Did you know that the first black woman to own a television station was a member of Zeta Phi Beta? Clara McLaughlin was a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Born in Brunswick, Georgia, and raised in Gainesville, Florida, Clara’s passion for journalism ignited during her high school years. She wrote, produced, and distributed the school’s only student newsletter, laying the foundation for her future career. After high school, she attended Hampton Institute in Virginia, majoring in music before joining the U.S. Navy WAVES and working as a yeoman and organist in the navy chapel. Clara utilized her GI Bill benefits to further her education, leading her to Howard University in Washington, D.C.

At Howard, Clara initiated steps to establish journalism as a major, graduating with honors and becoming one of the founders of the National Black Communications Society. She pledged Zeta Phi Beta after finishing her undergraduate studies. Her leadership skills were evident as she served as co-editor-in-chief and later editor-in-chief of the university’s yearbook, helping Howard become the first HBCU to win the All American Award for a student publication.

Clara’s groundbreaking achievement came in 1979 when she successfully petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve a television allocation in Houston, aiming to portray women and minorities positively. She founded KLMG, a CBS-affiliated television station in Longview, Texas, becoming the first African American woman to own and operate a network-affiliated TV station. Her pioneering efforts set a precedent for minority representation in the media.

From 2002 until her passing in 2021, Clara owned and published The Florida Star, the oldest African American-owned newspaper in Northeast Florida, and launched The Georgia Star in 2005. She hosted a weekly radio talk show, IMPACT, and was a media participant on Jacksonville’s PBS affiliate “Week in Review.” Clara’s contributions to media extended to childcare programs on Houston’s PBS affiliate, KUHT.

Throughout her illustrious career, Clara received numerous honors and awards, including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Howard University and the national Drum Major for Justice Award from the SCLC. The city of Houston honored her with two Clara McLaughlin Days, and she was featured in major publications like The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Clara’s legacy as a media trailblazer continues to inspire future generations.

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders took some time at the start of his first Big 12 media days appearance Wednesday to salute some of the other coaches in the league.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame player, now going into his second season coaching in a power conference, then told everyone that he has to operate under an entirely different umbrella.

“I’m judged on a different scale,” Sanders said. “My wins are totally different than your wins. Your wins, you just judge football, that’s why I start out (talking about) education and academics and so forth. I have to give you those things so you understand there’s a greater scope.”

Sanders touted the team’s GPA, the 16 Buffs coaches and staff members with NFL experience, a 20% increase in student applications to Colorado and a “crazy” economic impact for the school.

After Sanders led HBCU school Jackson State to a 27-6 record over three seasons, including 23-3 with back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference titles the last two, he got off to a fast start at Colorado winning his first three games last season before going on to finish 4-8. Colorado was picked to finish 11th in the Big 12 preseason media poll.

“I can’t win nine games and our GPA suffers,” Sanders said. “Our GPA can’t be high and we lose another eight games. We can’t not go and grab high school players, and you’ve got a bunch of guys in the portal, out of the portal getting incarcerated. My wins are different. We have to win in every area. That’s the way we’re judged.”

Sanders’ sons, senior quarterback Shedeur and graduate safety Shilo, also took part in Big 12 media days.

Shedeur Sanders threw for a school-record 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns in his first season at the FBS level while completing 69% of his passes. But he was also the most-sacked quarterback (52) in the country.

“I remember first media day when I was in HBCU, I said we won’t lose the game. I’m undefeated in the SWAC, so I already know what the expectation comes with, I know we’re everybody’s Super Bowl,” he said. “So, I always stay level-headed, stay grounded because I would never want to be that guy, look back, and not being able to take advantage of the moment that we have right now.”

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Shilo Sanders is going through a bankruptcy case he filed last October because he faces a nearly $11.9 million judgment stemming from an alleged assault against a Dallas school security guard who was trying to confiscate his phone in 2015. Shilo Sanders, now 24, was 15 at the time.

The security guard said he suffered a broken spine and nerve damage after getting elbowed in the neck. He immediately filed a police report, sued in a Texas court the next year and was awarded the judgement after Shilo Sanders didn’t show up for hearings in 2022.

“Honestly, that kind of stuff, you’re not gonna win a court case on social media,” Shilo Sanders said when asked about it Wednesday. “And at the end of the day everybody is gonna know the truth about everything. So there’s no point just going out of my way to just do that. So everything’s good.”

While on the main podium, Deion Sanders spoke about Shedeur being recruited by Gus Malzahn when the current UCF coach was still at Auburn, and the younger Sanders playing in high school for current Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire.

“I’m just highlighting a couple of the coaches because they’ve been so kind, they’ve been so considerate. They’ve been so wonderful to me,” Deion Sanders said. ”I remember going there to Auburn and (Malzahn) just has been the same consistent man since. He’s a phenomenal coach.”

