Summer beauty is officially in full swing, and July’s newest launches are proving that the season is about much more than just surviving the heat. Brands are doubling down on formulas that work overtime, delivering healthier hair, glowier skin and hydration that keeps up with long beach days, rooftop dinners and everything in between. Whether you’re repairing strands after one too many silk presses, refreshing sun-kissed skin after a weekend outdoors or giving your lips a little extra attention, this month’s lineup has something worthy of a permanent spot in your routine. From luxe haircare innovations and skincare staples with a radiant twist to cooling post-sun essentials and lip treatments you’ll reach for long after summer ends, these are the beauty launches that deserve a place on your vanity this month.

Yes Day

Your lips deserve a nightcap too. The Lip Sweetie Lip Mask drenches dry lips in long-lasting hydration with a glossy, never-sticky finish, now available in classic Vanilla and the bright, citrusy new Yuzu Sorbet.

Yes Day

Yuzu Sorbet Lip Sweetie Lip Mask

Price: $15

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Crowned Skin

Crowned Skin is bringing its signature fragrances into the shower with a new lineup of body washes inspired by its bestselling scents. Whether you’re drawn to the warm, rich notes of King, the crisp freshness of Reign, the citrus-meets-smoky vibe of Empire or the bold sophistication of Monarch, every wash turns your daily rinse into a luxury fragrance experience.

Crowned Skin

Cologne-Infused Body Wash

Price: $25

Shop at Crowned Skin

Oribe

Oribe is giving damaged strands the luxury treatment with its new Hair Alchemy Bond Building Elixir. The lightweight leave-in works deep within the hair to rebuild hydrogen, ionic and disulfide bonds while its time-release technology continuously delivers strengthening botanicals, helping transform brittle, overworked hair into healthier, more resilient strands with every use.

Oribe

Hair Alchemy Bond Building Elixir

Price: $78

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Tula

Pink is officially back in its main character era, and TULA is leaning all the way in. The brand’s new Luminous Collection gives its cult-favorite Cult Classic Cleanser and 24/7 Moisture a rosy makeover, pairing its microbiome-loving formulas with rosewater, prebiotics and skin-boosting hydration for the kind of lit-from-within glow that makes highlighter feel optional.

Tula

24/7 Moisture Luminous

Price: $58

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Tula

Classic Luminous

Price: $34

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LOOPS x DUNE Suncare

LOOPS Beauty and DUNE Suncare are making their first collaboration count, turning DUNE’s cult-favorite post-sun staple, The Lifeguard, into two hydration heroes. The limited-edition collection includes The Miracle Mask for an instant dose of cooling, skin-quenching relief and The Miracle Jelly Mist, a refreshing face-and-body spray designed to keep your glow going long after you’ve left the sun.

LOOPS x DUNE Suncare

After-Sun Hydrogel Face Mist

Price: $25

Shop at Loops Beauty

Nicole Byer wants you to have better — and safer — sex. The comedian and host of the Why Won’t You Date Me? Podcast, where she and guests drop hilarious takes on dating and mating, is sending out a message for singles on keeping those late-night hookups cute and safe, arming them with the knowledge and tools to reduce the spread of HIV.

The numbers are staggering: Black women account for nearly half of all new HIV diagnoses among women while making up just 13% of the female population. It’s a public health crisis that people haven’t been talking about.

“Sexual health and HIV prevention are important to me,” the star told EBONY exclusively. “I’ve hosted a podcast about love and sex for exactly 47 years. I love hot, steamy intimacy and want people to talk about sexual health without shame or stigma.”

Byer wants to help make those conversations a whole lot easier. She is part of a new campaign, Up to Date, part of Gilead’s Care for the Culture initiative, a movement designed to spark honest, empowering conversations about sexual health in Black communities. The spot encourages people to have candid conversations about their HIV status.

“If you’re grown enough to have sex, and everything in between, you’re grown enough to talk openly about your HIV status and help protect yourself and your partner,” declared Byer. “This campaign encourages people to talk about sexual health and HIV prevention.”

Directed by Howard Grandison, it features Byer playing both the impulsive and practical voices in our heads: one that’s ready for some action and the other that tells us to make sure we’re safe before we engage. “Why wouldn’t you avoid something you don’t want?” Byer exclaimed. “And if you choose to engage with someone sexually, you can move forward and protect yourself to play safe.”

They haven’t forgotten the fellas. Saturday Night Live alum Devon Walker joins as her male counterpart, advising men on how to protect themselves and their partners. Byer’s own advice, though, cuts across gender lines: “My advice is always to have safer sex, know your status, and use a condom,” she advised. “If your partner pushes back on any of that, you leave or don’t go; you gotta worry about you.”

Byer, who was deeply involved in the campaign’s direction alongside more than 1,500 Black men and women in focus groups, remembers how nerve-wracking it was to wait for test results back in the day. “It was anxiety-inducing… but today it’s easier to get your results quicker, and you can avoid any anxiety by testing regularly, so you can have hot, sloppy, safer sex knowing your status.”

And that means a lot more crazy stories for the podcast. “I’ve had my wig fall off, got steamy with a date in a car while my friend ate a chicken sandwich, and gone home with a man who did a pretty mid Obama impression… I have a lot of stories,” she joked.

When she’s not encouraging people to protect themselves — or collecting stories for the podcast — she’s back to the other things she loves: “Lots and lots of cuddles with my dog and being with friends and rewatching old RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

The Up to Date campaign starts on Monday, July 20.

It’s been two weeks since Cabo Verde’s Cinderella World Cup run ended with a crushing extra-time loss to Argentina, but that was only the beginning of a new fascination with the tiny nation among U.S. fans.

After the Blue Sharks’ (the country’s national soccer team nickname) World Cup showing, fans flooded social media with curious posts about the country’s culture and history and questioned how a nation with a diaspora larger than its domestic population nearly knocked Argentina out of contention. Many with roots there and even some African Americans with no connection say they’re eager to visit Cabo Verde for the first time, retrace their familial connections and even explore setting up businesses.

“I definitely need to go. I definitely want my son to go and experience it,” said Tyisha Fernandes, a second-generation Cabo Verdean, who grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, and is now a reporter for WSB-TV in Atlanta.

