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Black America Web
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Marsha P. Johnson: The Black Pioneer Of Pride
SOPA Images A post that went up on our Instagram earlier this month sparked a bit of controversy in the comments (seen below) when we declared the month of June as an intersection between Black Music Month, Juneteenth, Caribbean Heritage Month and Pride Month. Of course, the issue came down to the latter's inclusion as some still fail to believe that Black culture can be connected to the LGBTQIA movement — yes, homophobia on various levels unfortunately still exists within our community. However, on the eve of commemorating the Stonewall Riots Anniversary (June 28) that sparked Pride Month altogether, we wanted to take a brief look at the Black drag queen that pioneered the movement from its violent inception to marching in the very first Pride Day Parade: the late Marsha P. Johnson. RELATED: Happy Pride Month: Celebrate 10 Black OG Influencers Who Paved The Way [Gallery] Marsha P. Johnson stands as an enduring symbol of courage, resilience, and activism. A Black transgender woman and revolutionary figure in LGBTQ+ history, Johnson's contributions transcend time, inspiring generations to fight for equality. Marsha played a pivotal role in the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ rights. Her presence at the uprising—widely regarded as the spark that ignited modern Pride movements—was marked by defiance and solidarity. At a time when queer individuals were criminalized and marginalized, Johnson stood on the frontline, embodying the fight against systemic oppression. Her courage underpinned a broader struggle for freedom, reminding the world that Black queer voices are an integral part of social progress. Beyond Stonewall, Johnson co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) alongside Sylvia Rivera. This organization provided shelter and support to homeless LGBTQ+ youth, particularly trans people of color. Through STAR, Marsha championed the rights of those overlooked by mainstream society, offering safe spaces and a voice to the most vulnerable. Her impact endures as a intersectional icon—her identity as a Black, transgender individual highlights the struggles and contributions of people living at the intersections of multiple forms of discrimination. Today, Marsha's legacy fuels Pride Month celebrations and underscores the necessity of equity in both LGBTQ+ and racial justice movements. Johnson's life was tragically cut short in 1992 under suspicious circumstances, yet her memory remains a beacon of hope and action. Pride Month is a time to amplify her powerful message: equality is non-negotiable, and the fight for liberation requires unity across all communities. Marsha P. Johnson's bravery continues to inspire, cementing her place as a towering icon of resilience and unyielding activism. The article 'Marsha P. Johnson: The Black Pioneer Of Pride' was created with the help of SEE ALSO
Black America Web
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Majorie Harvey Has The Internet Admiring Her Runway Walk
Source: Christian Vierig / Getty Marjorie Harvey made Paris Fashion Week 2025 her own runway. The who's who in fashion are on the scene to witness Spring/Summer 2026 collections of the world's top designers — and Steve and Majorie Harvey are included amongst those in attendance. While on their way to the Amiri show in Paris on Thursday, June 26, Marjorie and Steve turned heads with their coordinated high fashion looks — but it was Marjorie and her runway walk to the awaiting car that had social media singing her praises. In a video posted to her Instagram, Marjorie is seen giving her best Naomi Campbell walk as she exits her hotel with Steve and gracefully getting into the car before flashing a winning smile — and made it look relatively easy in the process. In addition to attending the Amiri show, Marjorie and Steve were also amongst the A-listers who showed up for the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2026 show, highlighting the latest menswear collection from creative director Pharrell Williams. The couple joined Beyoncé and Jay-Z sitting front row at the show, on Tuesday, June 24, according to Women's Wear Daily. During a 2014 appearance on his since-cancelled daytime talk show, Marjorie shared that one of the major things that she and Steve have in common is their joint love of fashion. 'As you know, you and I, that's one of the things we have in common, we both love fashion. I've been passionate about it all my life,' she said at the time. Outside of Fashion Week, the couple regularly shares their fashion sense online and at red carpet events throughout their 18-year marriage. SEE ALSO Majorie Harvey Has The Internet Admiring Her Runway Walk was originally published on
Black America Web
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Ciara Becomes The First African American Woman To Cover Rolling Stone Africa – And It's Bigger Than Fashion
