by Sharelle B. McNair

February 15, 2025

United Golfers Association Embraces 100 Years Of Black Excellence With Invitational Uplifting Rising Stars

This should be exciting!

The United Golfers Association (UGA) is set to host the UGA Invitational, presented by Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, to celebrate its 100-year legacy and uplift rising golf stars from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the Golf Wire reported.

Kicking off on Valentine’s Day 2025, the weekend-long event will be held at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, showcasing the next round of golf pros and providing them with opportunities such as player development grants for the winners in the junior divisions. In addition to two competitions taking place — the UGA Invitational for junior players and the Legacy Cup for primarily HBCU students — attendees will be able to support eight of the dozen Black women on the Professional Golf Tour Circuit.

The organization was founded in 1925 by a group of African American golfers who curated a separate series of professional golf tournaments for golfers amid the rise of racial segregation in the United States. Thanks to those golfers, UGA became a shining light of hope and gave a platform to Black golfers to compete, advance, and showcase their skills and combat discriminatory practices that kept them out of golf’s mainstream industry, according to press details shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

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The centennial invitational honors Black golfers who came through the UGA circuit to develop their talents and paved the way for the future generation of golfers. The event will hold tributes and awards to trailblazers including Ted Rhodes, Renee Powell, Charlie Sifford, Calvin Peete, Althea Gibson, Jim Dent, Jim Thorpe, and Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to play in The Masters.

A look back at this landmark event will highlight the history of the National Championships, going from 1926 to 1976, and will be labeled as a new era of aspiring golfers like Tarek “Ty” DeLavallade. The Chicago native didn’t know anything about UGA’s existence until 2020 when he was invited to speak on a golf diversity panel at the African American Golf Expo. He and business partner Andy Walker started working on highlighting UGA’s legacy and have since raised thousands and curated key relationships with corporations to provide support to young Black golfers who are looking forward to playing in college or at the pro level.

Outside of Coca-Cola’s support, other corporate sponsors include AARP, Cisco, CDW, Disney, Universal, the Tampa Bay Rays MLB team, and the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars.

In recent years, a number of HBCUs, ranging from Florida A&M University to Fayetteville State University, have been highlighted for their golf teams. The North Carolina A&T State University golf team, with star player, former NBA player J.R. Smith, was featured on the Undisputed four-part docuseries in 2023.

Bill Introduced To Honor 200,000 Black Union Soldiers With Gold Medal

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 15, 2025

Bill Introduced To Honor 200,000 Black Union Soldiers With Gold Medal

A new bill aims to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) are leading an effort to secure the Congressional Gold Medal for the 200,000 African Americans who served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

On Monday, Holmes and Booker introduced the United States Colored Troops Congressional Gold Medal Act to coincide with Black History Month. If passed, the bill would posthumously honor approximately 200,000 African American men who served in the Union Army and 19,000 who served in the Union Navy during the Civil War with the Congressional Gold Medal.

“Hundreds of thousands of African Americans who fought for the Union in the Civil War have largely been left out of the nation’s historical memory, despite having sacrificed their safety, and in many cases their lives,” Congresswoman Norton said in a press release.

“This bill will help correct that wrong and give the descendants of those soldiers the recognition they deserve. Thank you to Senator Booker for partnering with me in this effort and for introducing the Senate version of the bill so early this Congress.”

Although African Americans had served in previous wars long before the Civil War, there was initial resistance to recruiting them as soldiers at the start of the conflict. However, on May 22, 1863, the United States War Department issued General Order Number 143, which created the Bureau of Colored Troops to organize and recruit regiments of African American soldiers, known as the United States Colored Troops.

By the war’s end, approximately 179,000 Black men had served in the Union Army, and another 19,000 served in the Navy. While Black women were not allowed to officially enlist as soldiers or sailors, they contributed as nurses, cooks, spies, and scouts for the Army and Navy.

“African Americans have laid down their lives serving in our country’s armed forces for hundreds of years,” said Sen. Booker. “Though often overlooked or forgotten, the United States Colored Troops were vital to preserving the Union during the Civil War. We must honor their legacy and ensure their service and sacrifice are remembered as an integral part of our nation’s history. More than 150 years have passed since the end of the war, and this bill will ensure these American heroes are finally awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their fight for liberty, equality, and justice.”

Holmes is urging her colleagues in Congress to support the bill and get it passed.

