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Junior Bridgeman has passed away at 71 years old, leaving behind a lasting legacy. The former NBA Milwaukee Bucks player who became a prominent businessman died on March 11, 2025, following a medical emergency. He had collapsed during a luncheon at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, KY, for the Lincoln Heritage Council of the Boy Scouts of America, according to WDRB. His exact cause of death has not been confirmed, but various Louisville television stations reported that he was seen holding his chest at a point during the event, per ESPN. “We express our heartfelt condolences to Junior’s wife, Doris, their children, Eden, Justin and Ryan, the Bucks organization, and his many friends and admirers in the basketball community,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, notes ESPN. Bridgeman was a well respected figure for his accomplishments on and off the court. In fact, his jersey was retired at Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Bucks’ home arena in Wisconsin, in 1988 to honor his...
EBONY Media Group has appointed a new CEO. In a press release, the company has announced that Eden Bridgeman Sklenar will officially step into the role as the brand’s Chief Executive Officer. Toting more than 15 years of senior management experience across several brands, Sklenar aims to add her expertise to help rebuild the iconic brand, which brought us cultural staples like the EBONY and JET magazines. “I am ecstatic to fully embrace the EBONY and JET brands, and to work even more collaboratively with our exceptional senior leadership as we revive and rebuild these iconic brands that have been a staple in our community and culture,” she shared in an official statement around the news.
The newly-relaunched, but ever-iconic, EBONY magazine has a new boss. In a press release announcement, it was revealed that Marielle Bobo has been named in a dual role of editor-in-chief and senior vice president of programming. Bobo will take over the new role effective immediately, and this news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that the iconic magazine had obtained new ownership. Previously, AfroTech reported that industry vet Michele Thornton Ghee had assumed the mantle of CEO of the company. Now the editorial powerhouse couldn’t be happier that Bobo has obtained a role in the company. “We are thrilled to have a visionary like Marielle in this role and leading EBONY through this pivotal time in its history. As both a seasoned editor and an experienced leader, she stood out to us as a multifaceted dynamo who not only possesses a wealth of proven editorial experience but who also understands the brand and has a definitive vision for its future,” said Ghee, in the press...
Ebony magazine is back! After launching in 1945 by John H. Johnson, Ebony has become a force of influence documenting Black life for more than seven decades. According to the Chicago Tribune, after 75 years of Black excellence, including the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, the 1965 Selma march, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral in 1968, the magazine returned for a digital relaunch. Faced with the common print publication’s struggle with staying afloat in the digital era, Johnson Publishing sold Ebony and its sister publication Jet to CVG Group, a private equity firm in 2016. View this post on Instagram A post shared by EBONY (@ebonymagazine) The company continued to try and navigate the new era but fell short, ultimately ending print in the spring of 2019 and filing for bankruptcy in July 2020. Today, the company has gone completely digital and has remained committed to celebrating Black excellence for 70-plus more years. Former NBA player, fast food franchisee, and the...
Before Michele Thornton Ghee was named CEO of 1145 Holdings, LLC in a press release — the parent company of the iconic Ebony and Jet Magazine — she had a career in the media industry that spanned three decades. She generated billions of dollars for companies like WME, CNN, A&E, The History Channel, and BET Networks. During her tenure at BET, she created, launched, and managed BETHer, which bills itself as “the first and only network for Black women.” Now, this titan of industry is taking her wealth of experience to the legendary Ebony and Jet Magazine, while promising to “revitalize” the classic brands to bring them into the 21st century. “Everything we say will come through the lens of Black journalists,” said Ghee, in a statement, according to Yahoo Finance. “We will ensure there is a safe space for Black journalism to thrive.” In the past, Ghee focused on strategy, revenue generation, and — perhaps most importantly — recognizing the importance of Black culture. Ebony and Jet...
