BATON ROUGE, LA

For the first time ever, an HBCU has qualified for the ECAC EA Sports College Football Division 2 National Championship, and that program is Southern University, and that moment belongs to Baton Rouge.

This happened by design. Southern University has been building something inside the Esports Innovation Lab that most institutions are still trying to figure out. The Digital Gaming Ecosystem, known as EDGE, was designed from the ground up to develop students who compete at the highest level and carry the institution’s name with distinction. Wednesday night is proof that the investment is working.

Southern University’s competitor, Coby Robinson, delivered the performance that sealed it. Down a game to Indiana University East, Robinson came back to win Game 2 by a commanding 41-21 margin. Game 3 went to overtime, and with the season on the line, Robinson executed a perfect field goal to close it 45-42 and send Southern University to the national stage.

Christopher Turner, Director and Head Coach of Southern University EDGE, captured the weight of the moment: “This is a monumental moment for Southern University and for the entire HBCU landscape. This is about showing the world that our excellence in esports is just as historic as our excellence on the football field.”

The Jaguar community now has one clear assignment, and that is to show up in force.

The championship match is set for Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM CST. Southern University enters as the No. 2 seed, facing No. 1 Bellarmine University in a matchup that the entire HBCU world will be watching.

Watch the full semifinal comeback: Twitch Semifinal Broadcast

Stream the championship live at twitch.tv/subr_esports, and if you are in Baton Rouge, attend in person at the Esports Innovation Lab inside the Southern University Student Union.

Southern University has always competed at the highest level, and now the entire nation is watching to see what the Jaguars will do with this moment.

Championship Match Details Matchup: No. 1 Bellarmine University vs. No. 2 Southern University Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM CST Stream: twitch.tv/subr_esports In-Person: Esports Innovation Lab, Southern University Student Union

About Southern University Esports (EDGE) Southern University’s Digital Gaming Ecosystem exists to prove that Jaguar excellence has no ceiling. Through competitive gaming, content creation, and STEAM-based career development, EDGE prepares students for the evolving digital landscape while writing new chapters in HBCU history.

By Revolve Fund | The AFRO

SELMA – As over 40 million Americans grappled with the reality of not being able to feed themselves or their families due to SNAP delays, Revolve Fund is seeking to help. Revolve Fund has announced a $20,000 community grant to the Black Belt Community Foundation as part of the duo’s continued partnership. The grant will increase the foundation’s capacity to execute programs and fundraise to support food access efforts in the Alabama Black Belt region.

“Revolve Fund complements its core mission of improving capital access for entrepreneurs by partnering with leading organizations that are addressing critical community needs,” said James Wahls, founder and managing director of Revolve Fund. “Like BBCF, Revolve understands at the most fundamental level, everyone should have access to healthy food.”

“BBCF is deeply grateful for the Revolve Fund’s grant to underwrite direct food support in the Black Belt during the current disruption of SNAP benefits, continuing high food costs and unprecedented strain on our local food banks,” said Christopher Spencer, president and CEO, Black Belt Community Foundation. “As BBCF mobilizes resources and community partners during this time, Revolve is one of the first philanthropic organizations to step forward to support our Food for Families in the Black Belt Campaign. We look ahead to our productive, continued partnership with them to positively impact and transform the Black Belt region of Alabama.”

“While our communities need and deserve so much more, we hope our contribution will support the foundation’s ability to work with other philanthropic partners, individual donors, charities, and public partners,” Wahls added.

Detroit, MI — PMG Agency has launched Cohort 2 of the PMG Journey Fellowship in partnership with Cranbrook Horizons-Upward Bound (HUB), supported by the Flagstar Foundation, which has funded the fellowship since its inception. The Journey Fellowship equips students with tools to understand how narratives shape perception, opportunity, and identity, with post-program evaluation showing measurable growth in media awareness and discernment.

Building on HUB’s college access mission, the program examines how repeated messages influence judgment, reinforce bias, or attach limiting labels. Fellows are challenged to question assumptions and define themselves by their values and aspirations rather than inherited narratives.

Through structured dialogue and creative storytelling exercises, students strengthen critical thinking and confidence. They study how stories are framed in media and culture and learn how story functions not only as expression, but as strategy. Education and youth development professionals rated the PMG Journey Fellowship five out of five stars, with 100 percent reporting that the intellectual depth of the youth elevated or shifted their perception.

“With this program, I was able to see that my peers were more than the narrative I had given them,” says Alan Carlisle, 10th-grade student at Cass Technical High School and 2026 Journey Fellow. “I learned the difference between critique and criticism, and I’ve grown as a young man alongside my peers.”

The Journey Fellowship was designed and is led by Ken L. Porter, Executive Producer and Chief Visionary of PMG Agency. “When youth understand how narratives take shape, they move differently,” says Porter. “They become more thoughtful about what they accept, what they repeat, and how they define themselves.”

“It was powerful to partner with PMG Agency to bring the Journey Fellowship to HUB and introduce students to storytelling in a way that affirmed and strengthened their own narratives,” says Dillon A. Brown, Director of Development at HUB.

Katherine Morgan, President of the Flagstar Foundation, adds a call to action to future funders, “The PMG Journey Fellowship is the right type of program that you should be funding. This is important work.”