Drake, rapper, drake curse, super bowl bets, betting, gambling

by Mary Spiller

February 15, 2025

Drake Drops V-Day Album. Is He Moving Past Beef With Kendrick Lamar?

'Some Sexy Songs 4 U' suggests that Drake is trying to.move past his rap beef with Kendrick Lamar.

Drake released a new album for Valentine’s Day, less than a week after rap rival Kendrick Lamar performed his Grammy-winning Drake diss track “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl. “Some Sexy Songs 4 U” is Drake’s first album since the start of his beef with Lamar last year. Although the collaborative album with Canadian singer-songwriter and record producer PartyNextDoor seems to come at a tense time between Drake and Lamar, several tracks seem to suggest that Drizzy is trying to put the whole thing behind him now.

“Some Sexy Songs 4 U” was released on Feb. 14 by Drake and singer and producer PartyNextDoor, and it marks his first full album drop since “For All the Dogs”—which included the song that began his year-long feud with Lamar.

Drake doesn’t name-drop Lamar on his new album. However, fans who have analyzed the drop believe that a few songs make direct reference to the rap beef.

For instance, in “Gimme A Hug,” Drake raps, “F*** a rap beef, I’m tryna get the party lit,” seemingly to reference dismissing the feud.

He continued on the track, saying that if he died, “it’s these n****s that become the sole beneficiary [would have girls] on stage twerking with a dictionary.”

The line allegedly references Lamar, who is widely known as an intellectual lyricist with complex verses and diction.

Drake’s latest release comes amid a hot spot for the beef, with Lamar headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, where he performed some of his biggest hits, including his most notorious Drake diss that largely won him the feud, to an audience of 133 million viewers.

While the Lamar and Drake feud dates back years, they started dropping major diss tracks last year.

It has since escalated to a legal case after the “Non-Stop” artist sued Universal Music Group, the label that represents both rappers, Billboard reported. He alleged that the label intentionally defamed him by allowing Lamar to release “Not Like Us,” in which he accuses Drake of being a pedophile and trying to “strike a chord [with] a minor.”

Drake continued to accuse UMG in the lawsuit of working with radio and streaming platforms like Spotify to artificially boost the success of “Not Like Us,” leading to Drake receiving undue threats and criticisms due to the success of Lamar’s diss tracks.

Gap x Harlem’s Fashion Row Launch Capsule Collection Full Of Black Designers

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 14, 2025

Gap x Harlem’s Fashion Row Launch Capsule Collection Full Of Black Designers

Gap x Harlem's Fashion Row unveiled their capsule collection that celebrates Black-owned brands and designers.

Gap has teamed up with Harlem’s Fashion Row for a Black History Month capsule collection that celebrates Black-owned brands and designers of color.

On Wednesday, Gap unveiled its capsule collection with Harlem’s Fashion Row designed by visionaries behind five iconic brands: Aaron Potts (A. Potts), Bruce + Glen Porter (BruceGlen), Krystal Phillips (Kaphill), Nicole King (N’Gai), and Patrick Henry (RichFresh). The collection blends each designer’s unique style with Gap’s signature American aesthetic, creating fashion-forward yet approachable pieces that appeal to culturally conscious consumers.

“Our partnership with Gap has always been about more than fashion,” said Harlem’s Fashion Row’s CEO & Founder Brandice Daniel in a statement.

“It’s about creating opportunities, breaking barriers, and amplifying the voices of these incredibly talented designers. Together, we’re not only celebrating creativity but also fostering a legacy of inclusivity and empowerment that will inspire generations to come.”

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The 16-piece limited-edition collection features well-structured poncho hoodies, layered shirts, floral hoodies, and puff-sleeve denim shirts. Each piece reflects immense talent, high quality, and innovative reimaginings of classic fashion items.

The collection expands on Gap’s partnership with Harlem’s Fashion Row, which began in 2019, supporting diverse designers through industry collaborations, educational programs, and investments in HBCU fashion initiatives via HFR’s ICON360 initiative. Launching at a time when diverse creators and Black-owned businesses face increasing challenges amid rising anti-DEI rhetoric, this capsule collection stands as more than just fashion—it’s a bold celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and creative inclusivity, honoring Black designers and their enduring influence on the industry.

“This partnership is a natural fit, as it’s rooted in our shared mission to empower creators and provide them with a platform to share their talent with the world,” said Gap President & CEO Mark Breitbard in a statement. “Each designer’s creativity takes center stage — bringing a fresh, authentic perspective to create a truly original collection.”

