This Week in Good Black News: Ciara To Be Honored, LeBron James Joins Ohio State Legacy, and Sexyy Red Vows to Support St. Louis
This week in good Black news, Ciara is set to be honored at the inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner, a new event uplifting the creative force of Black women while raising funds for breast cancer awareness.
In the academic world, LeBron James, long associated with Ohio State in spirit, is being awarded an honorary degree by the university for his significant cultural impact and work through the I PROMISE Program.
And back in St. Louis, Sexyy Red is stepping up after a tornado devastated her hometown, promising support and solidarity as her community begins to rebuild. Keep scrolling for more on these stories and others.
Ciara to be honored at the inaugural Black Women in Music Dinner
Ciara will receive the Avant-Garde Award at the first-ever Black Women in Music Dinner on June 3 in Los Angeles.
Held at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion, the dinner will be hosted by The Connie Orlando Foundation and celebrate the vital role of Black women in shaping the music industry, spotlighting Ciara’s innovation in music and culture, while also supporting breast cancer awareness and research.
“Black women in music continue to be a transcendent and driving force of creative expression,” said founder Connie Orlando, calling the evening “an unforgettable night.”
Alongside Ciara, honorees include Sylvia Rhone (Vanguard Award), June Ambrose (Guardian of Vision), Phylicia Fant (The New Guard), and spotlight recipients DJ Kiss and Flo Ngala. More information can be found on the event’s official site here.
Mario and Jadakiss to headline All About Us Festival this Juneteenth in Jersey City
House legends Robin S and Kenny Bobien will also take the stage, promising feel-good anthems like “Show Me Love” and “You Are My Friend” to keep the crowd two-stepping on the grass.
“From the moment you walk in, it’s going to feel like joy,” said founder Shannon Mitchell. “We created this space to remind us of what freedom really looks like — being together, being seen, and celebrating everything we are.”
Happening June 19, the festival also includes a Black-owned marketplace, wellness activations, kid zones, food trucks, and surprise guests — all in celebration of Black pride and culture.
LeBron James to receive honorary degree from Ohio State University
LeBron James is officially becoming an honorary Buckeye. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees is set to award the NBA icon with an honorary degree in recognition of his “trail-blazing achievements in sports, business, and philanthropy.”
Though he skipped college for the NBA, he once said in a 2019 interview, “For sure I would’ve been one of those kids if I would have went off to Ohio State…”
Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he’s helping create “generational change” by supporting over 1,600 students and families through his I PROMISE Program.
James will join past honorary degree recipients, including Barack Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and others.
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Sexyy Red vows to support St. Louis in the tornado aftermath
As recovery efforts continue following a devastating tornado in St. Louis, hometown rapper Sexyy Red is pledging her support.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday (May 21), the artist shared, “My heart is with you… Idc what nobody say this the city that made me who I am so this is personal!! I have major plans to help us out. I got us period… just be patient and please stay strong.”
The tornado, which touched down last week, brought winds reaching 152 mph and stretched nearly a mile wide, leaving widespread destruction across the city.
Southern University students win Emmy for celebrating the Human Jukebox’s power and precision
HBCU pride took center stage at the 45th Annual Sports Emmy Awards, where a team of Southern University students earned a prestigious Emmy for “The Hidden Sport,” a short documentary spotlighting the athleticism and artistry of the university’s iconic Human Jukebox Marching Band.
Created by students Loren Sullivan, Verbon Muhammad, Sydney Cuillier, Ashley Lovelace, and Eric White—it was affectionately dubbed “The Dream Team” HBCU Gameday reports. The film reframes the band as more than halftime entertainment. “This is about showing the world that band members are athletes too,” the group shared.
The project was produced through a national $40,000 HBCU broadcasting grant sponsored by Coca-Cola and the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
