Latest from Black America Web
Black America Web
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Black America Web
Teddy Bridgewater Suspended From HS Coaching Job For Buying Players Uber Rides & Food, Social Media Upset
Source: Michael Reaves / Getty Teddy Bridgewater did the right thing after his 10-year NFL career, as he returned to his high school football team to help the next generation fulfill their dreams, but now he's being penalized for it. The one-time Pro Bowler has been fired from his head coaching job at his alma mater, Miami Northwestern Senior High School, for allegedly violating Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rules regarding 'impermissible benefits.' According to Sports Illustrated , he reportedly spent $70,000 of his own money to ensure his players had what they needed throughout the season. The staggering amount he spent on the boys wasn't a secret and was something he shared on Facebook earlier this month when he asked for donations from the community to help pitch in so he'd ' no longer have to take from my personal funds to keep smiles on these young men face and remind them that they matter.' In the lengthy post, he discusses spending $700 a week on Uber rides, $1,500 a week on catered meals, $9,500 on pride uniforms, $14,000 on a training camp, and $1,300 a week on recovery trucks. So, h e's asking for the community to donate to the team through his Be Bridge Foundation. He ends the message with, 'These are all things I choose to do on my own and are not requirements for the boys to have according to the rule makers and those who make the decisions at MNW.' Once Bridgewater was made aware of the suspension, he immediately took to social media, blaming Associate Head Coach Verne Louis. He also stated that a suspension is technically not possible because he's not an actual employee of the school. 'Damn people done caused all this confusion. Got a phone call tonight and it's no real investigation going on.. I told you I have to be an employee to be investigated. Now the paperwork thing still stands but there was no investigation… We SELF REPORTED,' he wrote on social media. 'Verne and his Administrative homeboys want me gone apparently and tried to hire one of my dawgs like bro wasn't gone lace me up… The suspension came from MNW and it's impossible to suspend someone who doesn't work for you. So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.' He also doesn't plan on leaving the program, saying he'll 'volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.' Social media is upset that a rule intended to prevent wealthy schools from negatively influencing students is being enforced, despite Bridgewater's intentions being pure. See the reactions below. Teddy Bridgewater Suspended From HS Coaching Job For Buying Players Uber Rides & Food, Social Media Upset was originally published on
Black America Web
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Gabby Thomas, Beverly Johnson, Laura Coates & Karine Jean-Pierre Prettily Pose For Pics After Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Honorary Membership
After Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. added serious star power to its sisterhood, during its 2025 Leadership Seminar, the honorary members who were bestowed 20 pearls prettily posed for pics to represent the First Black sorority. Source: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. During the seminar titled 'Pathways to Soar: Unlocking Impactful Leadership,' held in Anaheim, California, the storied organization welcomed four powerhouse women as honorary members: Olympic track star Gabby Thomas, and supermodel trailblazer Beverly Johnson, CNN anchor and legal analyst Laura Coates, and former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. With more than 9,000 members gathered from around the globe, the ceremony marked a moment of inspiration, excellence, and Black girl magic. According to a post shared on the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Instagram page on July 14, all four of the extraordinary women selected for the honorary member award were chosen for being FIRST in their excellence in leadership, groundbreaking achievements, and transformative service that uplift communities around the world. 'Welcoming these phenomenal women into our Sisterhood is a powerful testament to our legacy of distinction,' International President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed told Watch the Yard . 'Their voices and vision will further strengthen our mission of impactful service to all mankind.' In an Instagram post, the ewly inducted honorary members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. expressed heartfelt gratitude and excitement following their induction. Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shared her disbelief and joy, saying, 'I can't believe it. You all won't believe it. I am now officially a member of the beautiful sorority, AKA. Thank you, thank you, thank you!' CNN anchor and legal analyst Laura Coates echoed the sentiment, saying, 'Hey everyone, I'm Laura Coates. Can you believe it? I'm officially a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.' Olympian Gabby Thomas also celebrated the honor, stating, 'I'm so thrilled to be a member of the beautiful Alpha Kappa Alpha! I'm so excited to start my new journey of Sisterhood!' Supermodel and trailblazer Beverly Johnson shared a deeply emotional message: 'I'm so honored to be a sorority sister. I cannot tell you how proud I am. I cannot tell you, my heart is so full. I can barely speak, but thank you God!' Not only that, but Tuesday, the newest honorary memebers were featuredd in a social media post posing for pics with their heads held high and their ivies up. 