We love a generous queen. Aside from feeding us with the Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé has teamed back up with luxury accessory brand, Tiffany & Co, for a new Renaissance collection. The capsule reinterprets the house’s iconic Return to Tiffany motif, infusing it with the iconography and spirit of Bey’s world tour. 

This latest launch dropped on July 29, 2023, to coincide with Beyoncé’s East Rutherford, New Jersey show date. It is said that 100 percent of the profits from the sales will benefit the ABOUT LOVE Scholarship program, an ongoing partnership between Tiffany & Co., BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation. Proceeds will expand upon the $2 million pledged in 2021 for scholarship funding for students in the arts and creative fields at five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Bennett College in North Carolina, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Central State University in Ohio. 

Since its creation, the ABOUT LOVE scholarship program has supported more than 100 students across the country. The debut of the Return to Tiffany x Beyoncé collection also coincides with the one-year anniversary of Tiffany Atrium. Launched in July 2022, the platform’s mission is to advance professional opportunities for historically underrepresented communities in the jewelry and creative industries, reflected in its three core pillars: creativity, education and community. 

The Return to Tiffany x Beyoncé collection can be purchased online at tiffany.com, and prices range up to $700. Below, check out some of our favorite pieces and items from this latest luxury launch, and let us know what you’re looking to cop.

The Return to Tiffany x Beyoncé Collection

Round Tag Necklace

Price: $700

Shop at Tiffany & Co

The Return to Tiffany x Beyoncé Collection

Round Tag Bead Necklace

Price: $500

Shop at Tiffany & Co

The Return to Tiffany x Beyoncé Collection

Round Tag Pendant

Price: $275

Shop at Tiffany & Co

For many of those who went to college, the experience of scavenging to find affordable and cheap meals is all too familiar. Sadly, those meals weren’t always nutritious. To help mitigate the rise of unhealthy habits and provide better options for students, popular yogurt brand Oikos is partnering with HBCU Jackson State University to pilot their initiative of serving historically marginalized communities.

According to Danone, the parent food company of the Greek yogurt brand, only 37 percent of Black and African Americans describe the foods they eat as very nutritious. Oikos is commonly available in most supermarkets and known for being is a leading high-protein yogurt. The brand carries a range of options and flavors and aims to make its products accessible to low-income communities and those of color.

“We know nutrition, fitness and education are key tools for students to get stronger, and through our partnership with Jackson State University, Oikos will maintain and provide further access to nutritious food that will encourage better eating habits to the students within the JSU athletic program. This is just the beginning,” said Surbhi Martin, Vice President, Greek Yogurt & Functional Nutrition at Danone.

Over the past few years, Jackson State University has been working to better their institution’s athletic department. The goal is to be of similar caliber with programs across the country. This new partnership also provides tools for optimum nutrition, education and physical fitness. Through the success and efficiency of this collaboration, Oikos will branch out to serve other HBCUs in the near future.

For the second year in a row, the Howard University Men’s golf team won the PGA Works Collegiate Championship, reports PGA.com. In only its third year of existence, the Bison men displayed pure dominance on the green winning by an incredible 57 strokes. 

Senior Everett Whiten Jr. won the tournament with a 14-under par (201) performance. In the last round, he shot eight-under-par (64) with eight birdies and no bogeys.

“It’s been good vibes all week, and I knew the course was getable if I just stayed patient,” Whiten said. “I’m so proud of my guys. It’s been a long year, but we came here knowing what we had to do and trusted the process.”

Gregory Odom Jr., a senior and a two-time PWCC Champion came in second place after shooting five-under-par (210) in three rounds.

Head Coach Samuel G. Puryear expressed his excitement about the strong showing of the Bison men.

“I feel like if you prepare properly and you execute by trusting the process, things like this can happen,” Puryear said. “This is a byproduct of a lot of hard work, a lot of personal belief, and a lot of sacrifice. We had a quick two-day turnaround from our conference championship, so there was a lot on everybody’s plate, but it worked out in our favor.” 

“They have no idea how poorly underfunded we were 30-some years ago. But to see a group of brown kids do what they’ve done, and the belief system that they’ve established, it’s fantastic right now,” he added. 

