Long before Black Twitter and TikTok began “standing on business,” there was a long legacy of Black women who were about their business. Today, Black women are no strangers to the business world; from women climbing the ranks of major corporations to launching empires of their own, JPMorgan reports Black women are behind nearly 2.7 million businesses in the U.S., making them the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs. 

While there was a significant spike in entrepreneurship as the world shifted in 2020, Black excellence in business existed long before then. Black women like Ursula M. Burns and Cathy Hughes walked so that modern-day businesswomen like Oprah Winfrey and Issa Rae could run. From innovative startups to corporate giants, these women exemplify resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination, proving that success can transcend race and gender. 

Maggie Lena Walker 

In 1903, Maggie Lena Walker chartered the Saint Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Va., making her the first Black woman to charter a bank in the United States. In addition to segregation, at the time, the banking and finance industries were boys’ clubs that offered little to no leadership opportunities for women, let alone women of color. Walker broke this norm by not only establishing the bank in Richmond but also serving as its president, where she led the business through the financial struggles of the Great Depression. According to the Library of Congress, the Saint Luke Penny Bank worked to empower the Black community by increasing home ownership through the distribution of mortgage loans to Black families and employment rates by primarily selecting Black women to lead its operations. 

Ursula M. Burns 

In 2009, Ursula Burns made history as the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company when she was named chief executive officer of Xerox. Before her historic rise to leadership, Burns started her career as a mechanical engineering summer intern for Xerox. Gradually climbing the corporate ladder, she ascended from that internship into full-time employment to senior vice president of Xerox’s corporate strategic services, and, eventually, CEO. 

By 2015, the C-suite executive had helped the business generate $18 billion in revenue, per Forbes. While leading the Xerox team, President Barack Obama appointed Burns to the forefront of the White House National STEM program in 2009. After stepping down as CEO, she continued to share her leadership and industry knowledge by serving on boards for the University of Rochester, the MIT Corporation, Boston Scientific, FIRST, the National Association of Manufacturers, the RUMP Group and more. 

Lillian Lincoln Lambert 

In 1969, Lillian Lincoln Lambert became the first Black woman to earn a master’s degree from the Harvard School of Business. 

“I had no idea what to expect when I got [to Harvard],” Lambert, a Howard University undergraduate alumna, told Forbes. “That first day, I was the first person to get to the dorm. I got there early and was greeted by this older lady who told me, ‘The dorm isn’t ready. Won’t be ready for a couple of hours. You can put your bags here and go sit in the park.’ So that’s what I did. While sitting there, I was thinking, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ I just wanted to go back, get my suitcase and go back home. I didn’t want to be there. But then I started thinking about all the people that supported me to get there. I had been excited about being there. They were excited about me being there. Something said. ‘You’ve got a responsibility to stay here and see this through.’ So I went back to the dorm and checked in.”

Lambert’s journey paved the way for diversity in subsequent Harvard School of Business classrooms and has since inspired generations of students. After graduation, she went on to launch a career in the building maintenance industry, becoming an entrepreneur who accrued $20 million before selling her company, per Forbes. Today, Lambert is an author and public speaker sharing her success story and learnings around the country.  

Cathy Hughes

Media pioneer and radio maven Cathy Hughes is the first Black woman to lead a publicly traded media company on the U.S. Stock Exchange. Hughes began her career in radio before becoming a lecturer in the early years of Howard University’s School of Communications. Beyond the classroom, she served as vice president and general manager at the university’s radio station, WHUR, making her the first woman to hold these roles at a station in Washington, D.C. She continued to make history, inventing the revolutionary “Quiet Storm” radio format – a late-night segment hosted by a DJ with a deep, soothing voice playing a mix of R&B, jazz, soul and blues. 

Changing the landscape of Black radio, Hughes went on to co-found and lead Radio One, the largest Black-owned and operated broadcast company, the first Black company in radio history to dominate several markets and the first woman-owned station to rank No. 1 in any major market. Since then, Hughes has been recognized for her work by the NAACP, the Congressional Black Caucus, the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame, and more. 

