Thriving With Intention: A Clearer Path To Brain Health And Living Well At Every Age

Aging, at its best, is an unfolding — not a decline.

Today, as conversations around brain health, longevity, and healthy aging evolve, a quiet yet powerful shift is underway: people are choosing to age with purpose, not just endurance.

According to an August 2025 survey conducted by AARP, the world’s view of aging and longevity is shifting as people across generations navigate aging, work, and a rapidly changing future—especially in their awareness and expectations for managing and preserving brain health. Like any muscle that isn’t used regularly or is neglected, it wastes away or atrophies—but it doesn’t have to.

A More Intentional Relationship with Aging

Younger generations are not waiting to make these concerns urgent. They are thinking about brain health earlier, treating it as something to cultivate over time rather than repair later.

According to AARP research on generational perspectives, aging is no longer viewed as a passive experience. Younger generations are actively seeking ways to influence how they age—particularly when it comes to cognitive health and longevity.

For many Black Americans, navigating our health has never been a simple or neutral process. It carries history, pressure, and perseverance. But it also carries wisdom, clarity, and the opportunity to move through life with deeper intention. That shift is not rooted in denial of the realities Black communities face; it is grounded in knowledge, agency, and care. And increasingly, it is supported by science.

Research from AARP shows that Black adults over 50 tend to approach aging with both awareness and resolve. They anticipate challenges, but they are equally committed to preserving independence and quality of life.

“Black Americans 50-plus are focused on maintaining control over their lives as they age, even in the face of systemic barriers,” the report notes.

There is something deeply instructive about that mindset: a refusal to surrender autonomy, even when the odds are uneven.

Together, these perspectives create a continuum that is rooted in foresight and sustained by daily choices.

The Daily Practices That Shape the Mind

At the center of this conversation is a framework known as the six pillars of brain health, developed through AARP Staying Sharp. It is simple in structure, but profound in implication — a reminder that the mind is shaped, day-by-day, by how we live.

Staying socially connected
Challenging the mind
Managing stress with care
Moving the body regularly
Prioritizing restorative sleep
Eating with intention

These are not lofty ideals. They are quiet disciplines.

Small, consistent lifestyle changes can have a profound impact on brain health over the long term, according to AARP Staying Sharp resources.

A conversation with a friend. A walk taken seriously. A meal prepared with care. Over time, these choices gather weight. They become protection.

Where Health Disparities Meet Urgency

Any honest discussion of healthy aging in Black communities must also contend with disparity.

Black Americans are more likely to develop conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia—not by coincidence, but through a convergence of factors that include stress, access to care, and chronic health conditions. Among the most significant is high blood pressure, which remains both widespread and under-addressed.

Research highlighted by AARP Staying Sharp, including findings from the SPRINT trial, underscores the connection between cardiovascular health and cognitive decline. More intensive blood pressure management was shown to reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment.

Managing blood pressure isn’t just about heart health — it’s a key factor in protecting memory and cognitive function, the research notes.

The implication is both sobering and empowering: what is often treated as routine — a blood pressure reading, a daily habit — carries profound consequences for the mind.

What Can Be Done, Starting Now

The path forward is not abstract. It is made up of decisions within reach. Experts point to three meaningful areas of focus:

1. Care for the heart.
Blood pressure, movement, and overall physical health are closely connected to cognitive well-being. The brain relies on what the body maintains.

2. Remain mentally engaged.
Curiosity is not just a personality trait — it is a form of maintenance. Reading, learning, and conversation all help preserve neural pathways.

3. Stay connected to others.
Isolation has a quiet cost. Community, by contrast, offers protection — emotional, psychological, and cognitive.

Lifestyle changes, even when started later in life, can still significantly reduce the risk of cognitive decline, according to AARP Staying Sharp.

There is grace in that truth. It allows for beginning again.

A Lifelong Commitment to Clarity

There is no single moment when brain health begins to matter. It is cumulative, shaped across decades.

In earlier adulthood, the work is foundational — managing stress, building routines, tending to the body. In midlife, it becomes about consistency — sustaining those habits with greater awareness. Later, it is about preservation — remaining engaged, connected, and mentally active.

