Morehouse College became the first historically black college and university (HBCU) to field a polo team
In 2019, Morehouse College became the first historically Black college and university (HBCU) to field a polo team. After discussing the possible matchup for two years, the team recently played against Yale University’s polo team.
According to Yale Daily News, the two teams met on Oct. 11 when the Ivy League school emerged victorious against the fledging HBCU team, 16-15. Organizers hope this is the first of many between the two schools. It was Yale’s first game of the season.
The matchup occurred after college clubs, the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale, other sponsoring organizations, Calaway Swanson (a Yale Polo team senior), and Morehouse Polo President Tyrsten Williams organized the first contest between the teams.
“One of Morehouse polo’s goals is to inspire other HBCUs and people of color to not only play polo … but to be in places that they might want to be in, but may not have the chance to be in,” Williams expressed to Yale Daily News. “So with Yale and Morehouse, I think that was a good opportunity to inspire other people of color to do the same.”
Swanson stated that after two years of talk, the game was organized last month after his mother, Tonit Calaway, suggested that he reach out to Morehouse to arrange the historic match. As the only Black member of Yale’s Polo team, Swanson wanted to help the Morehouse team out. The game occurred at Yale because Swanson wanted the Morehouse players to have “the full experience” at Yale. Tonit and her company, Topcat LLC, sponsored all travel and food expenses for the weekend.
“I think it was a very monumental collaboration for both teams and a very monumental weekend. A lot of good experiences and good connections were made. So, forever grateful for that trip,” Williams told the media outlet.
Yale also held a reception at the Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale, co-hosted by the Black Men’s Union.
Study Reveals HBCU Students Undergo More Hurdles In Gaining Admittance To Medical School
The study, led by Dr. Jasmine Weiss, sought to uncover the issues HBCU scholars face when pursuing their medical degrees.
A new study has revealed that HBCU students face greater challenges than other groups when trying to attend medical school.
The study, led by Dr. Jasmine Weiss, sought to uncover the issues HBCU scholars face when pursuing their medical degrees. Noting the “tedious path” to entering medical school, Weiss spoke directly to advisors to better understand their challenges.
“We wanted to hear directly from advisors working with HBCU students from the time they enter college to understand the struggles and obstacles the students are facing as they navigate the tedious path to medical school,” explained Weiss, who works as an assistant professor of pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine.
Weiss and her co-authors interviewed 26 premedical advisors at HBCUs to provide insight for the qualitative study. The advisors then shared their thoughts on the barriers and facilitators for Black premed students entering medical school.
The conversations led Weiss to discover three major recurring themes. The first was the relationship dynamics between HBCUs and medical schools. Weiss emphasized that schools must consider Black and Brown students’ underrepresentation more.
“There is so much room for PWI medical schools to engage directly with HBCUs and their students if they are serious about attracting and more importantly enrolling the best and brightest students into their respective student bodies; because unfortunately Black and Brown students are still sorely underrepresented in our physician workforce,” Weiss said.
Second, preferential treatment was given to those who attended predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The treatment stemmed from the assessment of clinical shadowing opportunities. Lastly, the emphasis on family and peer involvement, colloquially described as “taking a village,” remains important for students embarking on the journey to becoming doctors.
With only 5.7% of U.S. physicians identifying as Black, the need for more Black doctors remains essential. Incorporating a greater emphasis on Black medical students’ enrollment and successful journey continues to be a focus. Moreover, as nearly 70% of these doctors attended HBCUs, strengthening these relationships should take priority.
“HBCUs are an essential engine in the production of Black physicians in the U.S., by producing a vast number of medical school applicants, and by training physicians,” concluded the study. “By not addressing barriers for undergraduate students at HBCUs, medical schools and the medical field are missing critical opportunities to welcome unique insights into their communities and the field of medicine.”
Jordan Brand Drops Women’s Sneakers, Jordan Heir Series
Nike relied on input from Jordan Brand athletes like Kiki Rice and Kiyomi McMiller
Nike’s Jordan Brand has introduced a new series of women’s sneakers that were inspired, in part, by two of the brand’s premier college athletes, Kiki Rice and Kiyomi McMiller.
The Jordan Heir Series has been unveiled after getting the necessary feedback and input from Jordan Brand athletes like Rice (UCLA guard who was the first Jordan Brand NIL signee) and McMiller (first Jordan Brand high school NIL signee, currently playing at Rutgers University).