Pieces from the collection range from $89 to $129. Gap × Harlem’s Fashion Row collection is available on gap.com and in select Gap locations on Feb. 14 at noon ET / 9 a.m. PT.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 14, 2025

Gary Payton Discusses Current NBA Mindset Heading Into All-Star Weekend

This year’s NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 16) is taking place in the Bay Area (at the Chase Center, in San Francisco), and Complex took advantage by having a sitdown with Gary Payton, the retired NBA player who grew up in Oakland.

Payton is now a basketball head coach for the College of Alameda, which returns him to a coaching role in the Bay area. On Feb. 13, Complex Editor-in-Chief Aria Hughes spoke with the NBA Hall of Famer for her “Please Explain” series. The object of the series is to bring “context, not confusion, to the internet.” During their conversation, Payton was able to discuss several topics, including his upbringing in Oakland, his latest position as a college basketball coach, how he sees the evolution of the NBA game, and several other topics that kept the duo engaged.

A common theme with the latest NBA All-Star Games over the years has been that the friendships between opposing players are so friendly that it has taken away the competitive edge and mindset of those who do get a chance to participate in the celebrated weekend. Some blame this mindset on the games being soft and not really competitive, as when Payton was in his prime, when the best players in the league couldn’t wait to show off to the world in front of some of the best players in the NBA.

To that, he asked, “Has the NBA got too soft?! Yes. Did you watch my era?!”

The former point guard reiterated that the hate was real during the season and may have been tempered down during the All-Star Weekend.

“During my era, we didn’t like anyone. The only time we were together was All-Star Weekend. On the last day, I would say I’m gonna be beating your ass next time I see you.”

He did make it a point to focus a little on mental health, especially with the pressure people deal with these days, specifically men. He did emphasize that self-care is something that needs to happen as he believes, against the stereotype, that it’s OK for men to cry. This makes sense as the event was powered by Soluna, a CalHOPE program dedicated to raising awareness about mental health resources for teens and young adults.

However, he did take a moment to rib one of the players who is known for his trash-talking ways, Kevin Durant, who will be appearing to represent his team, the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center on Feb. 16.

“Kevin is like my young guy. We started talking trash, and people think it’s a different way, but it’s all fun. I’ll see him tomorrow. He’s an OG now, and he stays in the game, and that’s great for him.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 14, 2025

Musician Surprised With Live Valentine’s Day Wedding On ‘Good Morning America’

A musician received the surprise of a lifetime with a live proposal and Valentine’s Day wedding on "Good Morning America."

A musician received the surprise of a lifetime when her partner proposed live on national television, just moments before their spontaneous wedding on Good Morning America.

Chaseedaw Giles was in Times Square with her partner, Daniel Alexandre, when he surprised her with a live proposal on Good Morning America. Thanks to the national morning show, the engaged pair skipped the wedding planning phase by tying the knot on live television moments after Giles said yes.

A musician played the harp as Giles walked down the aisle in a gorgeous white wedding gown she was able to select moments after getting engaged. The crowd made sounds of awe while watching the beautiful bride walk down the aisle.

Boston natives Giles and Alexandre, who met while pursuing their music careers in Los Angeles, had their wedding officiated by GMA‘s own Sam Champion. Their ceremony was attended by members of the GMA family, including Michael Strahan, Ginger Zee, Rebecca Jarvis, and Gio Benitez, along with their loved ones, who surprised the couple by joining the celebration.

“Is my mom here?” Giles asked Strahan when she entered the room.

She shared how she was under the impression that they were just doing a photoshoot and had no idea Alexandre would propose and surprise her with a wedding. Giles cried tears of joy when she was surprised by her family member’s attendance at the impromptu wedding.

A short video was made to share Giles and Alexandre’s beautiful love story, which began in July 2022 and led to the formation of their band, Black From Home. Giles friends and family were all in on the surprise as they spoke with GMA about the couple’s romantic tale. Her happy tears flowed as Alexandre read his vows, which included promises of “being yours and yours alone.”

Montell Jordan took the surprise even further with a live performance for the newly married couple and their family and friends, who danced along to the music. Following their wedding, Giles and Alexandre received a surprise honeymoon trip to the Cayman Islands, courtesy of Grand Cayman Villas and Condos and Nocturne Villas.

by Kandiss Edwards

February 14, 2025

Megan Thee Stallion Clear To Proceed With Defamation Lawsuit

Megan Thee Stallion's case against blogger will continue.

