In a moment that will probably be remembered as a turning point for diversity in sports leadership, Sunday’s Raiders-Panthers game was a moment in history. The game marked the primary time two NFL teams, each led by female presidents, faced one another — an event without precedent within the league’s storied history.

Sandra Douglass Morgan of the Las Vegas Raiders and Kristi Coleman of the Carolina Panthers aren’t only trailblazers as women, but additionally as trailblazers in a male-dominated industry. Their leadership signals a sea change in how the NFL is embracing more inclusive representation in its leadership ranks.

Sandra Douglass Morgan, appointed by the Raiders in 2022, became the primary Black woman to serve as an NFL team president. In her short tenure, she has already broken barriers and highlighted the necessity for diverse voices at the best levels of skilled sports.

“Kristi was a great colleague and friend, so being able to share this moment with her makes it even more special,” Douglass Morgan said. “Even though we’re here to win the game and do what we do and do our job every day, it’s monumental to have two female presidents at the helm. It’s great to be able to celebrate each other before the game.”

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Kristi Coleman, who began with the Panthers in 2014, rose from CFO to chief operating officer before rising to president. Coleman’s experience in operations management and financial oversight has been instrumental in steering the Panthers toward success each on and off the sphere.

“You feel a little more comfortable when you have someone else to call,” Coleman said. by Panthers“While Charlotte and Vegas are obviously two completely different markets, the role and what you have to do are not different. A lot of the things we do and the nuances we experience are the same.”

According to Raiders press releaseThis historic game wasn’t nearly football — it was a mirrored image of what’s possible when institutions prioritize diverse leadership. “This moment is a testament to the evolving landscape of the NFL, where leadership is becoming more inclusive and diverse,” Morgan said, emphasizing the importance of the milestone.

While women have long been underrepresented in sports leadership, especially women of color, the rise of executives like Morgan and Coleman underscores the changing dynamics within the NFL. Less than 1% of management positions Black women lead the most important American sports leagues, a horrifying statistic that underscores how necessary moments like these are.

Representation matters since it challenges the established order. Having women like Morgan and Coleman on the helm not only opens doors for future generations, but additionally enriches the choice-making process in these billion-dollar franchises. Studies show that organizations with diverse leadership are more progressive and profitable.

For the NFL, this is particularly critical given its history of exclusionary practices. According to Institute for Diversity and Ethics in SportsWomen — especially women of color — remain vastly underrepresented in leadership positions within the league. But with Sandra Douglass Morgan and Kristi Coleman leading two standout teams, there’s hope this groundbreaking event will encourage further progress.

Both Morgan and Coleman emphasized the importance of their roles beyond the football field. During her induction, Morgan said she accepted the position because she believes within the Raiders’ vision and future, as well as their commitment to diversity, community and excellence. She emphasized the impact of her historic appointment, saying“I definitely never want to be the last, and I want to get to the point where there are no more firsts.” Morgan also emphasized that if her role can encourage or open doors for other women, it’s going to be a big accomplishment for her.

Coleman can be committed to using her position to drive change inside her organization and the broader NFL community. She has been a powerful advocate for initiatives that elevate women and folks of color, ensuring the Panthers are on the forefront of equal opportunity in sports.

While this game was historic, it’s also a reminder that there’s still work to be done. Women make up a fraction of the NFL’s executive ranks, and even fewer hold positions of real influence. But with leaders like Sandra Douglass Morgan and Kristi Coleman leading the way in which, the trail is paved for future generations of ladies of color to advance into leadership roles.

The visibility of those two presidents is critical. It sends a robust message to young black women in all places: There is a spot for you in skilled sports, and the sky isn’t any longer the limit. As Morgan herself said, “Representation matters. It’s about showing young girls and women of color that they, too, can lead.”

From the visionary mind behind and , director Ryan Coogler returns to the massive screen with , a story of redemption and the haunting ghosts of the past. Starring Michael B. Jordan, the film explores the dark corners of the human psyche and the demons that refuse to let go.

When twin brothers attempt to escape their troubled lives, they return to their hometown in search of a fresh start. But the familiar streets hold greater than just memories; they conceal a sinister force that’s wanting to welcome them with open arms. In signature Coogler style, he delves into the unsettling proverb, “Dance with the devil, one day he’ll follow you home.” He will force viewers to confront their very own fears and the results of their actions.

