• News

by Kandiss Edwards

February 8, 2026

15 Percent Pledge To Honor Tina Knowles At 2026 Gala Celebrating Black-Owned Businesses

The event will feature honorees, music, food, and programming focused on entrepreneurship and community building.

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Designer Aurora James and her organization Fifteen Percent Pledge will will honor Tina Knowles and Black business owners at the 2026 gala and block party.

The Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala and 15th Street Block Party will celebrate achievements by Black-owned brands and highlight economic inclusion, Forbes reported. The event will feature honorees, music, food, and programming focused on entrepreneurship and community building. Tina Knowles will be the night’s honoree and notable celebrities Kelly Rowland and Law Roach will be in attendance.  

Aurora James, the founder of the 15 Percent Pledge, spoke of Knowles’ commitment to uplifting and supporting Black-owned businesses specifically Black-woman-owned businesses.

“She’s done a fantastic job of centering black women for the entirety of her career. She has consistently believed in that representation from day one and has been a strong advocate for Black-owned businesses for years,” James told Forbes.

The gala and block party taking place Feb. 7-8 in Los Angeles serves as a platform to spotlight the economic power and cultural impact of Black-owned businesses. The event is expected to draw entrepreneurs, corporate partners, investors and community advocates who have engaged with the Fifteen Percent Pledge mission since its founding. CNN political anchor will host the third annual gala.

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James, a fashion designer and founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge platform, created the initiative in 2020. The pledge encourages major retailers and corporations to commit 15 percent of their shelf space to products from Black-owned businesses. Fifteen Percent Pledge has since expanded to track corporate spending commitments, research economic impact and provide resources for supplier diversity.

The Fifteen Percent Pledge remains active in tracking corporations’ progress toward supplier diversity commitments and that the gala offers an opportunity to showcase successes as well as ongoing challenges in expanding economic inclusion for Black entrepreneurs.

RELATED CONTENT: Full Circle Strategies CEO And Win With Black Women Founder Jotaka Eaddy To Receive Luminary Award At 2026 Women Of Power Summit

• Sports

by Mary Spiller

February 7, 2026

Charles Woodson Steps Away From Browns Ownership Bid, Pours Into Liquor Empire Instead

The Hall of Famer says NFL restrictions would have required him to remove his name from wine and whiskey businesses.

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson has backed out of a previously announced plan to purchase a minority stake in the Cleveland Browns, citing conflicts between NFL ownership rules and his growing wine and spirits business.

Woodson, a former All-Pro defensive back, told Front Office Sports that he ultimately chose not to proceed with acquiring a 0.1% ownership share in the franchise because league policies would have forced him to separate his name from his wine and whiskey brands.

“I thought I was going to be a proud owner of the Browns but it wasn’t able to happen because I wasn’t able to take my name off of my product,” Woodson said. “It’s what made the product. It’s how I started so I wasn’t able to do that.”

The deal appeared to be well underway last spring, when the Browns announced in May that Woodson had received league approval as a minority investor and praised the perspective he would bring to the ownership group. Based on the team’s estimated valuation at the time—between $4 billion and $6.4 billion—the stake would have been worth roughly $4 million to $6 million.

However, Front Office Sports reported that NFL regulations prohibit team owners from advertising alcohol, a rule that directly conflicted with Woodson’s business ventures, including “Charles Woodson’s Intercept Wines” and “Woodson Whiskey.” Despite the restriction, Woodson’s wine has previously been served at Las Vegas Raiders games, underscoring the unusual tension between league policy and his brand.

In the end, Woodson chose to retain full control of his companies rather than finalize the Browns investment. The team confirmed the split in a brief statement to Front Office Sports, saying, “We respect the decision by Charles and wish him well.”

Although Woodson never played for Cleveland during his NFL career, he is an Ohio native and reportedly built a strong rapport with Browns owner Jimmy Haslam in 2024. Without an ownership role to pursue, Woodson plans to continue his post-playing career as an NFL broadcaster while expanding his footprint in the spirits industry.

