Michael Jordan, lawsuit, NASCAR, antitrust
(Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 12, 2025

Michael Jordan Joins NBC Sports As Special Contributor For Upcoming NBA Season

'I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October'

When the NBA returns to NBC in October, basketball legend Michael Jordan will be part of NBC Sports’ regular season coverage, serving as a special contributor.

“I am so excited to see the NBA back on NBC,” said Jordan in a written statement. “The NBA on NBC was a meaningful part of my career, and I’m excited about being a special contributor to the project. I’m looking forward to seeing you all when the NBA on NBC launches this October.”

Jordan is considered one of the best, if not the best, basketball players of all-time. His championship runs—1990 to 1993 and 1995 to 1998—came when countless kids watched Jordan dominate the competition on NBC. 

He joins other former players like Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller, who will serve as game analysts, and Carmelo Anthony, who is on board as a studio analyst.

The release did not describe what exactly Jordan will do in his new role, which was announced during NBCUniversal’s upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Monday, May 12. 

NBC is returning to broadcasting NBA games after 23 years, and has even resurrected “Roundball Rock,” the game’s signature opening theme song.  

“Michael’s legacy, both on and off the court, speaks for itself,” said NBC Sports President Rick Cordella. “We’re incredibly proud to have him join our coverage.”

Last summer, NBCUniversal and the NBA signed an 11-year agreement to air NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms.

Monday night games will stream on Peacock, while NBC/Peacock will air coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. Fans will be able to view Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock.

RELATED CONTENT: Somebody Just Paid $4.2M For Michael Jordan’s Rookie Preseason Basketball Jersey

Maryland Councilwoman Helps Pass Law To Get Egg Freezing Covered By Insurance
photo credit: USDA Gene Bank, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 12, 2025

Maryland Councilwoman Helps Pass Law To Get Egg Freezing Covered By Insurance

Wanika B. Fisher used her personal experience to help others

Prince George’s County (MD) Council member Wanika B. Fisher knew how costly egg freezing can be, so she pushed for a change.

Fisher led the charge on a newly passed law that mandates health insurance coverage for county workers seeking to freeze their eggs, The Washington Post reports. She was driven to sponsor the bill after her own attempt at the procedure revealed that her county health plan didn’t cover the typical $10,000 to $15,000 cost per cycle.

“I was shocked, and I was kind of sad,” Fisher recalled. “I don’t know if I’m ever going to have the dream of being a mom.”

The law, which takes effect later this month, will require Prince George’s County insurance plans to cover elective egg freezing and storage for up to 10 years. This groundbreaking law opens the door for employees to consider in vitro fertilization in the future.

Maryland is the first state to pass a law requiring health insurance plans to include infertility coverage. Currently, around 10 other states and the District of Columbia also provide insurance that covers IVF and fertility preservation.

Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics, said Fisher’s actions highlight the importance of having more women in office across all ages, races, and income levels.

“Here is a woman who is now serving and suddenly realizes that these institutions are not prepared for her to be there,” Walsh said. “Making these institutions more hospitable to women is going to raise up different kinds of issues.”

Now, Fisher is waiting for the right time to freeze her eggs.

“Just like everything in life, you just have to make it a priority,” Fisher said. “I’m aging, so I have to make it a priority.”

RELATED CONTENT: Fertility Faux Pas or Innovation? Should Companies Pay for Female Workers to Freeze Their Eggs?

brain health, Black men, CTE
Photo by Andrew Brookes/Getty Images
by Mitti Hicks

May 12, 2025

STUDY: Hypertension And Diabetes Linked To Increase In Alzheimer’s In Black Americans

A new study found there is a chain reaction for Black Americans diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension in midlife. Researchers from the University of Georgia study found that Black Americans are diagnosed with both conditions have a greater risk of developing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

A new study found that there is a chain reaction for Black Americans diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension in midlife. Researchers from the University of Georgia study found that Black Americans who are diagnosed with both conditions have a greater risk of developing degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Researchers analyzed more than 252 middle-aged Black Americans enrolled in the Family and Community Health Study living in either Georgia or Iowa. Participants diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, or both had their blood drawn between 2008 and 2019. Nearly 10 years later, researchers found these participants with both conditions had significantly higher levels of a dementia-related biomarker more than 10 years later.