Sanders called both Mike Gundy, who is going into his 20th season at Oklahoma State, and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark legends. He also expressed his love for McGuire.

“Joey has been the same consistent great coach that he’s always been. Joey, if you out there, I love you, I appreciate you. You keep on doing what you do,” Sanders said. “Except when we come to play you, I want you to keep on doing your thing. But I love you, man, I really do. And you’re doing a wonderful work down there at Texas Tech.”

The Buffaloes, who open the season Aug. 29 at home against FCS power North Dakota State, play at Texas Tech on Nov. 9.

The Big 12 will be a 16-team league with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah officially becoming members at the start of August.

“We have 16 great football coaches,” Yormark said. “I’ve gotten to know Coach Prime really well. I love his energy and I love his passion for what he does. Obviously excited for Colorado coming back into the conference. He’s a football legend. And let’s face it, you know, there’s a big audience that follows him. And that’s going to benefit the Big 12 and all of our schools.”

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Alexandra Daddario, star of the critically acclaimed HBO series “The White Lotus,” is expecting her first child with husband Andrew Form. 

The 38-year-old actress shared the news on Instagram on July 10th, 2024, alongside a series of maternity photos taken by Vogue Magazine.

Daddario expressed her anticipation with a lighthearted caption referencing potential future playdates with the children of other celebrities expecting babies: “Excited for my child to go to preschool with Margot Robbie and Hailey Bieber’s kids.”

However, Daddario’s path to motherhood wasn’t without challenges. In an interview with Vogue, she revealed a prior pregnancy loss, which led her to keep this pregnancy private for the first half.

“I had previously experienced a pregnancy loss,” Daddario shared with Vogue. “The details are personal, but I understand the hardship many women face and deeply empathize with them. It’s a complex and painful experience.”

Despite the initial struggles, Daddario is now fully embracing motherhood. “I’m finally at a place where I can celebrate this journey openly,” she expressed with joy.

Daddario married film producer Andrew Form in a private ceremony in New Orleans in 2022. Form has two sons from a previous marriage.

The actress, who rose to fame for her portrayal of Annabeth Chase in the “Percy Jackson” series, received critical acclaim for her performance in season one of “The White Lotus,” even earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

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It’s a family affair over at Savage X Fenty. This week, to promote its Classics by Savage X Fenty collection, Rihanna’s intimates and leisurewear brand released a photo campaign featuring her partner, A$AP Rocky, and the couple’s 2-year-old son, RZA. The father-son duo posed together in matching Savage X Fenty boxer briefs and tank tops. 

The toddler is continuing an already notable run in front of the camera. Less than a year after his birth in May 2022, RZA made his modeling debut on the cover of Vogue. As previously reported by theGrio, the baby boy served sweet smiles as he posed with his famous mother and father, dressed in a Chrome Hearts diaper cover. Since then, the couple made RZA a big brother with the birth of their second son, Riot Rose, in 2023. 

“They’re the best, having a house full of boys,” Rihanna said, reflecting on life as a boy mom, as previously reported by theGrio. “[RZA] struggled in the beginning, but he loves his little brother. Every time he thinks we’re not looking at him, he’ll come over and touch him. If the baby’s crying, he’ll come and just hold his hands. It hurts him if the baby is crying,” she said.

“He’ll wake up in the morning just saying ‘baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby,’” she added. “He loves him. It took a while, but he got there, and I’m proud of him.” 

Now a family of four, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have gradually given the public more glimpses into their family life. From social media posts to campaign appearances, both parents take pride in their roles as mother and father.

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Recently, the rapper gave fans an intimate look into his life as a dad, starring in Bottega Veneta’s “Portraits of Fatherhood” campaign. Showing the sincerity of his interactions as a father, the brand ambassador and his two sons posed together in a living room-like setting. 

“This is me, embodying and embracing fatherhood, parenthood, companionship, and family, while still working on all aspects of my career,” he said, as previously reported by theGrio. “When you think about A$AP Rocky, you think about a playboy, pretty boy, bras being thrown onstage. This is about me as a one-woman man, as a family man. It is about what completes my life now: being present as a partner and a parent.”

In honor of RZA’s Savage X Fenty debut, the brand announced an exclusive offer for its VIP members to receive a free, limited-edition pair of toddler boxers with the code “CLASSICS” and the purchase of any men’s classic boxers pack. Despite the brand’s limited release of these toddler-sized togs, there’s been speculation that the Fenty mogul will soon venture into the children’s clothing market after the star reportedly trademarked “Fenty Kids” in 2023. 