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Fernandes wasn’t a soccer fan but said covering the Blue Sharks’ World Cup debut in Atlanta stirred so many emotions that she paid her own way to their next match, a draw against Saudi Arabia in Houston. After returning, she bought books on Kriolu–a mixture of Portuguese and several African languages, intent on learning alongside her 4-year-old son.

“I want to be part of the culture,” unlike some in previous generations, who, she said, distanced themselves after moving to the U.S. “I don’t care what country you move to; as a people, you should never let go of your culture. I’m going to be very intentional as a mom.”

Fernandes’ story typifies several others with Cabo Verdean lineage interviewed by EBONY during the FIFA World Cup. Parents or grandparents emigrated to the U.S., mainly settling in New England. They raised their children and grandchildren in tight communities where some families emphasized assimilation, choosing not to pass down their native language to English-speaking children. Most of those interviewed for this story have never traveled to Cabo Verde, despite feeling a deep connection to the place.

Cabo Verde comprises 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 375 miles off the coasts of Senegal and Mauritania. Like many West African nations, its history is tied to slavery and European colonialism. Originally uninhabited, the islands were used as a staging area and port by slave traders. Kriulo is a mashup of Portuguese and several African tongues. In the U.S., sometimes surnames are a tell; many Cabo Verdean last names sound Hispanic but are spelled with an “s” at the end instead of a ‘z’, like Fernandes. Cabo Verde gained independence in 1975; as a sovereign nation, it’s only 51 years old.

Against that backdrop, the Blue Sharks staged the most improbable World Cup run of any team. They were the tournament’s lowest seed, ranked 64th globally by FIFA before a tournament that only accepted 48 teams. None of that seemed to matter to its players or fans.

“How that 40-year-old goalie, Vozinha, showed up? That’s what we’re about,” Fernandes said.

“We’re such a strong people,” said Shellee Mendes, a Boston native whose Cabo Verdean heritage runs through her father. Mendes said she just booked her first trip to the country for next February. In anticipation, she’s making playlists of Cabo Verdean artists and looking forward to an authentic bowl of monchupa, a hearty soup you can find in Boston, which happens to be Cabo Verde’s unofficial national dish. While her New England neighbors celebrated the Fourth of July, her door was decorated with the Cabo Verde flag; July 5 is their Independence Day.

Mendes originally planned to go with her father before he passed away last year. Now it’s even more important to go, she said. “I think people need to go and see and explore, and they’ll have a whole different perspective of Africa from Cape Verde.”

Al Vicente, 71, was born on Ilha Brava, which translates from Portuguese to “Brave Island”, the southernmost and least populated of the archipelago. His family moved to Rhode Island when he was seven; as an adult, he moved to New York and finally to Atlanta in 2003, where he organizes an annual Cabo Verdean festival, which he said has grown from a few dozen people to about 500 people, as many from New England migrate south.

Vicente also runs a travel agency called Maraberza —friendliness” in Kriolu— that offers tours of his native country via Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Providence, the only American city with a nonstop to Praia, Cabo Verde’s capital. The trips accommodate 20-25 people and usually fill up within a few weeks, mainly through word of mouth. The next one, scheduled for October, sold out in two days.

“Now I have a waiting list of people who want to get on it if somebody drops out,” he said. Besides filling a void for people from the country’s diaspora, he said the trips are also popular with African Americans who know people there and see them as an entry point to reconnect with the continent.

“I’ve had quite a few African American friends who have gone there, and one of the things they say is, after a few days, ‘Wow, I feel at home,'” said Vicente.

“Being from Cabo Verde and having grown up in an African American society, it’s a privilege to be able to do that.”

It’s no surprise that inflation is affecting every aspect of people’s lives, with prices for simple everyday things like gas, housing, and groceries skyrocketing. But now, it’s even starting to trickle down into people’s dating lives.

​According to the Bank of Montreal (BMO), the average “all-in” cost of a date in the U.S. is $189. This includes pre-date grooming, the meal, drinks, and transportation. The report also revealed that Americans spent an average of $2,323 on dates over the past year.

“With spending on dating outpacing inflation, singles can feel priced out of love,” said BMO’s Head of U.S. Consumer Strategy, Paul Dilda, in BMO’s 2026 Financial Progress Index. “Whether it’s a long-term relationship or a first date, it has never been more challenging to ensure the path to love is also the path to real financial progress.”

The Breakdown​

The cost of dating depends on a variety of factors, and one major influence is where a person lives. A person’s location can play a big role in how expensive dating is. Cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle, Phoenix, and Houston are reportedly the top five cheapest places in the U.S. for a first date. Whereas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Washington DC, and New York were the most expensive. The findings factored in the price of one shared starter, two main courses, and two cocktails.

However, don’t go calling the moving trucks just yet. One of the major takeaways from the report showed that the cost of the average cocktail is what’s making date nights so expensive. Cocktail prices between cities vary by as much as 170 percent, from about $7 in Philadelphia to $19.50 in New York. So, if you’ve been considering cutting back on alcohol, now’s the perfect chance to start.

Quality Over Quantity

According to recent data from Hinge, 88 percent of Black women said it is more impressive when someone has taken the time to plan a special or thoughtful date than when someone spends a lot of money on it. Moe Ari Brown, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shares that financial readiness is more than a logistical concern; it ultimately intertwines with feeling emotionally ready to date.

“Here’s what I want you to know: true provision isn’t just about money. It’s also about emotional provision and consistency,” says Brown, who’s Hinge’s love and connection expert. “You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of a real connection. You are allowed to be in the process. You are allowed to be seen,” Brown said.

​While everyone may want a lavish date night, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy with your partner without breaking the bank. According to Hinge, 50 percent of Black women say trying a new activity together is the most meaningful kind of first date, while only eight percent of those surveyed said they’d prefer sharing an expensive dinner.

No one is suggesting that daters should skip upscale dinners altogether. However, romance can still be found in cost-effective options like going out for dessert, listening to live music, putting together a picnic, or visiting a museum.

The only thing more exciting than welcoming a new baby into the world? Celebrating your bundle of joy’s first birthday. EBONY is sending big hugs today to Princess Eliana Rose Robinson, who is celebrating her first birthday today, July 17. 

