Aoki Lee Simmons , the youngest daughter of fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons and entrepreneur Russell Simmons, is making her mark in the world of fashion, business, and social activism. A recent graduate of Harvard University, Aoki is uniquely positioned to leverage her prestigious education alongside her family’s entrepreneurial legacy. While many might see her as merely the daughter of two influential figures, Aoki is determined to build her own path, blending her Ivy League knowledge with her passions for fashion and social causes. Background, Education, And More Born in August 2002, Aoki Lee Kyoko Simmons grew up in a household that valued both entrepreneurship and creativity. Simmons was exposed to the world of fashion and business from a young age – her mother, Kimora, is a supermodel and founder of Baby Phat. Her father Russel, meanwhile, is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings. She began her modeling career early, working with her mother on campaigns for the revived Baby...

With the second-time win of President Donald Trump, American citizens can expect the introduction of several changes to our political ecosystem. One of them is a proposal that he outlined in the Agenda47 documents , as well as Project 25 . He plans to drain the Department of Education (DOE) of all funding, shutting it down and leaving the responsibility of education to each individual state. The approval of this proposal would threaten the quality of education and safety of K-12 students of color and underserved demographics. It’s undetermined whether the proposal will be approved . Simultaneously, it sheds light on the DOE and what K-12 students would be losing access to should it be shut down. But what exactly does the DOE do? What Is The Department of Education? The origins of the DOE date back to 1867. Former President Andrew Johnson signed the legislation that created the department. Its purpose was to create an area of the government in which information and statistics about...

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were founded to offer Black students the opportunity to pursue higher education. They weren’t admitted into primarily white institutions, causing HBCUs to not only become a resource for education but a safe space. To this day, Black students, non-Black students of color and white students attend HBCUs for the purpose of advancing their studies and expanding their cultural awareness. Through donations and some government funding , HBCUs continue to make this possible for their student body. As grants and loans are offered, so are university scholarships. Here’s what we know about the best HBCU scholarships. Scholarships Offered By HBCU Partners To the surprise of some, HBCUs do offer full-ride scholarships. Students who meet certain criteria can also combine partial scholarships with grants. More than 75% of students at HBCUs receive grants, and 13% of students pursue loans. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) awards more than...

Attending a traditional four-year college is a life-changing experience. Many students who choose that route consider it crucial to their formative era of adulthood. From making lifelong friends and unlearning things that no longer serve you to developing a sense of independence and greater resiliency — the collegiate experience can be life-defining. Now, add that perspective to a predominantly Black environment, and this is the HBCU experience. Founded to provide access to academia that systemic racist policies and laws would not traditionally allow, HBCUs are spaces of higher learning, homes, and safe spaces for students to be cultivated, developed, matured, and uniquely nurtured. Regardless of this context, one thing that is consistent for all college students is the journey of discovery, particularly around career goals and continued livelihood. Whether it is choosing the best major or navigating whether or not one should pursue an internship over a fellowship, college students...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) need money to continue to bring quality education to their students. Fortunately, well-known companies are donating to these programs that serve Black students, non-Black students of color and white students. Among these HBCU industry supporters are Boeing , Northrop Grumman Corporation , IBM , Microsoft Corporation and General Motors . Government and nonprofit HBCU supporters include NASA , the Air Force , the Army Corps. , the Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense . And while all HBCU programs are significant, there’s a particularly notable number of doctors who come from HBCUs. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that, in 2021-22, 61% of the 3,000 doctor’s degrees were awarded by HBCUs. Here’s our list of companies that support HBCU medical undergrad programs. UMG Supports HBCU Medical Programs Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with HBCUs to further open the pipeline of Black medical practitioners....

Graduating from college is a big deal. Anyone who’s ever pursued higher education knows that there’s something different about managing a college workload versus high school or the lower grades. So, when a graduate finally crosses the stage and moves their tassel from one side of their graduation cap to the other, it’s well deserved.   For many, the journey from the first day of freshman year to graduation day can include some twists and turns. Most recently, Sasha Obama, the youngest of former President Barack Obama’s children, just graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) last year. Here’s everything we know about her college career and what’s on the horizon for her in the future. The Youngest Obama Child Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters Sasha and Malia are introduced to the crowd of supporters in Chicago’s Grant Park as the new first family. (Photo by Ralf-Finn Hestoft/Corbis via Getty Images) Most people remember when Sasha (then 7) and her...

