DeVon Franklin has a surprising woman on his arm.

The film producer, creator and minister appeared together with his recent girlfriend on the Merge Awards ceremony in early November, awarded to individuals who successfully mix faith with work within the entertainment industry. While talking to Brand Jasmine on the carpet, Franklin had coach Maria Castillo by his side. When asked if she can be his date for the evening, he went one step further.

“Is this my date? Absolutely. That’s my girl,” Franklin said. Impressed, the reporter then asked why it was so important to communicate clearly and “talk life” when you talk about the people in your life. He emphasized that calling her a “date” would mean she’s just a short lived presence in his life, but she’s way more than that.

“It’s critical. Sometimes you say “date” and it’s like “oh yeah, great, but that means a while.” When I say she’s my girl, I say it’s a commitment,” he said. “I think it’s very important when we commit to not getting in the way of verbalizing it, vocalizing it, especially in relationships. Because there are so many forces that can cause division and insecurity, it is critical that we communicate and clearly articulate our commitments.”

However, the awards ceremony was not their red carpet debut. In October, a few month after rumors began that they were dating, they went to The Pink Awards at The House of Hope Atlanta. They also looked great together on the event, which honors breast cancer survivors, their supporters and more.

Castillo is a preferred trainer for celebrities equivalent to Angela Simmons. She is understood for her Flawed & FIT program and has over 125,000 followers on Instagram. It comes from the Dominican Republic.

The last person Franklin was publicly related to was his ex-wife Meagan Good. He was married to the actress from 2012 until they announced their split in 2021. Shortly after the divorce was finalized, Good began dating actor Jonathan Majors. Earlier this 12 months, Franklin said that while the divorce had temporarily shaken up his belief system, he still had love for the actress and all the time would.

“Love is eternal. That’s why my love for her doesn’t end with marriage,” he told Nick Cannon. “My commitment to her well-being remains intact.”

But he also had no problem being honest and admitting how needed it was for him to confront the pain he felt after the top of their relationship. Doing this job gave him a positive perspective on things.

“I would not say it didn’t work. I would not say it didn’t work out,” Franklin said of their then-surprising ending. “Because perhaps he did exactly what he was attempting to do. This was also a perspective I needed to learn as I went through my recovery process.

Perhaps every thing happened that led them to the people they’re each with now. Either way, we’re glad each parties are moving on and finding love again.

Lena Waithe doesn’t just aim to entertain together with her latest project – she’s keen to create real connection, each public and deeply meaningful, about legacy and impact. With his recent podcast The Emmy-winning creator invites listeners into intimate conversations with the most influential women of color in the industry. “These aren’t just interviews,” he says. “These are conversations – you get a chance to listen to two black women really having fun and having a dialogue.”

Produced by Hillman, graduatethe series delves into the journeys of iconic characters akin to Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jada Pinkett Smith and Debbie Allen. For Waithe, these guests are greater than just celebrities; these are individuals who had a huge effect on her life. “These are all women I know and are currently in the community with,” she explains. “But before I met them, I watched them, admired their work and was inspired by it.”

This program is greater than only a profession retrospective; is a tribute to the creativity and resilience that fuel these extraordinary women. The series offers listeners insight beyond industry insights, allowing them to attach with these women’s life journeys and understand how their experiences shape their artistry.

Preparing for every episode required Waithe to deeply immerse herself in her guests’ work. For example, before her session with Jada Pinkett, Smith revisited movies like , and others, discovering recent perspectives and ideas for conversation. “I can’t talk about everything because each podcast would be 10 hours long,” Waithe states. “But I really wanted to focus on a few projects where I felt like there was a theme or something unique that was worth exploring.”

During a one-on-one conversation with Jada, Waithe mentioned one of her co-stars, prompting an emotional response that surprised each women. “You never know what recalling a memory will bring to someone,” he reflects. This moment captures the essence of the series – it’s about reaching out to individual stories and witnessing the stories that bring them to life, each for the speaker and the listener.

A partnership between Hillman Grad and Lemonade media went easily, and each teams were committed to amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling. Waithe expresses her appreciation for the network, saying, “They’ve been great at finding brands and companies that make sense to me and what these conversations are really about.” This collaboration reinforces the series’ goal of preserving narratives and wisdom often missed by mainstream platforms.

The podcast celebrates the power of dialogue and the value of mentorship. Waithe anticipates that listeners across generations will feel inspired by this exchange and encourages them to succeed in out to their mentors, even in the event that they will not be recorded. “I hope to inspire people to talk to each other,” he says.

For Waithe, it’s a reminder that connecting with our inner selves allows us to create from a spot of authenticity. She hopes her listeners can even absorb this data. “It’s not just career advice — it’s their stories,” he says. The journeys of these extraordinary women are closely linked to their creative work, showing that legacy isn’t about fame; it’s about the memories we make and the lives we touch along the way.

The game has just modified for young women in sports.

adidas Basketball is investing its money – and its name – in the event of young Black female athletes, making a mark first-ever highschool partnership NIL (name, image and likeness) with sophomore sensation Kaleena Smith.

The announcement is a strong statement under the leadership of WNBA legend Candace Parker, who serves as president of adidas Women’s Basketball. “When I started in my role, I wanted to take an innovative approach to the way we connect with the best players in the game and support them in their pursuit of excellence on and off the field,” Parker shared within the announcement.

Smith’s resume speaks volumes about why she was chosen to participate on this groundbreaking opportunity. As a top prospect within the 2027 class, she is already making a splash within the basketball world. The Ontario Christian High School standout was named the 2023-2024 Girls Basketball MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year, demonstrating her exceptional talent early in her highschool profession.

But it isn’t nearly her performance on the court. As one among only two freshman captains on Overtime Select last season, Smith demonstrated leadership beyond her years, leading her team in points, assists and steals all of the technique to the championship game. She also earned a coveted spot on the 2024 U.S. Women’s Under-17 National Team, further cementing her status as one among basketball’s most promising young talents.

Since NIL offerings became available to student-athletes, these lucrative partnerships have been largely dominated by college and skilled athletes. adidas Basketball intends to finish by highlighting the abilities of young women. This partnership is greater than just a brand play; it’s a commitment to level the playing field early in the sport and position young women, especially Black women, for a future where they’re celebrated on and off the sector.

Smith joins a formidable list of adidas women’s basketball partners, including WNBA stars Chelsea Gray, Kahleah Copper, Aliyah Boston and Nneka Ogwumike, amongst others. This sisterhood of remarkable athletes represents the brand’s commitment to supporting women’s basketball at every level.

“I’m blessed to be a part of something Candace is creating,” Smith stated, confirming the importance of the moment. Her excitement concerning the collaboration, including the chance to wear Harden sneakers this season, reflects the real enthusiasm of a young athlete able to make her mark in the game.

In a landscape where Black female athletes proceed to struggle for visibility and opportunity, this move by Adidas stands out. The sportswear giant’s decision to support a young Black female athlete reflects its commitment to equality and representation, showing that it is time for young women to profit from the identical highlight often reserved for their male counterparts.

Parker’s vision for the longer term of ladies’s basketball is evident on this strategic move. “When I think about the future of women’s basketball, it is clear that it is in good hands thanks to basketball players like Kaleena,” she said, emphasizing the mixture of excellence on the court and dedication off the court.