Today, Black comedians are among the most celebrated and widely recognized names in the entertainment industry – but it wasn’t always that way. Just a few decades ago, it was rare for People of Color to see themselves represented on TV, but all that changed thanks to the work of Keenen Wayans. The 66-year-old comes from a family of funny (and talented) people , including siblings Damon, Kim, Shawn and Marlon. While he got into Tuskegee University on an engineering scholarship , Wayans dropped out one semester before graduating to focus on comedy. After moving to California and learning the tricks of the trade from Robert Townsend, the Harlem native never looked back. For Almost 45 Years, Keenen Wayans Has Been A Pioneer In Black Comedy (Photo by Pool DENIZE/PELLETIER/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images) Keenen Wayans was in his early 20s when he headed out west, but it didn’t take long for him to find work. By 1982 he was making appearances on the hit TV series Cheers ; this was followed...

In 1972, Thom Gatewood was captain of the University of Notre Dame’s football team , even earning himself a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. Little did the athlete know that by 2020, his future grandson, AJ Dillon (also known as Quadzilla), would be playing professionally in the NFL , even breaking regularly breaking records in the league. Unfortunately, it was confirmed on Aug. 28 that the 26-year-old won’t be joining the Green Bay Packers on the field for the 2024 season due to a neck injury. On the bright side, this period of recovery will give Dillon more time at home with his wife, Gabrielle Toonen, and their son, Algiers Dillon III (or Trey), who shares a birthday with his dad. After developing his skills at Lawrence Academy, a private boarding school in Groton, Massachusetts, the Baltimore-born running back was off to Boston College. Dillon became the team’s all-time rushing leader with 1,589, 1,108 and 1,685 yards in his three years respectively. As for touchdowns,...

Football may be a dangerous sport, but it’s one of America’s favorites; this is just part of why NFL players are paid so handsomely . Anyone hoping to be drafted must be three years out of high school, giving them time to mature mentally and physically before joining their heroes on the field. Maryland’s Tavon Austin was a 22-year-old standout from West Virginia University when he joined the St. Louis Rams in 2013. In the decade following that, he played nine NFL seasons with five different teams before announcing his retirement in August 2024. Thanks to his shorter stature, speed and skill, Austin became known as the “Pocket Rocket.” While the second half of his time in the league was less glamorous than the first, the Baltimore native will always be remembered for his accomplishments. His love for the sport was obvious even in high school, at which time he was twice named the Maryland Consensus Offensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Austin set state records for career points...

Many singing shows have come and gone since American Idol was in its prime, but few contestants have made as much of an impact without actually winning as Jennifer Hudson. You might recall the Chicago native from season three of the reality series, where she quickly won over the hearts of audiences with her stellar vocals and down-to-earth energy. Much to the viewers’ surprise, Hudson was voted out early in the competition, but she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dreams. Instead, Jennifer Hudson’s net worth is now in the multimillions thanks to her decades of dedication to her craft . The mother of one is the youngest of three on her maternal side but found out as a teenager that her absent father was responsible for 26 other children. She was only seven when she took an interest in singing in the church choir, and it was her grandmother, Julia, who encouraged Hudson to get involved in community theater. She’s cited Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle and the late Aretha...

Most young football players only aspire to make it to the NFL , but few get the opportunity to play on those famous stadium fields. When Haason Reddick was selected as the 13th overall first-round pick in the 2017 Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, he knew he had to make his presence felt. Before going pro the 29-year-old played college ball at Temple University , but after successful seasons on three different NFL teams, the fourth is keeping the star linebacker from playing amid a contract dispute . How might Haason Reddick’s net worth be impacted by the unfolding drama? Keep reading to find out. What Is Haason Reddick’s Net Worth? (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) According to TWSN , the two-time Pro Bowl defensive is worth $15 million as of 2024. This number is considerably lower than his estimated career earnings of $34.895M, but Reddick is plotting some money moves that he hopes will keep both numbers climbing. Over the next two years, projections estimate the embattled New...

Each time the Olympic Games come around, the world anticipates who will become the next record holder in a particular sport. In the men’s 100-meter race, Noah Lyles snatched the gold medal on Aug. 4, 2024, per NBC New York. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Noah Lyles (@nojo18) Born in Gainesville, FL, Lyles was raised and spent most of his developmental years in Alexandria, VA. According to a Team USA profile, his athletic interest began with gymnastics. However, at age 12, he developed an affinity for track and field, eventually leading him to Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. He followed in the footsteps of parents Kevin Lyles and Keisha Caine Bishop, who both graduated from the university in 1995. A Lyles Family Tradition Kevin Lyles was a Seton Hall record holder, once known as the most decorated track and field athlete in Big East Conference history based on an Asbury Park Press report. His athletic prowess led him to be elected to the university’s Hall of...

Career pivots are becoming increasingly common as people realize the power of not limiting themselves to one lane. This phenomenon has become particularly pervasive in the sports world, as many former athletes find themselves out of the game but adjacent to the sports they love through media, coaching, or front-office gigs. Former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson is a shining example of a successful career pivot, his path fueled by prioritizing his mental health. Burleson is a Canadian-born television host who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions across 11 seasons. During his career, he completed 457 receptions with 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns. However, his career hit a bump in 2008 when he tore his ACL, missing most of that season and struggling with his mental health. In Yahoo Life’s “The Unwind” series, Burleson shared the challenges he faced with depression during that time, highlighting his resilience in the face of adversity. “I realized how...

Phrases like “Home is where the heart is” or “There’s no place like home” are common ways to describe a person’s connection to a place based on fond memories and comfort. But for those with a robust real estate portfolio, home can be wherever their investment dollars lead them. Naomi Campbell is an example of the latter. Naomi Campbell Is Multi-Dimensional Campbell, the British supermodel perhaps best known for her signature runway walk and fashion style, has invested in several global properties, adding to her business diversity. In 2024, Campbell was honored at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum with a first-of-its-kind exhibit — Naomi: in Fashion — that opened June 22, 2024, and runs through April 6, 2025. The exhibit traces her 40-year journey from her childhood days as a dancer to the pinnacle of her modeling career in the 1990s. As MSN reported, the exhibit features her signature looks and career-defining moments. This exhibit not only celebrates Campbell and her fellow Black...