By Nicole D. Batey, Special to the AFRO Leon Bailey, a trailblazer in U.S. Navy Wrestling, was the first African American to integrate Navy wrestling and win an individual title at the AAU New England Six-State Championship in 1964. His life story and accomplishments are shared in his self-published book, Leon Bailey: The Dream. Born […]
Category: National Sports
Posted inSports
Raiders’ Morgan is NFL’s first Black female team president
By W.G. Ramirez, The Associated Press The Las Vegas Raiders introduced a former Nevada gambling regulator July 7 as the franchise’s new president, the first Black woman to hold the title with an NFL team. Team owner Mark Davis said Sandra Douglass Morgan topped his list every time after he spoke to candidates. “Her experience, […]
Posted inSports
Sharks hire Mike Grier as NHL’s first Black General manager
By Josh Dubow, The Associated Press The San Jose Sharks’ three-month search for a general manager ended with a barrier-breaking hire as the team made longtime NHL forward, Mike Grier, the first Black General manager in league history. “It means a lot to me,” Grier said at his introductory news conference on July 5. “It’s […]
Posted inNational News
More than 1,000 Black women leaders call on Biden administration to step up efforts to free Brittney Griner
By Stacey M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent A collective of nearly 1,200 intergenerational, intersectional Black women leaders across the United States is calling on the Biden administration to ramp up efforts to free WNBA superstar Brittney Griner from detainment in Russia. In a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris, the #WinWithBlackWomen collective […]
Posted inNational News
Denzel Washington and Simone Biles among 17 Medal of Freedom honorees
By Kara Thompson, MDDC Intern On Thursday, July 7, President Biden presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 17 Americans in a formal ceremony at the White House. “We strive for we the people doing what we can to ensure the idea of America,” said Biden. “The call of freedom shines like the sun to […]
Posted inBaltimore Community
Basketball icon Muggsy Bogues returns home for a book signing
By Demetrius Dillard, Special to the AFRO Basketball legend, philanthropist and author, Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues released a new autobiography chronicling some of his life’s most memorable moments entitled “Muggsy: My Life from a Kid in the Projects to the Godfather of Small Ball.” The former NBA star returned home to hold a book signing that […]
Posted inPolitics
House of Representatives passes bill calling for immediate release of Brittany Griner, WNBA star still in Russian custody
By Tashi McQueen, Report For America Corps Member, Political Writer for The AFRO Black woman and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) star, Brittany Griner has been detained in Russia for carrying an illegal substance into the Moscow Airport. On Friday, the US House of Representatives came to an agreement on the Griner Resolution that would […]
Posted inSports
Naomi Osaka and LeBron James launch media company
By AFRO Staff LeBron James, earlier this month, broke barriers again when he was named as the only active professional basketball player to become a billionaire. And phenom tennis player Naomi Osaka may well be on her way to joining King James after recently announcing another business venture. Osaka has partnered with the basketball legend […]
Posted inSports
College baseball intent on increasing Black players, coaches
By Eric Olson, AP Sports Writer Anthony Holman is the highest-ranking NCAA official at the College World Series and the man in charge of the Division I baseball championship. Holman is Black, and when he watches the games, he doesn’t see many people who look like him on the field or in the dugouts. “I […]
Posted inSports
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died at age 26
By Noah Trister, The Associated Press Ferguson, nicknamed “Sack Daddy,” played three NFL seasons, all with Baltimore. He set the career sacks record in the College Football Bowl Subdivision (45) when he played at Louisiana Tech University. Police said the cause of death is still to be determined. “On June 21, at approximately 11:25 p.m., […]
Posted inSports
AP source: Next Lakers head coach likely Black
Appointment would make Darvin Ham the 15th Black coach now in NBA By Greg Beacham, AP Sports Writer A person with knowledge of the decision says Darvin Ham has accepted an offer to be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. The person spoke with The Associated Press on May 27 on condition […]
Posted inSports
Rockets Jalen Green named to NBA All-Rookie First Team
By BlackPressUSA The NBA has announced that Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green was named to the All-Rookie First Team. The All Rookie First Team is generally made up of two five-man lineups: a first and second team. The top five players with the highest point total make the first team. The event takes place at […]