Tag: Representation Matters

It may only be mid-summer, but HBCU homecoming chatter is already taking over the timeline! On July 17, North Carolina A&T officially launched its 100-day countdown to the legendary "Greatest Homecoming on Earth," when a record-breaking 200,000 visitors are expected to flood Greensboro for the university's historic centennial celebration, setting the stage for one of the biggest Black cultural events of the year. From NC A&T's landmark 100th anniversary celebration to massive citywide takeovers at Howard University and Jackson State, HBCU homecomings continue to generate multi-million-dollar footprints, evolving into major corporate marketplaces year after year.

Soulja Boy is asking for a DNA test after his ex, Jackilyn Martinez, filed a lawsuit against him seeking support. According to court docs, Soulja isn't confident he is the father of 3-year-old KeAndre Cortez Way. The rapper also checked the boxes indicating he would split the costs of the pregnancy and the legal battle if it turns out he is the dad.

The Odyssey is the biggest movie in the world, yet right-wing commentators insisted Christopher Nolan had gone woke by casting Black actors in prominent roles. But the reality is far different. Black actors appear briefly with minimal screen time. Travis Scott speaks the first words but that lasts ten seconds. Lupita Nyong'o plays two roles with only a few minutes of screen time. Corey Hawkins appears slightly longer as a despicable character. Zendaya gets minimal screen time looking upset. The imaginary woke takeover conservatives invented had far more Black representation than what Nolan actually delivered. He provided exactly what he always does: a movie as white as his previous films. The outrage was directed at a version of The Odyssey that never existed.

Rapper YG had a run-in with cops Thursday morning during a SWAT response but was ultimately released. The Burbank Police Department responded around 7 AM PT. Cops were executing a search warrant for the investigation into Drakeo the Ruler's murder. The property is connected to YG, who had beef with the late rapper but has denied involvement. YG was not arrested, only detained during the search warrant and released. He was scheduled to perform that night against The Game in their Compton Forever VERZUZ battle.

Tia Mowry celebrated her 48th birthday with her new boyfriend Javon'e Armada, a 33-year-old art teacher and visual artist, who gifted her a handmade mixed-media photo collage that sparked criticism on social media from fans who felt it was underwhelming for a Hollywood star.