Over 40 years later, Radio One lives on as a subsidiary of Urban One. 

Sheila Johnson 

In 1980, Sheila Johnson and her husband, Robert, co-founded Black Entertainment Television, popularly known as BET. Geared specifically towards Black audiences, the cable network was led by Johnson, who served as executive vice president for corporate affairs. During her tenure, Johnson spearheaded a number of initiatives, including the show Teen Summit, which ran from 1989 to 2002 and spoke directly to the experiences of Black teenage viewers. Following the Johnsons’ divorce in 1999, Sheila left BET and a year later sold the rest of her shares in the company for $3 billion, making her the first Black female billionaire. Soon after, she created Salamander Hotels and Resorts, a collection of hotels ranging from Middleburg, Va., to Montego Bay, Jamaica. In addition to her work in hospitality, Johnson is an author and the only Black woman to own stakes in not one but three professional sports teams: the WNBA Mystics, NBA Wizards and NHL Capitals, per Forbes. 

Aurora James

Aurora James is the creative director and founder of Brother Vellies, a luxury accessory brand that not only celebrates cultural history but also strives to keep African artisanship alive by creating jobs across the globe. Worn by a number of celebrities, including Solange, Beyoncé, Zendaya and more, the brand’s notoriety within the industry grew. 

In the midst of the 2020 lockdown and racial uprising, James founded a nonprofit advocacy organization designed to diversify retail shelves called the Fifteen Percent Pledge. What started as an Instagram post has since grown into a fully staffed organization that has partnered with almost 30 major retailers, including Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora, Ulta Beauty and more. In addition to helping get more Black-owned businesses into more retailers, the Fifteen Percent Pledge offers grants to support Black entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses. 

Sarah Bond 

In 2023, Sarah Bond became the president of Xbox at Microsoft, making her the first Black woman to hold the title at ant major multinational gaming company, according to Black Girl Gamers. Before being appointed as president, Bond joined Microsoft in 2017 as the corporate vice president of gaming partnerships and business development. In her vice presidential role, she also leads diversity and inclusion initiatives at Microsoft, working as an executive sponsor of the employee resource group “Blacks @ Microsoft.”

Mellody Hobson

Mellody Hobson is the president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments, one of the nation’s oldest Black-owned firms with over $16 billion in assets. Sitting on the board of several major corporations like JPMorgan Chase and previously leading other major entities like DreamWorks and Estée Lauder, Hobson has not only risen to be a prominent businesswoman but also an advocate for financial literacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2017, Hobson became the first Black chair of the Economic Club of Chicago in its 90-year history. Similarly, she made history at her alma mater, Princeton University, when the Ivy League renamed its residential college after her in 2020.  

Eunice Johnson 

Businesswoman Eunice Johnson forged a path for Black women in not only the beauty sector but also fashion. After establishing Ebony Magazine with her husband, John Johnson, Eunice pioneered an initiative to introduce the Black middle class to luxury fashion. The Ebony Fashion Fair was an annual fashion show that traveled from coast to coast showcasing haute couture garments. Becoming one of the most sought-after events of the year amongst Black women, the event offered a unique runway for Black models and designers like Stephen Burrows, Patrick Kelly, Willi Smith, L’Amour and more to showcase their talents. 

“She just wanted to prove there was nothing you couldn’t do; there was no barrier to Black beauty. She would put the brightest yellow [or] brightest orange on the most dark-skinned model she had,” Linda Johnson Rice, Johnson Publishing CEO and daughter of John and Eunice, told Ebony Magazine. 

With a passion for fashion, Johnson reportedly acquired nearly 8,000 couture ensembles despite having to beg, persuade and threaten European designers to sell her pieces as a Black woman. Her work with the fashion show inspired her to create the makeup brand Fashion Fair and raised approximately $55 million for Black charities like the United Negro College Fund and more. The Ebony Fashion Fair ran from 1958 to 2009, but in 2017, the Chicago History Museum curated “Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair,” an exhibition of Johnson’s sartorial collection highlighting the biases she overcame during her quest to bring high fashion to Black audiences. 

