Dell Curry, Steph, Nicki Smith, Steven Johnson, relationship, life
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 24, 2023

Dell Curry Finds Love And Happiness After Divorce: ‘Life Is Fantastic’

According to the New York Post, Dell Curry, former NBA shooting guard and father to NBA stars Steph and Seth Curry, relishes his new lease on love and life.

In an extensive interview with The Charlotte Observer on Oct. 18, but which originally ran on Sports Legends of the Carolinas podcast, the patriarch opened up about his post-divorce experiences, his newfound love, and the current state of his family.

Curry reflected on his initial uncertainty but revealed that friends introduced him to his now-wife, Nicki, leading to a flourishing relationship.

“I’d met her a couple of times. We talked on the phone for a month before I laid eyes on her. I’m like: ‘Oh, I like this girl, man. What’s going on here?'” he confessed.

Dell, 59, has been married Nicki for “almost a year” and is thoroughly content with his current life.

“I wasn’t going to get married again. But life is great right now. It couldn’t be better. For me, I’m at a great place in my life. My home situation is sound. My kids and their families are doing great. They’re happy for me. I’m happy for them. So life’s good.”

Dell’s life took a turn with his highly publicized divorce from Sonya Curry, which included allegations of infidelity from both sides. The couple, who tied the knot in 1988, are the parents of Steph, 35, Seth, 33, and daughter Syde, 29.

Sonya filed for divorce from Dell in June 2021. In court documents obtained by TMZ in August 2021, Dell accused Sonya of having an extramarital affair with former NFL player Steven Johnson. Sonya, in turn, accused Dell of infidelity during their marriage.

Despite the divorce, the former couple came together to support Steph, during the Golden State Warriors’ championship run in June 2022. They were seen at TD Garden for Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, attending the game with their new partners: Sonya with Jackson and Dell with Nicki.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 24, 2023

Giannis Antetokounmpo Signs 3-Year, $186M Extension With Milwaukee Bucks

The “Greek Freak” will stay in Milwaukee for an additional three years as Giannis Antetokounmpo has reportedly re-upped with the Bucks for a three-year, $186 million contract extension.

ESPN’s NBA Insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, was the first to report the news.

During the offseason, Antetokounmpo eluded to not being sure that he would resign with the Bucks when his current contract ended, but the team trading for disgruntled Portland Trailblazer Damian Lillard may have changed his mind.

The Milwaukee Buck player took to Instagram to announce his longer stay in Wisconsin.

He could have waited until after next season to be rewarded with a max contract that would have netted him over $250 million for a four-year agreement, according to NBA.com.

The extension will begin after the 2024-25 season. Antetokounmpo will make approximately $94.4 million with the current contract over the next two seasons. When the latest extension kicks in for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons, he will pocket $120 million for the two years. The last year, which will be at his option, will place about $66 million more in his bank account for the 2027-28 season.

On the Bucks’ Media Day earlier this month, he explained why he didn’t plan on signing an extension this year but reassured fans and media alike that he wants to end his career with the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I said that it did not make sense to sign the contract right now because money’s not important — a lot of money is important. So I’m going to sign it next year. But, no, at the end of the day, again, it doesn’t make sense. It does not make sense for me to sign it right now. I’ve got to always look at what’s best for me and my family, for my situation.

“But at the end of the day, I want to be a Milwaukee Buck for the rest of my career, as long as we are winning. It’s as simple as that.”

Antetokounmpo is a seven-time All-Star who led the Bucks to the NBA title in 2021. Last season, he had a career year averaging 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists over 63 games.

 

RELATED CONTENT: GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO AND BROTHERS BECOME OWNERS IN TGL’S LOS ANGELES GOLF CLUB ALONGSIDE SERENA AND VENUS WILLIAMS

Bayou Classic, Southern University, Grambling State, Thanksgiving
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 24, 2023

Bayou Classic Celebrating 50th Anniversary In Grand Fashion

The annual Bayou Classic football game between Southern University and Grambling State University is celebrating its 50-year anniversary with a special roadshow and the pre-game singing of the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

The game will take place Nov. 25 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Blair Dottin-Haley, the grandson of civil rights activist and Southern University alumnus Oretha Castle-Haley, will sing the anthem.

