Entertainment
Marion Jones Returns to the Starting Block – Essence

It’s been quiet on the Marion Jones front for the past decade… until now. With the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the former fastest woman in the world is back in the highlight, sharing her unique journey, identifying as LGBTQ+, and the way she’s redefining success. ESSENCE had the opportunity to sit down with Jones to discuss her second act.
In 2000, Jones was on top of the world at the Sydney Olympics. The reigning track and field queen won five Olympic medals Team USAthree gold and two bronze. But just a few years later, Jones was embroiled in a doping scandal. It led to 2008 with a six-month prison sentence, stripping her of all her Olympic medals, in addition to all “her performances until September 2000. [being]…erased from the record books.”

Two years later, Jones returned with great athletic ability, continuing her profession in basketball, her other passion. She played for nearly two seasons in WNBA with the Tulsa Shock before he passed away.
Jones later settled right into a life away from the press, but in June of this 12 months, during Pride Month, Jones opened up about Instagramsaying, “I wanted to share with you…I identify with the LGBTQ community, I have for a long time…It’s something that has shaped me as a person…as a child, I started to feel different as a woman of color, as a queer woman. As a woman who is almost 50, I now feel comfortable in my skin and being myself.”
“The news that I identify as gay is not new to my family, to me, or to my community, but I know that because I made the decision to step away from the spotlight for over a decade, the world has not been in the loop,” Jones told ESSENCE. “For so long, I have hidden certain elements of who I am, who I was… and where I am in my life now, this is full transparency.”

“I share with people that their comeback from hard times is bigger than their failure, and I have to be completely transparent,” Jones said. When asked, “Why now?” Jones responded that “it’s time for people to hear who I am, but even more so for people who may be struggling with their own identity to see that they’re not alone.”
A well-recognized sense of determination was palpable on Jones’ face during the discussion, especially when she stepped down onto this 12 months’s field of athletes competing for medals in Paris. “I’m here to cheer them on, to pray for them, and I really hope that they use this platform that they have, which is a very, very short season,” Jones shared. “I hope that they realize that sports, their events, their disciplines, are for a short time.” Her advice: “Start preparing for life after sports by making sure that the people around you are pouring into you because of who you are, not because of what you can do for them.”
As for the next ten years, Jones is happy about what’s ahead: “I’m in a place now where I feel comfortable in my skin and I know that the choices I’m making now are really about helping people live better and stronger lives.” The 48-12 months-old recently launched a brand new partnership with Driven Inc., a training program for professionals and entrepreneurs. She says, “We teach entrepreneurs the tools to get through tough times and win at life.”

“I even have the opportunity to do what I like and train people by way of physical fitness, but I also can teach them how to get back up, how to get back up, how to cope with the consequences, [and] “Get over it,” Jones said. “Not many people can understand or relate to being an Olympic champion or a convicted felon, but everyone on the planet has dealt with some form of failure.”
“Failure looks very different to everyone, and everyone has struggled at some point to deal with it. I’ve reached the highest levels of success, but I’ve also fallen many times because of the choices I’ve made. I just know how to get back up. I know the tools to win again, and that’s what I’m so excited to share with people.”
“Failure doesn’t have to last forever,” Jones stated firmly. “People are bigger than their mistakes in life, and that doesn’t define who they are.”
Entertainment
Usher to provide the address of the Emory University class start from 2025 graduates

It seems that there will not be much that Usher Raymond IV – Better, known to the world, simply as a USher – no. He can sing. He can dance. He can sing and dance while skating. He works. Sells Las Vegas residences. Performs philanthropic work.
And also performs the completion addresses. Usher was utilized by the University in its own yard. May 12 Usher will provide the address at Emory University 180. Ceremony of graduation and shall be awarded with an honorary doctorate in humanitarian letters from the institution. This will not be the first Usher Rodeo with an honorary doctorate; In 2023 Berklee School of Music in Boston He awarded the International Superstar with distinction. He also gave comments then.
Usher will not be alien to Emory University. His non-profit, New Usher Lookwhich according to the website“He transforms the lives of malnourished youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion, global leaders”, has established cooperation with Emory’s University’s University Goizueta Business School in a 400-hour program helping to prepare teenagers for faculty. Apparently, non-profit influenced over 50,000 students.
“I spent my life following my spark – my passion – and trying to support young people when they find and follow their own passions. I am excited that I have the opportunity to talk to these amazing Emory students who graduate and prepare for imprint in the world – said Usher in Billboard statement.
Usher is one of the most successful musical acts in history, selling over 80 million records, winning many Grammy awards and has toured throughout the world since his profession in the mid -90s. His album “Confessions” from 2004 is the second best -selling album from 2000 and is taken into account by Rolling Stone as one of the best albums of all of all of all.
YES!
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Entertainment
The most iconic moments of the beauty of Robert Flack – Essence