'Heads held high, and Ivies up.. Because this is a Serious Matter!' the official Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Instagram captioned a post. 'Our newest Honorary Members, @gabbythomas, @k_jeanpierre, @thelauracoates, and @iambeverlyjohnson are already giving Pretty Girl style in full formation! We look forward to seeing them all Soar in Sisterhood.🩷💚 #AKAHonoraryMembers #SoaringWithAKA #AKA1908 Let's meet the latest honorary AKAs. Source: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Laura Coates, CNN's Chief Legal Analyst and Anchor, is the first and only Black woman to hold the title. Before joining CNN, Coates served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, focusing on voting rights enforcement, and later as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, where she prosecuted serious felony cases including drug trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault, according to her website. In 2016, she authored the bestselling book You Have the Right: A Constitutional Guide to Policing the Police , demystifying citizens' Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights, and advocating for greater police accountability. Now the host of Laura Coates Live on CNN, she continues to bring clarity to pressing legal and political issues. Notably, Coates delivered extensive coverage of last year's presidential race, hitting the ground in places like Michigan to talk with voters and hear their reactions. She has also had a pulse on the intense sex trafficking trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, delivering updates along every step of the case, a testament to her commitment. Source: Roger Wimmer/ISI Photos / Getty Gabby Thomas has solidified her status as one of the world's elite sprinters, excelling in both the 100-meter and 200-meter events. Her breakout moment came in 2021 when she ran 21.61 seconds in the 200m at the U.S. Olympic Trials, making her the second-fastest woman in history at the time, according to Team USA. She improved that mark to 21.60 seconds at the 2023 USATF Championships, cementing her legacy in the sport. Thomas made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where she earned a bronze medal in the 200m and a silver medal as the anchor of the U.S. 4×100-meter relay team. She followed up with a dominant performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, capturing gold in the 200m with a time of 21.83 seconds and another gold in the 4x100m relay alongside Melissa Jefferson, Twanisha Terry, and Sha'Carri Richardson. Her accomplishments extend beyond the Olympics. Thomas has claimed multiple Diamond League titles (2018, 2019, 2024) and won gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in the 4x100m relay, setting a championship record of 41.03 seconds. In 2023, she took silver in the 200m at the World Championships with a blazing 21.81 finish. A standout both on and off the track, Thomas graduated from Harvard University in 2019 with a degree in neurobiology and global health. She later earned a master's degree in epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Throughout her journey, she has been a passionate advocate for increasing diversity in STEM fields and uses her platform to inspire young women of color to pursue careers in science and technology. Source: The Washington Post / Getty Karine Jean-Pierre made history as the first Black person and the longest-serving woman to hold the position of White House Press Secretary. With a distinguished career in political strategy and public service, she has been a leading voice in American politics and advocacy. Prior to her historic White House role, Jean-Pierre served as a Public Affairs Officer for and worked as a political analyst for NBC and MSNBC, the McSilver Institute notes. During the Obama-Biden administration, she held several key leadership positions, including Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs and Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign. She also served as Southeast Regional Political Director during Obama's 2008 presidential run. Her career spans across advocacy and legislative work as well—she was Campaign Manager for the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Initiative and held roles as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members of the New York City Council. Born in Martinique and raised in New York, Jean-Pierre is a graduate of Columbia University. Source: Courtesy / WeTV Beverly Johnson is a trailblazing supermodel, actress, entrepreneur, and author who made history as the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Vogue in 1974 and later on Elle . Her groundbreaking achievements opened doors for generations of models of color and reshaped