Woodson said he and his team are focused on refining the presentation of Intercept Wines, including a refreshed bottle design.

“For the wine, one of the major changes that we’ve made is the packaging and look of our bottles,” he explained. “We wanted to make it more uniform and appealing to the eye… a little bit more eye-popping.”

An NFL spokesperson previously clarified the policy to Front Office Sports, stating, “The league’s policy prohibits any owner, regardless of the amount of ownership, to use his or her name, image, and likeness for promotional purposes.”

For Woodson, a Heisman Trophy winner, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Famer, the decision came down to protecting the identity he built beyond football—even if it meant walking away from an NFL ownership opportunity.

RELATED CONTENT: Former Raiders Player Charles Woodson Becomes First Former NFL Player To Partner With NFL Team As Spirits Sponsor

• Sports

by Mary Spiller

February 7, 2026

Stefon Diggs Hit With Civil Lawsuit Tied To Alleged Ferrari Theft Just Before Super Bowl

A former associate accused the Patriots wide receiver and his brothers of defamation and involvement in alleged assaults.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been hit with another lawsuit just weeks ahead of Super Bowl 2026, with a former associate accusing the star player of defamation and other serious civil offenses connected to a stolen luxury vehicle.

According to court records reviewed by The New York Post, the lawsuit was filed Feb. 3 in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The plaintiff, who claims he previously worked for Diggs, alleges that the dispute stems from the disappearance of Diggs’ Ferrari roughly two years ago. The complaint lists several causes of action, including defamation, civil conspiracy, vicarious liability, ratification, and aiding and abetting assault and battery.

Diggs’ brothers — Green Bay Packers cornerback Trevon Diggs and former college defensive back Darez Marsean Diggs — are also named as defendants.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff claims that in July 2024, Diggs asked him to coordinate the transportation of the Ferrari from Miami to New York and later to Houston. The vehicle was allegedly stolen once it reached Texas. While law enforcement reportedly concluded the theft was carried out by an unrelated third party, the plaintiff alleges Diggs began telling mutual contacts that he was responsible for the car’s disappearance.

The complaint states that tensions escalated over the following months, leading to multiple confrontations involving individuals close to Diggs. The plaintiff alleges that in January 2025, Diggs sent him a text message saying he was “responsible and accountable for all actions of those around me.”

The lawsuit further claims that members of Diggs’ inner circle approached the plaintiff at restaurants in Houston and Miami, appeared at his home, and demanded the return of gifts previously given to him by the receiver.

According to court documents, the situation reached a breaking point in December 2025 during an incident at a Miami nightclub. The plaintiff alleges that two people associated with Diggs physically assaulted him, while Trevon Diggs allegedly witnessed the altercation.

Court filings state that the man “sustained serious and permanent physical injuries,” including a torn ACL, a partially torn MCL, and facial injuries. He is seeking damages exceeding $100,000 and has requested that the case be tried as a libel and slander action.
Representatives for Stefon Diggs, Trevon Diggs, and a former attorney for the Patriots wideout did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The lawsuit comes amid other legal scrutiny for Diggs. In December 2025, he was accused of assaulting a personal chef at his Massachusetts home and was charged with strangulation or suffocation. Diggs has publicly denied those allegations.

RELATED CONTENT: Postseason Postponement: Stefon Diggs’ Arraignment Delayed Until After Super Bowl

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

February 7, 2026

‘Play With Your Mother’: Viral Push Sends Michelle Obama’s ‘Becoming’ Up Netflix Charts, Followed By Reclassification And Boycott Threats

Shortly after “Becoming” made it to no. 6 on the Most Watched list, it was removed.

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Michelle Obama’s 2018 Netflix documentary, “Becoming,” drew a surge in viewership as viewers protest Melania Trump’s documentary “Melania.”

