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The only Black woman in the NAIA is committed to and leading the rebranding of the HBCU Athletic Conference

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The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) organizes 21 conferences. Only one is led by a black commissioner.

This league will probably be in force from July 1 latest name which encompasses its mission and membership: the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) with the motto “Where Winners Thrive.”

After three years of interim service, Kiki Baker Barnes was named everlasting commissioner of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) in June 2022. She said her leadership team worked with Black-owned marketing firm Ten35 for 2 years before selecting the latest name.

“We had been operating as an HBCU conference and collective since 2010, but we had no ownership,” Barnes told the Grio Journal. “We wanted to think of a name that would be more fitting. I’m very excited to leverage our identity and continue to grow the conference. We have a strategic plan to reach 16 members.”

A student walks on the campus of Fisk University in Nashville. The university is a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, which is rebranding and constructing on its HBCU identity. (Photo: George Walker IV/The Tennessean/USA Today Network)

GCAC was founded in 1981 with three HBCUs – Dillard, Tougaloo and Xavier-Louisiana – and 4 predominantly white institutions situated in three Gulf Coast states. Starting this summer, Conference will include 13 schools – all HBCUs – situated in eight states and one U.S. territory.

Barnes said too many individuals who couldn’t name a single GCAC member actually knew these schools quite well, including deep-rooted HBCUs like Fisk and Talladega. On the other hand, HBCUs in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) conferences were easy to discover.

“When you say ‘SWAC,’” Barnes said, referring to the Southwestern Athletic Conference, “Grambling, Southern and Alabama State are pulling out. She noted the same dynamic amongst members of the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

“But when you said, ‘Gulf Coast Athletic Conference,’ people went, ‘Hmm?’ Nobody knew who it was. But I would name the schools and people would know them. The only differentiator among us is that we are all HBCUs.”

In 2010, the conference was on the verge of collapse when six schools left, leaving 4 HBCUs as the only members. Barnes, who had spent nearly 16 years at Dillard as women’s basketball coach and athletic director, became president of the conference – “I took over a sinking ship” – and immediately helped recruit latest members resembling Philander Smith, Edward Waters and Voorhees.

She said that, as expected, the response to the rebranding was mixed. HBCUAC is the youngest HBCU conference. Some of the old guard are usually not thrilled with the latest name, perhaps considering it a bit conceited. But critics are removed from her mind and audience.

“I would say people who have money were very excited,” said Barnes, a fierce competitor who played basketball in New Orleans and holds the school record in the triple jump. “It makes me excited about the potential brand partnerships that may take place. I received good feedback from coaches and people who followed our conference and were familiar with what we were doing. They are very excited.”

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The rebranding will take effect on the same day that Stillman, Voorhees and Wilberforce develop into official members. As of 2022, five other schools have joined or rejoined, including the University of the Virgin Islands, which became first school from U.S. territory to join an NAIA or NCAA conference in the twenty first century.

Stillman athletic director Terrance White he said WBRC-TV that its athletes will enjoy enhanced cultural experiences in their latest league.

“Schools of similar size, with missions, visions and values ​​of similar size,” White said. “You know, similar sports programs, similar students come from similar backgrounds. All of this turns out to be something that cannot be measured in the long run.”

NAIA sports programming is much smaller than its top NCAA counterparts, which collectively generate billions in television revenue. But regardless of size, each school’s mission goes beyond athletics. Sports help fulfill this mission, even in conferences like the GCAC that don’t field football teams.

“We don’t expect to make millions like the big schools,” Wilberforce President Vann Newkirk said he said Gazeta Codzienna Xenia. However, we all know that at our level every penny counts, and running a sports program is a business. This move will energize our alumni base, which in turn will help us increase attendance and overall interest in the University.”

Sports can enhance a faculty’s profile and brand, creating more ways to share information and increase enrollment. Barnes said HBCUAC will do that and more for its member institutions.

“When we talk about ‘Where Winners Thrive,’ do you know what stories we can tell? There is a lot of history, not just athletics,” she said.