“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,” the New Orleans native said in a news release. “This feels like the ancestors are aligning because ‘Lift Every Voice’ was one of the first songs I ever learned. My grandmother [Oretha] and I used to play a game where I’d check the lyrics on printed programs at
events we’d attend together.”

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900.

Singing at the “Super Bowl for the HBCUs” is extremely important for the entertainer, as incorporating the Black national anthem in this moment will ensure that Black cultural heritage is highlighted in all forms during the festivities.

The roadshow started Oct. 22 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museums. The bus is decorated with the logos of the event and each of the schools as it promotes the upcoming game. Going throughout the state as well as Dallas, the mayors of each city will sign the anniversary game ball that will be featured in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

The weekend event is filled with Greek step shows, job fairs, parades and, famously, the Battle of the Bands competition. The Bayou Classic is set to have a record number of fans in attendance, but don’t worry: The game will be nationally televised.

For more information and to buy tickets, head to mybayouclassic.com.

RELATED CONTENT: Fans at the Bayou Classic Thought Man Was Rolling a Blunt on Live TV’ He was Warming Up a Cold Rib

Kenny Annan-Jonathan, English Premier League, fashion, soccer, sports, creative director
by Iman Milner

October 24, 2023

Kenny Annan-Jonathan Makes History As First-Ever Creative Director For Soccer Club Crystal Palace

According to Forbes Africa, Kenny Annan-Jonathan was named the first-ever creative director for English Premier League football club, Crystal Palace, in August. 

Annan-Jonathan will oversee the clothing designs and partnerships with players and fashion designers. His first assignment is to facilitate a collection for the 2023-2024 Premier League season.

 

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His historic appointment puts him in the company of other creatives whom major teams have called upon to help build on the ever-growing relationship between sports’ most famous players and the fashion world.

“Before I became the creative director for Crystal Palace, I had emails that were sent to the owner of Crystal Palace saying, I believe there was a space for a creative director here, and this is before anyone started thinking about it,” he explained. “Especially when it comes to fashion, it’s about having your finger on the pulse, and when it comes to a conversation about who the athletes are, naturally fashion comes into that because that is a way of them expressing who they are. So, I just said if these two things are colliding, in the future, you can naturally see a road map to see that fashion is going to be incorporated into sports a lot more.”

The South-London-born creative plans to bring the same insight to the popular football club.

“My role is to come in, look at the company as a whole, and say, ‘How do we continue to expand what is going on and where do we miss the mark when it comes to reaching our audiences?'”

“My first point of what I need to do is product and merchandise, so apparel and what they sell in the merch store. The reason I say we need to start there is about building [a] community, and apparel is a good way of building [a] community.”

In 2017, when the Ghanaian-British entrepreneur launched his bespoke sports marketing agency, The Mailroom, he sought to bridge the gap between athletes and traditional and non-traditional collaborations.

After building a successful clothing line alongside Crystal Palace player Wilfred Zaha, Annan-Jonathan noticed a large market gap for those with fashion experience to help guide athletes into a world that often undervalues their influence.

“I would go with him to his business meetings to leverage the clothing brand that we had. I realized there wasn’t a lot of people around at the time that were helping him within the business space, and he was going in on his own. I advised him during those meetings, and I earned his trust, and he became my first client,” Annan-Jonathan said.