Brain health is not a one-time effort — it’s a lifelong journey that evolves with age, Staying Sharp explains.

That journey does not require perfection. It asks for attention.

The Power of Understanding Your Baseline

There is a certain clarity that comes from knowing where you stand. Staying Sharp offers tools designed to provide that clarity, including free cognitive testing that allows individuals to better understand their current brain health. It is not about judgment — it is about awareness.

Awareness is the first step toward action, according to Staying Sharp. Understanding your brain health today can help you make informed choices for tomorrow.

And informed choices, made consistently, can alter the trajectory of aging. In a culture that often encourages people to wait until something feels wrong, this kind of proactive insight offers a different path, one rooted in prevention rather than reaction.

Redefining What It Means to Age Well

For Black Americans, aging has long required resilience. Now, it is also becoming an act of intention. It is the decision to protect one’s clarity, to remain present, to move through time with both knowledge and care.

Longevity is not simply about extending years. It is about preserving the quality of those years, along with the ability to think, to remember, to connect, to remain oneself. In AARP’s The Duality of the 50+ African American Experience, it found a community defined by duality, where 61% live with chronic illness, but 80% rate their physical health as good or better. Well-being is shaped by experience, not just the absence of illness.

Begin With One Step
There is no perfect starting point— only a necessary one.
Explore AARP Staying Sharp to access insights, guidance, and free cognitive testing, and take a more active role in your brain health today. Because aging, when approached with intention, is not something to fear. It is something to shape.

Rick Ross, 20th anniversary, tour, business ventures — Rick Ross has several brands, businesses, and investments under his belt across multiple industries, and now he's celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album Port of Miami by taking the show on the road.

by Ida Harris

June 4, 2026

Rick Ross Employs An All-Black Production Crew To Celebrate 20 Years Of Success

Ross’s road to wealth is one to be studied

Rick Ross has a clear trajectory: to live up to being the “biggest boss” thus far. The rapper-turned serial entrepreneur has his hand in several business ventures. To date, the “Hustlin” artist has quite the number of brands, businesses, and investments under his belt across multiple industries, and now he’s celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album Port of Miami by taking the show on the road.

Black-tie performance aside, Ross put his money where his mouth is. The Mississippi-born hustler was intentional about working with an all-Black crew: The Renaissance Orchestra, the Sainted Trap Choir, and Variety, a tour and promotion company.

The tour kicked off in the rapper’s hometown of Miami at the James L. Knight Center, and featured guest appearances from DJ Khaled, Uncle Luke of the infamous group 2 Live Crew, and Trina, whose hip-hop careers also grew out of Florida.

“This is my guy right here, I love him to death,” Uncle Luke shared with an amped up audience. “I love you man. I love everything you’re doing.”

Uncle Luke continued: “l’ve always watched you, from the first time you gave me that CD at the Carroll City flea market.”

Ross received the adoration and reflected: “183rd Street Flea Market, I remember like it was yesterday.”

Ross has come a long way from those humble beginnings. His current endeavors include Wingstop and Checkers franchises; Belaire and Bumbu spirits; and an investment in Jetdoc, a healthcare management system, alongside endorsements in health and beauty, beverage, luggage, and automotive products, to name a few. Of course, among Ross’ boss moves is the purchase of a personal jet, a fleet of collectible cars, and his real estate portfolio.

Ross’ road to wealth is worth studying. The Port of Miami 20 Tour runs till August, stopping in 16 additional cities throughout the country. The 5th annual Rick Ross Car Show takes place in Georgia at his Atlanta mansion, The Promise Land, on Saturday, June 13, from 9 AM- 6 PM.

Reparations, washington — Photo by Daniel Lobo/Flickr

by Selena Hill

June 4, 2026

New York Reparations Hearing Erupts As Descendants Of African Slaves Clash With Liberal Organizations

Tensions flared during a New York reparations hearing as Black residents argued compensation should be reserved for descendants of enslaved Americans

Tension flared at a recent New York State reparations hearing as advocates for descendants of enslaved Americans clashed with civil rights groups and lawmakers over who should qualify for any future reparations program.