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In a sneak peek released today, audiences caught their first glimpse of the highly anticipated film “Challengers” helmed by visionary director Luca Guadagnino. Set to hit theaters on April 26th, the film promises an electrifying blend of sports drama and personal conflict.”Challengers” centers around Tashi Duncan, portrayed by the incomparable Zendaya, a former tennis prodigy who has transitioned into a formidable coach. Unapologetic both on and off the court, Tashi finds herself entangled in a complex web of relationships and ambitions.

The stakes are raised when Tashi’s husband, played by Mike Faist of “West Side Story” fame, faces a career-defining moment amidst a losing streak. Tashi’s unconventional strategy for his redemption throws him into a showdown against his old friend turned rival, Patrick, portrayed by the talented Josh O’Connor from “The Crown.” Adding layers of tension and intrigue, Patrick happens to be Tashi’s former flame, igniting unresolved emotions and long-buried conflicts.

As past and present collide, “Challengers” promises a gripping narrative that delves into the sacrifices and costs of ambition. With Guadagnino at the helm and a stellar cast led by Zendaya, O’Connor, and Faist, the film is poised to captivate audiences with its raw intensity and emotional depth.

Written by Justin Kuritzkes, the film boasts a stellar production team including producers Amy Pascal, Luca Guadagnino, Zendaya, and Rachel O’Connor. With music by the acclaimed duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, “Challengers” is set to deliver a cinematic experience that transcends the boundaries of sports drama.

Executive producers Bernard Bellew, Lorenzo Mieli, and Kevin Ulrich have lent their expertise to bring Guadagnino’s vision to life, promising audiences a captivating exploration of love, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of victory.

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Please don’t take her man! Beyoncé just posted the tracklist to her upcoming album, “Cowboy Carter,” officially confirming that the Grammy winner will indeed cover one of the greatest country songs of all time: Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”

The “Break My Soul” singer dropped a post to her official Instagram account midday Wednesday, featuring a red white and blue-themed tracklist for her highly anticipated “Act II” project. Track titles include “The Linda Martell Show,” “American Requiem” and yes, “Jolene.” While the artists set to feature on the album remain unclear, the post does include titles “Dolly P” and “Smoke Hour Willie Nelson,” which could either be songs referencing the country titans or featuring them as collaborators.

As theGrio previously reported, Parton already teased a possible cover of “Jolene.” In an interview this month with Knox News, Parton explained, “I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene,’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about that.”

“We’ve kind of sent messages back and forth through the years,” Parton continued. “And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”

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Other track titles include “Daughter,” “Spaghetti,” and “Blackbird.” Check out the full potential tracklist on her official Instagram page here.

As theGrio previously reported, Beyoncé took to Instagram last week to break down her inspirations behind her country-inspired project, writing to her fans, “act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.” She concluded, “This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album.”

“Cowboy Carter,” will drop on Friday, March 29.

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North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson has a penchant for popping off on social media. But his longstanding (and one-sided) social media beef with Beyoncé seems to have gone a little too far now—even for him.

During a series of rants spanning multiple years, Robinson —who is Black —insulted Beyoncé’s singing abilities, called her a “skank,” and said she was teaching “young women how to be hyper-sexual whores.”

Robinson’s posts about the Cowboy Carter singer and other similarly inexplicable rants began to slowly resurface after he launched his campaign for Governor of North Carolina. And now that he’s won the Republican nomination — it seems even more worthwhile to look inside the mind of the man who could soon be governor of the Old North State.

For example, in a 2017 Facebook post, Robinson wrote, “Person; Beyoncé is a role model!” Me; “The only person that butt shakin’, devil worshipping, skank is a role model to is people who want a fast track to Hell.”

Then in a more recent 2019 post, Robinson said that her music sounded like “Satanic Chants.”

Robinson also had smoke for her husband, rap mogul, Jay-Z.

“Jay-Z teaches our young men how to be foul mouthed thugs and his wife teaches our young women to be hyper-sexual whores… I guess y’all are okay with that and so is Hilary Clinton,” wrote Robinson in 2016.