Obama’s documentary has seen a uptick of 13,000% according to People. “Becoming” has reentered Netflix’s top ten most watched movies. The documentary film outpaced the premiere weekend numbers for the current First Lady’s much-roasted theatrical release “Melania.” The effort to overshadow Melania’s opening weekend seemingly began on social media. A user on X suggested that it “would be funny” if anti-Trump or Pro-Obama viewers took part in a sweeping effort to embarrass the sitting president and his wife. 

@nathancjun wrote: “It would be funny (aka: awesome) if we could collectively all make ‘Becoming’”’ the Michelle Obama documentary number one on Netflix the same weekend Melanie tanks at the box office.”

TikTok user @stevevonandbritt spread the word on the platform, garnering over 300,000 likes and 1.5 million views on her call to action.

While the power of the people prevailed and the documentary reentered the top ten viewers noticed Netflix seemingly attempted to thwart the effort. Shortly after “Becoming” made it to no. 6 on the list, it was removed. Somehow, Michelle’s film ranked on the “Most Watched Kids” movies. Many users took notice and levied threats of subscription cancellation if the documentary was not returned to its proper position. 

@stevevonandbrit captioned her followup post: “are ya’ll cool? Stop this BS and put the movie back on the top 10 movies list! Everyone keep watching Becoming until it hits NUMBER 1and make sure Netflix continues to see us.”

@jaimemoss3 took the online outrage straight to Netflix by calling the customer service number to make her grievances heard. She urged others to do the same. 

She captioned her post: “Play with your mother. You only have a couple of hours to put the movie back in its proper category.”

It appears the internet outcry is working as the movie has returned to its proper category and is now labeled one of platform’s Most Liked films. However, many social media users have documented cancelling their subscriptions.

RELATED CONTENT: Sage Steele Tells Michelle Obama To ‘Shut Up’ About Black Women’s Hair

• News

by Kandiss Edwards

February 7, 2026

Hakeem Jeffries Says It’s ‘F**K Donald Trump’ All Day Every Day

The Democratic House leader let his displeasure be known after Trump's social media team posted a blatantly racist image of former President Obama and First Lady Michelle depicted as apes.

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Minority House Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is fed up with the Trump administration’s theatrics and racism, and he’s being vocal about his displeasure.

On Feb. 6, the Democratic House leader let his displeasure be known after Trump’s social media team posted a blatantly racist image of President Obama and First Lady Michelle depicted as apes.

In a video on X, Jeffries said, “F*** Donald Trump.” In no uncertain terms, he condemned what he described as an intentional act by the president to denigrate the former First Family. Jeffries rejected the White House’s claim that the video was shared in error by a staffer. He urged Republican leaders to denounce Trump, whom he called a “serial fraudster” unfit for the presidency.

“This disgusting video posted by the so-called president was intentionally done F Donald Trump and his vile, racist, and malignant behavior. This guy is an unhinged bottom-feeder. President Obama and Michelle Obama are brilliant, caring, and patriotic Americans. They represent the best of this country. It’s time for John, through Mike Johnson and Republicans, to denounce the serial fraudster who’s sitting at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. pretending to be the president of the United States.”

The brief but provocative video was posted on Trump’s Truth Social account late Feb. 5 and remained online for approximately 12 hours before being removed amid mounting criticism, Axios reported. A White House official later said the clip had been posted mistakenly by a staff member. 

The vile imagery sparked backlash on both sides of the aisle. Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina called it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Scott a Black republican, who usually falls in line with conservatives, urged Trump to delete the post. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi also called for the video’s removal and an apology. 

Democrats, including Jeffries, described the video as racist and offensive. The timing of the post, coming during Black History Month, intensified reactions as the imagery evoked historically racist tropes. Republicans and Democrats alike said the content was unacceptable, though some GOP lawmakers found a way to absolve Trump’s responsibility for the blatant disrespect.