The heated exchange occurred during a recent public hearing hosted by the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies in Hempstead, Long Island. The commission, which was established by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2023, is tasked with studying the legacy of slavery and recommending potential reparative measures for people of African descent in New York.

Much of the debate centered on whether reparations should be reserved exclusively for descendants of enslaved Americans, often referred to by some as “Foundational Black Americans,” or whether eligibility should extend to all Black residents impacted by systemic discrimination, including those who migrated to the U.S. by choice.

“As Foundational Black Americans who’ve been here since the founding of the country, coming in as slaves, and also indigenous people who are here, we have a claim to the country,” Aubrey Muhammad told Fox News Digital. “We have our own culture, and we deserve to be compensated for what our ancestors have been put through.”

Muhammad was among several members of the United States Freedmen Project who argued that reparations should be based on lineage rather than race. According to Fox News, supporters contend that a lineage-based approach would be more likely to withstand constitutional challenges.

Tensions escalated when representatives from the New York Civil Liberties Union advocated for a broader interpretation of reparative justice.

“These government policies have affected Black New Yorkers regardless of lineage,” said Susan Gottehrer, the director of the Nassau County chapter of the NYCLU. “Excluding a subset of Black Americans would leave a significant portion of documented racial injustice completely unexamined.”

The comments drew criticism from descendants-only advocates.

“They want to erase our story, dilute our story by adding in a bunch of people who just got here, whose ancestors did not build this country,” said Brooke Lean while sporting a Freedmen Project shirt.

Others focused on the form reparations should take. “I think that we are owed a debt,” attendee Caprice Reins said, while another participant, Tanasia Poke, argued that financial compensation represents the only path to “true justice.”

Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, one of the lawmakers who helped create the commission, defended a broader examination of slavery’s legacy.

“When we draft the legislation for the commission, we want to ensure that we’re having a thorough conversation about slavery and its harms, whether it’s mass incarceration, health disparities, the lack of educational opportunity for folks, or the wealth gap,” Solages said.

The commission will continue gathering public feedback before issuing recommendations to state leaders. Any reparations program would ultimately require approval from the New York Legislature and governor.

San Francisco, MoAD, Black art — Photo credit: MOAD by Josef Jacques

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 4, 2026

The Bay Area And ‘MoAD’ Puts Its Black Arts Community Front And Center

San Francisco's Black art scene is thriving.

The Golden Gate Bridge. Cable cars with a backdrop of San Francisco Bay. Fog rolling over the hills. That’s often the version of San Francisco that people see on postcards and crave when they finally make a trip to Northern California.

But San Francisco has long stood at the intersection of innovation, activism, and art, especially for Black artists. Tucked into the heart of the Yerba Buena arts district is the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD), where Black art, culture, and history are the main attraction and not just a footnote. It’s the other side of San Francisco that isn’t always on display, but is absolutely worth booking a flight for.

Situated at the center of San Francisco’s premier arts and culture corridor, the contemporary art museum is solely dedicated to the art of the African diaspora. Its reach extends far beyond its walls with world-class exhibitions, robust community programming, and an education initiative that serves more than 50 Title One schools across the Bay Area.

At the helm is Monetta White, executive director and CEO, who is notably a native San Franciscan. Leading MoAD is personal for White.

“I want to make sure that the representation of Black culture is here and shown,” she says. “The Bay Area has been a beacon of Black art … and to be able to really highlight those artists, to see them, to give them their flowers, especially for the older artists that hadn’t been seen, it really is a big thing for us.”

MoAD Celebrates 10 Years of Highlighting Black Artists In Emerging Artists Program

MoAD’s commitment to Black artists through its Emerging Artists Program is celebrating its 10th anniversary. It’s through this program that the late and great multimedia artist JoeSam. had his first-ever museum show. A well-known figure in Bay Area art circles, Sam spent decades creating without ever receiving institutional recognition until MoAD changed that. He passed away not long after the exhibition closed but had a chance to stand in a room and see his work on museum walls.