Megan Thee Stallion’s defamation case will continue after a judge ruled against Milagro Cooper’s motion to dismiss the suit.

According to Rolling Stone, Cooper argued that her continuous commentary about Megan amounted to “spite” and “pure hatred.” The blogger filed the motion, asserting that Megan The Stallion’s suit contained “dubious legal claims and irrelevant and impertinent allegations.”

Florida Southern District Chief Judge Cecilia Altonaga disagreed. The judge stated the evidence reveals a pattern of “reckless disregard for the truth.” Judge Altonaga continued, laying out the basis for her ruling:

“The plaintiff’s claims extend far beyond mere negligence — they paint a picture of an intentional campaign to destroy her reputation. That is more than enough to satisfy the pleading standard,” she wrote.

A judge in Florida says Megan Thee Stallion's claims against blogger Milagro Cooper "extend far beyond mere negligence — they paint a picture of an intentional campaign to destroy her reputation."

The order rejects Milagro's dismissal motion. pic.twitter.com/OYFnJUxE6V
— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff) February 7, 2025

The case has been ongoing since October 2024. Megan filed a suit against Cooper, known as Milagro Gramz, for what she claims was a harassment campaign. The WAP rapper alleges Cooper is in collusion with Tory Lanez, the rapper convicted of shooting Megan in 2021.

Lanez was convicted of felony assault. Megan believes Cooper began her harassment campaign in 2020, shortly after the shooting incident. According to the rapper’s initial filing, Cooper is responsible for sharing a “deepfake” digitally altered pornographic video using the Grammy winner’s image and likeness.

Unfortunately for the Mamushi rapper, Cooper is not the only harasser she has had to contend with since the shooting. In January 2025, Megan won a restraining order against Lanez.

The case against Lanez revealed that bloggers were paid to enact “psychological warfare.”

Megan told the court, “The problem is that the man who shot me is paying people to put out lies and smear campaigns against me,” BLACK ENTERPRISE reported.

Judge Richard Bloom granted the motion, forbidding Lanez from “harassing, intimidating, threatening or disturbing the peace of [Megan],” TMZ reported.

Carmelo Anthony, soccer trial, Puerto Rico, invstment

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 14, 2025

NBC Sports Hires Former New York Knicks Player Carmelo Anthony As NBA Studio Analyst

The future NBA Hall of Famer will start with the 2025-2026 NBA season

Former New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony, who retired from basketball in May 2023, has been hired by NBC to become a studio analyst when the network starts broadcasting NBA games next season.

According to The Athletic, the network hired the potential NBA Hall of Famer (he’s been recently nominated) to be one of the primary commentators for the next season of play for the NBA. The network is preparing for its inaugural season under the recent contract signed with the league in 2024. With the 2025-2026 NBA season, fans will view games through ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Prime Video until the 2035-36 season.

NEWS: Carmelo Anthony has signed with NBC to be a studio analyst, The Athletic has learned.

Full details with more newsy NBA TV nuggets.https://t.co/1nMTYsATz7

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) February 13, 2025

The retired NBA favorite can now be seen giving his thoughts on basketball and other topics with a podcast he co-leads with former Bodega Boy, The Kid Mero, titled 7PM in Brooklyn, which is produced by Wave Sports + Entertainment.

According to Basketball Network, Anthony played 19 years in the NBA and won three gold medals during his career. He helped the United States bring home the gold in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2012 London Olympics, and the 2016 Rio Olympics. His averages in six international tournaments were 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He also played in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 World Championships in Japan. He set the U.S. Olympic scoring record in 2012, totaling 37 points in a game against Nigeria.

Although he never won an NBA title, he was one of the most respected players in the league when he played for the New York Knicks, and the Denver Nuggets, including stints with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets, and the Portland Trail Blazers before ending his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

During his only season playing in college, he led Syracuse University to its first and only NCAA men’s basketball tournament championship. After winning the championship, the talented player was drafted at No. 3 in the first round by the Denver Nuggets in the 2003 NBA Draft.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 14, 2025

Beauty Products Targeting Black Women Bring Increased Risk Of Cancer And Health Hazards

New research reveals that many of the beauty products targeting Black women bring an increased risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals.

A new study finds that nearly 80% of beauty products marketed to Black women contain ingredients linked to an increased risk of breast and uterine cancer.

