Lifestyle
Super Bowl weekend in the spotlight for Black sports professionals

Record 123.7 million people On February 11, we watched Super Bowl LVIII as the Kansas City Chiefs won their second straight championship and R&B star Usher Raymond brought a taste of A-town to Sin City during his halftime show.
But outside of the big games, it’s the league’s behind-the-scenes professionals who keep the NFL and its players running efficiently. People representing athletes don’t receive as much recognition as players on the field. Meanwhile, it is commonly even harder for Black professionals to interrupt into the sports industry or obtain advancement opportunities. That’s why sports and entertainment attorney Jaia Thomas, Esq. fired Diverse representationa company dedicated to increasing the employment and exposure of African Americans in sports and entertainment.

Source: Jaia Thomas, Esq., Founder and CEO of Diverse Representation (photo courtesy of Diverse Representation)
“I was tired of seeing so many black athletes and black artists represented by white agents, white lawyers, white managers and white publicists. I wanted to make sure more of them were represented by people who looked like them,” Thomas said during Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas. “The company started as a directory of all Black lawyers, agents, managers and publicists in sports and entertainment. Since then, we have branched out into different programs and events.”
Ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl, Thomas teamed up with Minorities in the network of sports enterprises to host the second annual “Toast to Black Sports Luncheon” on February 8, honoring two of the five Black NFL team presidents: Jason Wright, president of the Washington Commanders, and Kevin Warren, president of the Chicago Bears.
“Typically, during Super Bowl weekend, there is a big emphasis on celebrating the players and people on the field. We just felt like we still didn’t celebrate enough of the people behind the scenes – the agents, the owners, the management team,” Thomas said. BLACK ENTERPRISES at lunch. “There really hasn’t been an event like this on Super Bowl weekend specifically for Black sports professionals. So we wanted to create a space to gather, celebrate and (and) connect with Black industry professionals.”
Will be held Breezea refined Italian steakhouse on the Las Vegas Strip, the intimate ceremony was attended by a select group of former NFL players, sports agents and executives from Goldman Sachs, which sponsored the event.
“Jason is the first black president in the NFL. “Kevin is the most recently hired president of the NFL, so they are kind of a lynchpin for black presidents in the NFL,” the Los Angeles attorney continued. “They both did incredible work during their terms as presidents, and we wanted to honor them, celebrate them and encourage them to continue their work.”

Source: Jason Wright, president of the Washington Commanders, and Kevin Warren, president of the Chicago Bears (photo courtesy of Diverse Representation)
In accepting the award, Wright reflected on Warren’s legacy as a mentor and pioneering Black athletic director. Warren then shared a moving testimony of how he recovered from a devastating automotive accident as a toddler and has since relied on his faith for guidance, especially during difficult moments in his profession.
“They both gave amazing, fantastically inspiring speeches after receiving their awards. They really lit up the room and I think a lot of people left very inspired,” Thomas said.
In an announcement, Shaina Wiel, founder and CEO of Minorities in Sports Business Network, said she was proud to have curated an event “that not only celebrated Black athletic directors, but also created a safe space for togetherness, fellowship and relationship building.” It was like a family reunion.”
After lunch Warren said TO BE that the key to skilled advancement is faith and identity.
“We have to just accept our origins, our heritage, but in addition just have strong faith. I actually have found that life becomes simpler whenever you simply follow God’s voice, wisdom and listening,” he said.
Wright said TO BE that he’s optimistic about the NFL’s diversity efforts and expressed appreciation for the achievements of all three remaining Black team presidents: Sashi Brown of the Baltimore Ravens, Sandra Douglass Morgan of the Las Vegas Raiders and Damani Leech of the Denver Broncos.
“Sandra managed the league and ticket revenue. Kevin is making progress on a new stadium deal. Damani carried out a general renovation. The Ravens continue to outperform in their market. We led the league in all revenue growth categories,” he said. “Confidence in the Black intellect to run businesses in dollars and cents is growing, and more people will be given opportunities in the future.”