2023 has been a banner year in sports for the renowned HBCU. The Men’s swim and diving team won its first conference title in 34 years, and the Men’s basketball team played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 31 years.

Spotify, the world’s largest streaming platform, has announced plans to expand its NextGen partnership with Spelman College to support students who aspire to work in the audio industry. This semester, Spelman became the first HBCU to offer NextGen programs joining the University of Southern California, the University of Pennsylvania, and New York University. 

The NextGen initiative is supported by Spotify’s Creator Equity Fund (CEF), which is committed to showcasing and uplifting creators who have historically been underrepresented in the podcast space.

During the inaugural NextGen Creator Day held at Spelman today, Spotify announced several initiatives aimed to amplify the voices of Black creators. The Spotify NextGen Scholarship Program is a multi-year scholarship for five first-year Spelman students who are pursuing careers in audio media. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship during their sophomore, junior, and senior years. 

Additionally, the Spotify Labs Creator Program is a weeklong incubator program where student podcasters will receive training from the Spotify for Podcasters team to launch a new podcast. Co-created with Dr. Michelle Hite, Associate Professor of English at Spelman College and Spotify’s SoundUp team, Spelman will offer a custom, audio-first curriculum that will teach students how to design an audio newsroom, edit content, and produce a final podcast.

“We have more than 50 students who have reported having already created their own podcasts and more than double that number who have indicated an early interest in a career in the audio industry,” Dr. Hite said. “These numbers weren’t surprising to me because Spelman students have routinely indicated a sophisticated understanding of the importance of storytelling as a needed companion to their investment in social justice. Our students value storytelling as an instrument for expanding how people confront the possibilities for how Black lives can be imagined and considered. This partnership with Spotify gives them an opportunity to learn how to enhance and professionalize their interests.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams was on hand for the event and praised Spotify and Spelman for the innovative collaboration.

“I’m so grateful to this partnership at Spotify for uplifting students and continuing to highlight more Black excellence in this country,” said Williams. “Spotify is coming in at a time when a lot of people are saying they want to support HBCUs, but they are stepping up and doing it.”

Also in attendance were Ricky Thompson and Denzel Dion, hosts of the popular We Said What We Said podcast, who shared their excitement about working with the students of Spelman.

“We’re so excited to be on campus here at Spelman! It feels very surreal to be talking to the students, and we’re excited to share our experience as content creators. Hopefully, we can inspire someone to just stop overthinking, use their voice and start a podcast. Amazing ideas are only as good as your ability to take action to make them a reality,” the duo told EBONY.

“Spotify really did push us to be good storytellers; they encouraged us to be more descriptive with our storytelling. I normally feel private about my life because, with social media, everything’s so public. But a podcast feels like a safe space. If you really want to know us, the podcast is the real us,” added Dion. “I like how the podcast is growing, and we’re seeing more people like us. This [podcasting] space is becoming more inclusive.”

Thompson advised the up-and-coming podcasters to stay true to themselves as Black content creators.

“Be yourself, y’all, and just do it. And be consistent,” he shared.

Students at Bethune-Cookman University are publicly voicing their displeasure with the adminstration after Ed Reed’s contract as head football coach was rescinded, reports WESH.

On Tuesday, protests broke out on the school’s campus and the surrounding streets.

“We voice concerns. We send emails all the time,” Janaya Jones, student body vice president said. “No response so this is what it has come to.”

Tyrone Franklin Jr., the quarterback for the team, expressed his disappointment after Reed was let go.

“We have a voice and we should use that voice,” Frankin said.

“I think him showing what we’re going through as a student body should be shown. Many people have been saying this for a long time,” he added.

Since Reed’s dismissal, over 20 players had signed a petition saying the treatment of Reed was “unjust,” according to a photo shared by Wildcats running back Branden McDonald on Twitter.

“We firmly believe that the abrupt dismissal of our newly hired head coach Ed Reed is unjust not only to the student-athletes but to the entire BCU family, and community and does not align with our founders’ legacy,” the player’s petition read.