the fashion industry's standards of beauty and inclusion. Beyond modeling, Johnson has built a diverse career as an actress and businesswoman. She has made appearances in films such as Crossroads and Tyler Perry's Good Deeds . The icon is also the founder of The Beverly Johnson Luxurious Lifestyle Brand, which reflects her passion for beauty, wellness, and empowerment. Congrats to these honorable sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The post Gabby Thomas, Beverly Johnson, Laura Coates & Karine Jean-Pierre Prettily Pose For Pics After Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Honorary Membership appeared first on Bossip. SEE ALSO Gabby Thomas, Beverly Johnson, Laura Coates & Karine Jean-Pierre Prettily Pose For Pics After Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Honorary Membership was originally published on
Black America Web
14 hours ago
- General
- Black America Web
Mosie 'Mama' Burks Final Arrangements
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI — JULY 16, 2025 – The Mississippi Mass Choir, alongside the Burks family, will celebrate the extraordinary life, legacy, and ministry of our beloved Mosie 'Mama' Burks with services in Jackson, Mississippi, July 15–16, 2025. Mama Burks has accepted the call of a lifetime—one extended by her Heavenly Father. It was a standing invitation she often sang about, lived prepared for, and finally answered. With a life rooted in unwavering faith, joyful praise, and steadfast devotion, she transitioned from the stage to glory yesterday morning. Her unforgettable voice, infectious spirit, and powerful testimony touched lives across the world. Now, we pause not just to grieve her absence—but to honor a life well-lived and a legacy that will sing on through the generations. Live Streaming details will be provided at a later date. Arrangements: Public Visitation Tuesday, July 15, 2025 / 2:00PM – 4:00PM Jackson Memorial Funeral Home 1000 West Woodrow Wilson Blvd. Jackson, MS 39213 Musical Celebration Tuesday, July 15, 2025 / 5:00PM – 7:00PM Greater Fairview Baptist Church 2545 Newport Street Jackson, MS 39213 Homegoing Service Wednesday, July 16, 2025 / 11:00AM Greater Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church 1505 Robinson Street Jackson, MS 39203 Arrangements Entrusted to: Jackson Memorial Funeral Home 1000 West Woodrow Wilson Blvd. Jackson, MS 39213 601 969 9457 ABOUT MOSIE 'MAMA' BURKS Mama Mosie was more than a voice. She was a living testimony of unwavering faith, joy, and perseverance. From her electrifying performances of 'When I Rose This Morning' to her soul-stirring presence on and off stage, she embodied the spirit of gospel music and the mission of this choir. Her energy, testimony, and unwavering love for God touched audiences worldwide and brought countless souls to Christ. In preparation for their first recording proceeding the passing of their founder Frank Williams in 1993, the choir opened membership for new members in 1995, and Mama Burks joined at the invitation of choir's Minister of Music Jerry Smith, who had played for her group the S.L Spann Inspirers since he was sixteen years old. Unbelievably, but consistent with her humble spirit, she was reluctant to join because she did not think she was good enough. Notwithstanding, she came in as a rank-and-file member, faithfully attending every rehearsal in preparation for the See You In the Rapture project. Three weeks before the recording, Jerry Smith observed that the project needed an additional song to round out the project and suggested This Morning When I Rose , a song that Mama had performed for decades with her church choir, Greater Fairview Baptist Church. According to choir's Executive Director, Jerry Mannery, 'On the night of the recording, she walked out from the alto section to the lead microphone, and with the first signature shaking of her head from side to side – with immaculate gray hair swing, the atmosphere shook, and aftershocks went throughout the audience, the Gospel industry and the broader music world, announcing the arrival of an icon. Three additional songs by her— 'They Got the Word, ' 'I'm Just Holding On, ' and 'I'm Not Tired Yet' —became viral sensations, with the latter becoming the theme song for the Scott Van Pelt show on ESPN. Though we mourn her physical absence, we rejoice in knowing she's been singing about this day all her life – 'There's a great coronation coming up…filled with joy and gladness, and the special guest attending will be all the children of the Lord.' She sang about having 'a standing invitation' and, early Monday morning, packed and ready, God called, and she boarded the flight there. Please keep her family – Amos and Watkins – and the Mississippi Mass Choir family in your prayers during this time of reflection and remembrance. SEE ALSO Mosie 'Mama' Burks Final Arrangements was originally published on
Black America Web
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
BeBe & CeCe Winans to host 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards
Source: Jason Kempin / Getty (July 14, 2025) – The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards – Gospel Music's Greatest Night – gets even GREATER! Central City Productions announced today, GRAMMY Award-winning duo, BeBe and CeCe Winans will host the 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards taking place in Nashville, TN on August 16th, 2025 at the historic Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This milestone will honor 40 years of celebrating gospel music and will feature electrifying performances, heartfelt tributes, and special honors recognizing gospel legends and rising stars alike, under the theme, OUR MUSIC, OUR VOICE, OUR CULTURE. Tickets are available now by visiting BeBe & CeCe Winans are a legendary sibling duo and trailblazers in gospel and inspirational music, known for their seamless blend of contemporary gospel, R&B, and soul. Hailing from the iconic Winans family of Detroit, BeBe & CeCe rose to national prominence in the 1980s with their groundbreaking self-titled debut album and went on to achieve mainstream success with hits like 'Addictive Love' and 'Close to You.' Over the course of their career, the duo has garnered multiple GRAMMY, Dove, Stellar, and Soul Train Awards, breaking barriers for gospel artists in popular music. Whether together or apart, BeBe & CeCe continue to inspire generations with their faith-driven artistry, soulful harmonies, and timeless message of hope and love. Taking the stage for the 40th ceremony thus far: Adia, Donnie McClurkin, Dottie Peoples, Jekalyn Carr, Jason Nelson, Lisa Page Brooks, MAJOR., Melvin Crispell III, Pastor Mike Jr., Pastor Mike Todd & Transformation Worship, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Tramaine Hawkins and William Murphy. 'We're setting the tone for a night that celebrates 40 years of celebrating the greatest in gospel music,' said Jennifer Jackson, President of Central City Productions. Additionally, STELLAR PLUS experience returns with two days of immersive industry and fan-focused events from Thursday, August 14th, through Friday, August 15th, ahead of the 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards. Dorinda Clark-Cole and Vincent Bohanan will host the Stellar Nominee Pre-Show Dinner and Awards at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville on Friday, August 15th. This exclusive, invitation-only event is open to all 2025 Stellar Award nominees. Expect more exciting announcements, including more performers, honorees, and more. For more information on Stellar Plus Events visit The 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Producer and Executive in Charge of Production; Michael A. Johnson as Producer and Director, Erin Johnson as Talent Producer, and Daniel Moore as Music Director. This year's Stellar Awards is presented by P&G (Procter & Gamble) with additional sponsorship provided by General Motors, State Farm, AT&T, Walmart, AFLAC, McDonald's, and AARP. A full list of the 40th annual nominees can be found on the official Stellar Awards website. For more information, please visit and join the conversation using the hashtag #TheStellars. SEE ALSO BeBe & CeCe Winans to host 40th Stellar Gospel Music Awards was originally published on
Black America Web
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
G Herbo's Realest Moments: Music, Family, and the Grind
Source: Reach Media / Urban One G Herbo is 'Posted On the Corner' with hosts DJ Misses and Incognito revealing layers of his life, artistry, and personal growth, giving an intimate glimpse into what makes the man behind the mic tick. The conversation kicked off with G Herbo reflecting on his fifteen-year music career. 'Staying true to myself is what got me here,' he said, crediting his ability to stick to his lane and build a loyal fans. His humility was evident as he acknowledged his supporters for elevating his artistry to new heights. Tackling a more sensitive topic, G Herbo opened up about his experiences with mental health. Having lived through immense trauma from a young age, he revealed how he came to understand the weight of his struggles. 'Growing up, we didn't even know what mental health was,' he admitted. Diagnosed with PTSD and working through early battles with substance abuse, G Herbo stressed the importance of seeking help, especially for younger fans. His openness was not only inspiring but also a call to action for those navigating similar challenges. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! On a lighter note, the rapper brought some humor to the table, sharing his latest passion—cooking. 'I'm learning how to barbecue,' he quipped, explaining how he's earned the title of family grill master. The hosts couldn't resist teasing him about dad sandals being a grill-side essential, adding playful energy to the exchange. Whether he was dropping gems about staying true or cracking jokes about dad sandals, G Herbo kept it all the way real. His honesty about grinding through pain, leveling up, and always repping for his people hit different. This wasn't just another sit-down—it was Herbo showing love to the fans and proving he's still in touch with the culture, still growing, and still inspiring the next wave to do the same. READ MORE STORIES: G Herbo's Realest Moments: Music, Family, and the Grind GloRilla, Gatorade & WNBA Team Up For 'Let Her Cook' Campaign Fashion Killa Cuties! Rihanna Makes Red Carpet Debut With Both Sons, RZA & Riot, At 'Smurfs' LA Premiere SEE ALSO