The daughter of Princess Edna Tafari Makonnen and Jamal Robinson, the precious little girl is the great-great-granddaughter of Haile Selassie, Ethiopia’s last emperor. Her and her mother’s lineage traces back to the biblical King Solomon, the third son of King David and the Queen of Sheba.

From the moment Princess Eliana made her arrival 365 days ago, she’s had her parents’ hearts. “Seeing Eliana for the very first time is a moment I’ll never be able to fully put into words,” Princess Edna shared with EBONY. 

“We had spent so long waiting and praying for her arrival, and the instant I laid eyes on her, my heart overflowed with love and joy. In that moment, nothing else mattered except knowing she was healthy, safe, and finally in our arms.”

Even before Princess Eliana came into the world, her family was ecstatic over her impending arrival, especially since her mother, Princess Edna, was the only girl born among her siblings. Her mother, Princess Aster Abitow, had something very special to present to her new baby granddaughter. 

“I had no idea my mom had saved some of my dresses from when I was a little girl until she surprised me with them at my baby shower. It was such a meaningful gift because most of those dresses I had only ever seen in old home videos, if I remembered them at all,” Princess Edna stated. 

Having a chance to watch her own child wear them allows her to “create new memories while carrying on a small piece of my childhood,” she continued. “It’s a beautiful reminder of how love can be passed down from one generation to the next.”

Another momentous occasion over the past 365 days was Princess Eliana’s christening, which marked the beginning of her faith journey. “It was a beautiful reminder of God’s love and grace over her life,” Princess Edna shared. “It was our prayerful commitment to raise her in faith and a beautiful reminder that she is deeply loved and held in God’s care. It was a day filled with faith, hope, and the promise of God’s blessings over her life.”

A year of diaper changes, midnight feedings and baby gurgles has all added up to one thought: “Eliana has been a Blessing to our family since her arrival,” Princess Edna exclaimed. “It’s been beautiful continuing to grow our love deeper as a family of three.”

Happy Birthday, Princess Eliana!

The hardest part of a great life is when it ends. The impact a person has had and the difference they will make for generations to come cannot be taken for granted. Making an impact on Black culture and community, the people listed below deserve recognition for the roles they’ve played, which is why we honor them to ensure their legacies live on.

Hal Williams

Pioneering actor Halroy Candis Williams (professionally known as Hal Williams) was known in the entertainment industry for his recurring roles on popular TV shows in the 1970s, including On the Rocks and The Waltons. Williams is best known for his role in the sitcom 227, where he starred alongside Marla Gibbs and Regina King as Lester Jenkins. He also starred in the sitcom Sanford and Son, where he played Officer Smitty alongside co-star and comedian Redd Foxx.

After guest‑starring on numerous TV shows ranging from Moesha to Night Court, Williams cemented his place in the industry, expanding his legacy and helping pave the way for Black actors who followed. His film work included roles in Guess Who alongside the late Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher, On the Nickel, The Rookie, and Private Benjamin.

In honor of his late son Mark, Williams founded the Mark K.A. Williams Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which provides funding to students of color pursuing higher education in communications and television programs.

The impact of his decades-long career earned him an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1985, as well as the Sidney Poitier Lifelong Achievement Award at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2013.

Hal Williams passed away at 91 on July 15 at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, due to natural causes. — Sherdell Baker

Tony Brown

Veteran journalist Williams Anthony Brown, professionally known as Tony Brown, is widely recognized as one of the first African Americans to appear in broadcast news through his groundbreaking program Tony Brown’s Journal (formerly Black Journal).

Before his time on the show, Brown earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Wayne State University. He began his journalism career at the Detroit Courier, where he worked for several years before moving into producing at Black Journal. Throughout his tenure, he became known for highlighting issues within the Black community and spearheading conversations around culture, politics, and history that were often excluded from mainstream media.

Brown made history with the longest‑running series in PBS network history. He also served as the founding dean of Howard University’s School of Communication and later as dean of the department. He eventually transitioned to Hampton University, where he became the inaugural dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.

Beyond his commitment to educating Black youth, Brown demonstrated a deep dedication to the Black community at large. He founded the Council for the Economic Development of Black Americans, an organization focused on encouraging the patronage of Black‑owned businesses. His 1990 film The White Girl further showcased his advocacy by spotlighting the realities of drug addiction and its impact on individuals and families.

Across his prolific career, Brown earned numerous accolades, including 22 Emmy Awards for his contributions to news, induction into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in 2016, and the National Director’s Legacy Award—making him the first journalism recipient honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency.

Tony Brown passed away on June 17 as a result of coronary heart disease. — Sherdell Baker

Victor Willis

Victor Willis was the co-founder and lead singer of the music group, Village People. In 1976, Willis was also part of the original Broadway production of The Wiz. He’s known for co-writing “Y.M.C.A.,” a song that was an ode to local Y organizations that Willis had positive experiences with for community support, as recounted in a social media post. The song has transcended generational popularity since its initial release in 1978. The group is known for other popular singles, including “In the Navy” and “Macho Man.” His contributions to the music industry afforded Willis a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Victor Willis passed away on June 30 at the age of 74 after a battle with an undisclosed illness. — Sherdell Baker

Khadijah Farrakhan

Beyond being known as the wife of the honorable minister Louis Farrakhan and the first lady of the Nation of Islam, Khadijah Farrakhan helped advance women’s representation in leadership during the steady rise of the Black Islamic community. She was married to Minister Farrakhan for over 70 years, had nine children together and over 20 grandchildren. 

Farrakhan is widely known for her speech at the 1997 Million Woman March in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this speech, she addressed the importance of strong family dynamics and of supporting one another through community activism. Followers and supporters of the Islamic movement were able to watch the couple lead in unique and extensive ways for decades, helping them gain the respect and rapport of those both inside and outside the Nation of Islam.

Khadijah Farrakhan passed away on June 27 after having celebrated her 90th birthday late last year. — Sherdell Baker

Tay Keith

Renowned music producer Brytavious Chambers, professionally known as Tay Keith, gained popularity for his contributions to hip-hop and R&B over the last few years. Working with artists such as Travis Scott, Drake, and 21 Savage, Keith made a name for himself in the industry at a rapid pace. His stellar production on Beyoncé’s cover of “Before I Let Go” earned him a shoutout on the song.