Jeffries’ remarks seemingly marks a turning point by democrats who largely maintain decorum in the face of republican dog whistles.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Melania’ Trump’s Documentary Is Down Bad With Single Digit Rotten Tomatoes Rating

• Celebrity News

by Mary Spiller

February 7, 2026

Lil Jon’s Son DJ Young Slade Found Dead In Georgia Pond After Days-Long Search

Authorities say no foul play is suspected in the death of Nathan Smith, 27, who was reported missing earlier this week.

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The body of Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper and producer Lil Jon, was discovered Feb. 6 in a pond near his home in Georgia, just days after he was reported missing, according to law enforcement officials and statements from his family.

Smith, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade, was last seen early morning on Feb. 3 in the Milton, Georgia area, about 30 miles north of Atlanta. The Milton Police Department said he was reported missing after leaving his home abruptly without his phone. At the time, authorities warned that he “may be disoriented and in need of assistance.”

After several days of searching, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from a pond near Smith’s residence shortly before noon on Friday. Police later said the individual found is believed to be Smith, pending official confirmation.

As reported by the New York Times, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office will formally identify the body and determine the cause of death. As of Friday evening, the office had not released further details.

Investigators said Smith left his home earlier in the week “under unusual circumstances,” prompting a coordinated search involving multiple agencies. In the final stages of the effort, authorities expanded the search area to include a pond located in Mayfield Park, just a short distance from where Smith was last seen.

Police said there were no immediate signs of foul play connected to his death.

Smith was the only child of Lil Jon, the Grammy Award-winning artist credited with pioneering the Crunk subgenre of Southern Hip-Hop, which dominated airwaves in the early and mid-2000s. Lil Jon is known for hits such as “Get Low,” “Yeah!” with Usher, and “Turn Down for What” alongside DJ Snake.

In an emotional social media post shared Friday, Lil Jon said he and his ex-wife, Nicole Smith, were devastated by the loss of their son. He described Nathan as “the kindest human being you would ever meet” and “an amazingly talented young man.”

According to his father, Smith was an accomplished music producer, artist, and audio engineer who graduated from New York University.

“He was loved and appreciated,” Lil Jon wrote, adding that the family found comfort in knowing that “in our last times together, we expressed that very sentiment to him.”

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as they await final results from the medical examiner.

RELATED CONTENT: Lil Jon’s Son, DJ Young Slade, Has Been Reported Missing

• Sports

by Kandiss Edwards

February 7, 2026

Bill Greason Becomes Last Living Negro Leagues Player After Death of Ron ‘Schoolboy’ Teasley

Greason grew up in Atlanta and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

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Bill Greason is now recognized as the last living player from the Negro Leagues era after the passing of Ron “Schoolboy” Teasley.

Teasley passed away Feb. 3, making Gleason, 101, the last surviving person who played in what is recognized as the Negro Leagues era. The Negro League lasted from 1920 until 1948 before the Negro National League dissolved. Greason grew up in Atlanta. and served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He participated in the historic Battle of Iwo Jima. After the war, he spent more than a decade as a professional baseball player despite having no formal training, starting his career in the Negro Leagues and later playing in organized baseball, MLB reported.

During his Negro League career, Greason pitched for teams including the Atlanta Black Crackers, Nashville Cubs, and Asheville Blues from 1946 to 1948, and then for the Birmingham Black Barons. Though Greason lived during a time when hostility towards Black people was the norm, he was not deterred. A hardened soldier and proud Black man, Greason refused to let hatred steer him from his path and passion. In an interview with Fox Sports, he discussed how he drowned out the noise and walked in faith. 

“We didn’t allow segregation to stop us from playing, from using our talents and gifts for what we were there for. It was a tremendous blessing to have a gift from God to be recognized as such.”

Once the Negro league was dismantled, Greason became the first Black pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1954. However, he only took the field for the MLB team 3-times. After his playing career, he spent decades as a pastor and civil rights advocate in Birmingham, Alabama.