“It gives us a platform where we can really grow and tell the stories of our institutions so that they have the same brand recognition as Howard, Spelman, Morehouse, FAMU, Grambling, Tuskegee and all these schools that people know.”


Deron Snyder thegrio.com


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ fiancée shares racy selfie online, shocking fans with her ‘low-cost and classless’ look

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Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has faced dissatisfaction after showing off her body online.

Just a few days ago, Sánchez uploaded a file revealing selfie to her Instagram story, which was picked up by the Daily Mail and other media outlets.

Sánchez, who can also be vp of the Bezos Earth Fund, dated the billionaire for five years before revealing their engagement last May. She often shares photos of their fancy dates and TV appearances to advertise her book. But her outfit on this sexy photo was much shorter than the one she wears online.

The fiancée of billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez, shocks the Internet with a spicy photo in lingerie. (Photo: laurenwsanchez/Instagram)

“He is doing the whole lot to maintain his place. Then he wonders why she wasn’t really accepted anywhere unless he was invited and she’s the plus,” someone wrote in a Daily Mail comment.

In the November 16 post, the 54-year-old journalist might be seen wearing a cleavage-baring black minidress, black knee-high boots and a red trench coat. She may also be seen wearing a diamond pendant around her neck with the letter “B”, possibly derived from Bezos’ surname.

Speaking on to her future husband, one person added: “Come on Jeff, it doesn’t take the amount of your (money) she spends to look cheap and classless. She could spend less and get the same results.”

A 3rd person said: “They are living proof that money can’t buy class (or taste).”

Sánchez’s outfit even drew comparisons to Jennifer Lopez’s risqué selfies amongst critics, who wrote: “She is accomplishing an amazing and unimaginable feat, she is worse than JLo” and “Sad. JLo dresses more classic than her.

Another commenter asked: “Does this woman really want to do this at her age? Think about this for a minute. There are certain things that spouses keep to themselves.”

Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of billionaire Jeff Bezos, shocks the Internet with a daring photo of her underwear. (Photo: laurenwsanchez/Instagram)

Yet one other critic added: “We are approaching an age where no amount of implants or skimpy clothes will help. Time catches up with everyone. You either look old or silly.

Some even called it “the street”. However, many got here to her defense, including one one that wrote: “Well that plastic caught her because the richest man ever. She will need to have some substance. Personally, I do not think it’s perfect beauty, but it surely’s for everybody.”

Sánchez became engaged to Bezos, 60, in May 2023 after the pair reportedly began dating in 2019. The New Mexico native has repeatedly expressed her love for her future husband on social media.

“You showed me that you don’t have to fight bravely for great love. Thank you for always being there for me and for being the most loving and supportive partner,” Sánchez captioned an Instagram post celebrating her fiancé’s 59th birthday in 2023.

The mother of three continued: “Thank you for at all times being there for me and being essentially the most loving and supportive partner. I’m grateful for the memories we now have had and the adventures yet to come back. We wish you a lot more birthdays stuffed with love and laughter.

In January 2024, Sánchez shouted out her partner again on Instagram. The licensed pilot praised Bezos on his sixtieth birthday by sharing a childhood photo of the Washington Post owner.

“Today is one other day when your laughter fills our house and your smile lights up every room. I wish you plenty of easy joys and quiet moments of happiness,” Sánchez wrote.

She added, “I hope every day brings you countless reasons to smile, similar to you give me a reason to smile every single day. I like you and blissful birthday, darling.

Before agreeing to marry the third richest person on the earth, Sánchez married Endeavor talent agent Patrick Whitesell in 2005. They had two children: a son, Evan, born in 2006, and a daughter, Ella, born in 2008.

Sánchez allegedly cheated on Whitesell with Bezos. The affair reportedly caused the top of that marriage in 2019, in addition to Bezos’s marriage to novelist MacKenzie Scott.

Bezos and Scott married in September 1993 and officially separated in April 2019. After separating after 25 years of marriage, Scott married science teacher Dan Jewett in 2021 and then divorced in January 2023.