Source: Dave Benett / Getty Ciara is in her icon bag again – and the whole world is watching. On June 26, the singer, dancer, entrepreneur, and fashion slayer made history as the first African-American woman to grace the cover of Rolling Stone Africa . But while the images alone are striking, this moment is bigger than just beauty. As Rolling Stone Africa wrote on social media, 'This is more than just a cover, it's a cultural communion. A tribute. A bridge. A celebration of Afro-descendant brilliance.' And Ciara knows what this moment means. She said to the magazine: 'I feel so honored and proud to be having this moment. Africa is one of my favorite places on Earth! I'm obsessed with the people, culture, and dance in Africa, and I'm hoping to make the people of Africa proud.' This Rolling Stone Africa cover arrives at the perfect time for Ciara—a moment where style and substance are aligned. Her upcoming album, CiCi is a reflection of that energy. 'You can expect to have the best time of your life while jammin' out to the 'CiCi' album,' she teased. 'Be prepared to go on a music rollercoaster of good vibes!' And while fans have long referred to her as 'CiCi,' she's clear that it's more than just a stage persona—it's a symbol of connection. 'CiCi is my nickname. I don't call it an alter ego,' she said. 'There's been something so special about when my fans call me CiCi. It's very personal and endearing. That's why I want to celebrate the journey and the relationship I've had with fans over the course of my career.' The 'How We Roll' singer did not play when it came to her historic editorial shoot. Each of her looks ate, showing off her style versatility, gorgeous curves, and striking beauty. One cover look we loved featured Ciara in a body-hugging black gown with statement cutouts, tan fringe trimming across the chest and sleeves, and regal gold hardware embellishments. Her hair is pulled back in boho curls, letting her glowing skin shine. And the picture gave supermodel vibes. Another look we loved seemed both ancestral and Afro-futuristic. Ciara posed in a metallic crochet mini, voluminous natural-textured hair, and bronze makeup. There had to be a fan in the photo shoot while this picture was being taken. Because Ci Ci looks fierce and her flowing hair stole the show. As Rolling Stone Africa eloquently put it, 'This is more than history in the making, it's history reclaiming its narrative.' Ciara's cover moment isn't just hers—it's ours. It's for every Black girl who's ever loved to dance, dreamed of world stages, or felt the magic of their roots across oceans. 'This is for the culture. For the women.' Read Ciara's full feature article. SEE ALSO Ciara Becomes The First African American Woman To Cover Rolling Stone Africa – And It's Bigger Than Fashion was originally published on
Black America Web
a day ago
- Health
- Black America Web
SCOTUS Medicaid Decision Could Defund Planned Parenthood
Source: Kevin Hagen / Getty A new decision from the ultraconservative SCOTUS majority involving Medicaid dealt another blow to reproductive rights in a decision that could set the stage for states to defund Planned Parenthood. In Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic , the Court ruled 6-3 along ideological lines that the federal law at issue does not allow Medicaid recipients the right to sue to enforce their choice of provider. According to the ultraconservative majority, Medicaid recipients do have a right under federal law to choose their own provider. But they cannot sue to enforce that right even where a state takes the decision away from them, as is the case in South Carolina. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, joined by patient Julie Edwards, challenged a 2018 South Carolina executive order that banned access to federal Medicaid funding for non-abortion health care if a clinic also provided abortions. Edwards reportedly joined the litigation as an impacted patient who had found supportive doctors and care at Planned Parenthood. The decision also comes just days after the third anniversary of the devastating SCOTUS decision in Dobbs. Emboldened by the win, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster defended the policy in a statement issued shortly after the Court's decision, focusing on abortion and not the people who would lose access to necessary healthcare provided by Planned Parenthood. Medicaid already cannot pay for abortions except in very limited circumstances. Writing a stern dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson called out her colleagues in the majority for disregarding existing Supreme Court precedent and 'enforceable right' created by the Medicaid Act's free-choice-of-provider provision. Drawing on history and the Civil Rights Act of 1871, Jackson explained why and how Congress gave private citizens the right to sue to enforce rights made available by the Constitution and other federal laws. In this case, she said that the 'provision states that every Medicaid plan 'must… provide that… any individual eligible for medical assistance (including drugs) may obtain such assistance from any institution, agency, community pharmacy, or person, qualified to perform the service or services required,'' Jackson wrote. 