Seventy-six years after his Negro League debut, Greason was honored at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, where he threw out a ceremonial first pitch at an MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.

Reflecting on the moment with Fox Sports, he said, “I have many memories of this place, because we were the only team that played here other than the white team. It was a pleasure to be a part of such an experience that we had here.”

RELATED CONTENT: ATL’s Big Boi And Jermaine Dupri Welcome The MLB All-Star Celebrity Game To The City

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Mary Spiller

February 7, 2026

Federal Appeals Court Clears Path For Trump Administration To Enforce DEI Restrictions

The Fourth Circuit lifted the lower court block on executive orders targeting diversity programs at federal agencies and government contractors.

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A federal appeals court on Jan. 6 ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing it to move forward with executive orders aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies and among businesses that receive government contracts.

In a decision issued by a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, the court overturned a lower court injunction that had temporarily halted enforcement of the policies. The ruling clears the way for President Donald Trump’s administration to implement directives signed shortly after he returned to office that seek to eliminate DEI programming in both the public sector and parts of the private sector tied to federal funding.

The appeals court had already paused the injunction in March 2025 at the government’s request while it reviewed the case. That injunction was originally issued by U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore, who had sided with a group of plaintiffs challenging Trump’s presidential orders.

Those plaintiffs included the city of Baltimore, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the American Association of University Professors. Their lawsuit argued that the executive orders unlawfully targeted DEI efforts by directing federal agencies to dismantle such programs, requiring contractors and grant recipients to certify that they do not operate DEI initiatives, and instructing agencies to coordinate with the Justice Department to deter and investigate organizations that implement such policies.

Judge Abelson previously found that the directives were likely unconstitutional, concluding they infringed on free speech protections under the First Amendment and relied on vague standards that could violate Fifth Amendment due process rights.

However, writing for the appellate panel, U.S. Circuit Judge Albert Diaz rejected that reasoning. Diaz said the DEI executive orders themselves could not be broadly challenged in court, but could instead be contested later based on how they are enforced against specific grant recipients or contractors.

“President Trump has decided that equity isn’t a priority in his administration and so has directed his subordinates to terminate funding that supports equity-related projects to the maximum extent allowed by law,” Diaz wrote. “Whether that’s sound policy or not isn’t our call.”

Diaz, an appointee of former Democratic President Barack Obama, also issued a separate concurring opinion expressing unease with the outcome. He described the record as suggesting a “sinister story” in which programs were eliminated based on keyword searches rather than substantive review.

“For those disappointed by the outcome, I say this: Follow the law,” Diaz wrote. “Continue your critical work. Keep the faith. And depend on the Constitution, which remains a beacon amid the tumult.”

Democracy Forward, the progressive legal organization representing the plaintiffs, said it is reviewing the ruling and considering next steps. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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• Sports

by Mary Spiller

February 7, 2026

Floyd Mayweather Sued By Former Landlords Over Alleged $330K In Unpaid Rent

Owners of a luxury Baccarat Hotel residence claim the boxing star defaulted on a six-figure monthly lease and failed to meet a settlement agreement.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. is facing a breach-of-contract lawsuit from the owners of a luxury Manhattan apartment who allege the retired boxing champion failed to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent and related costs before vacating the property late last year.

According to a filing in New York State court, a company connected to the high-end unit claims Mayweather owes more than $330,000 in unpaid rent, interest and additional damages. The lawsuit, reported by The New York Post, centers on Mayweather’s former rental at the Baccarat Hotel and Residences in Midtown Manhattan.

The duplex apartment, owned by Miami-based entrepreneurs Leila and David Centner, was leased to Mayweather in 2024 for a reported $100,000 per month. Court documents allege that Mayweather stopped making payments in mid-2025, despite continuing to occupy the property for several months.

The residence spans the 18th and 19th floors of the glass-fronted tower at 28 West 53rd St. and includes five bedrooms and five bathrooms, along with a large wraparound balcony measuring roughly 4,000 square feet.