Only two other sports teams boast creative directors: the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In April, Major League Soccer tapped streetwear designer Guillermo Andrade as its creative advisor.
Dwayne Johnson wax figure is unveiled at Musee Grevin, the Rock
by Daniel Johnson

October 24, 2023

The Rock Wants His Wax Figure Updated Because It’s Missing Melanin

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has questions about his wax figure, like we all do. The Grévin Museum in Paris, France unveiled the statue on Oct 16 and has been ridiculed mercilessly ever since. According to People,  the action superstar shared a video on Instagram from comedian James Andre Jefferson Jr., which poked fun at the statue’s appearance.

Johnson confirmed in the post that he would be contacting the museum to discuss a number of issues with the wax figure, most notably, its skin color.

Johnson wrote “For the record, I’m going to have my team reach out to our friends at Grévin Museum, in Paris, France so we can work at ‘updating’ my wax figure here with some important details and improvements- starting with my skin color.”

According to Deadline, the museum agreed with Johnson’s sentiments via email, “Dwayne Johnson is right, and we noticed it and will obviously remedy it as quickly as possible and send him new photos once completed.”

The museum added, “We are waiting for him when he will come to Paris and the Grévin Wax Museum to celebrate that with a cup of champagne.”

 

https://twitter.com/NightBloodKilla/status/1715459060898648397?t=xhjPvvLfg15eedPa1rNtwQ&s=19

 

Lil Wayne also took offense to his wax figure at the Hollywood Wax Museum, though his response was less cordial than the former WWE star. The rap legend sent out a post on Twitter/X reading, “Sorry wax museum but that s*** ain’t me! You tried tho and I appreciate the effort.”

Wax statues of other highly visible Black people have also been criticized, according to Forbes. In 2010 and 2017, wax figures of Michelle Obama and Beyoncé were widely criticized after their installations at Madame Tussauds, the world-famous wax museum. Similar to complaints about Johnson’s figure, those figures were criticized for inaccurate skin tones and also having hairstyle and smile issues, according to the outlet.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘WELCOME HOME’ UFC FIGHTER THEMBA GORIMBO GETS LIFE-CHANGING GIFT FROM DWAYNE ‘THE ROCK’ JOHNSON

King of Pop, Michael Jackson, La Toya, Harry Styles,
by Stacy Jackson

October 24, 2023

La Toya Jackson On Harry Styles Being Deemed ‘New King of Pop’: ‘No One Can Ever Top’ Michael

Michael Jackson’s older sister, La Toya Jackson, gave her perspective on British singer Harry Styles being labeled the “New King of Pop” by Rolling Stone UK last year.

During the Oct. 23 episode with KIIS FM’s The Kyle and Jackie O Show, following her elimination as Burger Gal on The Masked Singer, the singer made it clear that “no one can ever top” her brother and claim the “King of Pop” title.

“[Harry is] a great entertainer. He’s wonderful. I truly believe that,” she said. “I’m not being biased, but I think that my brother is the greatest of all time. And he always will be.” Michael’s sister said she would love to meet someone who could top her brother, who, according to The Hollywood Reporter, was given the title by the late actress Elizabeth Taylor, as she presented him with the Soul Train Heritage Award in 1989.

La Toya isn’t the only family member who felt some type of way about Rolling Stone’s attempt to slide the title to Styles. On the Aug. 30 episode of Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, Michael’s 26-year-old son, Prince Jackson, weighed in on the “King of Pop” discussion.

“What’s frustrating for me is not necessarily like Harry Styles is a great artist, oh I love them. It’s more so about these media publications that try to take away the title that was really worked hard for and earned in a different time than we are today,” Prince said.

Michael’s nephew, Taj Jackson, tweeted his thoughts about Styles’ cover with Rolling Stone after the magazine announced in August 2022.

“There is no new King of Pop. You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did,” he wrote.

Michael died in 2009 at age 50 due to a high intake of propofol used as a sleep aid. In 2019, Forbes listed the King of Pop as one of the highest-earning dead celebrities.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 24, 2023

André Leon Talley’s Personal Wardrobe For Sale; Includes Birkin, Louis Vuitton Trunks

André Leon Talley’s legacy lives on as pieces from the late fashion journalist’s personal wardrobe are available for the general public to buy.

