “lazy.”
Judge Kathleen Ryan, who labeled herself a “new racist,” has officially ditched her Oakland County, Michigan, bench for good after an investigation revealed disturbing recordings of how she feels about Black people and members of the LGBTQ+ community, WXYZ Detroit reports.
Ryan can be heard on recordings dated September 2024, showcasing offensive viewpoints about both demographics and how she isn’t “systematically racist” but “a new racist. She has been on paid administrative leave for months, but has now resigned voluntarily.
The recordings came from the bravery of Oakland County Probate Court Administrator Edward Hutton, who is also an attorney. Hutton said Ryan harassed him for years and he finally decided to speak out as he felt someone with those types of viewpoints wouldn’t be able to give fair rulings. “Nobody with that much hate in their heart for certain people — not just individuals, but groups of people– I don’t believe that they could possibly make fair, unbiased decisions regarding them,” he said.
Ryan spoke out on how she despises the Black Lives Matter movement, referring to Black people as “lazy.” “I’m so pissed off at this Black Lives Matter, #MeToo,” she was heard saying.
“From England, if you’re a Black from any other country, you’re doing way better. If you’re an American Black person, then you’re a f****** lazy piece of s***.”
Colleagues like Judge Daniel A. O’Brien were disappointed in how the investigation was handled, calling her removal “a sad day for the court.” “She was a great judge and was respected for her work on the bench,” he said. However, others, such as Dave Woodward, chair of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, who first received copies of the recordings, says he was “sickened” by what he heard. “I was sickened by it. There’s just no excuse,” Woodward said, according to the Detroit Free Press.
“Such language demeans the robe, corrupts the judiciary, and erases the trust in our legal system.”
As she caught wind of her racist hot takes being recorded, Hutton says she once bragged about being “untouchable” due to her judicial stature. Ryan’s thoughts were supported by once being charged with domestic violence. The charges were later dropped after she told police that she was a judge. “I’m pretty untouchable. So you guys really want to be d***s… You got 22 judges who are p*****s,” Ryan was once heard saying.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Members Mark 118th Founders’ Day In Ghana
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. traveled to Ghana to celebrate the 118th Founders' Day of the first Black Greek-lettered sorority.
Five-hundred members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. traveled to Ghana for the organization’s 118th Founders’ Day to honor their African roots, celebrate the sorority’s legacy, and serve the local community.
This marked the first time the first Black Greek-lettered sorority celebrated Founders’ Day outside the U.S., My Joy Online reports. The trip included visits to historic sites like Cape Coast Castle and the Assin Manso Slave River, central to the transatlantic slave trade, and featured a community service component.
“We have a program called the CHIP Childhood Hunger Initiative PowerPacks,” explained Danette Anthony Reed, supreme basileus of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. “While we are here on January 15, we intend to pack at least 1,000 PowerPacks. These will include essential food items such as rice, tomato paste, and packaged fish. Every member of the group will contribute in one way or another, making this a collective effort.”
Local officials praised the sorority’s visit, with Adinkra Group CEO Diallo Sumbry, who helped organize the trip, saying the presence of Alpha Kappa Alpha members would boost tourism, strengthen cultural ties, and deepen business connections between Ghana and the United States.
“What this shows is that years after the Year of Return and into the Black Star Experience, we are still attracting large numbers of people from the diaspora to come to Ghana,” he said.
The Founders’ Day celebration continues the momentum of Ghana’s 2019 Year of Return and the Beyond the Return initiative, aimed at strengthening cultural, historical, and economic ties with the diaspora.
“We’re very happy that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has decided to celebrate its 118th Founders’ Day in Ghana,” said Gilbert Abeiku, deputy chief executive officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority. “It’s a historical occasion; it’s a historical moment, not just because it’s the first time that a group this large from America, a college-educated group of Black women, has decided to celebrate their Founders’ Day and chart our new chapter here. But what this shows is that years after the Year of Return and now into the Black Star Experience, we are still attracting a large number of diasporas to come back to Ghana.”
The sorority’s Accra-based interest group, the Black Star Pearls of Ghana, is working to become a formal chapter while serving communities in Accra and Kumasi. On Earth Day 2025, they planted 108 coconut trees at Aburi Botanical Gardens to honor the organization’s 1908 founding.