Not only were students protesting Reed’s dismissal, but they also shed light on some conditions of the school’s facilities. The students shared photos of broken doors, and mold in dorm rooms. Some pictures showed mold growing on their stuffed animals.

“The first couple of months I was here, I really was sick because of the mold. My shower makes my skin break out because like they don’t really care about the health of their students,” BCU student Saeeda Suber said.

Back in December 2022, Reed was hired by Bethune-Cookman to lead the school’s football program. Shortly after being hired, Reed went took to social media to point out how his office has not been cleaned and accused BSU and other HBCUs of lacking a success mindset.

“Do something about it, man,” he said in the video. “Come help us clean this s–t up! … I should leave. I’m not even under contract.”

“Theses MFs didn’t even clean my office when I got here !” he continued.

Eventually, he offered an apology for his actions.

“I(n) regards to my social media and comments about the University, staff and other institutions, I would like to sincerely apologize to all BCU staff, students and alumni for my lack of professionalism,” Reed said. “My language and tone were unacceptable as a father, coach and leader. My passion for our culture, betterment, and bringing our foundation up got the best of me and I fell victim while engaging with antagonists on social media as well. I am fully aware of the hard-working folks at our school who are also fighting to make things better and more financially sound. I am encouraged from my communication with my AD and our administration and understand it’s a work in progress. My passion is about getting and doing better and that goes for me too.”

Less than a month after he was hired, Reed’s contract was not ratified by Bethune-Cookman.

In a letter posted on the school’s website, President Lawrence M. Drake II explained that Reed’s behavior did not represent the values of the storied HBCU.

“To close the chapter on Mr. Reed, he was a tremendous player. Still, as we continued to observe him, we felt that his behavior was not aligned with the traditions of our founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and the university,” the letter read.

Addressing the football team for the final team, Reed gave a passionate speech about his regret of not being able to take Bethune-Cookman to the next level.

“My vision is probably moving too fast for a lot of people,” Reed said in the video. “I’m not withdrawing my name as they say. They don’t want me here. They do not want me because I tell the truth. It hurts. This hurts because people don’t care about these kids like I do, and they should be the ones leaving, not me because I don’t want to.”

Appearing on Unfiltered with Roland Martin, Reed, overcome with emotions said, “I turned down the Jackson State job to come here, Roland Martin. Deion Sanders called me himself.” He added that Grambling also offered him a position as head coach.

Considered one of the greatest safeties of all time, Reed starred for the Baltimore Ravens for 12 seasons in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl in 2013 and earned a first-ballot enshrinement with the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2019 

Before coming to Bethune-Cookman, Reed was an advisor at the University of Miami, his alma mater.

Attending a Historically Black College and University is one of the most unique experiences that those within the Black community can share. It is an opportunity to aspire for greatness and be involved in a kinship that will outlast one’s collegiate journey. EBONY 2022 Power 100 awardee Geoff Bennett, newly appointed co-anchor of PBS NewsHour, is all too familiar with the benefits of an HBCU. A graduate of Morehouse College, Bennett decided to pay forward the privileges granted to him by establishing a new scholarship for English and journalism majors at his alma mater.

Geoff Bennett spoke with EBONY about the scholarship and his recent recognition for his exceptional work.

EBONY: Kudos on your newest appointment with PBS News Hour. How does it feel to step into such a tremendous legacy with PBS?

Geoff Bennett: I’m honored to be entrusted with this responsibility in partnering with Amna Nawaz, and building on the rich legacy of this storied institution. PBS NewsHour has been around for nearly 50 years and what makes it special is that it’s a news program with a mission. It’s a real gift to get to partner with such a stellar group of journalists each day in pursuit of a shared mission which is providing reliable reporting, solid storytelling and sharp analysis of the most important issues of the day. It’s why the NewsHour is television’s most trusted and respected news program. I am honored to have a hand in writing the program’s next chapter.

You are a proud graduate of the illustrious Morehouse College. In what ways has your experience attending an HBCU shaped you?

