For many years, access to sports for many communities of color has been limited, and barriers often extend beyond the playing field.

This 12 months, adidas is taking one other step toward removing those obstacles. The sportswear giant recently announced the expansion of its Community Lab Programa visionary initiative to support Black and Latinx entrepreneurs working at the intersection of sports, equality and community development.

Founded with the intention of providing resources and opportunities to underrepresented social entrepreneurs, the adidas Community Lab has gained momentum since its inception. This 12 months, the program is growing not only in scale but in addition in impact, expanding to Toronto and Houston along with its original cities of Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York.

The mission of the program is clear: to support and empower Black and Latinx innovators who strive to make sports more accessible, equitable, and inclusive. At its core, the Community Lab offers more than simply funding; it creates an environment of mentorship, education, and networking that helps participants turn their visions into reality.

At the heart of this 12 months’s expansion is a latest partnership with Black ambitiona nonprofit organization founded by Grammy Award-winning artist Pharrell Williams. Black Ambition’s mission is to shut the wealth and opportunity gap by investing in high-growth startups led by Black and Latinx entrepreneurs. To date, the organization has mentored over 1,000 underrepresented founders and awarded over $10 million in funding to 101 dynamic entrepreneurs.

“Black Ambition was founded to create the space, individual opportunities, and relationships needed for underrepresented founders to thrive without obstacles,” said Jermeen Sherman, CEO of Black Ambition. The organization will bring its unique experience in mentoring and networking to the Community Lab, helping participants not only grow their businesses but in addition make a lasting impact of their communities.

This partnership, in addition to returning collaborators resembling Impact Hub and ie (Industry Education), will provide attendees with access to a comprehensive set of resources including: mentoring from industry leaders, expert training, workshops, executive chats with adidas, and networking opportunities with top executives and industry peers.

Additionally, each participant will receive $75,000 in grant funding to implement their progressive ideas. Over the course of eight months of intensive programming, these social entrepreneurs could have the tools to not only grow their businesses, but in addition transform the sports landscape of their communities.

The expansion of the adidas Community Lab is not only a corporate initiative, but a key step towards creating a more equitable world in sports and beyond. Ayesha Martin, Senior Director of adidas Purpose, expressed her excitement about the program’s expansion, stating, “We are excited to grow a larger group of social entrepreneurs who share our vision of removing barriers to access to sports for the communities we collectively serve.”

This is in line with broader trends in the industry. According to 2022 report from the Sports & Society program at the Aspen Institute, Black and Latinx youth are disproportionately underrepresented in organized sports, largely as a consequence of socioeconomic barriers resembling equipment costs, travel costs, and lack of access to secure spaces to play. Programs like the adidas Community Lab aim to shut these gaps by providing young athletes with opportunities that stretch far beyond the field.

By expanding its support to cities like Toronto and Houston, adidas is ensuring that more communities can profit from this transformational program. These cities are growing hubs of sports talent and entrepreneurial potential, making them ideal locations for the next wave of social impact leaders.

As adidas continues its mission to “create a sustainable ecosystem of change,” this 12 months’s group of social entrepreneurs will help redefine the intersection of sport, equity, and community. For aspiring changemakers, this is more than simply a possibility to grow a business—it’s a probability to shape the future.

The 2024 Emmys took place in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 15. And while no Black stars swept the Emmys this 12 months (congrats to Leo’s LaMorne Morris for taking home the trophy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series), the event brought out a few of our brightest stars and their partners. There were Idris and Sabrina Elba, Niecy Nash and wife Jessica Betts, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, and more. As we do for each major event, we’ve rounded up all the Black love moments from the 2024 Emmys. Scroll right down to see who showed up and showed out at TV’s biggest night.

01

01
Sheryl Lee Ralph and Vincent Hughes

The legendary stage and screen actress was paired with Pennsylvania senator Vincent Hughes. She was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, which she had previously won.