Anthony Barboza/Getty Images
Robert Flack, a valued singer, songwriter and pianist, died on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. The legendary singer, whose velvety voice again defined the soul and R&B, stays a everlasting icon of elegance, emotions and artistry. With timeless classics, resembling “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever and Wis See Your Face”, the singer died the audience captivated the audience along with her ability to weave delicacy and power in every note. Not only will we take heed to her repetitive music, but we won’t stop eager about its most iconic moments of beauty.
In the 70s Robert seriously swayed Afro – a daring statement of being black and proud – during performances at live shows, including the famous Newport Jazz festival. Two years later, she honored the scene of Ronnie Scott in London along with her hair drawn into the band, combined with dramatic long eyelashes, which defined her characteristic appearance. Always to experiment with hair, she also accepted braids decorated with beads, without effort combining style and cultural pride.
Just a few many years quickly forward, and Robert was still turning her head. While playing in Gillette Civil Rights 2010 between Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, she stunned the navy blue eye shadow, a dark light highlighter and daring red lipstick. The following yr, she performed at Bideawee Ball from 2011 with full rhythm – eyeliner, mascara, highlighter and its characteristic red lips. And in 2020 she performed unforgettable during the 62th annual Grammy Awards, wearing a beautiful curly crown and the same red lipstick that we met and loved.
In honor of her everlasting legacy, we glance back at some of the most iconic beauty moments of Roberta’s incomparable flack.
Entertainment
Joe Freshgoods X New Balance 992 “Starn Well” is celebrating cooperation

Joe Freshgoods selects five years and counts with New Balance because of his latest version 992 “Arged Well”, a tribute to his creative partnership with a characteristic brand of sportswear, which still supports his design talents and a contagious passion.
After Debut On the Joe Freshgoods New Balance 992 website, Chicago Creative is preparing for a wider version of February 28 via newbalance.com and chosen retail sellers. The new edition of the sneakers means the fifth anniversary of Joe of New Balance, milestone after almost stood before closing his now widely beloved and known brand.
The document coming in June 2025 is shared within the history of Joe’s success, from his start as an area Streetwearus brand in his hometown of Chicago to providing New Balance partnership in 2020, when he wasn’t sure find out how to keep his business.
“He examines how the partnership influenced the global culture of sneakers and development transparency”, Joe common In the announcement on Instagram, “which was more important to me than just doing it about tennis games. This is a real life. ”
The trailer of the documentation offers access to Joe’s journey, presenting his modest approach to success and its influence on the Boston brand of sportswear founded in 1906. Since joining New Balance, Joe Robinson (higher referred to as Joe Freshgoods), a champion with a young history.
Five years later, with 20 Sneakers Publishing House and counting the most recent cooperation of New Balance Joe Freshgoods is a love letter for his creative journey with the Boston brand.
“Sometimes I feel that I shouldn’t be here. But I am here and say, “Oh, I’m good at what I do,” he says within the film.
Project 992 “Agnish well” attracts the inspiration from the primary cooperation of Joe Freshgoods from New Balance – the edition of New Balance 992 “No Emotions”, also referred to as “heart anatomy”. It was a right away hit and celebrated in the course of the NBA All-Star weekend, and now charges resale prices around $ 3,000.
While the explanations for the New Balance revival may vary, many consider the primary release of Joe 992 to be a catalyst that enlivened the brand. Sneakers have pink and red suede silhouettes placed on an olive mesh base and accented saddle skin on the tongue and rear card.
Four sets of lace are attached, and the box is decorated with unique details reflecting the theme “aging well”. In addition, Joe Freshgoods designed the “Championship Dreams” leather university jacket to commemorate his five -year success as a designer.
“I wanted this jacket to capture the essence of the last five years – each project was a milestone, another closed chapter, another dream,” Joe signature Post on Instagram. “Over time, I had the honor to tell culturally important stories, and this jacket reflects this travel project according to the design.”
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