The 49-item collection on sale at What Goes Around Comes Around (WGACA) was sourced directly from Talley’s personal estate or acquired at Christie’s Collection of André Leon Talley auction earlier this year, Robb Report reports. The luxury pieces include designer handbags, haute couture, and custom luggage.

“Just as André has shaped the fashion landscape, our collection encapsulates the essence of his style and the timelessness of his taste,” Gerard Maione, cofounder of WGACA, said.

“We are proud to celebrate André Leon Talley, a true icon who has forever changed the way we perceive and appreciate fashion.”

Talley rose to prominence in the fashion world thanks in part to his evolving role at Vogue. He started as fashion news director in 1983, before becoming the publication’s first Black male creative director in 1988. Ten years later, he became Vogue‘s editor-at-large and continued at the publication until 2013.

He was a staple at Fashion Weeks around the world with his standout fashion choices that highlighted his natural passion and skill-set in the art form. Talley died last year at the age of 73.

The WGACA collection includes high-priced luxury items like the couture leather jacket Talley wore to a Chanel runway show in 2007 that retails for $25,000. A vintage Hermès Haut à Courroies Birkin from the ‘90s that’s worth $75,000 is up for grabs, along with a one-of-one trunk from the Stephen Sprouse x Louis Vuitton collaboration valued at $150,000. A variety of Louis Vuitton luggage pieces are on sale, including pieces Marc Jacobs personally designed and gifted to Talley.

In February, the Christie’s Collection of André Leon Talley took place at Rockefeller Center in New York City and garnered $1.38 million in sales.

RELATED CONTENT: Andre Leon Talley’s Lavish New York Home Listed For $1.25 Million

by Stacy Jackson

October 24, 2023

Georgetown Women’s Basketball Coach Tasha Butts Dies From Breast Cancer

On October 23, the Georgetown women’s basketball organization was saddened by the news of losing head coach Tasha Butts to breast cancer.

According to The Associated Press, Butts, 41, battled with the disease for two years after being diagnosed with advanced-stage metastatic breast cancer in 2021.

“I am heartbroken for Tasha’s family, friends, players, teammates and colleagues,” Georgetown athletic director Lee Reed, said. “When I met Tasha, I knew she was a winner on the court, and an incredible person whose drive, passion and determination was second to none. She exhibited these qualities both as a leader and in her fight against breast cancer. This is a difficult time for the entire Georgetown community, and we will come together to honor her memory.”

The Georgetown coach stepped away from her position last month to undergo treatment. Interim coach Darnell Haney said, in an attempt to keep Butts’ mind off of her situation, they kept her up to date with the program. Haney said they did things to make her smile, like sending over practice film. Other teams across the U.S. showed their support on social media.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the former WNBA star joined the Georgetown team this past April after coaching at Georgie Tech. She announced her diagnosis in 2021 while working as associate head coach, AP News reported. The news of Butts’ death came as a shock to former colleagues and Georgia Tech coach Nell Fortner.

“Tasha was so instrumental to the success of this program. What she did as a member of this coaching staff cannot be undervalued,” he said. “Tasha’s passing is a devastating loss. She was extraordinary,” Georgetown president John J. DeGioia said. “Tasha was a person of character, determination, vision, and kindness. She will be deeply missed by our community and by so many people around the country who have been inspired by her life.”

Coach Butts launched her “Tasha Tough” campaign to raise money for women battling breast cancer. She encouraged the Georgia Tech community to donate throughout the 2022-23 season with a $100,000 goal.

RELATED CONTENT: LEGENDARY GEORGETOWN COACH JOHN THOMPSON JR. DIES AT 78

Heman Bekele, 3M, young scientist, soap, melanoma
by Sharelle Burt

October 24, 2023

Virginia 14-Year-Old Named ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’ For Cancer-Fighting Soap Invention

Heman Bekele, 14, was named America’s Top Young Scientist for his cancer-fighting soap invention, according to a press release from 3M.

