Entertainment
The 2024 CIAA Tournament highlights Black culture, sports and the impact of HBCUs
Photo credit: Kim Hairston
Baltimore has long been the epicenter of black culture. Its roots in abolitionism, the advancement of jazz, and the civil rights movement, amongst others, only add to the city’s undeniable contributions to American history. As the world slowly recovered from the effects of the global pandemic in 2021, Charm City added one other layer to its wealthy history by introducing Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament to Maryland.
From February 26 to March 3, the famous tournament returned to Baltimore for a series of events going down at the newly renovated CFG Bank Arena. In addition to the range of activities participants can engage in, one of the most significant points of the CIAA weekend is that all of it takes place against the backdrop of this beautiful seaside city. “Baltimore is in the spotlight right now – our arts, culture, health and technology industries are tremendous assets that enhance our city’s attractiveness as a cultural center,” says Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore. “As for the CIAA, our entire community has truly embraced the tournament in a way that energizes our local businesses and brings great energy to CFG Bank Arena and beyond.”
It’s protected to say that now, greater than ever, is the perfect time to plan a visit to this iconic destination. To find out about the city’s history, visitors can go to places equivalent to Reginald F. Lewis Museumwhich houses works of art and artifacts dating back to 1784, or cultural centers equivalent to Maryland Center for History and Cultureor Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum. In terms of event chronology, 2024 is the fiftieth anniversary of NCAA Division II and the twentieth anniversary of the Mister and Miss CIAA scholarship competition and the Ball Girl/Ball Boy tournament program. Through these groundbreaking initiatives, CIAA continues to leverage its influence to influence the next generation of athletes and entrepreneurs.
In addition to the 26 games on this 12 months’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, the CIAA once more hosted fan-favorite events for all ages, including Fan Fest, the Career Expo, the eighth annual Samaritans’ Feet “Shoes of Hope” initiative, the John B. McClendon Jr. exhibit. Hall of Fame Breakfast and other exciting events. CIAA has also partnered with Visit Baltimore to host its third annual series of town hall meetings and symposia. Here, fans enjoyed annual entertainment events held during tournament week equivalent to the CIAA Legends of Hip Hop Party, CIAA High School and Greek Step Shows, CIAA Alumni Party and more.
CIAA’s family-friendly environment makes it a destination for people from all walks of life, but especially graduates and students of historically black colleges and universities – higher often called HBCUs. These institutions of higher learning were created to serve African Americans in a time when our opportunities are limited. Now, people of color can advance their careers with a level from a prestigious HBCU. These universities have grown in popularity lately, and CIAA is using its resources to further highlight them.
“It’s great to see more emphasis on HBCUs and their importance in American society, especially in recent years, although I think it’s long overdue,” Hutchinson says. “HBCUs are critical institutions for society at large because they advance education and create opportunities for historically marginalized communities while promoting social equity and diversity. These institutions also serve as champions of culture and heritage, preserving and celebrating the rich history and contributions of African Americans to the broader American experience.”
With tons of of 1000’s of people flocking to Baltimore for CIAA, the city could showcase its unique cuisine to the masses. During the weekend, Black-owned restaurant tour in Baltimore began. The third edition of BORT was intentionally aligned with the tournament dates, creating a chance to highlight local Black-owned restaurants while basketball fans were on the town. Each night, a number of restaurants would host a special menu or event and feature venues equivalent to Rooted spit, City Oyster, Soul of the Diaspora, Papi’s Kitchenand more.
After games, parties and plenty of food, visitors had plenty of places to pick from to loosen up. Baltimore has long been home to a set of boutique properties which are Black-owned and/or operated by leaders who bring the city’s local culture and history to their locations. Hotel Revival is the city’s only boutique art hotel, The Ivy is Baltimore’s only black-owned luxury property, and Sagamore Pendry in Fell’s Point is a luxury resort with sweeping views of Baltimore’s inner harbor, a shocking waterfront pool, and a whiskey bar offering locally distilled Sagamore Rye.
For many, the CIAA weekend is a chance to reconnect with old friends, strengthen ties under the universal umbrella of sports, and find out about the history and culture of one of the largest cities in the country. The beautiful thing about this tournament is that it might provide much more to participants annually. “The CIAA Tournament is one of the largest and most prestigious basketball tournaments in the country and for anyone, whether you have played or not, this is a chance to come out and experience something incredibly special inside and outside the facility, but the venue is the best place to start this event by getting tickets and observing these young people and their talent,” says CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams in an interview with ESSENCE.
“I mean, there’s so much heritage that they’ll be able to have an experience right there, but when they’re gone, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy,” he continues. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can definitely be embedded in the CIAA family. And whether you went to an HBCU or not, it doesn’t matter. “It doesn’t matter if you are black, white, red or yellow, you will be a part of it if you come and experience something at this conference that I believe is greatness.”