“This study shows that chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, especially when combined together, might start damaging the brain earlier than we thought, especially for this group,” Rachael Weaver, corresponding author of the study and a graduate student in the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences department of sociology,” released in a statement.

Cardiovascular Health Is Also An Indicator Of Alzheimer’s Disease

According to researchers, diabetes and hypertension are not the only indicators of degenerative brain diseases in the future. Cardiovascular health also plays a significant role. While having any one of these diagnoses alone does not indicate a dramatic neurological effect, having both leads to striking results.

“The study sends a clear message: Taking steps early to control high blood pressure and diabetes may help protect African Americans from brain degeneration and lower their risk of dementia later in life,” Karlo Lei, co-author of the study and an associate professor in the Franklin College department of sociology, added.

When compared to other racial-ethnic groups, Black Americans show accelerated brain aging beginning in midlife. They also exhibit higher rates and earlier onset of dementia and are ultimately more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease.

Early intervention for these chronic health conditions could significantly protect brain health and reduce the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases for African Americans later in life.

RELATED CONTENT: Stress Of Caregiving Linked To Hypertension In Younger Black Women, New Study Finds

OneUnited Bank, Roxbury, Massachusetts, Kevin Cohee, Roxbury, black-owned
(Photo: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
by Sharelle B. McNair

May 12, 2025

OneUnited Bank Promotes Financial Literacy For Youth With 15th Annual ‘I Got Bank’ Contest

Ten winners will receive a $1,000 savings account each by August 31.

America’s largest Black-owned bank, OneUnited Bank, is highlighting the importance of children learning financial literacy with its 15th annual “I Got Bank!” National Financial Literacy Contest, where 10 kids can win a $1,000 savings account, according to a press release shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE. 

Contestants between eight and 12 are encouraged to read a financial literacy book of their choice and can either write a 250-word essay or create an art project showcasing how they would apply what they learned from the book to their everyday lives by the June 20 deadline. Ten winners will receive a $1,000 savings account each by Aug. 31. 

To give children an inside look at how financial literacy can uplift them, the Bank offers an “I Got Bank” e-book for free. OneUnited Bank President Teri Williams decided to take matters into her own hands after finding there weren’t enough books that educate Black youth about finances, and wrote “I Got Bank! What My Granddad Taught Me About Money,” published by The Beckham Publications Group, Inc. “We did a survey of previous I Got Bank participants and found that 100% of them found the experience valuable to extremely valuable and 100% stated the experience increased their financial awareness,” Williams said. 

“We want to thank the parents and schools for encouraging their children and students to participate in the contest. We continue to advocate for financial literacy to be taught in K-12 schools across America!” 

The 2024 winners ranged between 10 and 12 from cities across the country. 

OneUnited is known as a leader in educating Black communities about being financially liberated. In addition to schooling children, the bank is collaborating with other organizations to help adults who are renters build on their credit and make homeownership a reality. In partnership with Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), the two collaborated with Esusu, a tech-forward credit-building platform, according to the Michigan Chronicle. 

The platform allows renters to report on-time rental payments to all three major credit bureaus and removes one of the most under-discussed credit obstacles for everyday people, with a focus on Black renters. The partnership addresses structural barriers that have historically placed limitations on Black families who want to experience homeownership. Williams said the vision is clear, and working with Esusu is a key step. “For decades, our mission has been to promote financial empowerment for everyone, and this collaboration with Esusu is an important step in that direction,” Williams said. 

“This alliance is all about empowering renters with the financial tools they need to turn their homeownership dreams into reality.”

RELATED CONTENT: OneUnited, The Largest Black-Owned Bank, Partners With Esusu To Boost Homeownership

Essence Fest, Lil Wayne
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JULY 05: Lil Wayne performs onstage during Day 1 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 05, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 12, 2025

Lil Wayne Allegedly Kicked Girlfriend and Her Daughter Out Of His House—On Mother’s Day

She also accused the rapper of domestic abuse

The ex-fiancée of Lil Wayne said that the rapper not only abused her but kicked her and her child out of his house on Mother’s Day.

