When former first lady Michelle Obama’s official portrait was unveiled on Feb. 12, 2018, at the National Portrait Gallery, the crowd present and all who looked on virtually were witnessing major history for Black women artists. 

The painter Amy Sherald, who was commissioned alongside painter Kehinde Wiley to paint the official portraits of the former first lady and former President Barack Obama, respectively, was the first Black woman to ever be commissioned by the institution. Wiley was the first Black man. 

“As soon as I got that phone call, I realized I was going to be the first,” Sherald told Time magazine. “Then I had to forget about it because it’s just a lot to carry around, like having to make this painting basically for the world.” 

She continued, “Having the opportunity to leave behind that kind of legacy is something that I never thought I would be able to do.” 

Sherald, known for her often whimsical, intimate, and elegant portraits of Black people with the enduring motif of their skin rendered in grayscale against colored backgrounds, also opened up to the publication about how representation in the field of visual arts deeply matters. 

“Not seeing yourself can lead you to not loving yourself,” she said.  

Sherald is among a growing group of Black artists presently making serious inroads in the field of art. Some of her peers include Ethiopian-American contemporary painter Julie Mehretu, fiber quilt artist Bisa Butler, the viral self-described “artpreneur” Uzo Njoku, and artist A.M. Darke who has singlehandedly spearheaded diversity in digital art and video games. 

While Black women have been underrepresented in the visual arts for generations, they have still been breaking the mold of the traditional white male artist throughout the field.

As Women’s History Month nears its close, we would be remiss if we did not pay tribute to some of art history’s most celebrated Black women pioneers. 

Toyin Ojih Odutola

Sherald may have been the first Black woman commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, but she was not the last. In 2022, the Nigerian-American contemporary artist Toyin Ojih Odutola was commissioned to craft an original portrait of none other than tennis champion Serena Williams. Some may know Odutola’s name from Fox’s “Empire,” which famously featured her work and gained her a substantial following. Odutola is known for pushing the boundaries of traditional portraiture through her uniquely whimsical multimedia drawings and works on paper. Much like her portrait of Williams, many of her works invite the viewer into vivid scenes of Black life.  

Kara Walker

Considered in many art circles one of the most important artists of our modern era, Kara Walker is a rare talent who daringly challenges themes around race and gender. She works in many different mediums, including large-scale public art. Walker, who has been a celebrated artist since the ‘90s and was previously best known for her often brutal silhouettes of antebellum life, went viral in 2014 for her first-ever large-scale public art piece, “A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby.” The work, installed in the former Domino Sugar Factory in Brooklyn, was a massive sugar-coated sphinx-like figure with exaggerated features evoking a “mammy”-like caricature of an antebellum Southern Black woman. 

Carrie Mae Weems 

Often, photographers are famous for their work behind the camera. In the case of the prolific photographer and interdisciplinary artist Carrie Mae Weems, the artist became known for her work in front of her own camera. In the early ’90s, Weems gained recognition for a photo series that featured herself and others engaged in everyday life, such as Black women and girls’ time-honored tradition of “pressing” their hair, which she called “The Kitchen Table Series.” Weems continues to work in themes around documenting and witnessing history. 

 Betye Irene Saar

Black American culture has seen many movements and revivals in its day, including the Black Arts Movement of the 1970s. The pioneering artists spearheading that era included visual storyteller and artist Betye Irene Saar, best known for her mystical and radical work in assemblage, or art made by gathering and assembling a variety of different elements together. One of her most celebrated works is “The Liberation of Aunt Jemima,” a 1972 shadowbox that features multiple caricatures of Black women stacked up against each other. 

Ming Smith 

In 1979, Ming Smith became the first ever Black female photographer to have work acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Since then, her work has only continued to thrill. From intimate black-and-white photographs taken at curious vantage points to warm, vibrant cinematic shots of celebrities, Smith’s work is often compared to scenes from dreams. Perhaps her talent behind the camera stems from the fact that she was also a barrier-breaking model alongside none other than Grace Jones. 

Elizabeth Catlett

Elizabeth Catlett was a sculptor, painter, and artist who, after studying art at Howard University in the 1930s, eventually settled in Mexico. Despite living and working in Mexico, she was a vocal supporter of the Black Civil Rights Movement, so much so that her work and advocacy resulted in her citizenship being revoked by the U.S. government, and she was barred from ever returning to her native country. While her citizenship was eventually restored in 2002, ten years before her death, the artist didn’t let anything get in her way. She famously said, “I have been, and am currently, and always hope to be a Black Revolutionary Artist and all that it implies!” 

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Alma Thomas

It is never, ever too late to start doing something you’ve always wanted to do. The late artist Alma Thomas, for instance, did not start painting until she was nearly 70 years old, and has since become known as a major artist of the 20th century. Thomas, who died in 1978 at the age of 86, was known for intricate designs and patterns painted in vibrant abstract watercolors. She was the first graduate of the fine arts department at Howard University, worked as a high school art teacher, and left behind a body of work that is discussed to this day. 