02

02
Millicent Shelton and Donald Samuel

Shelton, a renowned music video and tv director, was nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for the Apple TV+ project. She had the support of her husband, Donald Samuel, on the special night.

03

03
Mekhi and Reshelet Phifer

Mekhi and his beautiful wife attended the 76th Emmy Awards, where he was a presenter. He teamed up with fellow former TV doctors (remember when he was on ?) Mindy Kaling and Zach Braff to present Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.

04

04
Caroline Joyner and Brittani Nichols

Joyner, a president and co-head of integration at WME, appeared alongside Brittani Nichols, a author and producer on the series, which was nominated this 12 months for Outstanding Comedy Series.

05

05
Dulé Hill and Jazmyn Simon

The pair of actors coordinated in black to attend the Emmys, which Hill hosted after reuniting together with his former castmates. They presented the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series.

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06
Dionne Harmon and Jesse Collins

Harmon and Collins, who’re chairman and CEOs of Jesse Collins Entertainment, a number one production company, were on hand to have a good time good television. The pair were nominated for Outstanding Variety Special for serving as executive producers of Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show (in addition they won their first Emmy in 2022 for Dr. Dre’s epic Halftime Show).

07

07
Idris and Sabrina Elba

Elbas looked amazing as all the time at the event. They were on hand because Idris was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series for his work in the Apple TV+ series.

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08
Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts

Another matching couple, the Bettses, smiled at the Emmys, which Niecy was a presenter for. She’s a former Emmy winner (she took home the statuette for Outstanding Supporting Actress last 12 months for ). She presented Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie with fellow former TV cops Jimmy Smith and Don Johnson (she was in and, most recently, ).

09

09
Viola Davis and Julius Tennon

The Emmy winner was in attendance and looked very stylish alongside husband Julius Tennon for the big night. Davis was a presenter, teaming up with popular television lawyers Christine Baranski and Gina Torres to present the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Davis won the 2015 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as attorney Annalise Keating in

10

10
Lionel Boyce

While the name of star Lionel Boyce’s date has not been revealed (Getty definitely didn’t), she’s beautiful, isn’t she? She supported Boyce, who was nominated for his first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Tricia Lee was a lady. Long before she wowed Netflix viewers along with her enviable style, personable personality, and savvy business acumen on the hit series, which was just renewed for a second season, she was giving her elementary school friends bathroom makeovers. As she grew, so did her entrepreneurial spirit. “In college, I would do other students’ makeup before parties in my dorm room,” Lee recalls with a smile. “I always wanted to be an entrepreneur.”

Lee, who’s of Jamaican descent, was born in Brooklyn, New York, raised in Arizona, and moved back to the Big Apple after college, where she’s lived for 23 years. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lee desired to work in the wonder and fashion industry—and she or he did. After climbing the ranks at cosmetics giant Estée Lauder, Lee joined cult favorite makeup brand MAC Cosmetics within the brand’s early days and quickly rose through the ranks. Then, in 2005, Lee opened The Polish Bar in the center of Brooklyn. Her chic beauty salon also offered waxing, makeup, and lashes to her trendy clientele. In 2016, Lee desired to try her hand at a brand new field: real estate. The small-time powerhouse closed her beauty business to pursue real estate full-time and concentrate on learning a brand new craft. Her drive paid off. Eight years later, it’s winning the hearts of people around the globe because of the Netflix series.

We managed to squeeze in a bit interview with this savvy businesswoman about her daring profession moves, the realities of working along with her husband – and the surprising the explanation why buying real estate is more attainable than most of us realize.

ESSENCE: Congratulations in your success ! The show was ranks in the highest 10 in over 40 countries worldwide. What have your opinions been for the reason that series debuted?
TRICIA LEE: Most of the feedback is, “I need to watch more of you! They don’t show you enough.” Sometimes that annoys me because it isn’t my show. It’s Ryan [Serhant] show. My family, people near me, usually are not surprised by the show and the general public opinion I receive. I also discovered that I’m superb in front of the camera. [laughs]

ESSENCE: We discovered that you just work along with your husband, Jeffrey St. Arromand. You each have even been guests on ! What does constructing a business along with your spouse appear like?