The North Carolina Lt. Gov. is no stranger to picking fights on the internet. (Note: his on-going beef with the Civil Rights Movement and Africans writ-large). But it all seems to fit with his habit of politically pandering to people’s inner racism.

Earlier this month, Robinson won the Republican primary race for Governor shortly after receiving an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Robinson is facing Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein in the general election in November.

Last year, Stein was endorsed by the current Governor, Roy Cooper, who is also a Democrat. (In North Carolina the Lt. Gov and Governor are elected separately). Stein is slightly ahead in recent polling, but the race is still incredibly close — meaning Robinson could bring his feud with the music icon to the Governor’s mansion.

Oprah Winfrey Network announced the renewal of its popular unscripted dating series, “Ready to Love,” for an eagerly anticipated tenth season. This announcement comes ahead of the season finale, scheduled to air on Friday, March 29 at 8/7c.

The current season, set in Fort Worth, Texas, has captured audiences’ hearts as it follows singles on their quest for genuine connections. Hosted by comedian and actor Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles, the show delves into the romantic journeys of successful Black men and women in their 30s and 40s.”Ready to Love” has secured its position as Friday night’s #1 original non-sports series on cable among African American Persons & Women 18+ and Persons 2+. Its compelling narrative and relatable characters have resonated with viewers, making it a standout in the realm of reality television.

As season nine draws to a close, anticipation is high as four couples prepare to enter the finale episode. Promising moments of self-reflection and unexpected twists, the finale is poised to deliver memorable surprises, including at least one couple sailing into the sunset together.

Following the season finale, fans can look forward to an explosive two-part reunion hosted by Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles. The original 20 singles will come together to reflect on their romantic and dramatic experiences in Fort Worth. From unexpected connections to surprising revelations, the reunion promises to be a rollercoaster of emotions.

Parts 1 and 2 of the Fort Worth Reunion are set to air on Friday, April 5 and 12 at 8/7c on OWN, providing viewers with further insights into the cast’s journey towards finding lasting love.

“Ready to Love” is produced for OWN by Will Packer Media and Lighthearted Entertainment, ensuring audiences receive top-quality entertainment that resonates with the authenticity and depth that the series is known for. With its renewal for a milestone tenth season, “Ready to Love” continues to captivate audiences and reaffirm its status as a must-watch series in the realm of reality television.

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In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Rowan University and did an interview with Brianna Reagan the 2023-2024 Student Government Association president.

The position of SGA president is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes in being elected by their peers to lead. Reagan, who is doing a double major in Journalism and Africana Studies as well as a minor in Pubic Relations, is from Camden, NJ. She is a proud Fall 2023 initiate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

We interviewed Brianna Reagan, and talked to her about her position, goals, future and what it means to hold this type of leadership position in 2023-2024.

Read the full interview below.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned as an SGA president so far?

The greatest thing I’ve learned so far as SGA President is that you will not be able to please everyone but give your absolute best making decisions for the greater good of the student body that best represent their wishes and concerns.

What made you decide to attend Rowan University for undergrad?

I decided to attend Rowan University when I was given the scholarship through the depart of Educational Opportunity Funds Program. It is then when I knew, staying in New Jersey for my undergraduate degree was my best option to stay close to home and remain cost efficient in my undergraduate years.

How has Rowan University molded you into the person you are today?

Rowan University enhanced the person that I am today by providing me with endless opportunities like fostering relationships with college friends, networking connections for future endeavors, becoming an advocate for the importance of student voices on campus, and becoming a soror of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. Because of Rowan, the person I am today knows how to command the room, understand how deserving I am to stand in the room, and to achieve all goals I put my mind to like becoming SGA President.

What specific initiatives have you headed up this year (or are planning) and how do you think they will improve the school and surrounding community?

This year, I planned a networking event named Prof Pride Full Circle. Where undergraduate students in BIPOC communities connected with BIPOC Alumni to bridge the gap between the two and aid students in finding mentorship that is not only related to the field that they seek to be apart of but with people who look like them as well.

