In the world of skilled sports, representation matters.

For New York Freedom — a WNBA team with a front office comprised primarily of Black women — this team is greater than just a visible statement, it’s a testament to the power and influence of Black women in leadership positions, especially in a league dominated by Black female athletes. As the Liberty soars to latest heights each on and off the court, their success is fueled by a vision that embraces inclusivity, diversity and empowerment of ladies, especially Black women.

This is ClarkeCEO of the New York Liberty, has played a key role in this transformation. Her journey, from her beginnings in the sports industry to becoming one among the few Black women to carry a CEO position in skilled sports, has been nothing in need of inspiring.

In an interview with ESSENCE, Clarke shares how her experiences have shaped her leadership style and impacted Liberty’s success. “From being a former athlete to entering the sports space, first through a sports museum, then a sports magazine, and ultimately the league office, gave me a vantage point where I really had a chance to understand multiple levels and multiple verticals of the industry.”

As a result, her philosophy is predicated on making a work environment that celebrates diversity and encourages people to grow as their authentic selves. She continues: “I always want to be authentic and really intentional with people who come to work as themselves,” Clarke explains.

The Liberty’s rise to fame, especially this season, shouldn’t be only a result of outstanding results on the field, but additionally deliberate strategies implemented behind the scenes. Clarke attributes that success to the exertions and dedication of many individuals, each past and present, who’ve nurtured the league over the years. “It’s been a work in progress,” he says. “There are a lot of people who have put in a lot of time and effort, really nurturing and working to cultivate and grow this league, putting the players first.”

A concentrate on elevating female athletes has been a cornerstone of the WNBA’s growth, and Clarke is particularly happy with the ways Black women have led the way in shaping the league’s identity. “Black women are cultural contributors,” she said, noting that the WNBA’s 80 percent Black athletes reflect a league that thrives on the influence of Black women each on and off the court. “What we wear, what music we listen to, what’s beautiful, what’s cool, is often led by Black women,” Clarke added. In this fashion, the Liberty, under Clarke’s leadership, reflects the influence and leadership of Black women in the broader culture.

The Liberty have grow to be not only a basketball team but a cultural force in New York City, and their home at Barclays Center has solidified their presence in one among the most diverse cities in the world. That move to Brooklyn was pivotal, transforming the fan experience and aligning the Liberty brand with the city’s wealthy cultural landscape. Clarke summed up the change by saying, “The atmosphere in the arena has just changed in such a way… We represent something that actually goes beyond basketball.”

As the Liberty chases its first WNBA championship, Clarke is concentrated on sustainability — ensuring the momentum the team has built isn’t only a moment, but a long-lasting legacy. “My focus right now is just sustainability and making sure this isn’t just a moment — that this momentum becomes the norm,” Clarke explained. Part of that strategy includes progressive partnerships like the recent deals with Barclays and Bumble, in addition to the direct-to-consumer streaming service, Liberty Live, which lets fans connect with the team in latest ways.

But perhaps the most vital aspect of Liberty’s success is the impact they’re having on the next generation of athletes and fans. Clarke believes Liberty’s presence and leadership, especially in New York, has a ripple effect that extends far beyond the court. “Our community efforts are very, very focused on encouraging young women and girls to play basketball and empowering women and girls through a variety of self-esteem and character-building initiatives,” Clarke said.

The opportunity to steer New York Liberty as a Black woman hasn’t escaped Clarke. She recognizes the challenges of breaking down barriers, but she also feels it’s her responsibility to create space for others. “Leadership development and diverse hiring are two-way streets,” Clarke says. “While it’s an organizational responsibility … I would encourage young women, especially Black women, to be prepared. To be ready for the moment … and not wait until you have all the credentials.” Her advice is to be self-employed and never be afraid to take risks in industries where representation stays limited.

As the Liberty proceed their quest for WNBA dominance, the importance of Black women leading each on and off the court can’t be overstated. From Clarke’s progressive leadership to the undeniable talent of their players, the New York Liberty are a primary example of what happens when diversity is a priority at every level of the organization. And in a league where Black women players make up the majority of the roster, it’s imperative that their voices are usually not only heard, but given the opportunity to steer.

In a world where sports often set the tone for culture, the New York Liberty are proving that representation matters just as much at the top because it does on the field. Clarke’s leadership is a model for what the way forward for skilled sports can seem like—one where Black women aren’t just a part of the conversation, they’re leading it.

Eve and Nicki Minaj are proof that trailblazing female rappers can get along. This weekend, the “Pink Friday” rapper gave Eve flowers for being a “trendsetter” and for the “groundbreaking” remarks she’s made recently.

“Dear Eve…thank you” – Minaj wrote on X. “The level of grace; the level of emotional and spiritual maturity that it takes to be that vulnerable and transparent is a sign of TRUE peace, happiness, fulfillment, and self-mastery. Self-reflection at its peak. I always say I think accountability is the sexiest trait a person can have.”

After its release latest memoir “Who is that girl” Eve has been on the press tour discussing various elements of the book. From motherhood to music, the Ruff Ryders first lady opened up concerning the impact the male-dominated industry has had on her relationships with female rappers and her mental health. In the book, she shares the story of first meeting Minaj on the set of Barbershop: The Next Cut and the way it modified her perspective.