Former NBA player Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman is putting his money where his mouth is as he recently won a $14 million bid for Ebony Media Operations LLC. According to the Chicago Tribune, Bridgeman Sports and Media, the company owned by the retired Milwaukee Bucks forward, emerged as the winner for Ebony Media’s assets by a bankruptcy court in Houston on Friday (Dec. 18). The legacy Black media company was forced into Chapter 7 bankruptcy in July after defaulting on more than $10 million in loans per its creditors. In September, the bankruptcy was converted to a voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization. Bridgeman, 67, says that despite the recent financial troubles Ebony has been experiencing, he believes that he can return it to profitability with “the right ideas and the right execution.” For Bridgeman, he says that it’s most important that Ebony returns to a place of prominence in American culture. In 1945, the magazine was launched by Chicago-based Johnson Publishing as an...
Former NBA athlete Junior Bridgeman is now a billionaire. From NBA Player To Successful Businessman Bridgeman was among the 1975 NBA Draft class and was selected in the first round as the eighth pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, notes Basketball Reference. He was soon traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a deal to bring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the Lakers. He went on to play with the Bucks until 1984 before spending two years with the Los Angeles Clippers. Bridgeman returned to the Bucks for his final season in 1986-87, according to ESPN. His starting salary in the league was two payments totaling $140,000, but he only saw $55,000 due to taxes and agent fees. Over his 12-year playing career, he earned $2.95 million and never made more than $350,000 in a single season. When Bridgeman retired from the league in 1987, he had already considered a roadmap for his post-career as a businessman. Forbes notes that he received guidance from former Milwaukee Bucks owner Jim Fitzgerald, who...
Some facts about Black History Month have been well-established: Carter G. Woodson was a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. His frat created Negro History and Literature Week in 1924. Woodson sent out a press release to announce the first Negro History Week. He chose February to honor another historical legend, a formerly-enslaved-man-turned-activist Frederick Douglass, who had chosen February 14 as his birthday without knowing his real birthdate. Negro History Week was also chosen to honor former President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12. And on its 50th anniversary, in 1976, younger members of the Association for the Study of African American History extended Negro History Week to Black History Month. While all of these facts are inarguable, there’s one point that remains vague: What exactly are you supposed to do during Black History Month? Like Juneteenth , there were never any established rules. For employees who want to honor this month, are there tips for how to...
Serena Williams is supporting innovation in women’s health. Teal Health The tennis star has aligned herself with Teal Health, a women’s health startup founded by Kara Egan (CEO) and Dr. Avnesh Thakor in 2020. According to the company website, Teal Health’s inception trickles back to Thakor’s medical experiences over the years. He observed insufficient innovation around cervical cancer screenings and created a self-collect prototype. With Egan’s two decades of experience in finance, health, and technology, the company was formed with the vision to develop an at-home self-collect cervical cancer screening kit, currently under FDA review. A user can start by requesting a kit, which initiates a vetting process to confirm eligibility. Once approved, the kit will be delivered to your home for sample collection. The sample is then mailed to a lab, and results are shared through Teal Health’s application. Users also have the option to speak with a provider for additional support. Teal...
Jaden Smith, the son of Hollywood icons Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith , has built his own legacy as an actor, musician, and entrepreneur. While he balked at the idea of public schooling previously, that hasn’t stopped him from making a name for himself both in his family’s industry of entertainment, and in his own business ventures. Currently, he’s using his entrepreneur’s spirit to improve the world as he sees it, painting himself as a philanthropist as well. However, as a businessman, philanthropist and actor at the young age of 26 (and while having famous parents and a just-as-famous sister ), what is Jaden Smith’s net worth? Acting Career Smith made his acting debut alongside his father in the critically acclaimed film, The Pursuit of Happyness in 2006. His role as Christopher Gardner Jr., the son of a struggling salesman, garnered widespread recognition for his acting abilities at a young age. This performance opened doors to other significant acting roles, such as the...
Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman now holds a stake in the league where he once played. Bridgeman was drafted to the NBA in 1975 and selected by the Los Angeles Lakers as an eighth pick in the first round, Basketball Reference reports. Bridgeman continued his career in the league with nine seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks, followed by a two-year stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, before returning to the Bucks for his final season and retiring in 1987, Sports Illustrated mentions. At his highest, he earned $350,000 in a single season, as AFROTECH™ previously reported. However, his fortune greatly increased beyond the NBA, amassing a reported $600 million. His business portfolio has included Wendy’s and Chili’s restaurant franchises, although he later sold his stakes in 2016 and soon after became a Coca-Cola distributor. The basketball veteran is also the owner of Ebony and Jet Magazine as of 2020. He purchased the publications for $14 million after they filed for bankruptcy. In a...
Beyoncé respects the legacy of those who came before her. Throughout her decades-long career as a musician and entrepreneur, she has made it her mission to uplift pioneers. Her heart posture has not wavered even in her most recent endeavors, which include “Cowboy Carter.” The country-inspired album placed a spotlight on The Beatles, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Linda Martell while also uplifting the newer generation that have been making their mark, including Shaboozey, who has currently been at the top spot on the Billboard 100 for his single “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” notes Billboard. SirDavis As a businesswoman, this is being reflected in the launch of her whiskey brand SirDavis, in partnership with Moët Hennessy. As AFROTECH™ previously mentioned, the American whiskey made with a “bespoke recipe” inspired by Japanese and Scottish styles had been in the works for several years. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) “I’ll never forget the first day I had...
New Orleans Saints Defensive End Cam Jordan is strengthening his investment portfolio. Sportico reports that the athlete purchased a stake in eight Little Caesars locations in Indianapolis, IN, and its surrounding areas. The pizza chain holds early memories for Jordan as he would eat there while playing football at his former high school in Chandler, AZ. “It’s just the natural evolution of life and always trying to get the best out of it,” Jordan told the outlet. “I hope this is going to be something I look back on in 15 years and think, ‘This was one of the greatest [decisions] of my life, and this is how many things we’ve done.’” The deal was made possible with the help of his business partner, Andrew Feghali, who owns over 50 locations, and restaurant insider Michael Khalil. Together, they hope to scale their presence in Little Caesars’ franchising. Jordan’s expectations are leveled in part due to the advice of his father, who advised him to apply it to his time in the NFL, which...
Sometimes you have to lose to win. Entrepreneur Shorne Benjamin became the chef of a popular restaurant as a result of this. Cuisine Noir reports Benjamin once had a job on Wall Street working as a stockbrocker after he obtained a degree from Mercy College in New York. The career path was in alignment with his family’s backgrounds in finance and accounting. “When you get the opportunity to come to the U.S., you recognize that sacrifices were made,” he told the outlet. “That was on my mind and set the tone for me to try to be successful. I wanted to make them proud and not make them feel disappointed.” However, he lost his job in 2008 during the economic crash, and the standstill allowed him to pivot his attention towards his love for cooking, which began in St. Lucia with his grandmother Ma Benji’s comfort foods when he was just 8 years old. He made the decision to enroll in the International Culinary Center, which was named French Culinary Institute of New York at the time, and...
Martin Lawrence could have attached his name to another iconic franchise. The Maryland-raised actor cemented his reputation in Hollywood through comedy, but he also had the chops to translate his talents on the big screen. According to Ebony magazine, Lawrence snagged his first movie role in 1989 with Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing.” He has gone on to impress at the box office in films that include the “Bad Boys” franchise and “Big Momma’s House,” among others. Interestingly, his career could have also featured a lead role in “Rush Hour” alongside Jackie Chan. However, Martin revealed he turned down the opportunity while promoting his latest movie “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” with Will Smith on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” During a segment on Fallon’s show, called “True Confessions,” Smith had to deliberate with the host on whether this statement was true: “Jackie Chan invited me to star in ‘Rush Hour’ with him, but I turned it down.” Lawrence confirmed the claim and said...