Attending Morehouse changed my life. As an English major and as editor-in-chief of its campus newspaper, I was inspired by the career and the cultural contributions of the late Lerone Bennett Jr., a Morehouse man, longtime executive editor of EBONY magazine and an exceptional historian. So my focus in journalism was really sort of crafted by reading all of the books that he wrote. I had a chance to meet him and get his feedback on the campus newspaper. Morehouse is the only institution in the world dedicated to the education and overall success of Black men and having that educational experience was unparalleled. I rely on that Brotherhood to this day. For me, it’s meant everything.

It’s one thing to walk through that door but you have to make sure that door stays open and help other people walk through it after you.

Geoff Bennett

Giving back to the entities that poured into us is of the utmost importance. What made you want to launch this scholarship initiative now?

I feel like a well informed society is a prerequisite for a functioning democracy. That is why journalism is so important. It’s vital for news organizations to look like the communities they serve. We need more Black journalists. We need more Black men who are committed to reporting political news, hard news, and who are in this work of being dedicated truth tellers and having a fidelity to the facts. There needs to be more of us doing this work. Starting this scholarship for English majors and for journalism majors at Morehouse is my way of trying to pay it forward. I was inspired by people like Max Robinson, the first Black man to anchor a network news broadcast, Bernard Shaw, Bryant Gumbel, Ed Bradley and Lester Holt. Those are the folks who paved the way for me and my peers who are doing this work now. I feel like it’s incumbent upon me to do so and certainly it’s one of the things I learned at Morehouse. It’s one thing to walk through that door but you have to make sure that door stays open and help other people walk through it after you.

You are also a 2022 EBONY Power 100 awardee. What was your experience like attending the gala and being recognized for your work?

It’s a great honor to see achievement across so many different fields of endeavor and to be celebrated by an institution like EBONY. All of us have an EBONY story. I grew up reading EBONY in the barber shop and at my grandparents’ house. To now be established in my career, have that sort of recognition and see so many people across arts, entertainment, social justice, media and business is phenomenal. It was a real gift to be a part of that so I’m deeply grateful.

How can Morehouse students who are interested apply for the scholarship?

They should go to the Office of Financial Aid. Any student who is an English or journalism major with a financial need, simply needs to check in with the Office of Financial Aid and and inquire about the scholarship. That’s all.

Morris Brown College is the recipient of a federal grant totaling almost $3 million, which is the largest grant that the HBCU has received in 20 years, reports WBS-TV.

At the news conference on Tuesday, Dr. Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College said that the $2.9 million grant will go towards the expansion of the school’s educational curriculum, updating buildings on campus, and creating programs to help graduates transition into the workforce.

“The future of Morris Brown College is very bright with these innovative programs for some very high demanding job areas that we anticipate being a pipeline for Black and Brown talent for the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, this region, and the country,” James said.

He also noted that $500,000 will be earmarked to restore Fountain Hall, a historical landmark on campus that was erected in the 19th century.

“We absolutely need Fountain Hall to be restored,” James said. “And we’re just starting with these funds to continue to ensure that we move Fountain Hall in the right direction.”

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, who’s been supportive of HBCUs since he was elected to office, was also in attendance for the announcement of the grant.

“I recognize the extraordinary role that this institution has played in our state’s history, and even more importantly, the extraordinary importance of this institution in training the next generation to succeed, in providing an opportunity to access high-quality education for students across the metro region, across the state, across the southeast, and across the country,” Ossoff said during the press conference.

“When I was running for the Senate, I came to Morris Brown College and made commitments to President James about the support that I would provide because I believed in President James—his vision and his leadership,” Ossoff continued. “We are well on our way through this renaissance that President James has led.”

The grant is the latest example of Morris Brown getting back on track following years of being on the brink of permanently closing. In April 2022, the school regained its accreditation after losing it due to financial mismanagement in 2002.

“Many thought that this feat was impossible, but due to our strong faith in God, our hard-working and wonderful faculty and staff, the support of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, our dedicated alumni, and our resilient spirit, we were able to achieve full accreditation,” James said at the time.

Since James assumed leadership of Morris Brown in 2019, the school has grown from 20 students to more than 270 students and enrollment is expected to surpass over 400 students this upcoming fall semester.

Morris Brown also had its federal financial aid opportunities restored along with benefits for attending veterans.