“That, to me, made me really proud,” White says.

Stories like Sam’s are exactly why MoAD’s Emerging Artist Program matters. Now celebrating its 10th year, the program functions as a launchpad for Bay Area artists at pivotal moments in their careers. Emerging, White is careful to clarify, has nothing to do with age or credentials.

“It’s really about timing and impact,” she explains.

The current cohort comprises Jasmine Ross, Demetri Broxton, Dorian Reed, and Tahirah Rasheed, who will each present solo exhibitions through early 2027, accompanied by artist talks, honoraria, and the kind of visibility that moves careers forward.

White says that a solo exhibition at a major museum, at the right moment, can change the entire trajectory of a career, opening doors to galleries, collectors, and institutions and creating pathways toward long-term financial sustainability.

But if there is one event that crystallizes everything MoAD stands for and gives travelers a specific reason to put San Francisco on the calendar, it is Nexus.

Now in its third year, Nexus: San Francisco Bay Area Black Art Week is a city-wide celebration of Black art and culture running Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. What began as a bold idea has grown into a national draw, pulling artists, collectors, and culture enthusiasts from across the country to the Bay Area for a week of exhibitions, artist talks, openings, and events rooted entirely in the richness of Black creative expression. MoAD leads the charge.

“If you’re looking for what’s happening in San Francisco around Black art,” White says, “this is something you should check out.”

For the culturally curious traveler, Nexus is more than an invitation. It is a reason to go. Find more information about Nexus, including the artists and exhibitions, on the event’s website.

Peabo Bryson — Photo Credit: Marselle Washington for Marco Imagery

by Selena Hill

June 3, 2026

Peabo Bryson, Legendary R&B Singer And Balladeer Behind Disney Classics, Dies At 75

The two-time Grammy Award winning singer leaves a legacy that has spanned more than five decades

Peabo Bryson, the celebrated R&B singer and songwriter whose powerful vocals belted generations of love songs and multiple Disney hits, has died at the age of 75.

On May 31, CBS News reported that Bryson was under medical supervision after suffering a stroke. His family then released a statement on Wednesday revealing that the two-time Grammy Award-winning artist “transitioned peacefully” on the evening of June 2 “surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.”

Known for his rich baritone voice and emotionally charged ballads, Bryson enjoyed a career that spanned more than 50 years. He earned widespread acclaim for chart-topping R&B hits such as “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So Into You,” “Can You Stop the Rain,” “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again,” and “Reaching for the Sky.” However, he became a household name through his iconic Disney collaborations, including “Beauty and the Beast,” a duet with legendary singer Celine Dion featured in Disney’s 1991 animated classic. The song won Best Original Song at the Academy Awards in 1992 as well as the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

He later won another Grammy alongside R&B veteran Regina Belle for “A Whole New World,” the signature song from Disney’s “Aladdin,” which became one of the most recognizable movie soundtracks of the 1990s.

Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, the singer emerged as one of R&B’s premier vocalists during the 1970s and 1980s. His smooth delivery and romantic ballads made him a staple on urban radio and helped establish him as one of the genre’s most respected performers. Throughout his career, Bryson also collaborated with acclaimed singer Natalie Cole on the 1979 album “We’re The Best of Friends” and with Roberta Flack on the 1983 project “Born to Love,” which included the hit single “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love.”

In the statement, the family reflected on the profound impact of his music and legacy.

“For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments. His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration, creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him and the countless lives he touched,” they said.

The family also expressed gratitude for the support they have received following his passing.

“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world,” the family shared. “While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”

The singer leaves behind his wife, Tanya Boniface Bryson; their eight-year-old son, Robert; his daughter, Linda Bryson; and three grandchildren.

