Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry is facing another legal request from her former husband, Olivier Martinez, amid their ongoing custody dispute. According to court documents reported Wednesday, Martinez is asking a Los Angeles judge to order Berry to pay $240,000 toward his attorney fees. The French actor claims he cannot afford the growing legal expenses associated with their case. The request comes days after a judge issued a temporary custody ruling involving the f

For the first time in United States history, five Black governors are set to serve simultaneously following the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. The unprecedented milestone comes after voters elected Black candidates to lead four states and reelected Maryland Governor Wes Moore. The victories represent a historic expansion of Black representation in America's highest state executive offices. Four of the five governors are Democrats, while one is a Republican. The five lea

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially made history after winning Georgia's 2026 gubernatorial election. The Democratic candidate defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson in Tuesday's November 3 election. Bottoms becomes the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. state. Her victory also makes her the first woman elected governor in Georgia's history. Bottoms previously served as Atlanta's mayor from 2018 to 2022 and later held senior positions in f

Award-winning singer John Legend is preparing to release his new album Muse on Friday, October 23. The project is produced by Pharrell Williams and will be distributed through Republic Records. The upcoming release represents a new collaboration between two influential figures in contemporary music. Legend announced the album in September ahead of its scheduled arrival. The project follows his 2024 children's album, My Favorite Dream. SMMC NEWS REPORT According to the officia

Television personality, comedian, and actress Sherri Shepherd has reportedly joined Disney's Broadway production of Aladdin in the role of the Genie. The engagement is reported to have begun October 16, 2026, at New York City's New Amsterdam Theatre, with performances scheduled through January 3, 2027. SMMC NEWS REPORT Shepherd, widely recognized for her work in daytime television and comedy, has built a career spanning television, film, and live entertainment. Her reported c

Tyler Perry is bringing some of the biggest names in gospel and R&B music together for his upcoming Netflix holiday film, The Gospel of Christmas. Featuring Fantasia Barrino, Tank, CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, and several other legendary performers, the production promises a powerful celebration of faith, family, music, and the enduring influence of the Black church. The film is scheduled to premiere November 11, 2026. SMMC NEWS REPORT Written and directed by P

A decade after Insecure first introduced audiences to its unforgettable characters, Issa Rae and members of the celebrated cast have reunited to honor the television series' lasting cultural impact. The anniversary celebration highlights how the HBO comedy helped reshape representations of Black friendship, relationships, professional ambition, and everyday life while opening new doors for Black storytellers in Hollywood. SMMC NEWS REPORT Created by and starring Issa Rae, Ins

Hundreds of students at Jackson State University in Mississippi gathered this week for a powerful demonstration demanding greater transparency surrounding the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells and other young Black Americans whose deaths have raised questions within their communities. The October 7 demonstration brought students together for a campus march emphasizing accountability, public awareness and the protection of Black lives. Participants wore black clothing, carried