How is your SGA administration/school currently working on attending to the mental health of students?

Rowan University Administration does their best to promote positive mental health strategies for students through our Wellness Center. They also focus on some of the needs of students that could affect a students mental and emotional health. Areas like food insecurity, Rowan has a student pantry (The SHOP)where students can visit once a week and grocery shop neccesity items for their dorm rooms. The SHOP is also extending to neighboring campuses like the Camden Campus to reach more students. In areas like financial insecurity, Rowan Univeristy offers Emergency Funds where students can fill out a form to recieve an emergecy stipend for aid in most financial obiligations you may have. Like many schools, in areas, Rowan can advance in ways to prioritize the mental health of students like offering additional jobs other than becoming a Resident Assitant to waive housing for commuter students or students who do not have proper shelter. It would also be beneficial to hire more staff to offer aid to the students as our institution continously grows. Although in ways Rowan can lack in areas, they make it a priority to take suggestions from students on how it would be best to imporve.

What does leadership mean to you?

To lead by example for the people who plan to follow in my path. A leader is someone who considers others, knows what their jobs entails, and gives credit where it’s due to their team beside them.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think schools need to do to represent themselves online in 2023/2024?

Being so that we live in a digital world, I feel that schools have adapted to this way of living to their best ability. I believe that schools as well as neighboring communities lean too much on the digital world because of how convenient it is. Although the digital world is very convenient, people are forgetting what it means to make geuine connections because the digital world is not as transparent or realistic as we see it to be. I feel that schools have to do a better job at helping students come out of their shells to aid in-person relationships like events and common areas. The world is becoming a place where it is more difficult to seperate digital from reality. The plus side of the digital world is that Rowan’s Machine & Artificial Intelligence Virtual Reality Research Center located in our South Jersey Tech Park is state of the art equipment for students to study research and development projects, community projects, and Senior Engineering Clinic projects. Digital advancement like VR will help students advance their ability of studying and retaining information from their classes. This is a great start!

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black students and college culture?

Watch The Yard is important to Black Students because we are in the midst of crucial turning points in our lives where we live with a double consciousness. Trying to succeed in a nation that creates barriers for people of color to do the exact opposite. During college a lot of students of color are learning to, if they have not already mastered, code switching so that they are not taken over by imposter syndrome. In times like this students of color forget their importance, value, and uniqueness because it isn’t advertised as much. Watch The Yard gives Black students a sense of something they can relate to in college. No matter if you’re at an HBCU, PWI, or Community College. Watch The Yard opens the door for Black students to feel like they have a place to be transparent of their experience with people who look like them, as well as transparent with their selves. Watch The Yard is important to Black students because it reminds us of that sense of culture that is easy to forget when you’re surrounded by people who don’t have the mental capacity to understand what it is to be a Black College Student.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to seek out my real estate license to become a real estate agent. I will also stay involved with the community through journalism and in politics through Public Relations. Before, I used to think that my goals were too big and now I know that everyone else’s imaginations are just too small. For everyone out there who’s overwhelmed about what’s to come post graduation, don’t worry, you’re skilled, you’re capable and your destiny will come true.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Brianna Reagan for her work as the SGA president of Rowan University.

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In the words of Florida Evans, “Damn, damn, damn!”

That was Black Twitter’s first few reactions to seeing the trailer for Netflix’s new animated reboot of “Good Times.”

Premiering Friday, April 12, the series follows a new generation of the Evans family as they thrive and survive in a housing project in Chicago. The star-studded voice cast includes J.B. Smoove as patriarch, cab driver Reggie Evans; Yvette Nicole Brown as his wife Beverly; Jay Pharoah as their artist son Junior; Marsai Martin as activist daughter Grey; and Gerald “Slink” Johnson as drug-dealing baby Dalvin.

Why yes, I did say drug-dealing baby. And now you know why Black Twitter is hot as fish grease about this reboot.

If this were just another adult animated comedy that subverted expectations and took a satirical tone, it wouldn’t be so egregious. However, it fails at its most basic requirement, which is to be funny.