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Artificial intelligence, Ai, AI, generative AI, employment — Photo credit: Sanket Mishra

by Selena Hill

June 3, 2026

TikTok And Instagram Nix AI-Influencers That Cosplay Black Women

A new investigation raises concerns about digital exploitation, consent, and the growing use of AI-generated Black female influencers

Whether people embrace it or fear it, artificial intelligence has infiltrated almost every aspect of the internet. From the controversial AI-generated content that President Trump has posted on Truth Social to the AI artists topping the music charts and the hundreds of thousands of workers being displaced by AI, AI has become inescapable. However, as AI disrupts the workforce and reshapes how content is created and consumed, it is also raising concerns about consent, ownership, and exploitation. A recent investigation by Glamour UK found that AI-generated influencers modeled after Black women are attracting millions of views online, often without the knowledge or permission of the women whose content and likenesses inspire them.

According to the report, these viral TikTok and Instagram accounts often feature dark-skinned Black women performing dance trends and creating lifestyle content. However, they’re not operated by real people. Instead, many are AI-generated personas designed to attract engagement and drive users toward paid subscription platforms featuring sexualized content.

According to Glamour, the creators behind these accounts frequently build AI models by scraping content from real Black women online. The technology can replicate facial features, body types, movements, and mannerisms. The investigation also revealed that many of the AI-generated characters are depicted with exaggerated physical traits and hypersexualized features. In some cases, the avatars are portrayed with unnaturally dark skin tones and content that appears increasingly tailored toward adult audiences, reinforcing longstanding stereotypes about Black women.

A 21-year-old TikTok creator based in Sierra Leone identified as Josephine says she was shocked to discover that her videos were being replicated by an AI influencer. One video, which featured a realistic, dark-skinned female avatar mimicking a dance video she had posted nearly four years earlier, garnered substantial views, far surpassing her original video.

“I thought someone was tagging me in their own version,” she told Glamour. “But then I realized it wasn’t even a real person. It was an AI version of a Black woman with a dark skin tone that didn’t look real, recreating my every move. From my network of creators, I had heard that there were dark-skinned AI-generated Black women going viral on TikTok. I never gave anyone permission to use my video. I felt like someone had created a sloppy caricature of me for views and likes.”

Cybersecurity expert Sarah Armstrong-Smith referenced the AI deepfakes as a form of “synthetic doppelgänging.”

“There’s enough similarity to mimic the look, traits, and personality of a real human, but giving it a synthetic and AI look…to try to bypass any potential claims on identity theft, or copyright infringement,” she told Glamour. “These AI-generated female personas can pose significant risks to real women and girls who are disproportionately targeted by non-consensual image manipulation, including sexual exploitation and reputational damage,” she added.

TikTok says multiple accounts and content were removed for violating its community guidelines, which prohibit content that promotes sexual services as well as AI that uses content published by private individuals without consent. The social media platform also bans spam and impersonation accounts. Furthermore, a spokesperson for TikTok notes that more than 1 billion videos have been labeled as AI-generated on the platform to help users identify content generated by humans versus artificial intelligence. Likewise, a spokesperson for Meta told the publication that accounts violating its policies have also been removed.

Still, as fake influencers become more sophisticated and widespread, critics say stronger safeguards, greater transparency, and clearer legal protections will be necessary to prevent the exploitation and monetization of people’s identities, particularly those of Black women, who have historically been disproportionately targeted by harmful stereotypes.

JAŸ-Z, Shawn Carter, Roots Picnic — Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter performs at the 2026 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia (Photo Courtesy of Roots Picnic/Roc Nation)

by Selena Hill

June 3, 2026

Amid All That JAŸ-Z Fanfare Philly Entrepreneurs Shine At The 2026 Roots Picnic

The annual festival returned this past weekend, celebrating music, entrepreneurship, culture, and community.

Over 80,000 people from around the country gathered in the City of Brotherly Love for the annual Roots Picnic, one of the nation’s premier celebrations of Black music, culture, and entrepreneurship.

Held for the first time at Philadelphia’s historic Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, the two-day festival featured more than 20 performances and a lineup that spanned generations of hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul from Erykah Badu to Brandy to Kehlani. Shawn “JAŸ-Z” Carter headlined Saturday night’s festivities alongside The Roots, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his debut album “Reasonable Doubt”.