'And Congress reinforced its rights-creating intent by making the provision mandatory—it specifically inserted the word 'must' into the statute—to make clear that the obligation imposed on the States was binding. If Congress did not want to protect Medicaid recipients' freedom to choose their own providers, it would have likely avoided using a combination of classically compulsory language and explicit individual-centric terminology.' In many ways, the decision leaves Medicaid recipients without recourse in states with leadership fixated on defunding Planned Parenthood or otherwise instituting political litmus tests for healthcare. Responding to the decision, South Carolina State Senators Margie Bright Matthews and Tameika Isaas Devine called the ruling a 'gut punch' to those who rely on Planned Parenthood for basic healthcare. 'By allowing the state to block a qualified provider from the Medicaid program, the Court has put politics ahead of public health,' the senators wrote. 'The real price of this decision will be paid by patients, especially Black, Brown, and rural women who now face fewer options and greater barriers to care.' In a statement posted to Instagram, Planned Parenthood called the decision an 'injustice.' 'SCOTUS's decision in Medina v. PPSAT today is a blow to Medicaid patients' freedom to access health care at their chosen provider,' the statement read. 'It also effectively may allow lawmakers to deny people the care they need and trust. Public officials should not decide where or how you get the quality, affordable health care you need.' As noted in a May 2025 policy brief from KFF, defunding Planned Parenthood has been a major aim of anti-abortion groups and policymakers for many years. Nationally, 1 in 3 women reported receiving care at a Planned Parenthood Clinic. According to KFF, an estimated 36% of South Carolina women aged 19 to 64 received Medicaid in 2023. Now, nearly 60 years after Congress established Medicaid, Congressional Republicans propose deep cuts to Medicaid and reproductive health more broadly. The impact of limiting support for reproductive healthcare could have dire implications for Black women and their families. South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain called out the denial of healthcare based on an anti-abortion agenda. She noted the increased barrier to treatment for people seeking cancer screenings, STI treatment, contraception, and other preventative care services. 'This case was never about fiscal responsibility; it was about targeting a trusted healthcare provider for purely ideological, partisan reasons,' Spain said. 'Let's call this what it is: an effort to control people's bodies, silence their choices, and limit their options. South Carolinians deserve better.' SEE ALSO: Kendrick Sampson's BLD PWR Teams Up With SisterSong And GBEF For Houston Juneteenth Event Adriana Smith's Family Says Goodbye, Asks For Prayers For Newborn Son SEE ALSO SCOTUS Medicaid Decision Could Defund Planned Parenthood was originally published on
Black America Web
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
D.L. Hughley Gets Into Heated Trump Debate On ‘TMZ Live'
Source: Michael S. Schwartz / Getty D.L. Hughley has made his name by telling jokes, but his feelings about Donald Trump are no laughing matter. He got into a very heated debate about him on TMZ Live . On Tuesday (June 24), the comedian was a guest on the celebrity news talk show. As a vehement opponent to Donald Trump, D.L. Hughley was asked about the president's recent work to orchestrate peace between Israel and Iran. As expected, his response was unfavorable, and he reminded us all Trump reversed Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear deal. TMZ correspondent, Michael Babcock, entered the conversation and asked the Soul Plane actor to give Trump some credit. This did not sit well with D.L. Hughley, and things got heated quickly with the discussion soon turning into race. 'He could have gone to jail for starting a riot. You're covering for a mediocre coward who is a bullsh*t president and all you people enable him,' he responded. D.L. Hughley went on to confirm he does despise Trump 'as much as he despises Black people' to which Babcock said 'nonsense.' The funny man asked Michael 'why rename [military] bases after Confederate generals?' and 'why destroy Black history?' When Babcock said he was unsure, D.L. countered sharply saying 'yes you do you fu**ing coward – he's a racist!' From there it turned into a full shouting match causing Harvey Levin and Charles Latibeaudiere to cut things short. You can see the interview below. SEE ALSO D.L. Hughley Gets Into Heated Trump Debate On 'TMZ Live' was originally published on