Sánchez also gave birth to a son named Nikko in 2001 with former NFL player Tony Gonzalez. Bezos has 4 children with Scott, three sons and a daughter.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Ice Cube Sets Record on His MAGA Ties, Years After Trump Campaign Meeting and Partnership with Elon Musk

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West Coast rap pioneer-turned-political affiliate Ice Cube has repeatedly denied being a supporter of Donald Trump or the MAGA movement years after the controversial encounter, but lots of his fans do not believe him.

Recently, the NWA co-founder said that folks “f***ed him up” for considering he was a Trumper, while explaining where he thought the split got here from.

Rapper Ice Cube desires to make it clear that he shouldn’t be a MAGA supporter, claiming that fans are spreading a false “narrative” that he’s on Team Trump. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images for BIG3)

The “No Vaseline” artist appeared on the Tuesday, November 19 episode of “The Baller Alert Show” on YouTube, and on his “Friday” he talked about all the pieces from newest basketball star Caitlin Clark and the contract he offered her to her recent movie. concession. He also talked about how people think he doesn’t support the GOP and doesn’t support Vice President Kamala Harris.

The host talked to him for a segment about him broadcast titled “You Got Me F-ked Up” and asked if the artist had anyone he could tell it to.

“People who think I’m a MAGA supporter or a Trump supporter (and stuff like that) and I went out there and voted Republican and that’s it, man, they pissed me off,” Ice Cube told hosts Ferrari Simmons and You Know BT.

He added: “I never said that. They don’t have any proof. I even have never supported any candidate. So, you understand, I believe they pissed me off and it’s only a false narrative.

When the Art of Dialogue sent excerpt from the interview, many fans expressed mixed opinions.

“He simply used his voice and asked to see what both sides had to offer Black people, as he should as a voter. “People exaggerated the proportions,” one person wrote.

Others were convinced he supported Trump.

“He supported Trump and voted for him 100%,” someone declared, one other person said, “You bet $5 he voted for Trump.”

Someone else said: “Anyone who thinks they are wrong to vote for Trump hasn’t paid attention.”

A fifth comment read: “He saw it coming, now he’s trying to take back his words.”

According to Ice Cube, people consider he supports Trump on account of his contact with the Trump-Pence campaign regarding what they planned to do for Black people through the 2020 election cycle.

He presented them with what he called the “Black America Deal.”

During the 2020 campaign season, he reached out to each Democrats and Republicans on his proposal outlining policies to handle systemic inequalities affecting Black Americans.

“Both sides came to me,” Cube told the hosts. “I didn’t go to them saying, ‘Look what I’ve got, man. You should sit down and talk to me. They both came up to me and said, “Hey, you’ve got an interesting document here.” Can we discuss this with you?”

While the Biden campaign reportedly postponed discussions until after the election, the Trump campaign “ripped out” elements of the “Ride Along” star’s proposal and incorporated them into its “Platinum Plan,” prompting public backlash and accusations of political affiliation.

“That’s not my plan, that’s what it is,” Cube added. “This was done in their own counseling center.”

Once again, the “It was a good day” rapper’s interactions with the Trump campaign sparked controversy amongst fans, especially after Trump adviser Katrina Pierson publicly thanked him for his involvement.

Cube responded by stating that the 2 sides had made contact and continued talks with the Trump campaign on account of their desire to interact immediately. He emphasized that his actions were intended to supply tangible advantages for Black Americans and to not support any particular political ideology or candidate.

Fans even threatened to boycott his recent movie “Last Friday” on account of his political connections and the perception that he’s a MAGA freak.

After Cube partnered with Elon Musk to air the 2024-2025 season of his BIG3 basketball league on the X platform on social media, crowds began criticizing him for supporting a known Trump supporter, claiming it was proof of Cube’s appearance “conform” to the ideology of white supremacy.

The 2009 BET Hip Hop “I Am Hip Hop” award winner says nothing may very well be farther from the reality. He doesn’t like Trump, Musk or some other politician. He clarified that he’s impartial and focused solely on advancing his community-focused agenda.