Source: **Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter performs with Beanie Segal and Freeway at the 2026 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia (Photo Courtesy of Roots Picnic/Roc Nation)**

During his set, the rap icon brought out a slew of Philly-born artists, including Meek Mill, Jazmine Sullivan, Bilal, and State Property’s very own, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Peedi Crakk, and Young Gunz.

In addition to being the most talked-about moment of the festival, the performance served as a reminder of the Roots Picnic’s evolution from a hometown gathering founded by the Grammy Award-winning group, The Roots, into a nationally recognized cultural engine that generates economic opportunities for Philadelphia creatives, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. Among them was a prominent Philadelphia visual artist and entrepreneur who goes by the name Kellso and @TheArtBully on Instagram. He spent the weekend creating a live mural of his hometown and selling his merch.

“I’m working on this nice little dope piece inspired by the city I love, the city that I’m from, the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia,” he told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “It’s a lot of jazz, hip-hop vibes in this painting. I’m just trying to bring some dopeness and creativity along with the energy that’s here today.”

Kellso, who was attending his fourth Roots Picnic, said the visibility the festival provides for local Black entrepreneurs is invaluable.

“It’s very important…especially when the youth can see that, they get to see that there’s more possibilities,” he said. “Just seeing people that look like you in these spaces doing dope things brings inspiration. One of the highest human acts is to inspire.”

The entrepreneurial spirit was evident throughout the festival grounds. Tanisha Rinehard, co-founder of Philly Girls Jump, an organization that inspires fitness, fun, and community through jumping double dutch, said she returned to Roots Picnic for the third year to continue encouraging festival-goers to get active.

“Roots Picnic is for the culture. And I always say that double-dutch is intertwined with our cultural fabric. It means everything for us to be here today. We had so much fun in the ropes because the ropes are for everybody. It’s intergenerational fun.”

Philadelphia restaurateur Chef Kurt Evans, owner of Black Dragon in West Philadelphia, partnered with McDonald’s for its Chef’s Remix activation.

“I’m remixing the McDonald’s McCrispy Strip,” Evans told BE. “I put my spin on it from our restaurant, Black Dragon, where we do soul Chinese food.”

Evans added that The Roots Picnic is more than just a music festival—it’s a hub for Black culture, community, and commerce.

“The Roots represent Black ownership,” he said. “They do a lot of work investing in young creatives, entrepreneurs, and bringing everybody together in the city of Philadelphia. That’s very important.”

Community impact was also front and center through organizations like Barbershop Books, a nonprofit that has partnered with more than 200 barbershops nationwide to provide more than 23,000 Black boys with access to children’s books each month. Founder Alvin Irby partnered with Emerson Collective to provide free haircuts and hair braiding services while raising awareness about literacy initiatives serving Black boys.

“We create child-friendly reading spaces in Black barbershops across the country,” Irby said. “Here in Philadelphia, we have over 40 barbershop partners all with a colorful, kid-sized bookshelf with books recommended by Black boys.”

As music legends, entrepreneurs, artists, and community leaders gathered in Philly, the Roots Picnic reinforced what its founders have championed for years: Black culture is not only worthy of celebration—it is a powerful catalyst for opportunity that continues to shape the future of Philadelphia and beyond.

Adrion Porter, XCEL Summit For Men, Mid-Career Mastery — Adrion Porter, founder of Mid-Career Mastery and a former marketing executive, shared a strategy to address white-collar workers consider themselves stuck in their careers.

by Kenneth Meeks

June 3, 2026

Are You Among The 1-in-4 White-Collar Workers Stuck in Your Career?

Adrion Porter reaches millions of professionals, helping them rewrite their story so they advance in the workplace.