For most college students, school’s been back in session for a few weeks and the fall semester is well underway. While some are just starting out and others are wrapping up their academic career, this is still a period that marks endless possibilities as students everywhere are laying the foundations for their career paths. Although it’s always easy to look to people with a decade or more of experience in their field for inspiration, it’s equally impressive to see how recent graduates are faring — especially those who’ve spent nearly their entire lives in the spotlight. In particular, Malia Obama is a Harvard University graduate who’s made a name for herself so that she stands separate from her famous parents, Barack and Michelle Obama. Malia is the couple’s oldest daughter and is making a name for herself as a film director. But how did she get here, and what was her academic journey like?   Malia Obama: A Look Back On Her Journey Photo Credit: Ralf-Finn Hestoft/Corbis Malia Obama...

As lavish as it might seem being born into Hollywood royalty, there’s a lot of pressure on the shoulders of nepo babies . Siblings Jaden and Willow Smith know this all to well, as their parents Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have been walking red carpets and causing controversies at award shows for decades. Though they got involved in the entertainment industry as children (Willow’s acting debut was in 2007’s I Am Legend alongside her father), the brother-sister duo has made a point to carve out their own lane instead of following in their parent’s footsteps. While she’s an undeniably talented musician, there’s been talk of Willow Smith’s college plans over the years, suggesting she could take a hiatus from the studio to pursue other fields. The 23-year-old comes from an affluent family, but still, she’s made a name for herself as a singer, actress and visionary. Her first single, “Whip My Hair” blew up in 2010; in 2024, Smith continues to impress on her Empathogen LP, which Vogue...

Long-time hip hop heads are surely familiar with the works of rapper turned businessman Calvin Broadus, AKA Snoop Dogg . Since Snoop has taken part in a wide array of business and entertainment ventures, it should come as no surprise to learn that many of his children have followed suit. One of his most prolific offspring is his 27-year-old son, Cordell Broadus, who is best known for his time on the field for UCLA’s Bruins Football team . While Cordell could likely have built a brand off his father’s name alone, or even gone on to pro NFL football, the young mogul has taken after his father’s penchant for diversifying his income streams. He has branched off into numerous exciting fields. Today, Cordell Broadus has an estimated net worth of over $2 million independently, and functions as one of the heirs to his father’s estate of over $160 million. Let’s take a moment to look into Cordell’s many revenue streams, his college football career, and any other pertinent information, and...

Rolanda Brandon has filed a lawsuit due to North Carolina’s NIL restrictions. She is the mother of Faizon Brandon, a quarterback at Grimsley High School and the nationa’s top-ranked recruit in the 2026 class, according to ABC11. The high school player intends to play for the University of Tennessee upon graduating in the fall of 2025, which he affirmed through a verbal commitment, per CBS Sports. The journey toward higher learning is often met with great excitement for athletes and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have further energized the sports arena for both college and some high school students. However, this may not have been the case for Faizon. The Athletic Narrative states that while high school students can engage in NIL deals, the eligibility is subject to state laws and the specific rules of their schools or sports teams. Rolanda is now suing the state of North Carolina due to the barriers around NIL deals, The Charlotte Observer reports. This has prevented Faizon...

For many, attending a traditional college or university is still a part of the American dream. With thousands of schools to choose from across the United States, the options for locations, majors, and campus amenities are virtually endless. Still, with so many options, one thing every prospective student must face is the daunting costs of earning a degree. While the cost-benefit of attending college makes sense for those who desire that path, it doesn’t take away the reality of financing one of the most expensive experiences a person will embark upon. With mass criticism around student loan debt, students often seek scholarship opportunities to fund their education. Scholarships not only alleviate the cost burden of students but can usually lead to programmatic moments that can advance a person’s future. If funding your collegiate career is on your to-do list or you are helping a student navigate the financial aid process, tap into these resources to help ease the pain of the...