At the start of his career, Chambers was graduating from Middle Tennessee University with a degree in integrated studies and media management. Simultaneously, he was celebrating his 2018 single, “SICKO MODE,” with Travis Scott—becoming #1 on the charts around the time of his college graduation. At just 29 years old, the Memphis native earned two Grammy Award nominations and had 11 top-ten hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. To pour back into the next generation of musical creatives, his alma mater made him an honorary professor in 2021.

Tay Keith died on June 18. He was 29. — Sherdell Baker

Fred Alexander Jr.

Drummer and songwriter Fred Alexander Jr. was known for his extensive career spanning the late 70s and 80s as a member of the R&B and funk group Lakeside.

What began as local performances alongside band members in Ohio quickly grew in popularity, leading the group to relocate to California. This decision to relocate helped propel Alexander’s career as a drummer and co-founder of the group. Lakeside is best known for its 1980 hit single, “Fantastic Voyage.”

With a career spanning more than three decades and close to 30 albums, it’s safe to say Alexander’s career had an impact in more ways than one. He also earned six Grammy Awards, three of which were for the musical project “The Barefoot Drummer.” 

Fred Alexander Jr. passed away on June 11, 2026. He was 72. — Sherdell Baker

Danny Simmons

Known as a visionary abstract painter, poet, and tireless champion of the arts, Danny Simmons was raised in Queens, New York, alongside his brothers: hip-hop trailblazers Russell Simmons and Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons. He left the field of social work and committed fully to his artistry in 1992. Simmons opened galleries in New York City and co-founded the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation to empower underrepresented Black artists. He was the co-creator of the groundbreaking series Def Poetry Jam, which aired on HBO in the early 2000s.

Simmons won a Tony for the stage adaptation in 2003. His novel, Three Days as the Crow Flies, about a drug-addicted hustler named Crow Shade, who poses as an artist in New York’s drug and arts scene, was published in the same year. Simmons later brought his passions to his new hometown of Philadelphia, establishing Rush Arts Philadelphia, a community center and gallery. He served on the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s African American Collections Committee in 2019 and helped usher in African-textile-inspired canvas work as vibrant public murals across the city.

Danny Simmons died on June 15, 2026, at age 72.

Abdullah Ibrahim

A globally celebrated South African jazz pianist and composer, Abdullah Ibrahim, became known for his iconic melodies, which became a foundational soundtrack to his nation’s anti-apartheid struggle. Born Adolph Johannes Brand in Cape Town, he achieved the nickname “Dollar Brand” before converting to Islam in the 1960s. Over an extraordinary eight-decade career, he masterfully fused traditional African rhythms, gospel, and modern bebop, becoming the trailblazer of “Cape Jazz” and captivating audiences on small stages and in large concert venues. 

In 1974, Ibrahim recorded his masterpiece, “Mannenberg,” which became an unofficial national anthem of resilience against racial oppression. Famously hailed as “our Mozart” by Nelson Mandela, Ibrahim honored that political commitment by performing at Mandela’s historic 1994 presidential inauguration. With a discography of over 70 albums, Ibrahim was recognized as a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master in 2019.  

Abdullah Ibrahim died peacefully in Germany on June 15, 2026, at age 91.

Peabo Bryson

Grammy Award-winning R&B singer Peabo Bryson made timeless music through his solo career and unforgettable duets, securing his place among the greatest romantic singers in American music history.

Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, he began performing professionally as a teenager, launching a recording career that would make him one of the most respected vocalists in contemporary music. Over more than 50 years, he recorded 20 studio albums and became known for his signature blend of soul, R&B, and romantic ballads.

Bryson recorded numerous solo R&B classics, including “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So Into You,” “Can You Stop the Rain,” “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again” and “Reaching for the Sky,” among many others. His smooth vocal style and emotional delivery earned him a loyal following and established him as one of the premier male vocalists of his era.

He became especially celebrated for his duets with legendary female artists. He recorded the 1983 hit “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love” with Roberta Flack and soundtracked Disney animated features, including the titular “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle. Bryson won two Grammy Awards for these performances in 1992 and 1993, respectively. “A Whole New World” became the first song from an animated film to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Bryson worked with Closing the Gap in Healthcare to improve healthcare awareness in underserved communities. In 2016, in association with the organization, Bryson was honored during the LowCountry Jazz Festival in South Carolina, which declared it “Peabo Bryson Day.” 

Peabo Bryson passed away on June 2 after suffering a stroke. He was 75. His family shared a statement on his passing: 

“With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing… He transitioned peacefully at 5:00 p.m. on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family and those closest to him.” Read his family’s full statement.

Dexter Wansel

Philadelphia native Dexter Wansel was known to many for his contributions to the music industry, through his own career as a musician and through his songwriting and production of hit songs for artists such as Teddy Pendergrass, The Jacksons, Phyllis Hyman and Patti LaBelle. With 10 albums under his belt across disco, R&B, funk, and fusion jazz, Wansel’s impact in the music industry has been astronomical, thanks to his versatility and unique approach to composition.

His debut album, Life On Mars, is best known for its track “Theme from the Planets,” which has been sampled hundreds of times over the decades. Artists who have sampled the song include Kid ‘N Play, J.Cole, Eric B. and Rakim, leaving a lasting impact on the hip-hop industry.  Throughout his career, Wansel was acknowledged for his contributions to the music industry, including his 1978 Grammy win for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, shared with Lou Rawls, whom he co-produced and arranged for the album Unmistakably Lou. In 2016, he was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz. 

Dexter Wansel passed away at the age of 75 on May 31, after 17 years battling an undisclosed health issue.

Foster Sylvester

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An integral part of the family band, The Sylvers, Foster Sylvers was known for his pre-teen chart-topper and his famous family. Born in Memphis and raised in Los Angeles, he burst onto the national music scene in 1973 at just 11 years old. His debut single, “Misdemeanor,” written by his older brother Leon Sylvers III, became a breakout hit, reaching No. 7 on Billboard’s R&B chart and making him one of the youngest male solo stars in R&B. He joined his siblings and shared lead vocals with his brother Edmund on “Boogie Fever,” the iconic disco hit. 