Denise Bidot, the plus-size model, took to her Instagram Stories to tell her version of events to her more than half a million followers.

“This is actually a fact: Wayne literally kicked me and my daughter out on Mother’s Day today. And, I am just recovering from surgery. I am five weeks out from a whole mommy makeover. I can’t even lift boxes. But this man has his assistants coming to help kick us out today and broke up with me on Mother’s Day through text.”

After asking for recommendations for lawyer, she claimed that the New Orleans rapper had two girls being flown in on Mother’s Day, an that she been “nothing but supportive” of the rapper. She added that he “uprooted” her from New York City to live with him.”

She also accused him of putting his hands on her.

“This man has actually laid a f**king hand on me. Like nah. And I took it. And you know what’s crazy is, they always say we’re so stupid for love, and I thought it was a mistake. But I know other women he’s put his hands on.”

XXL reported that the pair had been involved for almost five years, but broke up because of Lil Wane’s support for President Donald Trump. They reunited, but based on the recent video, it look as if it finally may be over for the pair.

RELATED CONTENT: Travis Hunter Signs With Lil Wayne’s Sports Agency

Gabrielle Union, actress, Hollywood, Black actresses, award
(Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.)
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 12, 2025

Gabrielle Union Felt ‘F*ck*ng Public Humiliation’ During Surrogacy: ‘It Felt Like Failure’

'If I had the ability to do this myself, I would've'

Gabrielle Union spoke candidly to Marie Claire about the embarrassment she felt welcoming her daughter via surrogacy.

In a May 7 interview, the Being Mary Jane star reflected on her and husband Dwyane Wade’s decision to welcome their now 7-year-old daughter Kaavia James, through surrogacy in 2018.

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“Because it’s different and because every single person’s surrogacy journey is different,” Union, 52 said, “it’s like any time there’s any kind of variance in the experience, it’s, ‘See, I told you. You shouldn’t explore this option to expand your family.’ But for me, it felt like failure. My body failed. It just felt like such a fu*king public humiliation.”

While Wades aren’t the only celebrity couple to welcome a child through surrogacy, joining the estimated 750 surrogacy births each year, that did not lighten Union’s insecurities.

“To be there for somebody else succeeding where I failed—it is a mind fu*k for people who have had my journey and who feel similarly,” she explained. “When it’s never been your reality, I get the urge to judge and cast aspersions because we all want whatever route we took to be the “right” way.”

Addressing critics of surrogacy, the Bring It On star didn’t hold back.

“If I had the ability to do this myself, I would’ve,” Union said. “Your baby’s here and your baby’s awesome. My baby’s here and my baby’s awesome.”

Union, who is also stepmom to Wade’s kids with ex-wife Siohvaughn Funches, Zaire, 23, and Zaya, 17, and son Xavier, 11, with Aja Metoyer, said she’ll never be completely comfortable that she welcomed her child through surrogacy.

“No. I’ll never have peace with it, ever,” she explained. “And that’s not a what-anybody-has-to-say thing; that’s just—my yearning has never dissipated. I was so ready for my surprise, but all the prayers that didn’t get answered in the way that I thought made me more conscientious that my child is here.”

Union continued. “I’m very grateful to our gestational caregiver, though. It’s just one of those things where it’s such a personal journey that I may never know full peace with the coulda, woulda, shouldas.”

RELATED CONTENT: Gabrielle Union And Dwyane Wade Announce EWG VERIFIED Mark For PROUDLY Baby Care Brand

DRAYMOND GREEN
Draymond Green. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 12, 2025

Minnesota Timberwolves Look For Second Fan Who Allegedly Made ‘Racially Charged’ Comments At Draymond Green

The second fan left before security could approach them

After ejecting a basketball fan accused of making a “racially charged” comment toward Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green on Thursday, May 8, the Minnesota Timberwolves said it is looking for another individual who was allegedly involved.

In a statement, the NBA team confirmed the ejection of the first person violating the league’s fan code of conduct during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Warriors and Golden State Warriors at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Green was called a racial slur while he was on a stationary bike in the tunnel near his team’s bench.