Source: Sports journalist Jemele Hill (photo courtesy of WME)
In addition to the luncheon, Diverse Representation has partnered with William Morris Endeavor, one in all the largest sports and entertainment talent agencies in the world, to host a networking event for a wide range of agents, executives and managers working in sports and entertainment. The lounge featured an open bar, light snacks and a present selection featuring Black-owned products corresponding to Tracee Ellis Ross PATTERN Beauty, Brandon Blackwood, STARRING Serena WilliamsAND Harlem Candle Co. The event also included an exclusive fireside chat with WME sportswriters and clients Jemele Hill and Cari Champion.
“There are a lot of attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion,” Hill said during the discussion, noting the weaponization of critical race theory by right-wing conservatives. “I have seen and witnessed that the same companies that just three or four years ago, after the unfortunate murder of George Floyd, made a commitment to listen to Black people and make things better for them, have failed,” she continued. “That’s the thing people need to understand about supporting marginalized communities: It’s an uphill battle.”

Source: Sports journalists Cari Champion and Jemele Hill (photo courtesy of WME)
At one other point in the conversation, Champion praised Hill for her unwavering support throughout her profession and the opportunities Hill provided her while working for ESPN.
“When I didn’t believe in myself and didn’t think I mattered, she supported me,” Champion said. “When I didn’t think my voice was vital in sports and I didn’t think anyone cared about what I said, she invited me on her show to share my opinion. She helped me develop my voice. She already had street credibility, she already had smarts, and I used to be the latest girl coming in.
Lifestyle
Mother’s black health crisis is not just the responsibility of black women

When Erica Chidi launched the Krosno reproductive health platform in 2017, was geared toward remedying the growing Luce in knowledge about reproductive health and strengthening the position of other knowledge.
He also arrived at a time when many were awakening to reality, which because of many system reasons, including access to healthcare and reproductive health education, black women are three to 4 times more likely than their white counterparts because of the reasons related to childbirth.
Now, almost ten years later, after organizations akin to Fund began, and more people know Dulas, Chidi sees progress, but admits that there is still loads to be done. The number of black women did not move significantly despite the general decrease in moms’ mortality.
Chidi, a health pedagogue, writer and Doula, became a strategic adviser to Perelel Health after the company acquired Krosny in 2024. One of the biggest invasions that she observed in about 15 years of being doula and work on this space is the growing awareness of black women with their resources, including douls and the middle part.
“13 years ago, no one really knew what doula was, except for a certain level of white women,” explained Doula.
She added that in the south there was also “greater awareness” because the heritage of the midwife from “Grandma Midwives” and slavery remained a bit “intact” for years.
“But generally no one really knew. So now at least everyone knows what it is. Some insurance covers it. This is a more famous amount. This is a big change,” she continued. “So I know that change is possible.”
In addition to financing birth, through which Chidi is amongst advisers, other organizations, akin to Black Matas Matter Alliance, have also joined the conversation to develop solutions regarding the crisis. However, based solely on black women, to extend your knowledge about Dulas and reproductive health typically, he maintains the weight on them as a substitute of where it really belongs.
“Black women are amazing,” said Chidi. “We are resourceful and we can simply do it in the darkest moments and with the smallest number of resources. But this will not solve the whole problem. This must exist.”
According to Chidi, more “mixed method” would must include healthcare suppliers and the general public that increases their involvement in solving the Black Mother’s crisis.
In Virginia, where some Black Mother’s mortality rates are the highest, Virginia Union University has turn out to be the first HBCU to launch the Doula certificate program. Although technically still black women come to unravel an issue for themselves, this is an example that might be followed throughout the country.
Chidi said that “more of this” response level is needed, noting that other institutions can offer their very own versions. In addition to funds that may help families find birth employees, there needs to be funds that may help people train to turn out to be birth employees.
“We must see the care that is in line with the actual situation in which we find ourselves,” she said. “Which means it is academic. It is at the level of practice, and then it is also social.”
Ultimately, the real solution to this problem would require everyone to be involved. Like many individuals, they walk with practical knowledge or knowledge of basic first aid or resuscitation, Chidi would really like to see the same level of consciousness with pregnancy and pregnant people.
Chidi sees it this fashion: regardless of whether an individual has children or intends: “your duty is to find out about pregnancy and postpartum.”
Of course, everyone can’t be an authorized dulas, but understanding what some things seem like in a pregnant person is usually a difference in a deadly complication.
She said that it might be “all about re -opening the channels and sharing.”
“My best skill is to tell stories,” she continued. “It has always been this way because it makes you a good teacher. This is what you also make you really good doula. Because you really help people tell the story of your body so that other people can hear it.”