He joined his siblings in The Sylvers, helping transform the act into one of the era’s most successful family groups. Sylvers shared lead vocals with brother Edmund on “Boogie Fever,” an infectious disco smash that reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts. In addition to appearances on Soul Train and American Bandstand, he appeared on the cover of EBONY Jr.

Sylvers recorded several more chart-topping hits with his family and went on to become a bassist, songwriter and producer. He also continued recording as part of Foster Sylvers & Hy-Tech. 

Foster Sylvers passed away on May 30, at the age of 64, following a cancer battle.

Sonny Rollins

Jazz saxophonist Walter Theodore Rollins, professionally known as Sonny Rollins, made history over the span of his career with the way he played the tenor saxophone. Decade to decade, Rollins could be seen adding his distinct tone and flair to any musical arrangement he touched. 

His humble beginnings in the music industry began after he connected with jazz innovators such as Miles Davis and Charlie Parker, who helped usher him in and collaborate on music in the 1950’s. From there, fans could enjoy albums such as “Freedom Suite” and “Saxophone Colossus”. His work was recognized by the Recording Academy in 2004 for a Grammy in the Lifetime Achievement category. He was also awarded the National Medal of Honor in 2010 by former President Barack Obama. As well as the Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime achievement in 2011.

Rollins passed away on May 25 at home in Woodstock, New York. While his cause of death was not publicly released, he had been previously diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which halted his ability to be able to perform. He was 95.

Rob Base

Robert Ginyard—better known as Rob Base—was instrumental in bringing the hip-hop sound and house music to the masses in the 1980s. With his childhood classmate, Rodney Bryce, Base formed Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, a rap duo that would take the world by storm. In 1988, the two dropped “It Takes Two,” an eternal summer-worthy pop rap. The record and its subsequent album rocketed up the charts and were certified platinum, and the song remains one of the most recognizable party tracks in music history.

The duo followed up their massive hit with “Joy and Pain,” which still tracks at wedding receptions across the world. Base released his solo debut album, The Incredible Base, in 1989. He continued to thrill fans through the 2000s, appearing at the 10th Annual Unbridled Eve Kentucky Derby Gala at The Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2023.

After battling cancer, Rob Base passed on May 22, at the age of 59.

Jason Collins

Jason Collins made NBA history as the league’s first openly gay active player, becoming a barrier-breaking figure in professional sports. The 7-foot center played 13 seasons in the NBA after being selected No. 18 overall in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Stanford. He spent time with the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets, helping the Nets reach back-to-back NBA Finals early in his career. In 2013, Collins came out publicly in a Sports Illustrated essay, later returning to the court with Brooklyn and deepening his legacy as an advocate for inclusion.

Jason Collins passed on May 12, 2026, after battling glioblastoma. He was 47. — Jonathan Giles

Brandon Clarke

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke was known for his energy and quiet impact across seven seasons in the NBA. A Vancouver native who played at San Jose State and Gonzaga, Clarke was selected No. 21 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft before being traded to Memphis. He made an immediate impression, earning NBA All-Rookie honors in 2020, and later became a key part of the Grizzlies’ 56-win 2021-22 team. Recently, Clarke battled injuries in recent seasons, including an Achilles tear and knee issues. Brandon Clarke passed on May 11 in Los Angeles. He was 29. — Jonathan Giles

Crystal R. Emery

A filmmaker, playwright, theatre director and founder and CEO of URU The Right To Be, Inc., a nonprofit content production company, disability advocate Crystal R. Emery championed equity and inclusion across film, theatre, publishing and education. Her production company was dedicated to addressing social issues through film, theater, publishing, educational media, and other arts‑based initiatives. A member of the Producers Guild of America and New York Women in Film & Television, she directed The Deadliest Disease in America in 2010 and Black Women in Medicine, both of which aired nationally on public television.

Emery launched the national campaign “Changing the Face of Medicine” to help increase the number of Black physicians in the United States, while a subsequent initiative, “Changing the Face of STEM,” encouraged young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She was featured in the Smithsonian’s #IfThenSheCan – The Exhibit, a collection of life-sized 3D-printed statues of role models in STEM. In 2025, Emery embarked on a career in stand‑up comedy. She appeared on shows hosted by comedians Michelle Buteau and D.L. Hughley and performed across the East Coast as well as a solo show in New Haven later that year.

A quadriplegic who never allowed her limitations to stand in her way, Crystal Emery passed on May 5. She was 65.

Afrika Bambaata

Bronx native Lance Taylor, professionally known as Afrika Bambaataa, was widely regarded as a pioneer in hip-hop. His lyricism and techniques were closely held by many during his time with the music group Soulsonic Force in the 1980s. He was also a well-known DJ and producer across New York, where he originated the breakbeat style of DJing. Bambaataa gained notoriety for founding the Universal Zulu Nation, where he, along with others, helped raise awareness of hip-hop.

Though having led the organization for several years, he stepped down in 2016 after allegations arose of sexual abuse towards those within the organization, which fostered distrust among its members.

His musical skills were honored at the 2015 Global Spin Awards, where he received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Afrika Bambaataa passed away on April 9, after a long battle with cancer, just a few days shy of what would’ve been his 69th birthday. — Sherdell Baker

Kiki Shepard

Chiquita “Kiki” Renee Shepard became a Black household name as a co-host of Showtime at the Apollo from 1987 to 2002 and built a legacy spanning television, film, Broadway, and philanthropy over more than four decades in entertainment. Born in Tyler, Texas, to champion competitive dancers, she carried that legacy to Howard University, where she was a charter member of the D.C. Repertory Dance Company. That took her to the World Festival of Black Arts in Lagos, Nigeria, and to the 49th Academy Awards, where she performed.

Shepard appeared on Broadway in celebrated productions including Bubbling Brown Sugar, Comin’ Uptown, Reggae, Your Arms Too Short to Box With God, and Porgy and Bess. Her screen career began with a role in the star-studded 1978 film The Wiz, and she went on to accumulate a rich list of television credits, including A Different World, Baywatch, NYPD Blue, Everybody Hates Chris, Grey’s Anatomy, and Mind Your Business.

