This Week in Good Black News: Alpha Phi Alpha Opens Leadership Institute at Cornell, Howard Student Earns Brain Research Scholarship, India Bradley Makes Ballet History, Lil Rel Howery Elopes, and Jason Weaver Becomes a Dad
From Ivy League campuses to Broadway stages, this week’s stories remind us how powerful it is when Black brilliance takes center stage. Whether it’s Alpha Phi Alpha creating a new home for leadership at Cornell, a Howard University scholar pushing the boundaries of brain research, or India Bradley making ballet history, these moments highlight the range and resilience of Black achievement.
But it’s not just about accolades, but it’s about the heartbeat behind them. From Lil Rel Howery and Dannella Lane celebrating love in their own way to Jason Weaver embracing fatherhood, this week reflects a full spectrum of joy: innovation, intimacy, legacy, and love. These stories prove that no matter the field —education, science, art, or family. Black excellence is showing up, redefining what’s possible, and inspiring what’s next.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Opens Leadership Institute at Cornell
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has unveiled its first permanent leadership institute at Cornell University, as reported by Black Enterprise.
This is the very campus where the fraternity was founded in 1906. The new 9,000-square-foot space, called the House of Alpha Leadership Institute, will serve as a hub for mentorship, scholarship, and cultural advancement.
This initiative honors Alpha’s origins while expanding access for students from all walks of life, ensuring future leaders have a place to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.
Howard University M.D./Ph.D. Student Awarded Scholarship for Brain Repair Research
Howard University’s Christopher McGinley earned the Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship Award for his groundbreaking work in brain repair following stroke, as reported by Black Enterprise.
His studies explore how proteins can help regenerate neural pathways after trauma and work that may shape future treatments for stroke recovery. McGinley’s recognition underscores how Black scholars are driving forward the next era of medical innovation and health equity.
India Bradley Becomes New York City Ballet’s First Black Female Soloist
India Bradley made history as the New York City Ballet’s first Black female soloist. Since joining the company in 2018, the Detroit native has dazzled audiences with her artistry, confidence, and grace, as reported by BET.com.
Her promotion marks not just a personal victory but a step toward wider representation in one of the world’s most traditional art forms, proving that the beauty of ballet belongs to everyone.
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Lil Rel Howery Reveals He and Dannella Lane Eloped
Lil Rel Howery shared that he and partner Dannella Lane quietly eloped in a private ceremony filled with joy and laughter, as reported by BET.com.
The couple plans to host a larger celebration later, but for now, their union serves as a reminder that love doesn’t need an audience, but it just needs intention, trust, and timing.
Jason Weaver and Partner Gabby Welcome Baby Boy
Jason Weaver and his partner, Gabby, are officially new parents to their son, River Jeremiah Weaver, as reported by BET.com.
The proud dad shared the happy news online, celebrating a moment of pure gratitude and joy. For a performer whose career has spanned decades, this new chapter is his sweetest encore yet.