According to the lawsuit, the undefeated former champion fell behind on rent beginning in July and ultimately accumulated more than $515,000 in back rent and other damages. The filing states that Mayweather later agreed to a settlement that would have cleared the outstanding balance by early December. However, the landlords allege he failed to follow through on the agreement.
Instead, Mayweather reportedly paid only one month out of the five months owed under the settlement terms, according to Rena Kliot of Pulse International Realty, who is associated with the property. As a result, the plaintiffs claim Mayweather still owes $337,736, in addition to interest, legal fees, and other costs tied to the dispute.

Mayweather vacated the apartment in December, Kliot said. The unit is now vacant and being restaged ahead of a planned re-listing this spring. The owners are expected to either put the property on the market for between $22 million and $24 million or offer it again as a rental at approximately $150,000 per month.

Mayweather vacated the apartment in December 2025, Kliot said. The unit is now vacant and being restaged in preparation for a planned re-listing this spring. The owners are expected to either put the property on the market for between $22 million and $24 million or offer it again as a rental at approximately $150,000 per month.

Despite those reports, Mayweather has expanded his presence in real estate in recent years, including launching a real estate firm in 2024 and acquiring a minority stake in a New York-based property portfolio valued at $402 million.

Marc Scolnick of Scolnick Law, who represents the plaintiffs, declined to comment further on the case.

RELATED CONTENT: Floyd Mayweather Sues Showtime For $340M

• Celebrity News

by Kandiss Edwards

February 7, 2026

Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson To Show Up In Support Of The Colgate Women’s Games

Organizers encourage supporters to share coverage of the 50th anniversary event using the hashtag #CWG50 to help amplify awareness. 

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Colgate Women’s Games is marking its 50th anniversary this season and will stream its closing events live on Feb 7 at 10:45 a.m EST.

The nation’s longest-running indoor track and field series dedicated to girls and young women celebrates its 5-decade run with some of the biggest names in sports. This anniversary season includes expanded partnerships with Girls on the Run NYC and PowerPlay NYC, along with continued support from the Armory Foundation, which hosts the indoor competition. Event leaders say those collaborations are designed to strengthen access to sports and mentorship for girls across New York City, particularly in underserved communities. 

This anniversary season includes expanded partnerships with Girls on the Run NYC and PowerPlay NYC, along with continued support from the Armory Foundation, which hosts the indoor competition. Event leaders say those collaborations are designed to give underserved young girls greater access to track and field sports.

According to Colgate-Palmolive and event organizers, the Colgate Women’s Games has helped launch the careers of many Olympic athletes. Olympic gold medalist sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson and Olympic silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad are just a few. While boasting its connection to superstar talent, the Colgate Women’s Games has also supported thousands of participants who later left sports to pursue other careers.

Dedicated to more than just sports, the organization takes its larger mission to support women and young girls seriously. In a press release, organizers said the series awards more than 100 educational scholarships each season, reinforcing its long-standing focus on academic opportunity alongside athletic achievement.

Viewing Schedule:

• 11:00 a.m. ET – Opening Ceremony begins
• 11:45 a.m. – First competition begins
• 12:45 p.m. – First trophy to be awarded

Several Olympians who once competed in the Colgate Women’s Games will return in-person for the anniversary celebration. Richardson, Muhammad, Ajeé Wilson, and Natasha Hastings will be in attendance to pay homage to an institution that hosted them early on in their respective careers.

In remarks shared ahead of the event, Colgate Women’s Games leadership described the series as “the starting line” for generations of girls who have gone on to lead both on and off the track. 

Organizers encourage supporters to share coverage of the 50th anniversary event using the hashtag #CWG50 to help amplify awareness. 

RELATED CONTENT: Sha’Carri Richardson Apologizes To Track Star Boyfriend After Domestic Altercation At Airport