Bubba Wallace Becomes Second Black Driver to Win NASCAR Cup Series

Photo Courtesy of 23xiracing.com

Over a year after a noose found in his garage at the same track prompted a hate-crime investigation by the FBI, Bubba Wallace made history Monday by winning a rain-shortened race at Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway to become just the second black driver to win in NASCAR’s top series.

“This is for all the kids out there that want to have an opportunity and whatever they want to achieve, and be the best at what they want to do,”  an emotional Wallace said following the win. “You’re going to go through a lot of (BS). But you always got to stick true to your path and not let the nonsense get to you. Stay strong. Stay humble. Stay hungry. Been plenty of times when I wanted to give up."

'@BubbaWallace is the second Black driver to win in the @NASCAR Cup Series, and the first to do so since 1963 with Wendell Scott.

Hear from the @23XIRacing driver after the historic win. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/fKTvclLeGh

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 4, 2021

The 27-year-old Alabama native, driving the 23XI Racing team's No. 23 Toyota — a car number picked for him as its first driver by majority owner Michael Jordan — led for the last five laps of the race after driving through a wreck to take the lead before the race was officially called with dusk approaching and 104 of 188 laps complete.

It was the first victory by a black driver 1963 at NASCAR's elite Cup level since 1963 when Wendell Scott — whose life served as inspiration for comedian Richard Pryor's "Greased Lightning" racing epic —accomplished the feat only to have NASCAR deny him the official victory for months. His family was just recently presented with his trophy from that race. 

"I'm so happy for Bubba and our entire 23XI Racing team. This is a huge milestone and a historic win for us," Jordan, who started 23XI Racing alongside NASCAR legend Denny Hamlin in 2020 said in a statement posted to the team's Twitter account. "From the day we signed him, I knew Bubba had the talent to win and Denny and I could not be more proud of him. Let's go!"

Howard University and Netflix Announce Scholarship Honoring the Legacy of Chadwick Boseman

 Photo Credit: Howard University

 Boseman delivering Howard University's commencement address in 2018.

Netflix, alongside Howard University, announced a $5.4 million endowed scholarship today to honor one of the historically black college's most famous alumni.

Actor, director, writer and producer Chadwick Boseman, an honors graduate of the HBCU, perhaps best known for his portrayal of Marvel's "Black Panther," died in August of 2020 of colon cancer at the age of 43, just as his career was reaching stratospheric levels.

Now thanks to the generous donation from Netflix, Howard hopes to not only preserve the legacy of Boseman — who was nominated posthumously for an Academy Award for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — but help support future students as they endeavor to imitate his postgraduate success. 

“It is with immense pleasure and deep gratitude that we announce the creation of an endowed scholarship in honor of alumnus, Chadwick Boseman, whose life and contributions to the arts continues to inspire,” Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick said in a statement. “This scholarship embodies Chadwick’s love for Howard, his passion for storytelling, and his willingness to support future generations of Howard students. I am thankful for the continuous support and partnership of Chadwick’s wife, Mrs. Simone Ledward Boseman, and to Netflix for this important gift.”

The actor’s wife, Simone Ledward-Boseman, added. “Many exemplary artists are not afforded the opportunity to pursue higher learning, we hope to support as many students as possible by removing the financial barrier to education. This endowment represents Chad’s devotion to the craft, his compassion for others, and his desire to support future storytellers.”

The Chadwick A. Boseman Memorial Scholarship will provide incoming students in the College of Fine Arts with a four-year scholarship to cover the full cost of tuition, which runs about $28,000 a year. According to the announcement the scholarship "will be given to students who have exceptional skills in the dramatic arts and exemplify Boseman’s values — a drive for excellence, leadership, respect, empathy, and passion — and who demonstrate financial need."

Four scholarships will be awarded starting this fall and then going forward one will be given to an incoming freshman each year.

Five Hip-Hop Icons to Unite for Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show

Courtesy Roc Nation 

It’s still way too early in the NFL season to predict whether the game will be worth watching, but for the first time in a long time it looks like the Super Bowl’s halftime show will be must-see television for hip-hop fans no-matter what teams are facing off in the main event. 

Thursday the NFL, Pepsi and Roc Nation announced five hip-hop icons will unite to headline the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will take to the stage to perform together for the first time in their careers. Jay Z whose firm Roc Nation has helped produce the last two halftime shows and will guide this one as well said in a statement that the show was “history in the making.”

"Dr. Dre, a musical visionary from Compton, Snoop Dogg, an icon from Long Beach and Kendrick Lamar, a young musical pioneer in his own right, also from Compton, will take center field for a performance of a lifetime,” said Jay Z, hyping the lineup. "They will be joined by the lyrical genius, Eminem and the timeless Queen, Mary J. Blige.”

Dr. Dre thanked Jay Z, Roc Nation, the NFL and Pepsi for the opportunity to participate in what he called, “an unforgettable cultural moment.”

"The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career," Dr. Dre. said.