After learning she carried the sickle cell trait, she partnered with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America in 1993. She founded The KIS Foundation, Inc., in 2006 and dedicated herself to raising awareness of and funding for sickle cell disease through her Celebrity Bowling Challenge and golf tournaments. Just one week before her passing, she was honored at an International Women’s Day Gospel Brunch in Los Angeles.

Kiki Shepard passed away from a heart attack on March 16. She was 74.

Judy Pace

Actress Judy Pace was a woman of many firsts. She was the youngest model ever selected for the EBONY Fashion Fair’s national tour. After her appearance in EBONY magazine, she was cast in 13 Frightened Girls in 1963, making her the first Black actress signed to a major motion picture studio contract. In 1968, Pace became the first Black villainess on American primetime as Vickie Fletcher on Peyton Place, and years later, she was the first Black woman to appear as a bachelorette on The Dating Game. The Los Angeles native starred in Cotton Comes to Harlem and Brian’s Song; the NAACP awarded her its Image Award for The Young Lawyers in 1970. Judy Pace passed on March 11 in Los Angeles. She was 83. Read her full obit here.

Oliver “Power” Grant

A visionary entrepreneur, producer, and cultural architect, Oliver Grant – known as Power – was instrumental in elevating the Wu-Tang Clan to hip-hop legend status. He invested early in the group founded by his childhood friends, helping them go from the Park Hill projects of Staten Island to global recognition. Grant secured funding, managed business operations, and built infrastructure that supported the Wu-Tang’s groundbreaking 1993 debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and future projects over the decades. His belief in the group’s potential and his financial backing earned him the nickname “Power.”

Grant co-founded Wu-Wear, one of the first artist-driven streetwear brands, helping to establish the now-common collaboration between music and fashion. Under his guidance, Wu-Tang expanded into film, merchandise, and gaming, including the video game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, which he produced. Grant also appeared on screen in films such as Belly and Black and White. A new generation was introduced to Grant’s story when he was portrayed by actor Marcus Callender in Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga, which dramatized the group’s origin and rise.

Oliver “Power” Grant passed on February 24 at age 52.

Demond Wilson

Demond Wilson made generations appreciate their parents’ quirks a little more with his portrayal of Lamont Sanford on the groundbreaking seventies sitcom Sanford and Son. Born in Georgia and raised in Harlem, he started his early career on stage. After appearing in a 1971 guest spot on All in the Family, he landed the career-defining role as Lamont, the long-suffering son of Redd Foxx’s Fred Sanford, on the highly acclaimed series. Sanford and Son aired from 1972 to 1979 and was one of the first to depict a multilayered relationship between a Black father and his son. Wilson continued his acting career, appearing on other sitcoms such as Baby… I’m Back in 1978 and The New Odd Couple opposite Ron Glass in 1982. He also starred in several films. A decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, Wilson received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in the Vietnam War while serving with the 4th Infantry Division. He was also awarded the Bronze Star for valor during his service from 1966 to 1968. Demond Wilson passed on January 30 at age 79, from complications related to cancer.

Shirley Raines

A social media creator who made a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness, Shirley Raines founded Beauty 2 The Streetz, a nonprofit organization that provided food distribution, hygiene services, and emotional support and care to people living on Skid Row in Los Angeles and in other parts of California, as well as in Nevada. Known as “Ms. Shirley,” she used digital platforms to raise awareness of her work, shed light on the plight of homelessness, and advocate for care and compassion. She had more than 5 million TikTok followers who saw the light and humanity she brought to those in need.

In 2021, CNN recognized Raines as its Hero of the Year. Raines’ passion to help others was personal, as she, too, experienced personal loss and trauma. One of her six children died as a toddler, which left her in a dark place that could have ended in tragedy. Shirley Raines passed away at age 58 on January 28, 2026.

Claudette Colvin

Before Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin , who, at just 15 years of age,  was the first person arrested for refusing to surrender her seat in Montgomery, Alabama. Born on September 5, 1939, Colvin grew up in what biographer Phillip Hoose called “three unpaved streets lined with red shotgun shacks and outdoor toilets.”

Colvin was raised by her great‑aunt Mary Jane and great‑uncle Q.P. Smith. She was surrounded by books and, as a young girl, would obsessively read the works of Edgar Allan Poe and William Shakespeare. In school, she learned about the 14th Amendment and wrote a paper detailing segregation in her hometown. Of her courageous refusal to move from her seat on that fateful day, she later stated that she felt Harriet Tubman pressing on one shoulder and Sojourner Truth on the other, helping to make her refusal to move seem fated. Claudette Colvin passed away at age 86 on January 13.

John Forté

John Forté was a powerful force in the creative direction of one of the most influential hip-hop records of the nineties. He was part of the musical collective Refugee Camp All-Stars and played a critical role in writing and producing The Score, the Fugees’ landmark 1996 album, which received critical acclaim and earned Forté a GRAMMY Award nomination. His collaborations included “We Trying to Stay Alive” with Wyclef Jean and the triple collab of “Rumble in the Jungle” with the Fugees, A Tribe Called Quest and Busta Rhymes. 

In 1998, he released his debut studio album, Poly Sci. His life was not without personal challenges: in 2000, he was arrested on drug charges. Initially sentenced to 14 years in prison, he had his sentence commuted by President George W. Bush in 2008. Many of his collaborators became his allies and spoke out on his behalf during these trying times. He would go on to score music for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, participate in a musical tour across Russia, and write the 2012 Brooklyn Nets anthem. His final album, Vessels, Angels & Ancestors, was released in 2021. John Forté passed away at his home in Massachusetts on January 12. He was 50.

T.K. Carter

From his roller-skating cook in John Carpenter’s cult classic The Thing (1982) to more dramatic roles, T.K. Carter brought both light and depth to his many characters. Starting his career as a child, he would go on to play a variety of roles over five decades. Carter appeared on the sitcoms Punky Brewster, The Sinbad Show and more in the nineties.

He received critical acclaim for his work on the 2000 HBO miniseries The Corner, in which he played drug-addicted Gary McCullough. Of his nuanced performance, the Boston Globe wrote, “Carter perfectly captures the gentleness and passivity that can be addiction’s easiest conquest.” The actor’s movie resume is also extensive, including films such as Corvette Summer, Southern Comfort, Doctor Detroit, Space Jam and more. He starred as patriarch Herbert “Pops” Brown in the 2018 BET miniseries The Bobby Brown Story. T.K. Carter passed away at age 69 in his home in Duarte, California, on January 9.