Since the trailer elicits literally no laughs, its exploitative nature feels more pronounced. Producers and writers could’ve made this show without using the familiar name of a TV classic to pop a number. Connecting this to “Good Times” was unnecessary and unwanted, according to many on social media.

And as you’d expect, using a groundbreaking piece of Black culture in this manner got Black Twitter riled up, and no punches were pulled.

Many viewers took issue with the family’s portrayal, with one person writing on X, “This is disrespectful & distasteful. They took a show that was based on a solid hardworking family into a cartoon caricature of Black America. Tried to guise it under the show ‘Good Times’ smmfh.”

Another user pointed out how the family’s presentation goes against everything the original stars wanted the Evans to be, writing on X, “Esther Rolle literally fought for a Black father representation in ‘Good Times.’ She risked everything, and when they killed John Amos off, she literally left the show—we can’t keep spitting in their faces like this.”

One user is ready to skip this nonsense and bring back the animated series we’ve really been waiting for, posting, “Nah just give me the ‘Boondocks’ because they warned us about this.”

Another person didn’t bother beating around the bush, explaining exactly how they felt about the series’ “jokes,” writing on X, “I’m not even shocked. When they first announced they were making a cartoon version of a ‘Good Times’ reboot, it was a hard no. This shit is an animated minstrel show trying to fit in as many stereotypes as they can about Black people.”

Bad shows come and go all the time, and it’s usually not that big of deal. But when you use “Good Times” to put this nonsense out in the world, it has to be called out.

Nothing in this trailer uplifts or celebrates Black families. So far, the show is looking like a not-so good time.

In an effort to highlight the people who are leading colleges and universities across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to Berry College and did an interview with Alexis Mitchell the 2023-2024 Student Government Association president.

The position of SGA president is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes in being elected by their peers to lead. Mitchell, who is majoring in Anthropology, is from Austell.

We interviewed Alexis Mitchell, and talked to her about her position, goals, future and what it means to hold this type of leadership position in 2023-2024.

Read the full interview below.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned as an SGA president so far?

The biggest thing that I have learned as an SGA President is to be patient. The student body comes from various backgrounds and different ideas, with this knowledge I have also learned to be compassionate and gain agility in many different situations on and off campus.

What made you decide to attend Berry College for undergrad?

Berry College is a unique place where you are a familiar face and everywhere you go, you see faculty, staff, and students eating lunch together. The first thing that, I can remember is the family atmosphere. I was on a campus tour, during my senior year of high school when I felt a warm atmosphere. I felt seen and not just a number. That is why I am not only a student but an active student at Berry College. The community we have here has allowed me to grow so that is also why I have stayed at Berry, because the community that you make here is one you would never want to let go.

How has Berry College molded you into the person you are today?

At Berry College, our motto is “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” This has molded me to be resilient, determined, methodical, and have a servant’s heart. Being a woman of color at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI) has allowed me to connect with my peers, professors, and faculty on a personal level. They allowed me to take up space and to be my authentic self. I think while being at my college I have learned to speak out as well.

What specific initiatives have you headed up this year (or are planning) and how do you think they will improve the school and surrounding community?

This year as a team we wanted the student body to have a voice in what they want to see change here at Berry College. We had a Student Feedback Night where we discussed dining services, residence life, and student events. We had a wonderful turnout and students spoke their minds on these important issues that shape the student experience. This event helped the professional staff understand the student’s perspective and bridge the connection a lot more. We have also been transparent with student organizations and clubs about the budget and what ways the budget can be provided for their events as well. This is an ongoing process that the team and I are working on.

How is your SGA administration/school currently working on attending to the mental health of students?

College can be stressful and tiring at times which can cause serious burnout. SGA administration and Berry College are constantly working toward better accessibility for students to get the assistance they need. The Counseling Department on campus for example, has encouraged students to use an app called OASIS. We want to encourage students to be observant of their mental health when the Counseling staff is unavailable at times. That is what the OASIS app is for. I also have the OASIS app as well because mental health is important to me. Another ongoing initiative that is at Berry is called the Care Team. It consists of faculty and staff that are constantly being a listening ear to students. As SGA and Berry College partner together on mental health, we have a hotline that all students have access to in cases of emergency. This hotline is given to every student when they drive into the gates of Berry College. Are meetings are also a time where students can express themselves as well.