Oscar-winning filmmaker and EBONY Power 100 Icon honoree Spike Lee has announced the creation of the Spike Lee Fellows Program to support HBCU film students.

In partnership with the Gersh Agency, a premiere talent and literary agency, the program will serve aspiring filmmakers at the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), that’s made up of Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University, according to the press release.

Lee, a proud graduate of Morehouse, shared his excitement about establishing the fellowship in a statement.

“It is with great honor, privilege, and excitement to announce the Spike Fellows in association with my partners The Gersh Agency and the AUCC,” Lee’s statement read. “From the jump, from the get-go, I knew when (not if) I opened a crack in the door, I was bringing as many Black and Brown folks with me in front and behind the camera.”

“I know firsthand the education one receives at a Historically Black College and University,” he added. “I am who I am because of my grandmother (Zimmie Jackson) and my mother (Jacquelyn Shelton Lee), who both graduated from Spelman College. I am who I am because of my grandfather (Richard Jackson Shelton) and my father (William Lee), who both graduated from Morehouse. It’s on the campuses of Spelman and Morehouse where they met, fell in love and got married. As my elders often told me, ‘Deeds not words.’”

Led by Jayson Council, head of culture at the Gersh Agency, the Spike Lee Fellows Program will offer student debt relief, mentorship with industry creatives, internships for graduates and full-time employment.

“As industry leaders, we’ve always taken seriously the responsibility to build a more diverse, dynamic ecosystem in which people of all ethnicities, backgrounds and experiences can thrive,” added Leslie Siebert, a Senior Managing Partner of Gersh. “We are honored that Spike has chosen us to be his inaugural partner, and we are proud to welcome the five inaugural Spike Fellows into our organization.” 

The fellowship program will officially begin in January 2023 with five inaugural fellows selected by Lee, the AUCC community and the Gersh Agency’s management team.

Lee and the Gersh Agency plan to expand the fellowship with more participants and additional resources in the future.

The Jonathan Logan Family Foundation has gifted Spelman College $1 million to create the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation Center for Documentary Media Studies. The center will be established in the new Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., Center for Innovation & the Arts.  The historic institution will be the first HBCU to grant a bachelor’s degree in documentary filmmaking.

Helene Gayle, M.D., MPH—president of Spelman College—announced the generous gift in an official statement. “We are grateful to the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation for this generous contribution to Spelman College to establish the new Center for Documentary Media Studies, which will help deepen the intersection of the arts, technology, and entrepreneurship for our students,” Gayle said. “This support creates pathways for our professors and students to develop innovative and groundbreaking work through our liberal arts curriculum.”

“Our gift to Spelman comes at a time when hearing new voices in the documentary field is more vital than ever. The talented women of Spelman College have insights to share and important stories to tell, and documentary film is a powerful way to bring them to light,” Jonathan Logan, president & CEO of the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation added. “We are also proud to honor Dr. Ayoka Chenzira, a blazing star, a brilliant professor, and a dear friend.”

Spelman College also announced that it will rename the Documentary Production Lab within the Center for Innovation & the Arts, in honor of Dr. Ayoka Chenzira, an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and division chair for the Arts at Spelman and the Diana King Endowed Professor in Film and Filmmaking, Television and Related Media. 

“I am grateful to the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, known for its commitment to storytelling from underrepresented communities and advocacy for social justice, for recognizing our program. The generous new gift will allow our students to be the next group of emerging Black women documentary filmmakers to produce their creative and bold ideas for films in a state-of-the-art facility,” said Dr. Chenzira. “It is a surprise and an honor to have a production lab in the Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation & the Arts bear my name. I am forever grateful to the Foundation and Spelman College.”

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2024, the Center for Innovation & the Arts will serve as “a learning-hub for entrepreneurs and innovators.” Furthermore, the center will be home to Spelman’s arts programs and Innovation Lab, allowing students access to “cross-disciplinary learning opportunities.” The state-of-the-art facility will also house innovative initiatives such as the Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab, the Center for Black Entrepreneurship, and a Spelman College Museum of Fine Art satellite gallery.