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.
“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.”
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.”
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.”
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
Elaine Welteroth and Jonathan Singletary welcomed their second child
Elaine Welteroth has a brand recent bundle of joy!
The 37-year-old media personality and founding father of birthFUND welcomed her second child, a son named SantiGold, together with her husband, musician Jonathan Singletary, in early November.
While Welteroth said People Magazine that she and her growing family are “healthy and happy” – she admitted that she has been affected by sleep problems since welcoming the most recent member of the family.
“I’m not sure my brain is working at full speed,” she told the web site. “I’m sleep-deprived, but I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Recalling the precise day she went into labor, she stated that she just knew it was the day.
“His birth was largely orchestrated by God,” she explained. “I just instinctively said, ‘I’m going to send my kid to school, and when he comes home, he’ll have a little brother.'”
In addition to her general spidey senses, Welteroth had an impulse to be outdoors, so she went to the park.
“The moment I sat down on the grass, I felt the first contraction,” she said. “I assumed, ‘Let’s go, honey.’ “It’s happening.”
Still, there was no immediate sense of urgency for the young mother of two, even stopping to do some Reiki within the park together with her midwife. Shortly thereafter, she returned home for what she described because the “most beautiful” and “peaceful” home birth. SantiGold’s peaceful delivery could also be a part of the inspiration behind his name, which she said means “peace” in Thai.
“I think you’re more confident in the process the second time around,” she noted, adding, “You can trust the method more. The baby was born inside three hours, I could not consider it.
Welteroth, who welcomed her first child, a boy, together with her husband in April 2022, has long touted her second pregnancy as a “redemptive pregnancy.” Its first stage was marked by complications and anxiety. Halfway through, after learning concerning the full scope of the Black mother’s health crisis, she began working with a midwife and decided to have a house birth. She also learned what number of families couldn’t afford the life-saving care of midwives and doulas, which led her to launch the FUND birth fund earlier this yr.
It was through the organization’s official opening that she learned she was pregnant together with her second child, announcing the primary group of beneficiaries. Now her organization is preparing to reward 41 more families.
“I started with the mantra: ‘We are the ones who have to save ourselves,’” she said. “I’m just very, very proud of our team and that we can help women and families, especially in this moment when we see how the system is failing families. I am truly encouraged and hopeful.”
Lifestyle
The ultimate Black-owned gift guide for Divine 9 members
When it involves honoring the wealthy legacy of the Divine Nine, selecting the proper gift is about greater than just aesthetics – it’s about celebrating the history, culture and unwavering bonds of Black Greek letter organizations. Whether it’s Founders’ Day, inheritance ceremonyor just to point out like to a valued senior or fraternity brother, a meaningful gift reflects the pride, strength and purpose these organizations embody.
From stylish accessories to memorabilia that captures the essence of those organizations, these Black-owned brands can assist you to honor the spirit of service and sisterhood – or brotherhood – that outline the Divine Nine experience.
Truth 2 Code
Truth 2 Code offers a variety of fashionable accessories for members of the Divine Nine. Adding street style to classic Greek pieces, the True 2 Greek collection allows members to point out off their letters and private style.
Estelle coloured glass
Although they might not be sold as a Greek seller, Estelle coloured glass prepares amazing gifts for members of Greek literary organizations. With a wide selection of coloured glassware designs, consider giving your favorite soror or fraternity brother a set of glasses of their organization’s colours.
DVN
DVN is a Greek clothing brand that hopes to redefine traditional Greek accessories by offering designs that completely fit people’s on a regular basis style. Founded by Danielle Render, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., DVN combines progressive design and meticulous craftsmanship to create jackets, necklaces and custom pieces that allow all D9 members to “represent their affiliations with confidence and authenticity.”
Vontélle Divine glasses collection
Designed for us, Vontélle is a Black woman-owned eyewear brand offering optical frames and sunglasses that complement Black facial expression. Vontélle “Divine” Collection combines the brand’s mission to create better-fitting, vibrant, fashion-forward styles with colours and patterns inspired by historically black sororities and sororities.