“I’ve experienced what happens when women project their own insecurities onto other women. It happened early in my career and it happened in waves as my fame grew. I wasn’t going to be that woman for anyone else, but I had to physically and mentally prepare myself to do that,” Eve said. in line with Hot97“Nicki and I were cool on set. We got along really well and did our scenes together without any problems. It wasn’t at all what I expected… I saw her writing songs on the bus between takes, rushing to get to a couple of shows on the weekend, and then coming back to the set for these 12-16 hour shoots, all the while trying to keep her personal life and relationship going.”

“In that moment, I didn’t envy her and I wanted to hug her. I thought I would resent her, but I actually felt sympathy. I remembered that I was that person, the girl who felt like she had to do everything. The girl who was pressured to do everything because all eyes were on her. Instead of feeling insecure around Nicki, I started to feel sorry for her,” she continued.

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The rapper’s candor inspired Minaj to open up about how nervous she was about working with the rap veteran on set. The Queens rapper recalled watching Ruff Ryderz on TV and seeing Eve handle her rise to fame with “grace” and “a lot of uncompromising TALENT and charisma.”

“I was so nervous walking onto set every day. You looked like a professional and I admired that so much,” Minaj added. “Thank you for trying not to do to me what was done to you. Women feel so much pressure to compete, and it’s a shame because we usually have so much in common and could really benefit from each other, just as humans. We all share so many of the same experiences as artists, wives, moms, ups and downs, anxiety, etc.”

Ewa developed this topic during CNN Interview with Laura CoatesThe rapper felt it was vital to share her experiences with Nicki Minaj for his or her credibility, but most significantly since it showed that as a substitute of drinking alcohol, she used other methods, equivalent to therapy, to cope with anxiety.

“No matter what industry you’re in, if you were at a point in your life or your career where you could be this person, this thing, and someone comes along… We’re human, right? Of course, you feel insecure. Of course, you feel protective. Of course, you feel (like), ‘Wow, do I still fit in here?’” Eve explained. “That all came from the industry… being this one woman (rapper). I was holding on to that, thinking, ‘How can she be here and how can I be here?’ Which is stupid, which is so stupid.”

A year after a tense confrontation between King Harris and his father, T.I., during an Atlanta Falcons game, King returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, seemingly reconciled with his family.

King arrived at the game with his mother and other relations and friends, who packed into the suite to support his father and youngest sister, Heiress, as they performed together in front of a packed crowd.

But the family gathering had a twist — a recently deleted video shows that King wasn’t alone. A girl in a blonde wig was sitting in a different seat near Heiress.

The woman rumored to be the mother of King’s unborn child, who goes by the Instagram handle Big Nana, apparently made her first public appearance with King since his dad TI announced to the world that they were expecting.

She shared a few videos clips on her Instagram, confirming that she was also at the game, sitting next to King. One of them includes a photo of her taking a selfie within the mirror — though only the upper half of her body is visible. In two videos, she showed her followers a Jumbotron screen of T.I. rapping on the sphere, in addition to one other of the group.

Looking across the stadium, King might be seen recording his father and sister Heiress’ performance on his phone.

Despite her presence, Big Nana was noticeably absent posts this was shared by Tiny Harris, King’s mother, who documented the family day.

In one in all the slides, King might be heard shouting in support of the young “superstar.”

Many commenters on the Xscape singer found it each funny and cute, writing, “King can be heard in the background screaming for me, ‘That’s my sister.'”

In her post, she also showed how all the children, including King, gathered on the sphere after the match — and Big Nan was nowhere to be seen.

It is evident that although her family tries to cover her, Big Nana has no real interest in staying hidden.

Days after TI publicly confirmed King’s paternity in an interview with Hot 107.9, Big Nana made her presence known on Instagram.

At the time, she shared a behind-the-scenes look at her pregnancy photoshoot. Dressed in a pink outfit and sporting a platinum-blonde wig just like the one she wore to the game, she posed confidently, showing off her baby bump.

Although the family appears to be keeping their distance from this story, TI explained it is fully aware of what is to come back. During a radio interview, he expressed each excitement and humor about King’s transition into fatherhood.

Referring to his troubled middle child, TI joked, “I will raise this child to torture you like you tortured me. I promise you there will be an indictment on that young person.”

Perhaps one in all those moments when King appeared to “torture” his father was last year at a Falcons game when he needed to put his son in a headlock. It also got here after he slammed the “American Gangster” actor for saying King was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A video of their exchange went viral online, and other people talked about King’s behavior for weeks.

While T.I.’s tongue-in-cheek comments reflect his family’s complicated relationship with King, many are hopeful that fatherhood will bring stability to the 20-year-old rapper.

But King’s behavior hasn’t shown much sign of fixing. On September 10, shortly after the news broke, he posted a disturbing photo to his Instagram Story.

The photo showed a red ring around his eye, captioned “Still got the chain,” followed by laughing emojis. “PS you should see these.” Last week, it was revealed that the redness around his eye was clean makeup to the movie scene.

The recent video of King smoking and rapping while driving prompted his grandmother, Diane Cottle, to intervene. “Stop smoking so much. Son,” she commented. In response, King softened his stance, writing, “Sorry Mamaw, I love you.”

Despite the Harris family’s efforts to maintain the key, Big Nana seems determined to take her place within the story.

With baby King on the way in which, it’s unclear whether the family will proceed to attempt to shield the public from his private life, or whether Big Nana will take matters into her own hands.