Cohort 2 also received support from the Wayne County Sheriff Youth and Senior Education Fund, with additional partnership from Project Boss Up and collaboration with Detroit CARES, an affiliate of The National CARES Mentoring Movement.

PMG Agency is a Detroit-based narrative change and experiential storytelling firm focused on elevating aspirational and authentic narratives through its Journey of Stories film series, the Black Excellence Impact Dinner series, and the PMG Journey Fellowship.

For more information, visit pmgjourneyfellows.com.

Washington, DC: The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, is pleased to announce the launch of our 2026 “Leadership Matters” video series.

Working in collaboration with Events DC and PKB Enterprises, with corporate support, the NNPA produced 6 exclusive thirty-minute-long video interviews featuring some of the nation’s most effective and transformative leaders.

For the next six weeks and beyond, the “Leadership Matters” video series will be repeatedly broadcast on the NNPA’s www.BlackPressUSA and on numerous NNPA member publishers’ social media channels across the nation, in addition to being highlighted in NNPA print and digital publications.

The following are the national leaders who have been videotaped for the NNPA “Leadership Matters” series: The Honorable Congressman James Clyburn and Rhonda Mims, Executive Vice President of AmeriHealth Caritas; The Honorable Congressman Troy A. Carter and Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs for Microsoft; The Honorable Congressman Steven Horsford and Dr. Steven Johnson, Executive Vice President of Events DC; The Honorable Senator Alsobrooks, D-MD, and Mamar Gelaye, Vice President of Amazon; and The Honorable Governor Wes Moore of Maryland.

The NNPA is grateful for the support and sponsorship from Amazon, Microsoft, Events, DC, AmeriHealth Caritas, Bayer, and the PKB Enterprises whose generosity enabled and made possible the production and distribution of the “Leadership Matters” video series.

Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

• intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

• Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
• Strengthen mentorship pipelines
• Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
• Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, [email protected] or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,

Arizona Informant

SELMA, Ala. — Civil Rights TV, the world’s first 24-hour television network dedicated exclusively to civil rights history, education, and future equity, has officially launched on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT.

The network debuts from Selma, Alabama — one of the most historically significant cities in the American civil rights movement — marking a new chapter in how civil rights stories are preserved, amplified, and carried forward for future generations.

Civil Rights TV operates continuously on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT, offering documentaries, news analysis, live discussions, educational programming, global civil rights coverage, and cultural storytelling. The channel functions as both a historical archive and a living platform addressing contemporary civil rights challenges.

Civil Rights, Technology, and the AI Era

As technology and artificial intelligence increasingly shape access to information, media, and opportunity, Civil Rights TV launches at a moment when access to digital infrastructure itself is emerging as a civil rights issue.

Media fragmentation, misinformation, and uneven access to technology continue to reshape public discourse. While on-demand platforms have expanded individual content access, large-scale live broadcasting still faces challenges related to congestion, latency, and energy consumption.

Civil Rights TV leverages broadcast-efficient OTT architecture designed to reduce bandwidth usage and energy requirements, enabling continuous global distribution without placing added strain on network infrastructure.

Why Civil Rights TV Matters Now

Civil Rights TV is not only a media launch—it is a signal.

The network underscores the importance of preserving civil rights history using the most accurate and comprehensive sources available. For generations, the Black press has maintained some of the deepest and most reliable documentation of the civil rights movement, currents events, news and critical Black history, much of which remains underrepresented in modern digital media archives and inaccessible to artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

As a result, Civil Rights TV will rely heavily on national Black press for news, historical archives and independent voices. Prominent digital news platforms, podcasts, and broadcasters—will play an instrumental role in shaping continuous coverage, historical interpretation, and public discourse.

About Connect2OTT

Connect2OTT currently manages more than 250 live 24/7 television and radio channels streaming to audiences in more than 190 countries. Civil Rights TV joins this ecosystem as a flagship channel, designed to foster global conversation while demonstrating how media distribution, energy efficiency, and AI readiness can coexist responsibly.

About Larry Witherspoon

Larry Witherspoon is a technology entrepreneur and founder of Phoenix-based Connect2 Technologies, LLC, including Connect2OTT, Connect2AI, and Connect To Your City OTT Platform.

In 2006, Witherspoon launched FaithFone Wireless, the world’s first Christian-owned and operated mobile phone company—years ahead of today’s fintech and mobile banking platforms. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), FaithFone introduced mobile banking, digital tithing, live television and radio, content downloads, and branded debit- card-based person-to-person payment functionality before mobile commerce was widely understood by major telecom and financial institutions.

That early convergence of mobile, media, and financial technology laid the foundation for Witherspoon’s current work across AI, energy efficiency, broadcasting, and infrastructure optimization.

Community Content Submissions

Civil Rights TV welcomes article submissions from trusted community voices, journalists, and verified organizations. Content may be submitted through an official upload portal or via email for editorial review.

Submissions approved for broadcast will be scheduled during the network’s community programming window from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with select pieces considered for prime- time airing based on their significance, accuracy, and value to the broader civil rights dialogue.

Media Contact Tina Michelle
Connect2OTT / Civil Rights TV Phone: (480) 740-7777
Email: [email protected] Website: CivilRightsTV.com