Ashley T. Johnson Makes History as First Black Woman to Lead St. Louis FBI Field Office
She’s also the first-ever woman! FBI Director Christopher Wray has named Ashley T. Johnson the lead special agent in charge of the St. Louis FBI Field Office, Black Enterprise reports. This is a historic appointment, and Johnson now makes history as the first woman and the first Black woman ever to hold the title. Johnson […]
Spelman College Rename Performing Arts Center in Honor of Samuel L. Jackson & Wife LaTanya Richardson Jackson
It’s a full-circle moment for the SpelHouse alum! LaTanya Richardson Jackson and her husband, Samuel L. Jackson, met as students at Spelman and Morehouse College. It was the beginning of a love story that has lasted more than four decades and the genesis of a powerhouse that would forever transform the entertainment industry. Last week, […]
Missy Elliott & Queen Latifah Make History as First Rappers to Receive National Medal of Arts
We couldn’t think of two more deserving artists! Last week, President Joe Biden awarded 39 artists with the National Medals of Arts and Humanities, Rolling Stone reports. An annual celebration of the best and brightest artists, this year was historic, with Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah becoming the first rappers ever to receive the prestigious […]
Dwyane Wade Becomes First NBA Player in Miami Heat History to Have a Statue Outside the Arena
Wade was involved every step of the way! This past weekend, the Miami Heat honored Dwyane Wade with an eight-foot statue in his honor, CNN reports. The three-time NBA champion now makes history as the first NBA player in the franchise’s 37-year history to have a statue outside of the Kaseya Center in Biscayne Bay. […]
Kahlana Barfield Brown to Release New Nike Sneakers in Honor of HBCU Homecoming Season
Just in time to run the yard! In 2020, Nike announced its #Yardrunners initiative, which aimed to honor HBCU alumni who “ran the yard” and made a notable impact. Since then, the initiative has continued through the release of various HBCU-themed collections annually, including sneakers and apparel that pay homage to historically Black colleges and […]
Civil War Era Politician Robert Smalls Becomes First African American to Receive Monument in South Carolina
An honor for a true hero! Robert Smalls was born enslaved in 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina, AP News reports. A freedom fighter, Smalls is best known for disguising himself in Confederate clothes during the war to steal a slaveholder’s ship and sail his family and at least a dozen others to freedom during the […]
Black-Owned Baltimore Barbershop Owner Celebrates Historic 100th-Year Anniversary
A true pillar in the community! Julius Warren Sr. opened Warren’s Barbershop in Baltimore in 1924, Black Enterprise reports. The senior Warren began cutting hair while working as a carpenter in South Carolina, The Baltimore Banner reports. Back then, he built barns and cut hair at night. After moving to Baltimore and quitting his job […]
14-Year-Old Makes History as Youngest Student at Coppin State University
Now, this is an accomplishment! West Muhammad has always been a gifted child. He started reading at just 3 years old and entered the first grade when he was 4 years old. For years, he has been ahead of the curve, getting accustomed to being the youngest in his classes. “Even at school, I remember […]
ATL Real Estate Developer to Open Second Micro Community Featuring a Coffee Shop & Tech Lab
He’s making home ownership more affordable! Booker Washington is a Southwest Atlanta native who has made quite the name for himself in real estate. After developing millions in real estate assets, Washington said he began noticing a trend, home ownership was becoming increasingly unattainable for the everyday person, with Black home ownership even more out […]
Victoria Monét to Release New Lyrical Children’s Picture Book Inspired by Daughter Hazel
This is so sweet! Victoria Monét is a rising singer and songwriter whose 2023 breakout album Jaguars II has made her a household name. A once in a generation type of talent Monét is now dabbling into the world as an author, set to release a debut children’s book inspired by her daughter Hazel, People […]