The news cycle can be relentless. Between rising costs, geopolitical tensions and the daily grind of navigating an uncertain world, it can feel like good news is in short supply. But Black joy, Black excellence and Black pride have never stopped showing up and this week delivered some of the most heartwarming proof of that. Here are five moments worth celebrating, saving and sharing with everyone in your group chat.
Jill Scott showed out for HBCU culture in the most creative way
On March 26, award-winning R&B singer Jill Scott took the stage at the HBCU Aware Fest in Atlanta, and her performance was every bit as soulful and commanding as fans have come to expect from the Philadelphia native. But it was not just her voice that had people talking. Scott arrived in a custom designed look that stopped the internet in its tracks a patchwork dress made entirely from upcycled HBCU T-shirts, stitched together into one show-stopping ensemble.
The look was both a fashion statement and a cultural one, blending creativity with environmental consciousness and a deep nod to the legacy of historically Black colleges and universities. The dress was put together with direction from Scott’s stylist Pamela Macklin, a former Essence fashion director, who collaborated with a young Atlanta-based designer on the piece. The result was widely described as wearable art and it absolutely was.
A 68 year old grandmother proved fitness has no expiration date
Actors and social media personalities Khadeen and Devale Ellis are no strangers to going viral, but this week it was Khadeen’s mother, affectionately known as Mimi, who stole the show. The 68-year-old joined her four young grandsons for a workout session in the family’s front yard and did not just keep up with them she outshone them. Drawing on her background as a former track star, Mimi moved with energy, agility and pure joy, reminding everyone watching that age is truly just a number when it comes to staying active and healthy.
A former janitor just matched at Yale for her medical residency
This may be the most powerful story of the week. Shay Taylor Allen, a graduate of Howard University Medical School, just matched at Yale New Haven Hospital for an anesthesiology residency one of the most competitive specialties in all of medicine. What makes her journey even more extraordinary is that for a decade, Taylor Allen worked as a janitor in that very same hospital. She was also born there. A New Haven, Connecticut native raised by a single mother, she took the cleaning job straight out of high school simply to make ends meet. The woman who once cleaned those halls will now save lives in them. Congratulations, Dr. Taylor Allen.
Jay Z had the most heartfelt things to say about Blue Ivy
In a recent cover story with GQ, Shawn Carter opened up about watching his oldest daughter with Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, come into her own as a performer and a musician. He described her as a remarkably gifted pianist who prefers to keep it entirely self taught, not wanting music to feel like an obligation. He also spoke about watching her perform on stage alongside her mother describing it as the first time he truly saw her fight for something, push through difficulty and earn her place rather than simply receive it. His pride was undeniable and completely earned.
Young dancers in Washington, D.C. are building more than just moves
A group of children from the Washington, D.C. area has been capturing hearts online with a dance video that is equal parts joyful and deeply meaningful. Under the guidance of their teacher, Mr. Soto, these young performers move with a level of confidence and self-expression that is remarkable for their ages. Beyond the artistry, what they are building through dance fitness habits, coordination, teamwork, math skills through counting and the freedom to express themselves fully is something every child deserves access to. Watching them is nothing short of a reminder that when Black children are given space to shine, they absolutely do.