Research from the Environmental Working Group examined over 4,000 products, including makeup, shampoo, hair relaxers, and dyes, revealing that 74% carry moderate to high health hazard risks that can cause cancer. Products marketed to Black women with phrases like “for use on melanated skin” were found to contain high concentrations of hazardous chemicals,” one scientist said.

“When those products have that marketing language, 80% of them scored moderate to high hazard in our database,” said the Environmental Working Group’s Alexa Friedman, who co-authored the study.

“When we look at products without that demographic marketing, we still see that 74% of those products score moderate to high hazard. But that difference of six percentage points, you know, is something that should be considered.”

The group’s free Skin Deep database rates products on a scale from 1 to 10 based on ingredient and product safety, with 1 being the safest and 10 the most hazardous. Hair relaxers remained among the most hazardous product categories, but “one good thing that we did see in between our 2016 and our 2025 report is that the average rating for hair relaxers went from an 8, which would be a high hazard in our database, to a 5, which is a moderate hazard,” Friedman said.

She notes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) limited oversight in extending its authority in regulating cosmetic products and their ingredients. Unlike drugs, personal care products such as cosmetics and shampoos are not required to prove their safety before hitting the market. As a result, the 2022 Modernization of Cosmetics Act (MoCA) updated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, mandating improved labeling and disclosure of certain allergens.

“That gives a little bit more power to the FDA to substantiate the safety of personal care products,” Friedman said. “But it still overall falls short.”

The report offers solutions for safer alternatives and resources to help individuals reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals and cancer—not just in personal care products but also in drinking water and household cleaning products.

“We are not trying to dictate what someone should or shouldn’t use,” Friedman said. “The goal of this report is to empower consumers to make decisions and find safer alternatives where they would like.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

February 14, 2025

Morris Chestnut Gears Up For The New Medical Mystery Drama, ‘Watson’

The show explores a different side of the beloved Sherlock Holmes character.

Morris Chestnut stars in Watson, a new medical mystery drama that will begin airing new episodes on CBS starting Feb. 16.

The season will continue, following the show’s Jan. 26 premiere that occurred after the NFL’s AFC Championship game. According to a news release, its regular schedule will take place in the 10 p.m. eastern time slot.

The new series follows Chestnut as Dr. John Watson, the former companion of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. In its pilot episode, Watson is gravely wounded during his and Holmes’ final encounter with their long-time adversary. Six months after the incident leaves Holmes dead, Watson returns to medicine to uncover the mystery of rare disorders.

The show also takes on a unique reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes characters with its plot and focus on Watson’s medical career. Set in modern-day Pittsburgh, Watson runs a medical clinic, using his skills in deductive reasoning to treat unusual illnesses.

While battling memory loss and the trauma of his past, his old life begins to catch up with him. Despite trying to forge a new path, Watson must continue to solve the case that cost the life of his best friend.

BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with Chestnut to discuss his latest project, the role of John Watson and loving his craft after 35 Years in the game.

Ahead of the inaugural season of Watson, Chestnut spoke about the “milestone” of taking on this iconic role on a primetime network show.

“This is a significant milestone for me in a number of ways,” he told The Los Angeles Times. “I’ve had lead roles before, but as an actor, I feel I’m hitting my stride in terms of how I approach the work. The opportunity to play this character, and on CBS, is huge. And to play with the Sherlock Holmes mythology is something I never would have imagined.”

Co-executive producing the series, Chestnut also spoke on the unique spin Watson puts on medical dramas. Given the titular character’s past detective work, the show intends to include this background as he treats new patients.

“When patients come into our clinic, we don’t solve the medical mystery right there,” he explained. “We go into their homes; we go into the streets. It’s combining the medical aspect of Watson with the influence of Sherlock.”

However, Chestnut has also faced backlash as a Black man taking on this beloved role. While he does not let the internet trolls get to him, he remains focused on bringing new life to the storied character.

“I’m reluctant to discuss it, particularly in the times we’re living in,” explained Chestnut. “I’ve seen some negative comments about me playing this character. And I really don’t want to focus on that — I just hope people see the character in the mythology for who he is. I don’t want to call attention to that.”

He added, “I’m most energized not only by the evolution of my character but of the other characters. The audience is really going to feel for them. The show is exciting and emotional.”

Watson also stars Eve Harlow, Randall Park, and Rochelle Aytes. The show will air weekly on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.