Timberwolves security removed the first fan, but “a second individual who was identified by surrounding patrons as making racially charged comments towards Green left on his own before the arena security could confirm his identity,” the Timberwolves said in a statement. “The team is continuing to investigate an additional action may be taken.”

“The Timberwolves and Target Center are firmly committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all,” the team added. “Racist, hateful, or threatening behavior has no place at our games or in our community and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

After the game, which the Warriors lost 117-83, Green vented to the media.

“I’m sick of the agenda to make me look like the angry Black man. I’m not an angry Black man,” Green said. “I’m a very successful, educated Black man with a great family. And I’m great at basketball, I’m great at what I do. The agenda to try to keep making me look like an angry Black man is crazy. I’m sick of it. It’s ridiculous.”

RELATED CONTENT: Frustrated Draymond Green States, ‘I’m Not An Angry Black Man’

Howard University, 14th Amendment Center For Law And Democracy
(Photo by Salwan Georges/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 12, 2025

Howard University Celebrates Largest Graduating Class In HBCU’s History

Howard's 157th Commencement ceremony saw over 3,000 graduates walk across the stage.

Howard University is celebrating a new milestone with its class of 2025. The HBCU honored its largest graduating class in its history, with 3,167 degrees conferred.

According to WJLA, Howard’s 157th Commencement ceremony saw over 3,000 graduates walk across the stage, with graduates across multiple colleges from fine arts to business receiving their diplomas. One particular graduate made history of her own.

Cheryl Hawkins received her Ph.D. in history while establishing herself as the eldest graduate for this year. The 72-year-old overcame the obstacle of being a teenage mom to reach the highest pinnacle of academia.

“This was a long-term goal, and to reach it at this stage in my life. It’s kind of special,” Hawkins told the news source. “I think a little bit more about things before I make decisions about them.”

Howard University held its commencement ceremony on May 10, with LeVar Burton as the keynote speaker. According to The Dig, the graduating class represented 44 states and 29 countries, boasting a 13% increase from last year’s graduates.

“I know sometimes life won’t let you go at it right away. I’m a good example of that, but keep it in your heart and your spirit to do it. Education is our key,” Hawkins said. “Once you know something, you cannot unknow it. So we need to learn all we can about life ourselves and what talents we came here to share with the world.”

Another graduate, who reigns as the youngest in the class of 2025, shared her experience accomplishing this goal at a less-than-usual age.

“Your age isn’t something that comes up on the regular in class. So you kind of forget that you are a little younger than some of your peers.” 19-year-old Joyce Sob told 7News.

The festivities continue to show Howard’s growing standing among HBCUs and research universities. The school recently solidified its R1 Carnegie classification status, making it the sole HBCU currently holding this ranking. It can now further compete with other universities regarding its research opportunities.

As the university celebrates new records, its Board of Trustees also acknowledged the legacy and magnitude of obtaining a Howard degree.

“Deeply embedded into this terra firma are the footsteps of past alumni who have trod the Long Walk to end their Howard sojourn and receive their hard-earned, well-deserved Howard degree,” expressed Howard Board of Trustees Chairman Laurence C. Morse.

RELATED CONTENT: From Service To The Stage: Howard Graduate Talks Leaving the Navy To Study Acting At HBCU

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Trump, ballroom, DC Hillbillies
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
by Sharelle B. McNair

May 12, 2025

Jasmine Crockett Reveals Democrat Donors Are Rallying Behind ‘The Safest White Boy’ Ahead Of 2028 Presidential Race

Crockett told host Clay Cane that she heard it from a donor’s mouth and can assure voters that it's not a person of color.

During a SiriusXM podcast interview, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) hinted that the Democratic party is already rallying behind the “safest white boy” to support as a candidate ahead of the 2028 presidential election. 

Without mentioning any names, Crockett said “one specific candidate” is being floated around as she spoke about her party’s alleged fear of having a woman jump in the race again. “It is this fear that the people within the party, within the primary system, will have about voting for a woman because every time we voted for a woman, we’ve lost, so far,” she said in a clip of the Urban View town hall.

