A’ja Wilson Becomes First Player in WNBA History to Score 30 Points and Grab 20 Rebounds in a Game
She’s adding another first to her name! During Sunday night’s Las Vegas Aces game against the Connecticut Sun, reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson made history as the first player in league history to record what’s called a 30-20 double-double, scoring at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in the same game. Wilson dropped 32 points […]
The Only All-Black Boys Gymnastics Academy in the U.S. Is at Risk of Closing. Here’s How To Help
In Clayton County, Georgia, James Jones saw a gap in the gymnastics world and decided to flip it. In 2019, he founded the James Jones Gymnastics Academy (JJGA) to give Black boys access to affordable gymnastics, something he didn’t have growing up. Since then, over 600 boys have come through his program, many training for free or at low cost.
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden Becomes First Woman Since 2003 to Win 100m and 200m at U.S. Nationals
At just 24 years old, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden sprinted her way into history this summer at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. She won both the 100-meter and 200-meter races, running a personal-best 10.65 seconds in the 100m—the fastest time in the world this year and the fifth-fastest ever—and a personal-best 21.84 seconds in the 200m. By capturing both titles, Jefferson-Wooden became the first woman since 2003 to sweep the sprint double at the national championships, a rare feat that puts her among the elite in American track and field.
Taylor Townsend Becomes First Mother to Reach No. 1 in Women’s Doubles Tennis
In just her third full season back on the court since giving birth to her son, Taylor Townsend reached the final of the WTA 500 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. alongside her partner Shuai Zhang. At 29 years old, the Chicago native officially became the first mother in women’s tennis to ever earn the WTA World No. 1 Doubles ranking. A full-circle win for a player who once held the title of junior world No. 1 over a decade ago.
Bubba Wallace Becomes First Black Driver to Win the Brickyard 400, ending a 100-Race Drought
He is rewriting what is possible on motor racing’s biggest stage! At Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bubba Wallace guided the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing across the famed Yard of Bricks to capture the Brickyard 400, making history as the first Black driver ever to win on the legendary 2.5-mile oval. The milestone victory came […]
Venus Williams Becomes Second Oldest Woman to Win WTA Singles Match
At the DC Open on Tuesday, Venus Williams defeated 23-year-old Peyton Stearns in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4—marking her first singles win in nearly two years and making history in the process. At 45 years old, the tennis legend became the oldest woman to win a WTA Tour singles match since 2004, when Martina Navratilova earned a win at 47.
Former Little League Star Mo’ne Davis to Compete in Women’s Pro Baseball Tryouts
At just 13 years old, Mo’ne Davis broke barriers pitching in the 2014 Little League World Series, becoming the first girl to win a game and throw a shutout in the competition. Now, at 24, Davis is stepping up once again. She will be among hundreds of players trying out for the Women’s Professional Baseball League in Washington, D.C. later this month.
BOTWC’s Starting 5: Power, Presence, and Playmakers of WNBA All-Star Weekend
These five women are more than All Stars, they’re the embodiment of Black excellence on and off the court. From game changing rookies to seasoned vets, they carry the legacy of those who paved the way while creating space for the next generation. They remind us that when we show up fully—on the court, in the boardroom, in the community—we change the game.
Russell Westbrook Honors NBA Icon Oscar Robertson With Arthur Ashe Award at the ESPYS
At this year’s ESPY Awards, NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, presented by Russell Westbrook, for his pivotal role in establishing free agency in the NBA. As president of the NBA Players Association from 1965 to 1974, Robertson led a landmark antitrust lawsuit that forever changed the league’s rules, and players’ futures.
HBCU Prospects and Atlanta Culture Took Center Stage at MLB All-Star Weekend
During MLB All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, Black excellence was front and center. From the ballpark to the block, it was a celebration of HBCU talent, cultural legacy, and Atlanta’s undeniable influence on sports and style.