Betty Plus promotion
For over 30 years Betty Plus promotion, Black, a family business, is a one-stop shop for Greek accessories, clothing and custom embroidery. Offering deals for every Divine 9 organization, Betty’s Promo Plus offers collections of transition gifts, holiday gifts and more.
Fashionably Greek
Fashionably Greek provides a various range of trendy and customizable clothing options, offering clothes and niknaks for all D9 sororities and choose fraternities (Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi). Its products are perfect for any occasion, from homecoming to social events and even to the office.
University nativity scene
University nativity scene is certainly one of the biggest Greek accessories stores. This Black family-owned business offers a big selection of merchandise for each D9 and non-D9 Black Greek organizations. Customers can shop online or visit a store near Tennessee State University in person.
Macy’s Divine Nine Fraternity and Sorority Collections
Macy’s Divine Nine Brotherhood collection AND Kasper Sorority Collection pay tribute to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations by offering men’s and girls’s clothing that highlights the distinct colours of every organization. These business-style garments are perfect for members to subtly have fun their affiliation at work events and/or branch meetings.
Lifestyle
Why Denzel Washington quit drinking at 60
Denzel Washington has been sober for nearly a decade, but he had one particular vice: wine.(*60*)
In a brand new profile, the 69-year-old actor talks about his history with wine, drugs like LSD and growing up in New York within the Seventies. Esquire magazine..(*60*)
“Wine is very difficult,” he warned. “It’s very slow… It’s not like boom.”(*60*)
He explained that, unlike harder substances, he had “the perfect idea for wine tasting and so on – and that’s how it was in the beginning.”(*60*)
“And this is a very subtle thing,” he added.(*60*)
Washington said his habit really took off in 1999, when he built a house with a ten-thousand-bottle wine cellar and “learned to drink the best of it.”(*60*)
He added: “My passion was wine, and now I was pouring $4,000 bottles just because it was left.”(*60*)
The “Gladiator II” star eventually developed an intake management system; he frequently ordered the 2 best bottles of wine available at his favorite liquor store.(*60*)
“And my wife says, ‘Why do you only order two?’ I said, “Because if I order more, I’ll drink more.” So I limited it to 2 bottles and drank each in the course of the day,” he told the publication.(*60*)
Even though she drinks wine day by day, the “Equalizer 3” star said she never drank alcohol while working or preparing for a task, even while filming “Flight,” which tells the story of an alcoholic pilot.(*60*)
“I would clean up and go back to work – I could do both,” he said. “Regardless of the months of shooting, bang, it is time to wrap up. And then boom. Three months of wine and time to get back to work.(*60*)
The actor admitted that when he was younger, it was easier to take care of this pattern.(*60*)
“Two months off and we’re going. But the drinking was a fifteen-year pattern. And truth be told, it didn’t start in 1999. It began earlier,” he explained.(*60*)
Washington, who was born and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, described what it was like growing up there within the late Seventies. Spending time on projects with individuals who exposed him to heroin, cocaine, hard alcohol and more, he admits that he experimented but personally “never got hooked on it.” (*60*)
In fact, much of those formative years experiences were passed on to a few of Washington’s best and most complex figures. Still, he said, “I am unable to consider a single role where I said, ‘Man, that is me.’ Completely me? No, no.(*60*)
Since he quit drinking, he appears like “everything is opening up to him.”(*60*)
“It’s like you’re seventy,” he said. “This is real. And it’s okay. This is the last chapter – if I get one other thirty, what do I would like to do? My mother lived to be ninety-seven.(*60*)
The husband and father of 4 also pays more attention to fitness today, due to Lenny Kravitz, who introduced him to his trainer.(*60*)
“I’m doing everything I can,” he said.(*60*)
As he noted in the course of the “Gladiator II” press session, he’s also enthusiastic about upcoming projects which will become his last – and yes, they include two more “Equalizer” movies.(*60*)
“People love these daggone ‘Equalizers,'” he said. (*60*)
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