“And I think that that’s a natural fear because we just want to win.”

Doubling down on her claim, she told host Clay Cane that she heard it from a donor’s mouth and can assure voters that it’s not a person of color. “No, for real. And to be clear, when we talk about them, I can tell you that there is one specific candidate,” Crockett said. “I had a donor on the phone with me telling me that all the donors are lining up behind that candidate. So I can tell, and I tell you, it’s not a Black person, nor a woman, OK?” 

While that may not be a shocker for some Democratic voters, the outspoken congresswoman touched on some of the reasons behind “they” — referring to the same party members who supported former President Joe Biden — not putting a woman up as the new candidate. “People fail to recognize how unique Trump is. They continue to say ‘well we lost,’ well they both lost to Trump,” she said. 

“Trump, who is a misogynist, Trump, who is going to ramp up the misogyny in the first place because that’s what he does. He is disrespectful. Like right now, he still doesn’t know how to deal with me.” 

Some of the Democratic Party names being whispered include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, former Vice Presidential nominee Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and former Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the second woman to lose to President Donald Trump in November 2024. 

Fox News anchors speculated that former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg may be in the running because he took his pronouns down and has a beard. “Those are two things necessary to run a country,” one anchor said. 


However, Crockett’s name hasn’t been left out of some conversation since she is considering the position as top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, succeeding Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly, according to The Dallas Morning News. She is currently the panel’s vice ranking member, often going viral for advocating for numerous topics, such as transgender athletes in women’s sports, against her ranking Republican colleagues.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Sinners’ Not-So-Subtle Nod To Voodoo Is Just One Way Ryan Coogler Connects The Diaspora

Quincy jones, catalog, Michael Jackson
Wikimedia Commons, John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 12, 2025

Quincy Jones’ Custom-Built Bel Air Mansion Up For Sale At A Whopping $60 Million

Jones spent six years building the custom-made five-bedroom, 17-bathroom mansion.

Quincy Jones’ estate has listed the late mega-producer’s Bel Air mansion for sale. The estate hopes to sell the home for a whopping $60 million.

Jones spent six years on custom builds for the five-bedroom, 17-bathroom abode. He sought the design efforts of his former classmate and architect, Gerald Allison, FAIA. The stone-sided structure came to life in the early 2000s while becoming part of Jones’ formidable legacy in Hollywood.

“My father loved his home so much,” said the producer’s daughter, Rashida Jones. “He created it from the ground up with his boundless imagination and the talent of his high school friend, legendary architect Jerry Allison. Our family has a lifetime of wonderful memories and meaning imbued in this home.”

David Kramer and Andrew Buss of Compass’s David Kramer Group listed the house. Kramer also emphasized the home’s “pedigree and scale” that came with its iconic owner, who died in November at 91.

“With a rich cultural legacy, this iconic estate has welcomed Hollywood royalty, global dignitaries, and legendary artists. Just minutes from Sunset Boulevard, it stands as one of the most exceptional view estates in all of Los Angeles, offering rare privacy, pedigree, and scale,” shared the realtor in the caption.

Like Jones’ worldly approach to music, his house represents the international destinations that inspired him. The home’s primary living room, shaped in a central rotunda, took inspiration from an African mud hut. As for the materials used for the home’s foundation, Egyptian pyramids led to the incorporation of travertine, alabaster, and limestone. Furthermore, his self-proclaimed “global gumbo” found at the estate made it part of his enigmatic charm.

“The whole world is represented here, from Morocco to Nefertiti to the Tang dynasty,” he told Smithsonian in a 2008 interview.

The property spans 2.3 acres in the exclusive Bel Air area, also the neighborhood of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s mansion. Jones’ long-time estate features a double-height atrium, a wine-tasting room, a game lounge, and a screening room. The home includes a gallery, a reception area, and a security office to add to its magnitude. 

With expansive views of the San Gabriel Mountains, Pacific Ocean, and the famous Los Angeles skyline, its new owners can enjoy its impressive amenities, including a tennis court, a cabana, and an infinity-edge pool.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Sinners’ Not-So-Subtle Nod To Voodoo Is Just One Way Ryan Coogler Connects The Diaspora

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