Howard Swim & Dive Team Becomes the First All-Black Swim Team Featured in Sports Illustrated

National Urban League priorities in State

By Nyah Peebles, HBCUBUZZ.com

The Howard Bison, The only allBlack team in college swimming recently made history as the first allBlack swim team to be featured in the famed sports magazine, Sports Illustrated.

Sports Illustrated began coverage of the Howard University swim and dive team this past October at the start of the fall season.

The historic feature article sheds light on the barriers the team is breaking.

Howard University is the only HBCU with a swim team, and they have made quite the name for themselves as they continue to break school records and make history.

The men’s team is currently 6-2, and the women’s team is 5-3 overall. Both teams are on track to become Northeast Conference champions.

The women’s team captain, senior Raychel Fauntroy, shared her excitement about the team being highlighted. “When Coach Nic asked me to be in the photo shoot for it, I was really shocked that they wanted to do an article and feature us. A lot of people don’t know Howard has a swim team let alone the only HBCU with one,” Fauntroy told The Hilltop.

The article details the team’s season-opening meet, “The Battle at the Burr,” which made collegiate swimming history with one of the largest attended events with 2,000 tickets sold and over 1,200 attendees. The release also dives into the growth of Howard’s success, statistics, the history of swimming among Black people, and much more.

“This is about our mission as a university and the message we want to send as an HBCU…This isn’t a bunch of Black people in a pool; it’s young

Black men and women succeeding in a sport that, for years, has shut them out of this experience,” the swim program’s coach, Nicholas Askew told Sports Illustrated.

The Sports Illustrated article can be found on their official website, as well as printed copies on stand.

Naomi Osaka is now Victoria’s Secret’s first individual collaborator in its 45-year history

by Abu Mubarik Face2FaceAfrica.com

Naomi Osaka is no stranger when it comes to making history. In 2020, she became the world’s highest-paid female athlete after earning a staggering $37.4 million. She has remained the highest-paid female tennis player to date.

Osaka’s backstory played a significant role in her earnings since her skills are undeniably great. Also, her heritage made her very relatable to many individuals hence a hot commodity for Olympic sponsors who intended to reach a wide audience. Sponsors like Procter & Gamble, All Nippon Airways, and Nissin jumped on the Osaka wagon and signed endorsement deals with her to market their products for the games.

Osaka’s success is not only limited to the tennis court. She is also an entrepreneur and a brand ambassador. She is the brand ambassador for the French label Louis Vuitton. What is more, she is a part-owner of a National Women’s Soccer League Team, North Carolina Courage. She has also invested in a skincare line known as KINLÒ, purposely for melanated individuals. She created the product with Ghanaian-born dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye. Also, Osaka recently launched her maiden swimwear collection in collaboration with Los Angeles-based fashion brand Frankies Bikinis. The line aims to empower women and make them feel extra confident.

The tennis great has added another title to her resume after landing a collaboration with the lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret. The deal makes her Victoria’s Secret’s first individual collaborator in its 45-year history, Boardroom has reported.

“So honored to present to you the Naomi x @victoriasecret collection. I was shocked to hear this, but apparently, I’m the first person to ever collaborate with Victoria’s Secret on a collection, and I’m so humbled and appreciative,” the tennis star noted in an Instagram post.

“Every piece in the collection is made out of recyclable material, and the whole premise of the collection centres around chasing your dreams, so I hope you enjoy everything as much as I do,” she added.

The line ranges from blousy Boyfriend Dress Shirts to silky Short Robe, according to Boardroom. Osaka will be involved with the design and have her own line with royalties. On Osaka’s expected royalties, Boardroom noted: “Osaka is secure in receiving royalties for her involvement in the items that are already available online and will be featured in flagship stores not just across America but also all the way to China and the UK.”

The tennis star grew up in a Haitian household in New York where she lived with her grandmother. Osaka plays tennis under the Japanese flag despite not being able to speak the language fluently.

Ellington Jazz Series

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque

Mar. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Morse Recital Hall

A performance by saxophonist and flutist Jane Bunnett and the all-female Afro-Cuban group Maqueque, which DownBeat has said “sounds like no other today in jazz.”