The ninth grader from Annandale, Virginia, received the 3M and Discovery Education award for invebnting a compound-based bar of soap called M.T.S. to treat melanoma, a form of skin cancer, that costs about 50 cents to make.

In his submission video posted on YouTube, Bekele provided an educational breakdown of the need for the soap and how it’s made: a combination of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin.

“They’re all keratolytic agents that slowly reactivate dendritic cells,” the young scientist explained.

Over the next five years, the young scientist hopes to create a non-profit organization to distribute the soap to needy communities.

“I have always been interested in biology and technology, and this challenge gave me the perfect platform to showcase my ideas,” Bekele said on his award submission form, according to USA Today. “I believe that young minds can make a positive impact on the world.”

The competition was created for students between the fifth and eighth grades to develop innovative ideas that can change the world. Held at 3M’s headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 9 and 10, the winner received a $25,000 cash prize.

The manufacturing company posted a video of the touching moment Bekele won the award on Instagram with the caption, “We’re very proud of Heman and all the finalists who will continue to bring science to life through curiosity and passion for innovation!”

 

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“This year’s Young Scientist Challenge finalists have demonstrated the skills required to reimagine what’s possible—intelligence, curiosity, collaboration, and resilience,” said John Banovetz, 3M’s executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. “The magnitude and complexity of the issues these young minds are working to solve is inspiring. Congratulations to this year’s finalists—we can’t wait to see what you do next!”

RELATED CONTENT: Female Computer Scientist Inspiring Black Kids, Creates Interactive Coding Toy Robot And Book Series

Trucker, Police dog attack, Ohio, civil rights
by Iman Milner

October 24, 2023

Black Trucker Attacked By Police Dog Evokes Grim Memories For Black Ohio Residents

Black trucker Jadarrius Rose was apprehended on July 4, while driving his 18-wheeler through rural Ohio, by six highway patrol officers who cited a missing mudflap as cause for concern. While on his knees, with hands outstretched, Rose was attacked by a police dog in a scene resembling infamous Civil Rights moments in which law enforcement used K-9s to attack innocent Black civilians.

Now, residents of Circleville are grappling with the history of inequality in their otherwise-picturesque rural town that stands just 25 miles south of Columbus, OH, The Associated Press reported.

“Everyone doesn’t have the same experience, even though they’re all in the same town,” said Rev. Derrick Holmes, a Circleville resident and leader of the Second Baptist Church. “And I think those divisions exist around the realities of bigotry, the realities of racism.”

Though outrage about Rose’s attack spread through the small town, the circumstances felt all too familiar. “People were horrified by it,” Holmes said. “Angered by it. Frustrated by it. And also there was a feeling of, ‘Well, here we go again.’”

The concerns also stretch to the state as a whole, as the outlet reported 28% of Ohio State Highway Patrol’s 2013 to 2017 traffic stops involving Black motorists included the use of drug dogs. Almost two decades ago, Officer David Haynes, an alleged founder of the Circleville police K-9 unit, was fired for his public opposition to the department’s decision to cut back on training hours for dogs and their handlers on the force, according to the outlet.

He warned that “words like ‘deliberate indifference,’ ‘negligence’ and ‘failure to train’ will someday be brought up.” Currently, Circleville’s K-9s are required to train for 16 hours per month, or 192 hours per year as reported by The Associated Press.

Rose’s compliance, as well as his body position at the time of the incident, seemed to point to him being a non-threat to law enforcement; therefore, the decision to employ the use of a police dog is one many feel is an example of using excessive force.

”If it were a white man and a dog was unleashed on that individual, what would that community be saying? I bet they would be up in arms,” said Nana Jones, president of the Columbus Chapter of the NAACP.

 

RELATED CONTENT: BLACK MAN MAULED BY POLICE DOG IN OHIO AFTER TRAFFIC STOP

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