Entertainment
Angelina Jolie’s disturbing performance in new interview sparks criticism Years after health problems caused her face to sag
Angelina Jolie promotes her next film, “Maria”, in which she plays the role of the famous opera singer Maria Callas.
However, for some fans, the press was more about Jolie’s health and appearance than her work in film.
On November 21, Jolie sat down with Michael Strahan for an interview on “Good Morning America” to discuss her fear of using her real voice to sing opera for the role and the enjoyment of motherhood. However, in the course of the chat, some fans claimed they noticed Jolie’s face looked different than usual.
One person was cited by Express US for this story he said“It looks rough.”
Another commentator on Page Six he wrote“Ok, I just read that her face looks different because she stated that she developed hypertension and Bell’s palsy, a condition that she said caused her face to droop to one side. I assumed she looked like she had a stroke, in order that explains it.
Debates about Jolie’s sickly appearance erupted when fans noticed visibly large veins on her arms during separate red carpet appearances. Even those that knew her health were still shocked and anxious by her photos.
Jolie first revealed that she had the disease in 2017. In an interview with Vanity Fair she said he said she discovered she had hypertension and Bell’s palsy in 2016, the identical yr she filed for divorce from Brad Pitt.
So when she was diagnosed with the disease, she said she wasn’t sure what could have caused it. “I can’t tell if it’s menopause or if it’s just the year,” said Jolie, then 42. “Sometimes women in families put themselves last until it manifests itself in their own health.”
However, she also said that she is trying to pay more attention to her health. “I actually feel more like a woman because I make wise choices, I put my family first and I am responsible for my life and health. I think that’s what makes a woman complete.”
Last yr, the “Maleficent” star opened up again about her condition, revealing that it was caused by the stress of ending her relationship with Pitt.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, she said he said“My body reacts very strongly to stress. My blood sugar levels go up and down. Six months before the divorce, I suddenly developed Bell’s palsy.
According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke“Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder that causes paralysis or weakness on one side of the face. It occurs when one in every of the nerves that control the facial muscles becomes damaged or stops working properly, which may cause the facial muscles to droop or sag.
Entertainment
“The Honorable Shyne” is a hit. This is why I wanted to tell this story. — Andlandscape
One of the primary reasons Andscape culture author Justin Tinsley and I were tapped to co-executive produce was our backgrounds as music journalists. The documentary chronicling Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s rise to fame, imprisonment, and re-emergence as a political leader suits firmly into our wheelhouse, as his best rap years got here within the early 2000s – right at the center of our hip-hop fandom. I donated my time helping with the documentary, which was a top ten show in its debut week on Huluas a likelihood to help tell the story of hip-hop. I got here away from the project with an understanding of a man in conflict, at odds with himself and his past, and wanting to forge a path forward.
Shyne’s story illustrates the American dream: a poor black immigrant comes to America and from nowhere becomes one in all the largest rap stars. It is also a story about how the American criminal justice system and music industry chew up and spit out so many young Black people. To carelessly follow Shyne’s story is to consider him as just one other young black man who fell into a bad situation and never recovered. After all, his rap profession was effectively derailed when in 2001 he was sentenced to ten years in prison for the 1999 shooting at Club New York in Manhattan. But what inspired me about Shyne’s story was his refusal to let this devastation define him.
In 2021, I hung out in New Orleans with former No Limit rapper McKinley “Mac” Phipps, who had just been released from prison after spending 21 years in prison for a murder he denied committing. As I listened to Shyne’s story, I considered Mac. Both were avatars of a system that tested rap as much because it tested individual men. Mac’s story was about how hip-hop lyrics may be used to accuse someone within the face of overwhelming evidence of their innocence. Similarly, Shyne’s trial created a sensation about hip-hop’s relationship to violence in a city hungry for head on a plate.
Both Shyne and Mac emerged from prison as completely different people than once they entered. In Mac’s case, it was the period of time he spent at home, during which he transformed from a teenage rapper into a man after 20 years spent in confinement. For Shyne, his transformation got here from faith when he converted to Orthodox Judaism in prison. When I have a look at people like Shyne and Mac, I wonder how they’ll survive being locked in a cage, and their answers are inspiring.
While Shyne’s rap stories are what drew me to this project, it’s his journey as a man that makes me proud to help tell his story. And we actually get to see that journey after he raps the ultimate bars of his rap profession.
Shyne got here to the film wanting to discuss his lowest moments – the time after his release from prison in 2009, when he lashed out, frustrated at seeing a latest crop of rap stars emerge within the void left by his absence. He was rudderless. As rudderless as anyone may be who has lost a decade to a prison system that wanted to destroy him. And much more, since it was closed when the superstar’s fame was on the tip of his fingers.