Edmonia Lewis

It’s hard to pinpoint the first Black woman artist in the history of America, but many agree that Edmonia Lewis, who lived from 1844 to 1907, is the first Black woman sculptor the American art world recognized. Not much is known for sure about Lewis’ life, largely because she reportedly had a penchant for stretching the truth. However, she moved around frequently, was educated, and eventually made it to Rome, where other Americans were settling at the time. In 2022, Lewis was commemorated with an official stamp by the U.S. Postal Service. Most of Lewis’ work did not survive the 20th century, although her legacy of daring to depict Black life and indigenous people with dignity and elegance endures through the few works that remain and can be viewed at some of the most important museums in the country. 

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Kay Wicker is a lifestyle writer for theGrio covering health, wellness, travel, beauty, fashion, and the myriad ways Black people live and enjoy their lives. She has previously created content for magazines, newspapers, and digital brands. 

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Updated 3/28/24 at 1:33 p.m. ET

When we originally heard that Whoopi Goldberg had to pause an episode of “The View” to ask an audience member to stop recording, we thought it was as simple as someone who decided to break the rules. However, it now appears that the incident actually escalated to a physical confrontation, which is what led the EGOT winner to step in.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Brian Wilson, who was also reportedly in attendance during the taping, claimed that the man who was recording got into an argument with the two women sitting in front of him. Wilson recalled that during the “Hot Topics” segment, the man “had his camera out, and he was putting the camera over her head to get to view.” She became irritated with his behavior and things escalated. The women asked him to stop several times, tried to physically lower his camera and threatened to call security, but it sounds like the situation was out of control.

“Once I saw the flustering, I looked over, and I could see the guy has his camera out, the woman to his right is putting her hands on him, on the camera, to lower it down,” Wilson said. “She’s basically saying ‘Stop! Stop filming! Stop doing that! He aggressively nudges her hand away and was like, ‘No.’ He was not having. That’s when I was like, ‘Oh, this is bad.’”

At this point, Whoopi stepped in and admonished him. Wilson also revealed that once the show went to a commercial break, the man was warned by a crew member not to take his phone out again, and that was the end of things.

Seems like this was one episode of “The View” where there were more fireworks in the audience than there was on the show.

See original story below

Sometimes an experience is so special that you want to make sure you can look back on it and relive those memories. But before you get your phone out and start recording, you need to remember that not everyone involved will appreciate you documenting the moment. At a recent taping of “The View,” an audience member found this out the hard way.

During Tuesday’s episode of the daytime talk show, the hosts were in the middle of the “Hot Topics” segment when Whoopi Goldberg noticed an audience member recording. She quickly stopped the discussion professionally handled the situation.

“Hold on a second. Sir, I have to stop you with the camera because I can see you,” she said. “Do me a favor: Don’t pull it out again. I’d appreciate that. Thank you.”

She didn’t raise her voice or give any attitude to the man—who was never shown on camera. She simply made a polite request of an audience member.

Anyone would get excited to be at a taping of “The View,” but it’s probably best to just take a photo like everyone else and enjoy the rest of the show. It will be on TV and the internet later, so why are you recording, Sir?

As if that wasn’t enough, the EGOT winner had a spicy moment with producers later in the segment. As they continued the discussion of Donald Trump’s many legal troubles, a producer wanted Whoopi to go to Sunny Hostin for a legal note that Trump has denied any wrongdoing in all 88 charges. The “Sister Act” star responded, “I’m going to get to her. My God guys, I’m going to get to her. May I finish my point or you want me to just jump now?”

This led co-host Joy Behar to jump in and warn everyone, “Whoopi is not in the mood today for your shenanigans!”

One: Whoopi couldn’t have handled this better. Confronting the person recording during the show, as opposed to during a commercial break, sends the message to future attendees that this is not acceptable or tolerated.

Two: We’ve told you time and time again, Whoopi is not one to play with.

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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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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The iconic duo of Miami PD detectives, Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, portrayed by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, are gearing up for another adrenaline-fueled adventure in the upcoming installment of the beloved Bad Boys franchise. Sony Pictures has just dropped a tantalizing new trailer for the film, titled “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” promising fans a rollercoaster ride of action, humor, and gripping drama.

In the latest trailer, which has already set social media abuzz, viewers are plunged into a high-stakes narrative as Lowrey and Burnett find themselves embroiled in a mission to clear the name of their late police captain, who stands accused of corruption and collusion with the cartel. However, the unexpected twist comes when the duo themselves are forced to tread the line between law enforcement and criminality, adding a thrilling layer of complexity to the plot.

True to the spirit of the franchise, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is packed with gritty shootouts, pulse-pounding chase sequences, and the trademark humor that fans have come to love. Smith and Lawrence effortlessly reprise their roles, delivering the perfect blend of camaraderie and witty banter that has made the Bad Boys series a fan favorite for decades.

Following the massive success of 2020’s “Bad Boys For Life,” which grossed over $426.5 million worldwide despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, anticipation for the fourth installment has been sky-high. The announcement of the film’s subtitle, coupled with the release of today’s trailer, has only intensified excitement among fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the Bad Boys saga.

Directed once again by the dynamic duo of Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who helmed the critically acclaimed “Bad Boys For Life,” “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” promises to deliver another adrenaline-soaked thrill ride that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. El Arbi and Fallah’s track record of blending heart-pounding action with compelling storytelling makes them the perfect choice to bring Lowrey and Burnett’s latest escapade to life on the big screen.

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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.

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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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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