Jordan Brand has officially unveiled the Jordan Heir Series, the brand’s new basketball shoe for women 👸 pic.twitter.com/npZvo64fCc
“Understanding that the Heir Series is specifically designed from my insights as well as other women athletes on the roster is really representative of the change that’s going on right now in women’s basketball,” says Rice. “Being able to contribute to the design and feel of this shoe is something I don’t take for granted. I love the aesthetic and think the color blocking lends itself to be a great vehicle for storytelling and advancing the women’s game and basketball overall.”
Jordan Brand took advice from many of the 15 women athletes in the Jordan Brand Family to produce what became the Heir Series. The series is the brand’s lowest shoe in the basketball lineup of sneakers. The design was created to enable the kind of running and cutting that women basketball players of today have become accustomed to, and it ranks as the top priority for a growing number of those who play on the court.
“We’re currently witnessing a pivotal and transformative era for sports, especially women’s sports,” says Rhyne Howard, a Jordan Brand athlete and Atlanta Dream guard. “This shoe allows us to leverage our understanding of how women play to create products that can benefit all athletes and push the entire sports landscape forward.”
The Jordan Brand Heir Series can be purchased globally at jordan.com and select retail locations.
The influx of digital subscription cancellations started to pour in on Oct. 28. While not all cancellations take effect immediately, The Washington Post is scheduled to lose close to 8% of its paid circulation, with approximately 2.5 million subscribers, including print subscribers. Former executive editor Marcus Brauchli says the number might not seem like a lot, but it is, and the team is in the dark as to why the decision was made. “It’s a colossal number,” Brauchli said.
“The problem is, people don’t know why the decision was made. We basically know the decision was made, but we don’t know what led to it.”
Both current and former Washington Post editors have gone back and forth on the real reason.
However, former executive editor Marty Baron raised some issues with that narrative and questioned the timing of the decision, as the race between Harris and former President Donald Trump is neck and neck with Election Day being only seven days away. “If this decision had been made three years ago, two years ago, maybe even a year ago, that would’ve been fine. It’s certainly a reasonable decision,” Baron said.
“But this was made within a couple of weeks of the election, and there was no substantive serious deliberation with the editorial board of the paper. It was clearly made for other reasons, not for reasons of high principle.”
Even Bezos himself acknowledged that the timing wasn’t ideal.
In a nine-paragraph op-ed published in The Post on Oct. 28., the Amazon billionaire admitted some fault.
“I wish we had made the change earlier than we did, in a moment further from the election and the emotions around it,” he wrote. “That was inadequate planning and not some intentional strategy.”
“Presidential endorsements do nothing to tip the scales of an election. No undecided voters in Pennsylvania will say, ‘I’m going with Newspaper A’s endorsement.’ None,” he claims.
“What presidential endorsements actually do is create a perception of bias. A perception of non-independence. Ending them is a principled decision, and it’s the right one.”
Following the announcement, the publication is now in damage control mode. After Bezos’ decision, The Post lost two columnists and two writers from the editorial board — one being David Hoffman, who accepted a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing on Oct. 24. The other writer, Molly Roberts, announced her resignation on X. In the post, she warned what the damage of staying silent on a presidential campaign can do. “Donald Trump is not yet a dictator,” she wrote.
Kai Cenat, Druski, Flau’Jae Johnson: Black Influencers Top Forbes’ 2024 Creators List
Many of these influencers will take part in Forbes' inaugural Creator Upfronts event in late October.
Black influencers are building up their own following within the ever-evolving social media sphere. Many of whom, including Kai Cenat, Druski, and Flau’Jae Johnson, have secured their spot in Forbes Top Creators List of 2024.
Forbes released its extensive ranking of the most engaging content creators on Oct. 28. The influencers are heavyweights in the booming creator economy, garnering millions in checks and views. Across multiple platforms, suchs as TikTok, YouTube, and video-streaming app Twitch, these creators have built a steady following that has led to their massive influence.
The top Black influencers listed are contributing to the nearly $720 million earned thus far from this cohort, while also taking part in the over 2.5 billion following shared amongst them all. Through their expanding business portfolio, engagement rates, and earnings, Black influencers are a smaller, but mighty force within the overall industry.
“This year’s list shows that the creator economy is growing fast––and growing up,” said Steven Bertoni, an Assistant Managing Editor for Forbes. “Creators are harnessing their social influence to evolve from entertainers to entrepreneurs and building their own brands. Others continue to jump from phone screens to mainstream media. And in an industry once built on selfies, many are building streaming studios. The ecosystem will only get bigger and more powerful.”
