Author: tourist_yp6g7u

Harlem SummerStage closed out the summer with performances by the Uptown Dance Academy and Harlem’s own Lorenzo Laroc and Drums of Culture.

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On the opening day of the 2023-2024 National Football League season, a historic record was set. For the first time in the history of the NFL, 14 Black quarterbacks took the snap on week 1. Last season, 11 Black quarterbacks started on week 1. The Week 1 starters are Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs), Jalen Hurts (Eagles), Lamar Jackson (Ravens), Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Deshaun Watson (Browns), Russell Wilson (Broncos), Geno Smith (Seahawks), Desmond Ridder (Falcons), Joshua Dobbs (Cardinals), Justin Fields (Bears), Jordan Love (Packers), Bryce Young (Panthers), C.J. Stroud (Texans) and Anthony Richardson (Colts).

The 2023 NFL Draft marked the first time in NFL history Black men were selected in the top three positions for quarterback. The position was once seen as a white male-dominated one until players such as Michael Vick and Randall Cunningham revolutionized the position and the game of football. In the modern era, the NFL has seen an increasing number of Black quarterbacks breaking barriers and achieving success. Players like Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, and Patrick Mahomes have become stars in the league. Mahomes is currently one of the most recent standout Black quarterbacks. He led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory and has won the NFL MVP award.

The history of Black quarterbacks in the NFL is a story of perseverance. Breaking down racial barriers in the NFL has been a long and difficult road in a sport that is now dominated by African Americans. But the quarterback position has been a special problem: Teams from college up have been reluctant for decades to encourage Black players to play quarterback. Many talented Black athletes were denied opportunities to play quarterback.

In the 1920s Fritz Pollard became one of the first African American quarterbacks in the NFL. He played for the Akron Pros in 1920, making him one of the league’s first Black players. He also became a player-coach.  But he was a rare early pioneer at a time of racial segregation Jim Crow. In 1968, Marlin Briscoe became the first Black quarterback to start in the NFL during the modern era. He played for the Denver Broncos and later transitioned to a wide receiver position.

In the 1980s, Houston Oilers QB Warren Moon became one of the most prominent Black quarterbacks in NFL history. Moon started as a star in the Canadian Football League before joining the NFL in 1984. Had a highly successful NFL career, earning nine Pro Bowl selections and being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In 1988, Washington Redskins QB Doug Williams made history in Super Bowl XXII (1988) when he became the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. He led them to a victory and was named the game’s MVP.  Philadelphia Eagles QB Randall Cunningham was known for his athleticism in the 1980s and 1990s. Cunningham was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. While there have been significant strides in the representation of Black quarterbacks in the NFL, there is ongoing recognition of the need for continued diversity and inclusion in all positions in professional football — including owner and head coach.

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — As a crowd made its way into the nearby football stadium, a father watched his two sons toss a ball back and forth. Hot dogs sizzled on a smoky charcoal grill nearby.

The music from a DJ’s live set a few yards over was so loud it reverberated off the ground as lyrics from “Before I Let Go,” the hit by the soul band Frankie Beverly and Maze, prompted tailgaters to break out in dance.

This particular intersection of sports and culture was outside Hard Rock Stadium, where the historically Black universities Florida A&M and Jackson State were playing in the annual Orange Blossom Classic. The outcome of the game meant bragging rights for the next year, of course, and the tailgating here had many of the same trappings you might find at a game in the Southeastern Conference or Big Ten.

The reasons for attending this multi-day event are about much more than that.

HBCU Classics are a beloved staple in the Black community. More than just competitions, they are a gathering point for fellowship as well as a means to spotlight and celebrate the rich history tied to HBCUs.

“Family reunion,” Maya Brown said with a laugh. A graduate of the HBCU Bethune-Cookman, she traveled from Atlanta to Miami for the Orange Blossom festivities.

“This is everyone getting together with friends and family that you haven’t seen in a while,” she explained. “It’s just one big family reunion. Even though you may not have gone to FAMU or Jackson State, just coming together as one HBCU.”

Special games pitting one HBCU against another have existed since the early 1900s, when Black people created their own spaces to exist and celebrate themselves within the confines of a segregated society.

Alabama State and Tuskegee met in 1924 in what was dubbed the Turkey Day Classic — held on Thanksgiving Day — and many consider it the first Black college football classic. The State Fair Classic in Dallas began the following year on what was called “Negro Achievement Day” at the Texas State Fair. It was a designated day where Black people could attend the fair and hold high school and college football games. That game is still held annually between Grambling State and Prairie View.

Not unlike traditional bowl games, these competitions are partially about rivalries, but to most who attend, they are a church revival, family reunion and homecoming celebration all in one.

“It’s a combination of all these different things that you associate with the African-American, Black community, particularly in the South, oftentimes, now really all around the country about celebrating that space where you bring people together,” said J. Kenyatta Cavil, a professor at Texas Southern who focuses on the culture of HBCU sports.

The games are also a celebration of achievement, where people can learn of the successful doctors, lawyers and political figures who went to HBCUs.

