The post Introducing the Chicago Defender 2024 Men of Excellence Honorees appeared first on Chicago Defender ..read more

By Joseph Williams This article was originally published on Word In Black. This story is part of “Flint’s Still Fighting,” Word In Black’s series about the decade-long water crisis, and the struggles and triumphs still transforming the majority-Black city. It’s been a decade since Joyce Ellis McNeal learned the water coming from the taps in her Flint, Michigan, home was, in her words, “poisoned.” The anger and trauma in her voice is still very much present.    In April 2014, not long after news broke that her city’s water was tainted by lead and bacteria, McNeal ..read more

Photo: City of Arcola A Texas mayor received a threatening package as he seeks reelection. On Tuesday (April 23), Arcola, Texas Mayor Fred Burton was sent a package containing a noose and a note warning him to cancel his reelection bid, per PEOPLE. The Arcola Police Department shared images of the package on social media. “Get out of the race now!!” a typed letter reads. The letter arrived with a noose in an envelope addressed to Burton. The police department said they are treating the incident “with the utmost seriousness,” noting that the FBI is also assisting in its investigation. On Wedne ..read more

By Evan F. Moore In the aftermath of the Hennessy, Casamigos, and Remy Martin bottle memorials, along with dissipated balloon send-offs regarding former Bears QB Justin Fields, the team officially moved on by selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.  That’s right, Bears fans. It’s time to embrace what’s in front of you: The future. When Williams hit the stage in Detroit with a primal yell, the energy was different and unlike anything Bears fans have seen in maybe ever. In my last column, I mentioned the long and painful history regarding the fra ..read more

Caleb Williams at his post-draft press conference (Credit: Jeremy Allen, Michigan Chronicle). DETROIT—The worst-kept secret in the NFL became official when the Chicago Bears selected Caleb Williams as the top overall pick in the NFL Draft.  The only quarterback the Bears hosted for its pre-draft visit was Williams. When the University of Southern California quarterback had a pro day at his old college, Chicago’s newest signee, Keenan Allen, attended to provide support.  Welcome to Chicago, @CALEBcsw! ?⬇️ pic.twitter.com/tnInv8jwYp — Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 26, 2024 &nb ..read more

Michelle Williams is back where she belongs, on stage for a Broadway-bound production.  Sure, she’s renowned for being a core member of a famous female R&B group. Still, Williams has made her mark by appearing in some of the most memorable productions over the last twenty years: “Aida,” “Chicago,” “Fela!” and, of course, “The Color Purple.”  Before this Rockford, Illinois native heads back to Broadway for her latest venture, she will appear on stage much closer to home. Williams is set to star in “Death Becomes Her” at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in downtown Chica ..read more

The passion of football fans knows no bounds, and it’s evident in the way that more than 275,000 people packed into downtown Detroit Thursday night, April 25, to break the NFL’s single-day draft attendance record. The previous record was when 200,000-plus people attended opening day of the 2019 NFL Draft, and the city saw more than 600,000 people over its three days. After just 10 picks announced Thursday night in Detroit, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told the crowd of the new record. “I heard there’s close to 150,000 already outside, waiting to get in,” Goodell said shortly after 7 p.m., n ..read more

On a night where just 13 NFL prospects showed up to attend the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, the pre-show red carpet attend was a star-studded affair, as soon-to-be pro football players were dressed to the nines for thousands of fans and media members. Draft prospects were all decked out in diamonds and gold and tailored suits for the event. Check out the looks from 12 of the 13 prospective draftees as they strutted the red carpet with their parents, significant others, other family members, and friends at downtown Detroit’s Fox Theatre just hours before the beginning of the 2024 NFL Draft. Foll ..read more

The Chicago Bears’ $5 billion proposal for a brand new lakefront stadium, ahead of their anticipated No. 1 overall pick at tonight’s NFL Draft, marks an inflection point for a franchise reimagining itself for the future.  Under the plan, the new stadium would be built next to the current Soldier Field, one of the NFL’s smaller venues. It would sport a translucent roof and enormous windows to allow natural light to enter while providing spectacular views of the city’s lakefront.  The franchise made the announcement on Wednesday, detailing the team’s plans to privately invest more tha ..read more

The lives of numerous athletes will be changed today as the NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit. Following the excitement of being selected by an NFL franchise, the players and their families will have to get down to business. Salary negotiations are inevitable, and the right sports agent can help players gain millions when it comes to performance incentives.    But when it comes to sports agents, the lack of diversity is glaring. Although there are 57.5% of Black players in the NFL, there are only 7.5% of Black agents who represent players, according to The Institute for Diversity and E ..read more