The highest ranked Black influencer is Khaby Lane, returning to the list to close the top 10. With $20 million in earnings and 255 million followers, the “Charlie Chapman of digital media” has entertained billions with his short-form comedic chops. Right behind him at #11 is Druski, whose has taken skits to new heights with his “Coulda Woulda Shoulda” tour and accompanying Coulda Fest, which sold out Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. His $12 million in earnings also comes from his multiple deals with big companies like Nike, Google, and PrizePicks.
Other influencers are dominating the review and tech space, with Marques Brownlee combining both. With $10 million in earning, and over 32 million followers, the “gadget guru” thinks that consistency paved his way to stardom more than viral videos.
“It was steady growth. I think it’s a good thing that no one video propelled the whole thing,” he explained to the publication that ranked him at #17. ” I think going viral is overrated. It’s the best thing that never happened to me.”
At #24 comes Kai Cenat, known for his antics on Twitch while hosting mega-celebrities like Kevin Hart and Nicki Minaj. Now, the 22-year-old stars in commercials for McDonald’s as he scales up his $8.5 million in earnings and nearly 50 million followers.
However, Black women creators are also claiming their spots as well, as Flau’jae Johnson ranks in at #37. While Johnson shoots hoops at LSU, she still can make a bag through multiple NIL deals and a growing social media presence. With partnerships with Bose and Powerade, the collegiate star has earned $7 million. Not to mention, she raps, and has a record-deal with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.
Other Black women creators include Nara Smith and Monet McMichael, both known for their lifestyle and short-form vlogs. DreaKnowsBest also makes the list at #49. The Nigerian-American teaches others how to find social media success as she did with her comedy skits. Another creator, Jordan The Stallion, has earned his place in the ranking through his viral fast-food recipe reveals.
Many of these influencers will take part in Forbes’ inaugural Creator Upfronts event in late October. The Los Angeles occasion will introduce these creators to wide-ranging brands, while also offering panel discussions on their rise to social media mega-fame.
Transparency, Open Mindedness, And Trust Help Make Family Money Talks Go Smoother
Discussing money can be a hot-button topic in marriage and family relationships.
Difficulty handling cash is often cited as a top reason why married couples squabble and divorces happen. And financial stress can fuel more problems by inciting family clashes, possibly harming interactions between parents and children.
Ballot Boxes Set On Fire Deemed A ‘Direct Attack On American Democracy’
Ballot boxes set on fire in two states are linked, police say.
Ballot boxes in the northwest U.S. were set on fire Monday in linked attacks, according to the FBI.
Authorities are investigating three separate but linked instances of ballot boxes being set on fire in Oregon and Washington, Oregon Live reports. While only three ballots were destroyed in Multnomah County, hundreds were destroyed in a Clark County precinct that hosts a nationally watched congressional race.
The Portland Police Bureau reported that an “incendiary device” was placed inside a sidewalk ballot box in the Central City district. By the time officers arrived, around 3:30 a.m., security personnel in the area had already extinguished the flames.
Auditor Greg Kimsey called the action a “direct attack on American democracy.”
BREAKING: WA & OR drop-off ballot boxes set on fire, unknown number of ballots destroyed. pic.twitter.com/7XAkdzolti
Portland police believe they identified a “suspect vehicle” in the case after security cameras from the Multnomah County Elections Office recorded a Volvo stopping at the drop box shortly before the fire was detected.
“We don’t know the motive behind these acts,” Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan said in the release. “We do know acts like this are targeted and their intentional and we’re concerned about that intentional act trying to impact the election process. We’re dedicated to stopping this kind of behavior.”
Vancouver police arrived to find smoke and flames, along with a “suspicious device” next to the ballot box. The fire was extinguished, and the city’s Metro Explosive Disposal Unit retrieved the device. Kimsey urged anyone who may have dropped off their ballot at the Fisher’s Landing transit center at 164th Avenue in Vancouver after 11 a.m. on Saturday to check the status of their ballot at votewa.gov. They are eligible to receive a replacement ballot.
Meanwhile, ballots in Multnomah County were safe despite the attack. The Multnomah County Elections Division said in a statement that “fire suppressant inside the ballot box protected virtually all the ballots.”
“Voters should be assured that even if their ballots were in the affected box, their votes will be counted,” the statement read.
Authorities have not identified a motive for the incidents, which occur as election officials nationwide report being on high alert. The attacks come one week after several ballots were damaged in Phoenix when a U.S. Postal Service mailbox was set on fire. Police arrested a suspect who admitted to committing arson but claimed the incident was not politically motivated.
