Jada Pinkett Smithis giving a powerful inside look into transracial adoption. Her adoptive parents, David and Teresa Burt, raised her and provided her with all her medical needs. The outcome, however, has caused conflict within Tucker. “I have no sense of strong identity,” Tucker said on the Facebook Watch show. “I understand that keeping me alive and prioritizing my medical needs was really important and, look, I’m alive today.” She continued, “I’m alive but dead inside in some ways without knowing my culture and not being connected....

Photo: University of Chicago Law SchoolA Black woman has finally been named valedictorian of her Illinois high school 38 years after she was snubbed.Tracey Meares was 17 when she topped her class at Springfield High School in 1984, setting her up to become the school’s first Black valedictorian, according toThe State Journal-Register. That same year, the school opted to instead honor the top-performing students of the year, forgoing the traditional valedictorian and salutatorian titles....

Photo: Getty ImagesBlack women are dying of cervical cancer at adisproportionally higher ratethan white women, a new study finds.Cervical cancer, which typically develops from human papillomavirus (HPV), is highly preventable and one of the more treatable cancers. When it’s caught early, the five-year survival rate is 90% — but for many Black women, cervical cancer goes undetected.According to a joint reportfrom the Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative for Economic and Social Justice (SRBWI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW), Black women are far more likely to have a late-stage diagnosis of cervical cancer, and more likely to die from the disease than any other racial or ethnic group in the U....

Photo: Amanda Hay-Caroffino After racial inequalities prevented World War II veteran Osceola “Ozzie” Fletcher from receiving a Purple Heart after his return home, the U.S. Army finally presented the 99-year-old with his medal this month. Fletcher was injured during the Battle of Normandy — a pivotal operation that saw Allied Forces successfully invade Western Europe — when his vehicle became the target of German gunfire, the Army said in anews release....

From DJ to ninja! DJ Khaledis using his vocal chops in a way that is sure to make his sonAsahd, 2 this month, extremely happy: voicing a character on Nickelodeon’s hit animated preschool seriesBlaze and the Monster Machines. In the new episode, titled “Ninja Blaze,” AJ and Blaze team up with DJ Khaled’s character — Ninja Master Blackbelt — to learn a thing or two about ninja skills in preparation to save their friends Pickle and Crusher from an ice-covered mountain....

(L-R) Angel Reese, Marsai Martin and Flau’jae Johnson partner with Tampax for its “A Better Way to Period” Campaign.Photo:Tampax Tampax Marsai Martinwants women to know that period healthishealth. “I chose to partner with Tampax because of how important just talking about period health is,” Martin tells PEOPLE exclusively. “When it comes to me being a young Black girl and having to go to set or do these vacations or just basically live my life, I knew for me, before I started talking openly about my period journey, it could make me insecure....

01of 05Maren Morris & Ryan HurdMaren Morris and Ryan Hurd.John Shearer/WireImageThe two singersare expecting their first child, a boy, in March. 01of 05 Maren Morris & Ryan Hurd Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd.John Shearer/WireImage The two singersare expecting their first child, a boy, in March. 02of 05Thomas Rhett & Lauren AkinsJason Kempin/Getty ImagesThe country star and his wife, pictured with their daughters Ada James and Willa Gray,are expecting another girl in early February....

Photo: Deborah Wald Blackbear is a dad of two! “We are so blessed for this new addition to our family. Our 2-year-old son Midnight now has a built-in best friend,” the couple tells PEOPLE. “We did not know our hearts could expand this much. Shout out to the parents not getting any sleep we are tired with you!” The gemstone represents powerful vibrations of protection willpower strength and focus. It is believed the onyx drives motivation and pushes you forward in life....

Photo: Justin Sullivan/GettyBlackBerry’s classic devices, which once ruled the smartphone landscape years before the rise of iPhone and Android, will officially be put out to pasture this week.On Tuesday, devices using BlackBerry software will no longer “reliably function” starting Jan. 4, the company said in a statement to customers in December.The news affects devices running BlackBerry 7.1 OS and earlier, BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.1 and earlier its versions. The change will completely remove the ability to surf the internet, make phone calls, and send text messages, regardless of if the device is connected through a carrier or Wi-Fi....

Brit Turner of Blackberry Smoke performs in Louisville in September 2019.Photo:Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Brit Turner, drummer for southern rock bandBlackberry Smoke, has died. He was 57. The Atlanta-formed group revealed the newsvia Instagramon Sunday night and explained that Turner’s death comes after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, in 2022. “It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother@britturner13has moved on from this life,” wrote Blackberry Smoke, which also features Charlie Starr, Richard Turner, Paul Jackson and Brandon Still as well as touring members Benji Shanks and Preston Holcomb....

Photo: Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Tony Esposito, the NHL Hall of Famer who played 15 of his 16 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, died of pancreatic cancer on Tuesday at age 78. Esposito joined the Blackhawks in June 1969 after a stint on the Montreal Canadiens and immediately became their No. 1 option at goalie, Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz recalled in astatement. The franchise, which previously finished last in the East Division before Esposito’s arrival, managed to reach first place after their star goalie registered 15 shutouts, which remains a modern record....

Photo: Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews is stepping away from hockey to focus on beatinglong COVID. “It has been really challenging to play through these symptoms,” Toews, 34, said in an official team statement Sunday. “In the last few weeks, it has reached the point where I hadno choice but to step backand concentrate on getting healthy. I am thankful for the patience and support of my teammates, the coaching staff, and the entire Blackhawks organization....

BLACKPINK.Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty BLACKPINKis coming to your area. On Tuesday, the hugely popular South Korean girl group announced the upcomingBORN PINK World Tour, which will see BLACKPINK perform 19 concerts in arena and stadium venues across the United States, United Kingdom and Europe throughout the fall and winter. Kicking off Oct. 25 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the BORN PINK World Tour will make stops in Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Newark, New Jersey, before wrapping its North American leg at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles on Nov....