According to a study reported by CBS News, nearly one in four white-collar workers consider themselves stuck in their careers. That’s when an employee hasn’t been promoted or received a meaningful raise within five years. That study also reported that 24.2% of 1.3 million mid-career professionals tracked identified as being stuck. For African Americans, the percentage could be higher. As BLACK ENTERPRISE approaches the 10^th anniversary of the XCEL Summit for Men, the message and blueprint to inspire professionals to overcome this hidden crisis — among other challenges — hasn’t changed. In 2023, then known as the Black Men Xcel Summit, Adrion Porter, founder of Mid-Career Mastery and a former marketing executive for HBO, the Cartoon Network and Citi, shared a strategy to address this crisis with BE‘s Deputy Chief Content Officer Alisa Gumbs. His strategy has reached millions of professionals, and if you identify with this issue, then you’re only a click away from a short video clip that offers a little insight to help you get “unstuck.”

Morehouse College of Medicine, Match Day, livestreamed — Tyler Lahti, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 3, 2026

Morehouse School of Medicine Joins Atlanta Leaders In Push For New Southside Hospital

The proposed project would be located in southwest Atlanta and is expected to serve residents across the city's southern neighborhoods.

Morehouse School of Medicine is partnering with the City of Atlanta on plans for a major hospital development to expand healthcare access in communities that have faced significant service gaps since the closure of several medical facilities in the region. The proposed project would be located in Southwest Atlanta and is expected to serve residents across the city’s southernmost region.

City officials and leaders at Morehouse School of Medicine announced the collaboration as part of a broader effort to address growing concerns about access to emergency and specialty care, according to Afrotech. The upcoming hospital is expected to be built at the MET Atlanta site, a mixed-use development south of Interstate 20. Early estimates place the project’s cost at roughly $800 million.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the partnership would help improve medical services in underserved areas while creating additional training opportunities for future physicians. Morehouse School of Medicine, a historically Black medical institution founded in 1975, has long focused on advancing health equity and increasing the number of healthcare professionals serving underrepresented communities.

“They are a great institution with great leadership,” Dickens said of Morehouse School of Medicine, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “They heard our cry for many years about trying to have a hospital.”

The AJC also reports that the need for additional medical infrastructure intensified after the 2022 closures of Atlanta Medical Center and Atlanta Medical Center-South, which left many residents with fewer nearby options for emergency and inpatient care.

Funding for the hospital remains under discussion. Atlanta organizers have indicated that a portion of the financing could come through the city’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative, a redevelopment plan that includes extending several tax allocation districts to support long-term community projects.

If approved, the hospital would represent one of the largest healthcare investments in Atlanta in recent years and could become a key component of ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes, expand medical education opportunities, and reduce disparities in access to care across the city’s southside communities.

Ashanti, VMAs, handbag, designers — (Photo: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 3, 2026

Ashanti Talks Brand Alignment, Ownership, And Career Longevity

The Grammy-winning singer and actress explained that she has become increasingly selective about the opportunities she accepts

Ashanti says longevity in entertainment comes from authenticity, strategic partnerships, and maintaining ownership over her brand — principles she discussed during an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, in which she reflected on balancing music, film, and entrepreneurship.

The Grammy-winning singer and actress explained that she has become increasingly selective about the opportunities she accepts, emphasizing that every brand collaboration, movie role, and business venture must align with her personal values and long-term vision. Rather than chasing visibility for its own sake, Ashanti said she prioritizes partnerships that feel organic to who she is as both an artist and entrepreneur.

Throughout the conversation, Ashanti highlighted the importance of protecting her image and ensuring any collaboration reflects her audience, lifestyle, and career trajectory. She noted that experience in the entertainment industry taught her to evaluate whether opportunities genuinely make sense for her brand instead of simply accepting every offer presented to her.

Ashanti also discussed the evolution of her career from chart-topping recording artist to a business-minded creative who now plays a larger role behind the scenes. In addition to music, she has expanded into acting, production, and independent business ventures, areas she said allow her to exercise greater creative control. The singer previously launched her own independent label, Written Entertainment, after navigating the traditional music industry for years.

The New York native, who rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits including “Foolish” and “Rock Wit U,” said remaining authentic has been central to sustaining her career across multiple entertainment spaces.

Ashanti also stressed the importance of ownership and independence, particularly for women navigating entertainment and business. By carefully curating her partnerships and creative projects, she said she has been able to maintain relevance while continuing to evolve professionally more than two decades into her career.