Before Housewives were flipping tables, before Love & Hip Hop became required Monday night viewing and before X, formerly Twitter, turned into Black Twitter, The Real World quietly laid the blueprint. MTV’s social experiment didn’t just introduce reality television as we know it. It gave us some of the most unforgettable Black television moments of the ’90s and early 2000s, scenes that are once again making the rounds online as Black Twitter revisits the franchise one iconic clip at a time.

Some moments make us laugh. Others make us cringe. A few still spark debate decades later. But every single one helped shape reality television before “going viral” was even a phrase.

1. Tami Roman’s blanket incident changed reality TV forever.
Long before Tami Roman became the queen of one-liners, she was a 22-year-old navigating life on The Real World: Los Angeles. When castmate David Edwards pulled the blanket from her while she repeatedly told him to stop, the situation escalated into one of the franchise’s most uncomfortable moments. David ultimately became the first roommate ever removed from The Real World, forcing viewers to confront conversations around consent, boundaries and misogyny years before those discussions became mainstream.

2. Coral Smith reminded everyone she wasn’t the one.
If confidence had a spokesperson, it would be Coral. Whether she was dragging someone with a perfectly timed read or delivering a confessional that deserved its own Emmy category, Coral understood television. Her sharp wit made Back to New York must-watch TV, and Black Twitter still quotes her with the same enthusiasm it did two decades ago.

3. Stephen slapping Irene became one of MTV’s most shocking exits.
Few reality TV moments have aged more awkwardly than the infamous slap heard around the world. It was ugly, deeply uncomfortable and impossible to ignore. The clip continues circulating not because people celebrate it, but because it represents one of the franchise’s most shocking reminders that reality television wasn’t always entertaining. Sometimes it was painfully real.

4. Tami Roman sharing her abortion story was groundbreaking.
Reality television rarely allowed Black women to be vulnerable in the early ’90s. Tami changed that by allowing cameras to document one of the most personal decisions of her life. It wasn’t manufactured drama. It was honest, emotional storytelling that expanded what reality television could look like.

5. Melissa Howard gave New Orleans its heartbeat.
Melissa could go from hilarious to heartfelt in the same episode. Her chemistry with the house, her humor and her refusal to shrink herself made her one of the franchise’s most beloved cast members, proving that personality could be just as compelling as conflict.

6. Karamo Brown kicked the door open for representation.
Years before Queer Eye, Karamo Brown’s appearance on The Real World: Philadelphia offered one of television’s earliest portrayals of a proudly gay Black man simply existing as himself. Today it feels normal. In 2004, it felt revolutionary.

7. The arguments felt…real.
That’s the biggest difference between The Real World and much of today’s reality television. Nobody arrived with a glam squad, a catchphrase or a strategy for securing a reunion special. The disagreements unfolded because strangers with wildly different lives were forced to coexist, not because someone needed a trending soundbite.

Maybe that’s why Black Twitter keeps returning to these clips. They’re nostalgic, yes, but they’re also reminders of a time when reality television still felt like a social experiment instead of a content factory. The memes are hilarious, the one-liners remain undefeated and some moments deserve to stay frozen in television history. Together, they capture an era when being “real” actually meant something.

The editorial board at the Wall Street Journal thought it appropriate on Juneteenth to celebrate the fall of race-conscious programming in Wisconsin. The board and giddy commenters alike noted how ironic it was to uphold racial policies now addressing racial policies back then. I just have one simple question for them: what date did our nation ever acknowledge the harm of racial policies like enslavement?

America worked hard to keep Black people oppressed after freedom was declared in 1863. In the two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, some human traffickers even forcibly moved their enslaved people to Texas to evade their release, believing that the proclamation would be reversed and wanting to remain profitable and fully staffed throughout this period. Texas’ lone star brought with it a fresh hope every rising, yet it punished its new inhabitants with cruel heat and confusion throughout the day.

Initially, January 1, 1863, was supposed to be the day that this nightmare came to an end for all the enslaved. Then, in April 1865, the Confederate Army surrendered at Appomattox. Then, on June 19, 1865, when the Union Army arrived in Texas to liberate the last holdout state in the west (others in the east, in fact, held out longer).

Imagining the tension between enslavement and freedom helps us to understand the psychological burden on all those living within the forcibly unified and fragile borders of the developing nation, both then and now. The country believed that by having criteria to reconstruct the divided states in the North and the South—that was, to abolish slavery, renounce secession, and pay off Civil War debt—all would be forgotten.

Yet the relational neglect was palpable within and between old and new “neighbors” and the laws that governed their thoughts, behaviors, and hopes. That same neglect manifests today as we live, play, worship, and exist in largely segregated and unequal spaces within this nation. It contributes to greatly disproportionate lives for our children, an inability to understand each other’s pain, and an unwillingness to tackle potential solutions for moving forward.

To repair these harms, we have to go back. We have to be willing to excavate. And we have to wonder: what would we have needed on June 20 to actively repair the psychological injuries that continue to harm us at present?

To those experiencing harm:

This tension between the joy of being free and the feeling of betrayal after a delay in emancipation efforts likely remained a persistent fog as the oppressed searched for answers to lingering questions. What anger. What sadness. What imagining of what would have been. The backbreaking labor. The separation of family members, dividing half of all children and parents. The institution of psychological fear when asserting basic rights for freedom, education, and wellness. In the midst of the fog, how did the oppressed look upon those who enslaved them?

Pondering how we co-exist with those actively perpetrating harm is a crucial exercise of acknowledgment and redress, fundamental components of current cash reparations efforts. There is an emotional ebb and flow that the descendants of the enslaved feel today, watching hard-fought wins like the Voting Rights Act or DEI efforts rolled back in real time. It is not so different from the pendulum swing in June, 1865.

To those perpetrating harm:

That slaveholders in Delaware and Kentucky still had not liberated enslaved Black people by June 20, 1865, taking another six months to fulfill the actions of this proclamation, demonstrates how challenging it is to let go of power.