“… It’s something I might do. We’ll see,” she said, per theGrio. “I would have so much fun with that. Anything in miniature is just so cute.”

In the meantime, you can shop the Classics by Savage X Fenty collection at savagex.com.

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Disney+ celebrated the highly anticipated arrival of its newest Disney Original Movie, “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” with a star-studded premiere event at the Walt Disney Studios Lot last night. The latest installment in the beloved “Descendants” franchise pulled out all the stops, transforming the venue into a whimsical Wonderland wonderland ahead of the film’s debut on Disney+ this Friday, July 12th.

A vibrant red carpet welcomed the film’s cast, including Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Rita Ora, Brandy, and China Anne McClain, who reprises her role from the previous films. They were joined by other familiar faces like Sarah Jeffery and Anna Cathcart, stars of the earlier “Descendants” movies, as well as up-and-coming Disney stars like David Henrie and Janice LeAnne Brown from the upcoming “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.”

The night brought together the “Descendants” family, new and old, with talent from other Disney Disney-branded television properties like “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” and “Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires” also showing their support.

Check out the photos from the “Descendants: The Rise of Red” World Premiere below:

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
MALIA BAKER

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
KYLIE CANTRALL

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
PAOLO MONTALBAN, BRANDY

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
RITA ORA

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
RUBY ROSE TURNER

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
CHINA ANNE MCCLAIN

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Richard Harbaugh)
SHAZIA PASCAL

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
DARA RENEÉ

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
MARS

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Richard Harbaugh)
SARAH JEFFERY

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Richard Harbaugh)
ANNA CATHCART

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Richard Harbaugh)
MCKENZI BROOKE

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
KAAVIA JAMES UNION WADE, GABRIELLE UNION

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Mike Baker)
KYLA PRATT

DESCENDANTS: THE RISE OF RED – “Descendants: The Rise of Red“ World Premiere Event at The Walt Disney Studios Lot. Disney Original movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red” available July 12 on Disney+. (Disney/Richard Harbaugh)
CHINA ANNE MCCLAIN, RITA ORA, BRANDY

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“Family Feud” has remained so popular for so long because it often results in hilarious, off-color moments when the questions get a little spicy. Steve Harvey is an expert at taking full advantage of these situations. Things really get wild on “Celebrity Family Feud” when our favorite stars have to deal with Harvey’s silliness.

But on Thursday’s episode of “Celebrity Family Feud,” Megan Thee Stallion popped in to compete and got a polarizing question. Steve asked the “Savage” rapper to “Name something you’ve done to your mate’s feet?” The Hot Girl immediately said “massage,” which was deemed the No. 1 answer because it was so close to “rubbed ‘em.”

Though Meg seemed to just be having a good time, some of her fans took offense with the question, because she was shot in the feet in 2020. As previously reported by The Root, the Grammy winner was shot by Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, who was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

No one really takes “Celebrity Family Feud” seriously, but Megan’s loyal fans, the Hotties, were not happy about the question.

One person wrote on X, “They are wrong for that.”

Another fan noted their issues with the moment, writing on X, “The feet question for megan would’ve had me looking at them sideways fr.”

Meanwhile, one fan sees what the game show was doing, posting, “Celebrity Family Feud is messy cuz why would they have this foot category the night Meg is on here??”

Someone else pointed out that this felt deliberate, writing on X, “Somebody over at Family Feud thinks [they’re] funny.”

As weird as this question was, a much more fun moment happened elsewhere in the show when Harvey asked Meg to “Name something that might be curvy,” and she gave the only correct answer when she said “me.”

There’s a lot of reasons why this question is creepy, but using it for Megan Thee Stallion was ill-advised. Even if she doesn’t seem offended on the show, it’s not what you want viewers talking about after the episode airs.

The “back in my day” crowd never dies. It’s reproduced generation after generation, filled with members who diminish and dismiss “kids these days.”

There’s no shortage of complaints from the old school. Life was harder but they’re better off as a result: tougher, smarter and more disciplined. They understood concepts like decency and order, had better fashion sense and possessed a superior work ethic. The old way was always right even when grownups were abusive. Eff your feelings.

That must’ve been MyKayla Skinner’s mindset recently when she criticized the gymnasts — except Simone Biles – on Team USA’s 2024 Olympics squad. Skinner, who despite her first name has zero melanin, won a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Games and didn’t try out this time. At 27 years old, she’s ancient for a gymnast, and she sounded like a geezer late last month on a since-deleted two-hour YouTube livestream:

“Besides Simone, I feel like the talent and the depth just isn’t like what it used to be,” Skinner said. “Obviously a lot of girls don’t work as hard.” 