“One thing that I have been doing is inviting my kids to these events so they can get the experience of what it’s like being a part of an HBCU football atmosphere,” said Derrick Lester, a Florida native whose foundation helps send high school kids to college. “Everybody wants to go to a bigger school — a Miami or Florida State or Florida. But there are great HBCUs.”

The activities surrounding a classic usually start several days before the game. There are golf tournaments, step shows, parades, a battle of the bands and some sort of fundraising event or showcase of Black businesses. Cavil said a large percentage of the money generated during classic weekends goes toward academic scholarships at the schools.

A day before the Orange Blossom Classic, HBCU fans and alumni donned their school, sorority and fraternity gear and came together at a South Florida recreation center, where food trucks and vendor booths lined a rain-soaked yard.

Charles Osuji, a Florida A&M alumnus, bustled between four booths, where youngsterss from his mentoring program giddily told potential customers about their products, which ranged from homemade limeade to makeup. Osuji said he was grateful that the classic weekend provided an outlet for the young sales team.

“There’s a grit and a grind from going to an HBCU that when we go into the real world, we’re unmatched,” he said. “We don’t need a connection. We create the connections because we know we have to go out there and get it.”

Thanks in part to the attention that former Jackson State coach Deion Sanders brought to HBCUs, football attendance has increased in recent years, which has meant more money for schools that are historically underfunded compared to predominantly white schools. The Magic City Classic held in Birmingham between Alabama State and Alabama A&M — the largest HBCU classic game in the country — drew a crowd of over 67,000 last year.

Some tailgaters remain outside the stadium during the games, while others head in to check out the bands from both teams at halftime. Most marching bands play versions of pop music, but HBCUs take it to a different level, adding dance and intertwining it with traditional band music to create an experience like no other.

“For us, a lot of times our fans won’t come into the stadium until midway through the second quarter, they’re coming in to watch the halftime,” said Reginald McDonald, band director at Tennessee State. “And if our team is winning, they’ll stay. But if our team is not doing very well, as soon as halftime is over a lot of them go back out to continue tailgating.”

Several hours after the Orange Blossom Classic ended, people remained in the parking lot, which was almost completely dark by then. Their tents were still up. The smell of food was still in the air, music still playing.

“This type of environment, especially in our community, is so needed,” Osuji said. “With all the negative stuff that’s going on around the world and around the communities, this is the opportunity to bring people together.”

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AP Sports Writer Kristie Rieken contributed.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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The early years

There’s no doubt about it, up-and-coming R&B artist Coco Jones is the next big thing. Not only does she have the hottest R&B song out right now, but she’s also hella talented with her gorgeous looks, sexy body, and soulful voice. Born Courtney Michaela Jones, some might recognize the singer from her earlier years being on Disney’s Let it Shine. Now, Ms. Jones is on Def Jam’s record label and is well on her way to the top.

Bring back that old-school R&B sound

Jones has gained a lot of attention for her revival of old-school R&B and viral covers. From the outfit to the live instruments and dope artistry, Def Jam’s recording artist performed covers like Real Love by Mary J Blige and Brandy’s Full Moon on REVOLT’s “The Link Up.” She explained what draws her to these classics and how she adds her own spin. “I love these songs. I always try to match the energy of the artist.”

ICU #1 on Billboard

The Tennessee native reflects on one of the biggest highlights of her musical career. “Seeing ICU go #1 on Billboard was a huge highlight for me. When my team called and told me that ICU was #1, I was in shock. There was a moment where I had no words.” The recording artist gives a lot of credit to her mom. With the biggest smile, Jones stated “When I have a great accomplishment, I always call my mom.”

The song ICU has skyrocketed Jones’ career. In July, Justin Timberlake teamed up with Coco on the remix. This collaboration took the essence of the song to another level. “I heard Justin Timberlake liked the song ICU and wanted to support me, so he jumped on it.”

Coco the Actor

With the SAG-AFTRA on strike, the Bel-Air star who plays the character Hilary, was appreciative as we skipped over questions related to acting.

Once the strike is over, we’ll be back with a second interview.

Lessons Learned

In this competitive industry, particularly for Black women, Jones reflects on a few lessons she learned along the way and advice for talent looking for stardom. “The hardest thing in my career was not taking on a quick opportunity.”

The entertainer also credits Beyonce as a person who inspired her when it comes to crafting stage presence and connecting to the audience.

Sunday Night Lights

On Sunday night – and with Coco Jones as the headliner – hundreds of people filled downtown Dallas’ Echo Lounge with an all-ladies line up, including Ebony Riley and S!MONE.

The city of Dallas showed major love to Def Jam’s recording artist as she hit the stage dancing (with background dancers) in a 2-pc glittery gold outfit and singing a song from her What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) album – Caliber. The crowd was in awe as they sung every song word for word and patiently waited to hear the lyrics from Jones’ R&B hit, ICU:

Something ‘bout your hands on my body
Feels better than any man I ever met

Coco Jones continues to demonstrate artistry, not just a singer or actress, but a true entertainer that is here for the long term.

Coco, WE C U!

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