(And Mississippi, don’t even let me get started on you, only certifying formally in February 2013 that slavery was abolished.) DuBois optimistically noted the opportunity for emancipation to slowly come “to white Americans…a sudden freeing of hateful mental shadows…the nation was to be purged of continual sin not indeed all of its own doing—due partly to its inheritance.”

And yet, as the sun began to shine on June 20, how did the former captors interact with the former enslaved? Could they look at the faces of the people whom they bought, sold, whipped, forcibly assaulted, and demeaned as anything remotely close to fully human? As a neighbor? As a people deserving of equal rights, recompense, and repair for maltreatment at their hands? Could their children and their descendants? And what lessons do we learn from them about how we treat each other now?

To the nation housing them all:

If no repair was actively being made to rectify the psychological rift between the former captors and the freed people on that new morning, what was to come of a nation that was attempting to unify fractured elements through reconstruction? And what was it like to share space and place between groups with such an unusual and unequal power dynamic and centuries-long history of mutilation and humiliation in 1865?

Arguably, the decade that followed Juneteenth saw great strides in certain sectors, especially politics and labor. But that progress was lost and reversed precisely because there was no intentional strategy to repair the psychological harm and address the pathological norm among White Americans. Without resources and true freedom to become self-sufficient, Black Americans were targeted through oppressive laws throughout Jim Crow and subsequent repressive policies.

So when did our nation ever acknowledge the toll of enslavement?

Torture that cascaded across physical, emotional, and verbal fields of the body, mind, and spirit — when were these wounds repaired?

What did it feel like to be freed, yet simultaneously be part of the largest homeless and racial dispossession event in the history of our nation?

When did we ask how the freed felt to learn that some prior enslavers were compensated with reparations, given a loss in wages?

The hidden reality of the US as a psychologically fractured, broken, and unresolved nation remained in the shadows then and continues to this day. The questions asked about June 19, 1865, can be readily applied now.

How does psychological torture through ICE raids and detention impact families?

What are the psychological and financial costs of racial dispossession from deed theft?

What mental health impact would the proposed reparations for J6 insurrectionists have if implemented, particularly as the administration actively seeks to block fiscal reparations efforts for Black people?

Racism’s children thrive today. Because the relational harms from enslavement were not addressed on June 20, they have been reproduced and reinforced intergenerationally.

This nation could work toward achieving equity and equality, making a better country for us all. But as was the case after Juneteenth, 1865, and throughout Reconstruction, it will continue to trip over itself if it does not take the time to heal through intentional, introspective psychological strategies. These solutions would drive individual, interpersonal, and institutional growth for all remaining harm from the Texas sun.

The past has always been instructive in how to approach the future – let us remind the WSJ that, without proper repair, there will be generations of recursive attempts to address our nation’s healing.

Credentials:

Associate Professor, Columbia University | Nationally recognized expert on youth mental health, families, and Black communities

In a world where online backlash can be reactionary more than rational, Lupita Nyong’o and Zendaya are choosing not to let the discourse surrounding their casting in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey define their performances.

Let’s set the scene: Imagine getting a call from the director asking you to play not one, but two of Greek mythology’s most iconic women. Nyong’o was cast in the dual roles of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, while Zendaya stepped into the role of the goddess Athena.

When the casting announcements were revealed in May 2026, social media quickly erupted over the casting choices, with some stating that “the face that launched 1,000 ships” role should have been cast with a different woman (i.e., a white woman).

Nyong’o never engaged with the backlash. Instead, she focused on the work. Ironically, her own journey to Greece for production echoed the epic voyage at the heart of the Greek poet Homer’s tale.

Throughout mythology, Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra have been interpreted in countless ways: victims, survivors, queens, women driven by impossible choices. Nyong’o embraces both characters with emotional depth, channeling grief, resilience and righteous fury.

Nyong’o has spoken instead about the honor of portraying two of mythology’s most fascinating women, sisters whose lives are forever shaped by war, betrayal and vengeance. She also gave full support to Nolan and his interpretation of the story.

Nolan has reportedly made it clear that Nyong’o was always his first choice to play the role, as he sought an actress capable of balancing vulnerability with commanding strength. It’s also far from the first time Nyong’o has played dual roles. Audiences watched her brilliantly portray both Adelaide and Red in Jordan Peele’s Us, showcasing her ability to create two completely distinct characters within the same film.

In interviews, Zendaya has also focused on how she’s shaped her character, approaching Athena through humanity, divinity, wisdom, patience and quiet authority.

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The debate surrounding The Odyssey ultimately says less about Christopher Nolan’s casting decisions than it does about how audiences choose to interpret mythology itself. While mythology can be based on real events, its inhabitants are often exaggerated or fictionalized, as in the case of this film’s characters. In addition, “race” rarely refers to its modern definition in these stories; instead, it describes a type of people by class and ability, with some having distinct supernatural powers.

Nolan has long embraced reinterpretation across his filmography, whether reimagining Batman or adapting historical events through his own cinematic lens. For him, The Odyssey is no different—it’s an adaptation of fictionalized people, meaning there should be no rules on who plays them.

Rather than recreating mythology as audiences have always imagined it, Nolan appears more interested in exploring the emotional truths of Nyong’o and Zendaya’s legendary figures than their previous visual representations. It should be noted that he has also taken notable creative liberties throughout the adaptation, expanding relationships and reshaping familiar moments from Homer’s epic to fit his cinematic vision.

If audiences have accepted decades of reinterpretations of Shakespeare and other notable authors over time, it’s curious that Greek mythology suddenly becomes fixed whenever Black actors are involved. Mythology has survived precisely because every generation reshapes it for its own moment.

Now, this isn’t the first time Black performers have entered the world of Greek mythology. Helen of Troy was previously portrayed by Eartha Kitt in an avant-garde Paris stage production in the 1950s. And countless theater companies have embraced color-conscious casting across classical works.

Nolan’s The Odyssey has little to do with the erasure of mythology, but should be viewed as a work of continued evolution. Myths endure because they evolve. Nolan understands that. Nyong’o and Zendaya prove it.

Hollywood should continue giving Black and other performers opportunities to inhabit the world’s most enduring literary figures because great actors deserve great roles.

In The Odyssey, Nyong’o and Zendaya are creating imagery that allows us all to experience and interpret mythological origins in new, exciting ways. And that should always come across on screen.

The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17.