Jalen Rose Named Recipient of 2025 Ice Cube Impact Award
- Rose to be Honored during Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Weekend - The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and ground-breaking rap star, renowned blockbuster film producer and actor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the BIG3 basketball league, Ice Cube, have announced that former player, TV analyst, and philanthropist Jalen Rose will be honored with the 2025 Ice Cube Impact Award. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the Ice Cube Impact Award,” said Jalen Rose. “Cube is family, and we share
Meet Opal Lee — The Woman Who Fought To Make Juneteenth A US Holiday
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law officially making Juneteenth a federal holiday. The push to get the historic day recognized at the federal level had been decades in the making, and 94-year-old Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” had championed efforts for years. Lee told NPR that the wait for Juneteenth being a US holiday has been 155 years 11 months and 28 days in the making. “And now we can all finally celebrate. The whole country together,” Lee said after the House passed a bill officially establishing
Regenia Sanders, Consultant to Fortune 500 and Pivate Equity Portfolios Delivers on Global Programs
Regenia leads the EY US-Central Supply Chain practice and serves as the Atlanta Office Managing Partner. She has 22 years of experience driving supply chain assessment and transformation projects, spanning sourcing, procurement and planning to fulfillment for Fortune 500 and private equity portfolio companies. Sanders is an executive with over 25 years of business transformation and consulting experience with Fortune 500 and Private Equity portfolio companies across multiple sectors, including Communications & High Tech, Retail and Utilities, but primarily focused in the Automotive and Industrial Manufacturing sector. Her area of specialty has been
COO Malik Nevels Reflects on Legacy, Leadership and Purpose as Men of Excellence Honoree
For this Chicago Defender Men of Excellence award recipient, the honor is more than a career achievement. It's an acknowledgment of the individuals, locations and principles who shaped him. “Being named a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree is a profound honor. It’s a recognition not only of personal achievement but of the collective work of mentors, colleagues, and communities that have shaped and supported me along the way.," said Malik S. Nevels, chief operating officer of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC). "It's a validation of individual
Nayanna Ferguson Moves Spirits with Black-owned Tequila Brand
The tequila craze that’s been gripping the country for the past couple of decades shows no sign of tapering off anytime soon, and in fact, indicators point to an uptick in the consumption of distilled spirits derived from the blue agave plant. And as producers and distributors are experiencing remarkable growth in local and international markets, and the “shot, shot, shot,” chant continues to ring out in college bars and reputable restaurants alike, Black distillers are shifting the tides of tequila consumption. Mexico is the birthplace of tequila,
NFL’s Joique Bell Launches Free Summer Program at Wayne State to Empower Detroit Middle Schoolers Through Academics, Sports, and Mentorship
Born in Benton Harbor, "Detroit Made" former NFL running back for the Detroit Lions Joique Bell is taking his commitment to the city’s youth to the next level this summer, launching a five-week academic and athletic enrichment program designed to empower middle school students through a mix of STEAM learning, sports, mentorship, and real-world career exposure. Set to run from June 23 through July 29 at Wayne State University, the alma mater of Joique Bell, the Joique Bell Charity Summer Enrichment Program is completely free and open to
Southern Mayors Spark National Dialogue, Earn Ovation at Pancakes & Politics Forum III
(L-R) Mayor Steven L. Reed of Montgomery, AL, Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, LA and Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta, GA Credit: Monica Morgan Photography At the most recent Pancakes and Politics forum III, three prominent Southern mayors, LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans, Steven L. Reed of Montgomery, and Andre Dickens of Atlanta, convened to discuss the unique leadership challenges faced by African American and female mayors in Republican-dominated states. The conversation was live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube, which drew national attention. Along with a mix of civic
From Dirt to Dreams: Nicole Scott Brings the Black Rodeo Back Home to Michigan
Nicole Scott didn’t grow up with the sound of hooves pounding against dirt arenas or the sight of cowboys racing through open chutes. She’s a daughter of Inkster, Mich., and her early experiences didn’t include rodeos—especially not ones showcasing Black riders, ropers, and wranglers. But fate, family, and faith would pull her into a world that would soon become her life’s calling: producing and championing Black rodeos across the country. Her journey began in Denver, Colo., where her family relocated years ago. There, she met extended relatives she’d
Businessman Eric France Becomes Newest Candidate in High-Profile 2nd Congressional District Contest
Businessman Eric France launches his campaign to succeed Rep. Robin Kelly in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District. With a diverse field and redrawn map, the 2026 race is already heating up (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback). This past Saturday, inside a cozy restaurant along the Little Calumet River, businessman Eric France launched his campaign for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District—one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 cycle. France, who leads The France Group, a consulting firm founded by his late father, Erwin France, joins a growing field vying to
Women In Charge: Roz Clark Brings the Gift of Transformation to Women Who Want More
At a time when too many Americans are grappling with social uncertainty and the impact of declining resources for women’s health and fading support for advancing women in the workplace, Roz Clark is doubling down on her commitment to transforming the landscape and shoring up her efforts to empower women. Clark, a skilled communicator, proficient problem solver and sought-after life coach, uses her expertise to teach women to overcome obstacles and grow their capacities to experience and enjoy meaningful, productive and prosperous lives. “Here’s the thing, none of us