The “Straight Outta Compton” rapper said he has been intentionally silent in regards to the 2024 presidential election, noting that he has never told people to not vote or who to vote for despite false reports. But he said, “You should get something for your vote, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Cube’s stance appears to exemplify the nice line between advocating for real change and navigating political landmines.

While he has passionately defended his decisions to host talks with Trump and other conservative lawmakers, he also wants to guarantee his core fans that he shouldn’t be in anyone’s political pocket.

Still, Cube’s desire to attach not only polarizes him within the eyes of many, but additionally sparks intense debate.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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LisaRaye McCoy says Nicole Murphy deserves a beating for allegedly fooling around with McCoy’s ex-husband Michael Misick

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Hindsight is 20/20, and for LisaRaye McCoy, the news was already on the wall that her friendship with Nicole Murphy was going to disintegrate. The women were friends almost twenty years ago before an alleged affair permanently modified their bond. The “Player’s Club” star has long claimed that Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife became inappropriately involved with her then-husband, Michael Misick.

LisaRaye met the previous prime minister of Turks and Caicos in 2005, they usually married a yr later. However, their picturesque relationship fell apart inside two years, resulting in a separation in 2008 and a divorce in 2009, the identical yr he was forced to resign on charges of corruption, and after greater than a decade of delays, he is ready to face trial in next month .

During the breakdown of their marriage, Misick was accused of fraud, mismanagement of presidency funds and accepting bribes.

Drama alert: LisaRaye McCoy threatens Nicole Murphy over shocking affair with ex-husband Mike Misick (Photos: Paras Griffin/Getty Images; Leon Bennett/Getty Images for the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC))
Drama alert: LisaRaye McCoy threatens Nicole Murphy over shocking affair with ex-husband Mike Misick (Photos: Paras Griffin/Getty Images; Leon Bennett/Getty Images for the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC))

Eddie and Nicole were married for 12 years and divorced in 2005. They are co-parents of 5 children. In a latest interview with Carlos King, LisaRaye recalled how her late mother, Katie McCoy, saw something within the model that sparked concern.

The ’90s beauty told the fact show producer: “She was at my bachelorette party, which, , my mom told me about on the time. She said, “You know what, you have to watch this movie.” And I said, “Who?” I asked, “The one who dances?” She said, “Yes.” I said, “That’s Eddie Murphy’s wife.” She said, “You have to watch this.”

The “Cocktails with Queens” host admitted she ignored the warning, but LisaRaye ultimately said her mother “was right.” She came upon concerning the alleged affair when she noticed Nicole’s name on her and Misick’s private jet. “I do not know why you accepted his invitation once you don’t even know him. I do not know the way this might occur,” she told King.

Additionally, the actress said that Nicole refused to go to the island during her audition and eventually stopped taking LisaRaye’s calls. “When I found out she was dating Michael Strahan, so I called him,” she said. She also uploaded a video showing Nicole dropping off Misick at a private airport after she denied meeting them.

Nicole and the previous New York Giants player dated from 2007 to 2014. They were engaged but never made it to the altar. LisaRaye stated that the footage was enough proof that their friendship was over.

“For me it was enough. It was like, “Wow, I’m going to kick your ass.” … That’s what I was like, what, ba… ch? You don’t do this. Friends don’t do that. …I think it would be done by an enemy or someone I just don’t know.(…)Where I come from, on the South Side of Chicago, it’s ass-kicking, period,” she said.

The star also admitted: “I can’t say I didn’t try to get her. …She did something stupid and I had to let her know I wasn’t the one or the other. On TikTok, where the trailer for the interview was published, a viewer commented“Nicole Murphy is no joke, she was with her husband Lela Rochon too.” And the other person said, “Oh, okay, I’m doing high quality.”

In 2019, Nicole made headlines when photos were published of her kissing director Antoine Fuqua during a trip to Italy. Fuqua was and still is married to “Waiting to Exhale” actress Lela Rochon.

The parents of two children have been together for almost 26 years. The model stated that she had no idea they were still together as she became absorbed within the moment. Rochon has never publicly addressed the scandal.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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