Latest Lawsuits Accuse Diddy Of Sexually Assaulting Minors
Two additional lawsuits were filed by men who state they were minors at the time of the alleged sexual assault
Following through on his threat to file multiple lawsuits against Sean “Diddy” Combs, attorney Tony Buzbee has submitted two additional suits by men who stated they were minors at the time of the alleged sexual assault by the entertainment mogul.
According to CNN, the latest paperwork filed against Diddy was done anonymously by two men, one who claimed to be 10-years-old at the time the alleged assaults took place, when the victims auditioned for him. The embattled executive has denied the latest allegations. This civil lawsuit brings the total, thus far, to 27 cases.
In one lawsuit, John Doe claimed he auditioned for Diddy in 2005 at a hotel in New York City. He alleges that the mogul laced his soda with drugs. He states he was forced to perform oral sex on Diddy after resisting him. After losing consciousness, he woke up later in tears with his pants undone and feeling bodily pain in private areas.
In the second filing, the other John Doe stated he was 17 when he showed up for a three-day audition around 2008 for the MTV show Making the Band. He said on the first day of the audition while speaking to Diddy during a one-on-one interview, “Combs asked Plaintiff hypothetical questions about handling situations involving sexual pressure.”
“As Combs described these scenarios, he began to sexually assault Plaintiff by touching Plaintiff both over and under his clothing, including groping and fondling his penis and instructing Plaintiff to undress,” the lawsuit states.
On the second day of auditions, Combs allegedly told the 17-year-old alleged victim that he needed to undress “to demonstrate the ability to embody a ‘sex idol’ persona.”
“This encounter eventually escalated into Combs forcing the Plaintiff to perform oral sex on him, and Combs sodomizing the Plaintiff.”
The very next day, the victim claimed to have been sexually assaulted by not only Diddy but his bodyguard as well.
“As we’ve said before, Mr. Combs cannot respond to every new publicity stunt, even in response to claims that are facially ridiculous or demonstrably false,” Combs’ attorneys said in a written statement, in part.
“Mr. Combs and his legal team have full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone—man or woman, adult or minor.”
Diddy is currently detained on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and is tentatively scheduled for a trial start date in May 2025.
Nigel Xavier Partners With Meta AI To Reimagine College Game-Day Fashion
'I've been able to expand on things I didn't have answers to before,' he tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Nigel Xavier, the rising star in sustainable fashion, has taken the industry by storm with his innovative approach to upcycling. Upcycling is an environmentally friendly approach that combines the ideas of “upgrading” (enhancing value) and “recycling” (repurposing). It involves reimagining waste or discarded items and transforming them into valuable new products.
Best known as the winner of Netflix’s Next in Fashion, Xavier has made a name for himself by blending ’90s and early 2000s pop culture aesthetics with his distinct patchwork designs. His work stands out for its visual appeal and deep-rooted sustainability, a value he holds dear. Now, in collaboration with Meta, Xavier is bringing his style to the world of college football through the “Super Fan” program, where AI meets fashion and fandom.
Xavier’s fashion journey began with a need to express himself differently despite scarce resources. “I wanted to dress differently, but I didn’t have the money to buy clothes,” Xavier explains to BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“So I went into my closet and started reworking everything, bleaching, distressing, dyeing.”
This creative improvisation laid the foundation for his signature style of turning pre-existing garments into original pieces by amplifying their essential details. Studies show that up to 50-80% of this waste can be transformed into new apparel by exploring upcycling methods and utilizing surplus materials.
“I didn’t have much, so I used what I had,” he recalls, “putting multiple pockets or waistbands, exaggerating features that excited me.” This ability to transform what already exists into something entirely new is at the heart of his brand.
As part of the “Super Fan” campaign, Xavier has created a limited-edition University of Texas (UT) sweatsuit explicitly designed for super fans gearing up for game day. By leveraging Meta AI, he has artificial intelligence to enhance his designs.
“I’ve been able to expand on things I didn’t have answers to before,” Xavier says. “It’s like having a second mind—an assistant—to cut down the time it takes to research and dive deep into what makes a fan base like UT Austin’s so special.”
Meta AI has allowed him to tap into the culture and traditions of these fan communities, sourcing everything from slogan T-shirts to symbols that represent the team and bringing those elements into his designs. “I wanted to take as much graphics as I could and be loud with it, but still make the clothes cozy and simple in silhouette,” he adds, emphasizing the balance between bold visuals and comfort.