The raspy-voiced rapper could have let these mishaps define him, but that is where Shyne’s story resonates with everyone, whether or not they’re a rap fan or not. Shyne’s second act, the one through which he finds purpose in community and family, where he uses his innate charisma and true genius to turn out to be a political leader and motivational speaker.
I cannot discuss Shyne’s reappearance without mentioning Sean “Diddy” Combs. Combs, the disgraced hip-hop mogul who signed Shyne to his label Bad Boy Records and helped launch his profession, is the elephant within the room throughout the documentary and in Shyne’s life. So lots of the artists who emerged under Diddy – from G Depp and Mase to The Notorious BIG – suffered terrible consequences. Shyne’s name was all the time on the list because he spent ten years in prison. And yet, Shyne’s approach to healing and moving forward is as inspiring as his ability to overcome what he sees because the sabotage of his life and profession.
These are lessons I didn’t expect to learn from the stories in regards to the hip-hop star from my childhood. These are inspiring moments that can be of interest to those that haven’t yet turn out to be inquisitive about the Brooklyn, or somewhat Belizean, rapper featured within the documentary. These are the points that make me proud to be a a part of telling Shyne’s story.
Entertainment
Kendrick Lamar Releases Surprise Album ‘GNX’; group chats are going crazy
There are few things more exciting than receiving an infinite barrage of text messages at the very same time in numerous group chats. This normally implies that something vital has happened in popular culture. Well, the exact same thing happened about noon on November 22, within the yr of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, higher often called Kendrick Lamar, released the album “GNX”, nod towards Buick Grand National Regal GNXa rare muscle automobile released in 1987 – which also happens to be the yr Kendrick was born.
“GNX” is coming to the tip of what has been a banner yr for Kendrick Lamar. From epic diss records geared toward Drake, to creating the largest song of his profession (and a Drake diss track) on “Not Like Us”, to the “Pop Out” concert streaming live to tell the tale Amazon Prime, Kendrick won this yr. He even received seven Grammy nominations, mostly for “Not Like Us.” And this victory will proceed in the brand new yr. In September, it was announced that Kendrick would stay Super Bowl 2025 headliner will happen in New Orleans. This announcement sparked some controversy and comments from several New Orleans legends similar to Juvenile and most notably Lil Wayne, who felt disrespected; Kendrick immediately refers to this topic within the opening song of the album (all stylized in lower case), “wacced out murals”.
The thing is, Kendrick didn’t sleep for many of 2024. And then, while the remaining of us were minding our own business, listening to other albums that had just dropped, like Ice Cube’s “Man Down,” I began receiving text after text… and I knew that would only mean that something vital happened.
At this point in my life (and possibly even yours), Kendrick Lamar releases are a drop-everything-and-listen event. I immediately went to the streaming service, launched “GNX” and pressed “Play”.
I need to admit that the primary time I heard the album I used to be a bit confused. Kendrick has probably never been more popular or famous; if there was ever a time to drag a Kanye West and release his own version of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” – an album largely produced as Kanye’s best and most representative of Kanye’s greatness – now could be the time. “GNX” has a far more modern West Coast vibe and is certainly more for his die-hard fans than anyone who just began gaining attention due to his beef with Drake. Maybe that was the purpose; possibly not.
Either way, I can imagine that folks whose favorite lines are “OV-Ho” won’t be immediately thrilled. I wasn’t immediately blown away (though very amused by how sensitive Kendrick is to what people say about him on social media, well, everyone), but as is all the time the case with Kendrick albums, repeated listens are likely to correct any immediate monotony that I even have about his projects. For example, now that I’ve listened to it just a few times, I can not wait to listen to black college bands playing “tv off” style, which seems like a cousin of “Not Like Us.” The Shoot, Bayou Classic, which also takes place yearly in New Orleans on Thanksgiving Day, stands out as the first time we hear a band playing “TV off.”
Since the album didn’t come out long enough to be reviewed, group chats and social media were abuzz with immediate reactions. This is the a part of music releases I really like, where everyone seems to be listening to the identical thing, offering premature takes that will not even delay the following day. I’m not different; I’m sure I’ll say something about this album that can sound silly by Monday. Shoot, I can have already done it. But that is what happens when great artists release music. We spend time with others after which we refer to them, analyze them, criticize them, praise them, destroy them and let all our prejudices fly free. Love it.
It’s value noting that certainly one of Drake’s diss tracks that did not appear during last summer’s fracas was titled “The Heart Part 6,” and was an apparent try to usurp Kendrick’s pre-album practice of removing a non-album song titled “The Heart.” Well, Kendrick has a song on his recent album called, you guessed it, “The Heart, Pt. 6,” which I feel will probably be released soon Drake. Good job, Kenny.
Argue.
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