#Ad I’ve shared a few of my favorite episodes already, and I’m happy to share that all episodes of season 3 of The Visibility Gap podcast by Cigna Healthcare are now available to stream wherever you get your podcasts. This season focuses entirely on men’s mental health and the silent struggles many of us face. These are conversations that don’t happen nearly often enough, but they’re incredibly important, which is why I encourage you to listen.
We’re officially 30 days out from the FIFA World Cup! What a moment it was to speak at today’s press conference as a FIFA World Cup Ambassador with Event Emcee and American Television Host Kevin Frazier, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee Co-Chair Larry Freedman, Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission CEO and Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee CEO Kathryn Schloessman, Senior Vice President of Facility and Campus Operation, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park Otto Benedict, and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. This city was made for the world stage and is the perfect place for the 2026 tournament here in LA. You know I’ll be watching!
This past weekend, I had the rare privilege of delivering two HBCU commencement addresses in a single day. What a way to mark my first visit in years back in Alabama for a speaking engagement! My first time was speaking at Oakwood University many years ago. A huge thank you to President of Stillman College Dr. Yolanda W. Page and President of Tuskegee University Dr. Mark Brown for inviting me onto your campuses.
I began at Stillman College on its 150th anniversary, where I addressed the graduating class and was honored to receive an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration. Later, I addressed the graduating class at Tuskegee University, the institution founded by Booker T. Washington and the alma mater of President of SodexoMagic Charles Johnson. Speaking to a filled stadium with overflow audiences in the chapel and beyond was a moment I’ll hold for the rest of my career.
My charge to both classes: be bold, be strategic, be global, be active, be intentional. HBCUs make up just 3% of America’s colleges, yet they produce 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black lawyers and doctors, and 40% of Black engineers and CEOs. That is not a coincidence. That is excellence, built on purpose.
Class of 2026 at Stillman and Tuskegee: you were built for this moment. You were prepared for this moment. You were chosen for this moment. Now, go prove it!
What a weekend it’s been here in Miami for the F1 Miami Grand Prix! Last night we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Lido Restaurant at The Surf Club with Pat and Chris Riley, Lon and Laurie Rosen, and Stan and Helen Kasten. The fun carried right into today as we celebrated race day! It was great spending time with my friend and the GOAT of the NFL, Tom Brady, and former Google CEO and yacht owner Eric Schmidt, who owns “The Whisper,” the incredible yacht Cookie and I rent every year. And a huge congratulations to my business partner Mark Walter on his ownership of the new Cadillac F1 team 👏🏾
I want to congratulate my friend Antoine Fuqua for doing such an amazing job on directing the movie “Michael”. The fans have spoken - the movie’s opening weekend was the biggest domestic opening ever and the best opening for a music biopic, with global earnings over $217M!
#Ad I’ve seen how the people closest to you - partners, friends, and family - not only shape your life, but also shape how you experience and manage your mental health. Having a supportive, reliable community can make a real difference. Episode 5 of The Visibility Gap podcast, by Cigna Healthcare, dives into this topic and why it matters. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Cookie and I were blown away at last night’s premiere of Michael! We thought the movie was incredible and it gave us a chance to reminisce about what life was like when he was still with us. In my eyes, he’s the greatest entertainer of all time 👏🏾
Thank you to everyone who was a part of bringing this movie to life. It’s great for this new generation who never had the chance to see Michael Jackson in person!
Thank you to all our friends that came out to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day at Dodgers Stadium! Bentley and Val Evans, Leonard and Lita Richardson, Jerry and Tamiko Mosley, Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete, Glynn and Joann Turman, Sugar Ray and Bernadette Leonard, Dennis and Gina Cage, Dana and Leah Pump, Dave and Tonya Winfield, Michael and Yvonne Cooper and their son Michael Cooper Jr., Chris and Chanel Morrow, Bill and Kristen Bellamy, Vanessa Bell Calloway and daughter Ashley, Debbie Pattillo, Eula Smith, Debra Lee and Jennifer McHenry.
I had such an awesome time at Wake Forest today! I want to thank Wake Forest President, Dr. Susan R. Wente, for the warm introduction and tonight’s moderator ESPN College Basketball Analyst, Best Selling Author and attorney Jay Bilas for interviewing me on stage. To the students, community leaders, and the entire Winston-Salem family for supporting my speech.
A wonderful up and coming artist, and a student at Wake Forest, drew a portrait of me!
I also had a pleasure meeting Wake Forest Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Forbes. I’m wishing you the best of luck next season!
United States Basketball Writer’s Association, thank you for honoring me with an award named after Hall of Fame Coach Dean Smith - recognizing my philanthropic contributions in communities across the country.
I had the privilege of hanging out with two amazing basketball players! USBWA Freshman of the Year - Jazzy Davidson (Guard at USC) and Robbie Avilo (Center at St. Louis University). I also enjoyed my conversation with Matt Norlander and Malcolm Moran!
What a pleasure it was to share the stage with UIC Chancellor Miranda last night for her annual Chair Chat.
We reflected on my career journey from the NBA to the boardroom before a crowd of more than 1,300 community leaders, students, faculty, and entrepreneurs. Athletic Director Williams was an outstanding emcee, and the student performances were absolutely top tier!
I’m especially grateful for my SodexoMagic team and the incredible way they continue to deliver excellence and real magic for this unique student community. Go Flames!