Xavier’s collaboration with Meta extends beyond the University of Texas sweatsuit. Meta has partnered with rising athletes and fans who are using AI to enhance their game-day experiences. While Xavier is applying Meta AI to create standout game-day fashion, other creators, like rapper and TV personality Action Bronson, are using it to design game-day recipes for football watch parties.
Xavier sees this partnership with Meta as a way to elevate his already unique approach to fashion, allowing him to streamline his creative process while exploring new possibilities. “I can ask [Meta AI] about something as specific as which stitch I should use, and it’ll give me thousands of options to expand on,” Xavier says. This dynamic interaction with AI has given him a new perspective on materials and design techniques, helping him understand what works best for each piece while staying true to his sustainability ethos.
Sustainability is more than a trend for Xavier—it’s a core value that permeates every aspect of his work. According to Statista Research Department, the revenue share of sustainable apparel worldwide, which includes upcycled clothing, is projected to grow from 4.3% in 2022 to 6.14% in 2026.
“When I’m using pre-existing garments, everything’s already laid out,” he says. “I’m just taking what it has to offer and putting it in my way.” His commitment to upcycling, the process of repurposing existing materials into new creations, is part of what makes his designs so appealing to a generation of eco-conscious consumers. And as fashion trends increasingly move toward sustainability, Xavier is positioned at the forefront of this movement, proving that style and responsibility can coexist.
In his latest work, Xavier draws inspiration from the world of sports, specifically football, which he describes as having a “die-hard culture.”
“When you think of football, you think of how everybody’s super-excited,” he says. “It’s like a mascot—people want to show they’re part of something bigger, but they also want to look cool doing it.” His limited-edition UT sweatsuit reflects this mentality, combining bold graphics with comfortable silhouettes to create a look that is statement-making and wearable.
Xavier’s collaboration with Meta AI has opened new doors creatively and reinforced his commitment to staying authentic to his vision. “I’ve always been a one-of-one designer,” he explains. “It’s about making an impact with every fit.”
Whether reimagining game-day style or turning upcycled garments into high-fashion pieces, Nigel Xavier is proving that innovation, passion, and purpose can improve the fashion industry. With Meta AI by his side, he’s only just getting started.
According to The Guardian, Moturi was attacked by Sawchak on Oct. 23, who shot Moturi, leaving him with a fractured spine, two broken ribs, and a concussion. A day later, criminal charges were filed against Sawchak, but officers waited until Oct. 28 to arrest him.
Brian O’Hara, the department’s police chief, issued an apology to reporters.
“We failed this victim 100%,” O’Hara said. “And to that victim, I say I am sorry that this happened to you.”
Moturi’s shooting follows the conclusion of a Justice Department investigation that surmised that the Minneapolis Police Department allegedly had a “pattern or practice” of discrimination against Black Americans.
Moturi bought his home in 2023, and since that time, either he or his wife reportedly called the department at least 19 times to report Sawchak for vandalism, property destruction, harassment, and threats of physical harm while he spewed racist slurs.
After the police failed to arrest Sawchak three times, he allegedly shot Moturi in the neck from an upstairs window in his home as Moturi pruned a tree near his property line with a chainsaw, which Sawchak had allegedly planted with his mother, according to O’Hara.
Police explained waiting five days to arrest Sawchak by saying they wanted to arrest him peacefully because they knew he had guns and was mentally ill.
This is my response to the shooting of Davis Moturi, exposing failures in public safety. Despite 3 warrants, MPD ignored his pleas, highlighting racial inequities. I demand an independent investigation and accountability. pic.twitter.com/ZdyyioYrII
Minnesota officials, including Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh, indicted the police’s inaction. “Despite three warrants, MPD ignored his pleas, highlighting racial inequities. I demand an independent investigation and accountability,” Fateh wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, as he posted an image of his official statement regarding the police department.
“The shooting of Davis Moturi is a tragic and deeply troubling failure of our public safety system. Mr. Moturi and his family repeatedly sought protection from law enforcement, reporting escalating harassment, racialized threats, and stalking by a neighbor–only to be given the runaround while their tormentor, John Sawchak, continued to escalate without police intervention in spite of three active warrants for his arrest,” Fateh’s official statement read.
Fateh continued, “The Minneapolis Police Department’s refusal to make an arrest on the basis of avoiding a violent conflict stands in stark contrast to other instances in which Black men have been killed by MPD when suspects involved were not reported to be mentally ill and alternatives were, in fact, available, such as in the shooting of Amir Locke which was the result of a no-knock raid on three separate apartments in search of a murderer. It wasn`t deemed too dangerous then. What is so different about this case?”