Biles is the same age as Skinner and the two go way back, finishing first and second, respectively, as teenagers at the 2015 American Cup. If Skinner’s criticism was based on ageism alone, that would be easier to understand. Instead, she suggested the current crop is weak because they didn’t suffer the types of abuse that wracked gymnastics before reforms were instituted a decade ago.

“The girls just don’t have the work ethic,” Skinner said, partially blaming the U.S. Center for SafeSport. “Coaches can’t get on athletes, and they have to be really careful what they say, which in some ways is really good. But at the same time, to get where you need to be in gymnastics, you do have to be a little aggressive and a little intense.”

She reminds me of Divine 9 members who complain as new pledges “skate” into the organization without absorbing the physical and mental abuse of past eras. Who cares about the deaths, trauma and lawsuits? We can’t be soft out here!

To no surprise, Skinner was torched on social media for her obtuseness. She initially posted on Instagram Stories that her comments were misinterpreted, a ridiculous defense for such straightforward remarks. She said her take “wasn’t always necessarily about the current team,” but more about the gymnasts at her own gym. As if they don’t reserve the same respect as Olympic athletes. 

Biles (apparently) clapped back with succinct sufficiency, mentioning no names but leaving no doubt who she was talking about. “Not everyone needs a mic and a platform,” the four-time Olympic gold medalist wrote last week via Instagram Threads. 

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That’s another difference between Skinner and Biles. The retired gymnast should take a seat and concentrate on raising her 9-month-old daughter, while the GOAT continues to make history and stand up for athletes’ rights. 

At the Tokyo Games in July 2021, Biles was an advocate for mental health when she withdrew from competition due to the “twisties,” a phenomenon when gymnasts lose spatial awareness in midair. A few months later, she was an advocate for victims of sexual abuse, testifying against Larry Nassar on Capitol Hill; the disgraced physician’s years-long abuse was disguised as medical treatment and eventually led to SafeSport’s creation.

In a formal apology after the so-called clarification, Skinner said her judgment was clouded by experiences under legendary U.S. Olympic coach Marta Karolyi, who allegedly tormented gymnasts. Cynics accused Skinner of playing the victim card but some empathy is in order.

“Upon reflection, I was comparing the ‘Marta Era’ to the current era,” Skinner posted on Instagram. “I am coming to terms that I have not fully dealt with the emotional and verbal abuse I endured under Marta that perhaps led to my hurtful comments.”

What’s that thing about hurt people hurting people? 

She wouldn’t be the first person who suffered abuse and then – subconsciously or not – defended abusers’ point of view. She might think it helped her become an Olympic medalist, so it wasn’t all bad then and it can’t be all bad now. Suck it up.

That was the standard approach for generation after generation in sports, Greek-letter organizations, the military and other endeavors. But then more enlightened views took hold and we realized it don’t take all that.

Being old school is fine, to a point. Skinner’s problem was being too old a fool.

And that’s not cool at all.

Deron Snyder, from Brooklyn, is an award-winning columnist who lives near D.C. and pledged Alpha at HU-You Know! He’s reaching high, lying low, moving on, pushing off, keeping up, and throwing down. Got it? Get more at blackdoorventures.com/deron.

16

Hulu has just dropped the official trailer for the much-anticipated second season of its gripping legal drama, “Reasonable Doubt.” The show promises more suspense, drama, and unexpected twists as Jax Stewart, played by Emayatzy Corinealdi, faces new personal and professional challenges.

After enduring a harrowing trial and a deadly affair last season, Jax is determined to rebuild her life. However, her plans are abruptly derailed when one of her closest friends confesses to killing her husband, claiming it was self-defense. The situation becomes even more complicated when a relentless prosecutor disagrees and aims for a conviction.

Jax enlists an ambitious defense attorney to tackle the case, but tensions rise quickly as the stakes escalate. As Jax navigates this complex legal battle, she must also try to save her marriage and maintain her sanity. Will she be able to defend her friend and handle the biggest case of her career, or will it all come crashing down?

“Reasonable Doubt” is the brainchild of Raamla Mohamed, who not only created the series but also serves as writer and executive producer. The show boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Kerry Washington, Pilar Savone, Larry Wilmore, and Anton Cropper. Co-executive producers Shawn Holley, Jon Leshay, Tamara Gregory, Lena Cordina, TASH Gray, and Resheida Brady round out the creative team. The series is produced by Onyx Collective and ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios.

The ensemble cast features Emayatzy Corinealdi as Jax Stewart, McKinley Freeman as Lewis Stewart, Morris Chestnut as Corey Cash, Tim Jo as Daniel, Angela Grovey as Krystal, Thaddeus J. Mixson as Spenser, and Aderinsola Olabode as Naima.

Don’t miss the season two premiere of “Reasonable Doubt,” streaming on Hulu starting August 22.

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