What does leadership mean to you?

It means to be diligent, kind, and knowing when to lead and to follow. A true leader sows seeds and knows when to be a seed. Leadership to me is knowing that you can make a difference whether big or small. You are charged with the responsibility to be innovative and adaptable.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think schools need to do to represent themselves online in 2023/2024?

Schools have the rare opportunity to connect with future families and students in deciding on an institution that best fits their student’s prospective path. Colleges can have social media accounts such as TikTok or Twitter(X) to connect with the younger and older generations. I think schools have more of a responsibility to speak out and to connect with their audience. It is a firsthand connection, that schools can have access to.

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black students and college culture?

Watch The Yard is so important because it ignites passion. Watch The Yard confirms that we deserve to be in higher education and that our culture is beautiful, and it is appreciated every day. It gives hope to know that we are overcoming obstacles every day and that we will be okay. While I am at a Predominately White Institution (PWI) it is important for Black Students to be passionate to create change at their institution as well. This platform is an important part of the Black Community because it allows the elders of our generation to see that the younger generation of Black Students are keeping the torch alive.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

After graduation in 2025, I plan to obtain a master’s degree in Public Health in hopes of getting a Doctoral degree in Public Health or Anthropology.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Alexis Mitchell for her work as the SGA president of Berry College.

Share this on Facebook and help us highlight Alexis Mitchell and Berry College.

The biographical film BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE has won over audiences around the world, grossing more than $170 million at the global box office. The film, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as the renowned artist, follows Bob Marley’s ascent to stardom in the mid-1970s until his untimely death in 1981.

Since its release, the film has enthralled viewers with its depiction of Marley’s life and musical legacy. The star-studded cast features Ben-Adir, Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley, and James Norton as Chris Blackwell.

The film made its digital debut on March 19, 2024, via Paramount Home Entertainment, allowing audiences to delve into Marley’s life from the comfort of their own homes. On May 28, the film will be available in 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, and DVD, providing viewers with an immersive experience of Marley’s story.

To celebrate the digital release, Lashana Lynch, who plays Rita Marley in the film, provided thoughts on her performance and the film’s impact. In an exclusive interview with Where Is The Buzz, Lynch discussed her mother’s initial reaction to playing Rita Marley, her Jamaican heritage, and her enthusiasm over the film’s early Oscar buzz.

In addition to the plot, fans who buy the film will get access to almost 50 minutes of rare supplementary content. This includes behind-the-scenes interviews and footage that provide a better understanding of the film’s production and the Marley family’s involvement.

Among the bonus features, viewers can explore:

1. Becoming Bob Marley: Witness Kingsley Ben-Adir’s transformation into the legendary musician, capturing Marley’s essence with authenticity.

2. The Story: Bringing Bob Marley’s Story to Life: Delve into the filmmaking process, centered around Marley’s music, message, and family.

3. The Cast: Hear from the talented actors, including Ben-Adir and Lynch, as they discuss their approach to portraying these iconic figures.

4. On Location: Jamaica and England: Explore the real-life settings where Marley lived and created his timeless music, from the vibrant streets of Jamaica to the cultural hubs of London.

5. The Band: Learn about the musicians who contributed to the film’s authentic sound, including members of the original Wailers.

Furthermore, viewers will be able to discover extended and deleted scenes that provide additional insight into Marley’s life and legacy.

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, celebrating the enduring legacy of one of music’s most influential figures. As fans immerse themselves in the film’s rich storytelling and bonus features, Marley’s spirit lives on, inspiring generations to come.

About The Author

Wayne Ayers

Wayne Ayers is the founder and CEO at WhereistheBuzz, an online media company that breaks down the biggest news in Entertainment. Forbes featured the company in their Next 1000 List in 2021. Wayne Ayers is also the creator and host of The Wayne Ayers Podcast.

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