LEE: I believe we may very well be rather a lot more decoupled from our marriage. We haven’t got all of it discovered yet. We’ve set some boundaries. But it’s hard. I don’t need to be the boss on a regular basis. I need to be soft. I don’t need to must select. I attempt to separate it. We’re kind of like yin and yang in relation to strengths. Jeff is more of a curious type. He can sense the energy of the client or the vendor. Whereas once I walk right into a house, I take a look at the interiors and the aesthetics. I believe, “Oh, this needs to change. Or this needs to change.” He doesn’t take a look at those things. When a client works with us, they get two different strengths, but they’re only paying for one.

ESSENCE: You are such a refreshing example of a successful black woman on reality TV. How does that make you are feeling?

LEE: Honestly, I just desired to be myself. You’ll see some attitude. You’ll see some humor. You’ll see some gentleness. You’ll see all of that, because that is all I’m. I’ll talk my mind, because I even have every reason on the earth to be confident. And sometimes I’ll be nervous, because I’m beginning to tackle parts of this business which might be recent to me. I can not control how people perceive me. It’s not my business. I don’t need to own it. I believe it’s great that individuals have accepted me so well. I believe it’s higher that I do not live and die by this, like most individuals would.

ESSENCE: Amen! Speaking of women and property, what are some creative ways we will get into the true estate game with lower than ideal funds or resources?

LEE: How much does it cost you to attend to own a house? More single women are buying homes now than single men. Imagine that. Forty years ago, you could not even get a mortgage with no man’s signature. So owning a house must be viewed as an asset-constructing issue, similar to where you reside. But sometimes we wish to examine off other things first. For example, you wish to get married, you wish to have a baby, and you wish to buy a house. Well, how much does that waiting cost you in the true estate conversation?

When we girls take a look at buying real estate as constructing assets, we’re more prone to do it with our mom, our sister, our greatest friend. So possibly you may’t afford a Bed-Stuy brownstone that you just buy by yourself. But possibly you and I should buy it together. Maybe in five years we’ll have 2 or 3 of them. Too often we devalue our own communities. But we’re seeing a revival in places like Detroit and Baltimore. Thankfully, individuals are starting to grasp that. Don’t underestimate the proven fact that you begin where you might be.

GIST: I’d like more advice for first-time home buyers.

LEE: Credit, money, and criteria! What is your credit rating? How much money do you might have not just for the down payment, but in addition for closing costs. Criteria: You must know the way much your needs and needs will cost you. When buying a house, your budget is the deciding factor. What are your criteria for must-haves and negotiables? For example, the very first thing I normally ask my clients is: What is your timeline? 2 months or 2 years? What are your criteria? Type of home (apartment, single-family, multifamily), size, price, and site. Here’s a tip… Budget and site are the true questions on this case.

THE ESSENCE: How do you already know if you’re ready to begin searching for a house?

LEE: If you do not know if you’ll be able to buy a house, nevertheless it’s a brief-term goal (about 18 months), contact a mortgage lender for a financial assessment. You must know the way much you may save in that point, what you may afford based in your credit rating and income. You’ll have a plan of motion. The house hunt starts if you’re able to shop.

ESSENCE: We hear rumors about unusual 40-12 months mortgages. What do you think that?

LEE: 40-12 months mortgages can work, especially in case you plan to purchase and hold for some time. They can dramatically offset the monthly maintenance fees. That’s an enormous help with current rates of interest, nevertheless it also lets you buy more home at a cheaper monthly cost. That’s in case you plan to carry for some time.

ESSENCE: You are captivated with empowering women, especially black women, in some ways. How can people be told about your upcoming projects?

LEE: Yes, the following Money Matters event with Tricia Lee will likely be this fall at Serhant [in New York City]. I also organize a luxury event called Dinner in Noir. People can follow me on social media to get updates on @lovetricialee.