Coogler brings his acclaimed talents to each screenwriting and directing, assembling a powerful solid that features Oscar nominee Hailee SteinfeldJack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Millerand Delroy Lindo.

The film advantages from Coogler’s trusted creative team, including director of photography Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Oscar-winning production designer Hannah Beachler, editor Michael P. Shawver and an unforgettable rating by Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson. The costume design is led by visionary Ruth E. Carter, whose work has redefined the sort of modern cinema.

Produced by Coogler in collaboration with Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Coogler, it guarantees to be a masterpiece of psychological horror, masterfully crafted to be chilling and gripping.

Prepare for a journey that may test the boundaries of fear and the enduring bond of brotherhood. It challenges you to confront the darkness inside and confront the haunting query: are you able to truly escape your past?

Watch the official trailer for the film below.

Simone Biles, an elite female athlete, Olympian, and seven-time gold medalist, travels the United States to encourage children and adults alike on her Gold Over America Tour (yes, you read that right; it’s acronym GOAT).

This Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour (GOAT) stars Biles and the most effective of the most effective gymnasts, including Jordan Chiles and Frederick Richard. The high-energy, high-energy gymnastics-meets-pop-concert show kicked off last week in Oceanside, San Diego, with eager fans waiting for dazzling dance sequences and complex gymnastics moves, with Biles on the helm.

The tour showcases stunning athletic brilliance, high-energy choreography and galvanizing messages of hope, strength, resilience and determination. Every fall, spin and gravity-defying trick may have audiences on the sting of their seats during every performance. Biles’ longtime apparel partner, Athleta, returns as title sponsor, supporting the brand’s rallying cry of “Find Your Movement” and its mission to construct confidence, strength and belonging through movement. This tour is timely, especially after the impressive success of the U.S. gymnastics team on the Paris Olympics.

Biles describes the Gold Over America Tour (the third tour she has conceived and the second GOAT tour Biles has hosted, with an inaugural show in 2021) as a pop concert-style spectacle, filled with energy and athleticism, designed for pure entertainment, focused on family fun somewhat than competition. “We were trying to decide how this tour would look different. We believed that (the tour) had to tell a story, something that kids could resonate with and be excited to go home and tell their parents or classmates or teammates about. So that’s really where the idea came from, but it’s about sharing the love and passion for the sport that we have with the audience and doing a tour that celebrates the Olympics,” Biles told ESSENCE.

For Biles and her group of stars and elite gymnasts, this tour is their celebration after the Paris Olympics and their victory lap. “We did all the work, and now we can just sit back and do our celebration tour and have fun and let people celebrate us. Because I honestly believe that as much as we do, we never get to celebrate. So this time we get to celebrate every night with the audience. And there’s nothing better. It’s super special,” she said.

In addition to showcasing her gymnastics skills, Biles believes the tour will probably be groundbreaking when it comes to representation, especially as a petite, black woman. “This tour is huge in terms of representation. And I think every kid in the audience can pick someone from our tour lineup who looks exactly like them, which is amazing. Sports have evolved and there’s room for everyone,” she said.

Biles continued, “I think it’s beautiful because before there was always a certain standard of what a girl should look like and what she shouldn’t look like.”

It’s essential to note that this tour is not about medals and competition, but somewhat to emphasize the importance of getting fun. You can expect tons of dancing, colourful costumes, and high energy when it comes to the routines and sequences performed throughout the tour; think Barbie meets Beyoncé. “I’ll say the kids will probably love the Barbie and Ken sequence the most because it was such a popular movie. But one of the cast’s favorites on the tour is our Texas Hold ‘Em. It’s a little bit Beyoncé. We get cowboy hats, cowboy hats, and it’s really cool,” Biles exclaimed.

If you’re wondering what she does for self-care after dominating the Olympics and wowing the competitors, Biles keeps it easy. “I would say therapy, every week. And then if I ever get the chance to go to the spa, I love to do that, or just take a hot bubble bath with Epsom salts, or just spend some really quality time with my husband, go and try new restaurants, stay home with our dogs, or just rot, because we’re constantly on the go, so anytime we can sit down and relax, it’s so nice to just slow down,” she shared.