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Lifestyle
Lil us X in the hospital says that “he lost control over the right side” of his face

This week, rapper Lil Nas X has released an update where it was. On Monday evening, the rapper published a video to Instagram revealing that he was hospitalized.
“By the way, I practice a full smile,” says laughter. “I’m just what the hell? I can’t even laugh, brother, what the hell? Oh my God, man. So … yes.”
While the rapper “Old Town Road” didn’t determine his diagnosis, he told the fans: “Sooo (I) lost control of the right side of my face.” After his post, fans began to wonder if the star developed Bella’s paralysis, a state that causes muscle weakness and paralysis on one side of the face. However, According to Johns Hopkins MedicineThe cause of the condition affecting the nerves of the face is unknown.
Despite the fans conspiracy, Lil NAS X continued to update his health about his stories on Instagram.
“Guys, I’m fine !! Stop being sad to me! Instead, shake your ass!” He wrote about his history in keeping with the variety. “IMMA looks funny like a bit, but that’s all.”
Similarly, today the rapper said: “It’s much better” in a movie published in his history on Instagram, explaining that he regained sensation into the mouth and performs chewing exercises to strengthen the muscle.

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Lifestyle
David E. Talbert sells memories for six characters

The director, author, playwright and producer David E. Talbert sold his memory “Everything I know about being a man (I learned from a woman)” for six characters to Storehouse Voices, a random Punguin Publishing House. He also develops a television program with the identical title.
According to the memories of Talbert He emerged from conversations He He had together with his son, which meant that he realized that his mother, a single mother, gave him all the teachings he learned to be a person.
According to the web site, Storehouse Voices focuses on “promoting the wealth of a black story through intentional acquisition and employment of efforts, strategic partnerships and the authentic range of the community, which it is going to achieve by publishing literary and fictitious books.
According to Storehouse, Voices was published in January 2025, Created in cooperation with the Tamira ChapmanFrom the success of the Chapman’s Women & Words program, which was launched with the support of Storehouse in a box and Penguin Random House, which was aimed toward “deisting the publishing industry and its processes” for insufficiently represented authors.
The declaration that broadcasts the imprint is: “Warehouse voices are informed by a deep understanding of the unique cultural contexts and historical black experiences in America and involved in ensuring that literary works of insufficiently represented authors are presented authentically, with respect and strongly in the entire landscape of publications and the media.”
This is thick with the final arch of Talbert’s profession, which, like Tyler Perry, began with stage arts aimed toward telling the black stories of the Black audience.
In 2024, in an interview with the Wielofenate, he said that “Jingle Jangle”, a Christmas film, who wrote and directed by which Forest Whitaker and Keegan Michael Key performed, was created due to his childhood of the sensation of excluded fantasy, because he often didn’t see black children represented within the media of his youth.
According to 2023, Talbert launched HBCU Next, a scholarship program that he founded and financed together with his wife and production partner, Lyn Sisson-Talbert, To enrich the tutorial possibilities available for beginner filmmakers in HBCUS Bringing them to the School of Cinematic Arts USC School of Cinematic Arts program.
As Talbert said on this system: “Our general goal is to support the environment for students from HBCU and the USC to get involved in cultural exchange of learning from each other, and to provide access to education conducive to providing black storytellers to the entertainment industry.”
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