Claressa Shields wins junior middleweight title

Claressa Shields, who has already unified two women's world titles at super middleweight and then collected all four major belts to become the undisputed middleweight champion, made history in a boxing match at the Ocean Casino Resort.

Shields, moving down in weight yet again, thoroughly dominated Ivana Habazin en route to a near-shutout decision to win a pair of vacant junior middleweight world title belts in the main event of a Showtime tripleheader.

Shields, who scored a knockdown in the sixth round, won 100-89, 100-90 and 99-89 and then placed a purple crown on her head. ESPN also scored it 100-89 for Shields.

Shields, who still holds the undisputed middleweight title, won a world title in a third weight class in just her 10th bout, setting the record for fewest number of fights needed to win belts in three divisions for a female or male boxer.

"This feels great -- I did it in 10 fights," Shields said. "Now I'm No. 1, the fastest boxer in history to become a three-division world champion. I was [trying to punish her]. I wanted victory."

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Short film "Hair Love" nominated for Academy Award

Congratulations to former NFL player Matthew A. Cherry! His short film "Hair Love" has been nominated for an Academy Award.

The film tells the heartfelt story of an African American father learning to do his daughter's hair for the first time.

Cherry had this to say about the film's nomination:

"It's very validating, I moved to LA 13 years ago and kinda started over when I retired, and I started as a PA (production assistant) and kinda worked my way up doing music videos and short films -- so to be here now at the highest level is so crazy,"

The film featured Issa Rae. It was written by Matthew A. Cherry, who was also a director and the executive producer of the film. Other directors include Everett Downing Jr. (Animator, "Up") and Bruce W. Smith (Creator, "The Proud Family," Animator, "The Princess and the Frog").

Producers on the film include Jordan Peele, Andrew Hawkins, Harrison Barnes, Yara and Keri Shahidi, N'Dambi Gillespie, Gabrielle Union-Wade, Dwayne Wade Jr., Gabourey Sidibe, Stephanie Fredric, and Claude Kelly.

WATCH THE FILM BELOW

Rep. Ayanna Pressley reveals that she has Alopecia

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley opened up today for the first time about her battle with alopecia, the condition that causes hair loss. In an interview and video with The Root, the Massachusetts representative discussed when she first started losing her hair and her emotional reaction to the moment she lost her final strand, and, in a strong and powerful moment, revealed her bald head to the world.

Steph Curry's new sneaker inspired by National Museum of African American History & Culture

Although NBA star Stephen Curry is sidelined with an injury, Under Armour continues to release fresh colorways of his latest signature shoe, the Curry 7. The latest look is inspired by the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., arriving just in time for Black History Month.

The limited-edition Under Armour Curry 7 “Our History,” according to the brand, was inspired by the Golden State Warriors’ trip to the museum in February 2018 as well as Curry’s fascination with the venue, which was designed by architect David Adjaye. Under Armour said the brand and the baller reflected on the trip when coming up with the design and concept behind the BHM shoe.

The Curry 7 “Our History” shoe features tiers of brown, olive and bronze (as well as hits of neon green), which is reminiscent of the museum’s three-tiered exterior. Further diving into the theme, Under Armour placed the museum’s longitude and latitude coordinates on the heel tab.

The Under Armour Curry 7 “Our History” arrives Jan. 20 on UA.com and at UA Brand Houses and select retailers, and it will retail for $140. Ahead of the release, a limited number of pairs will drop on Jan. 18 on the SC30 product wall at the Chase Center Warriors Shop at Thrive City in San Francisco.

[SOURCE: YAHOO]

Val Demings and Hakeem Jeffries selected as House impeachment managers

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi selected a very diverse group of House impeachment managers which includes two African Americans.

The two are Rep. Val Demings (D-FL 10th District) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY 8th District).

Demings is a retired law enforcement officer with 27 years on the force who served as Chief of the Orlando Police Department.

She sits on the following House committees:

Committee on Homeland Security

Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security

Committee on the Judiciary

Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations (Vice Chair)

Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Subcommittee on Defense Intelligence and Warfighter Support

Subcommittee on Intelligence Modernization and Readines

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries served as a clerk for Judge Harold Baer, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He then worked in the litigation department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison before becoming an assistant litigator for Viacom and CBS. During Jeffries' time at Paul, Weiss he also served as director of intergovernmental affairs for the New York State Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors and as the president of Black Attorneys for Progress.

He is currently the Democratic Caucus Chair which is the fourth position in House leadership and heads organization of all Democratic Party members in the House.

Jeffries sits on the following Committees:

State House Committee on Banks

State House Committee on Codes

State House Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions

State House Committee on Correction

State House Committee on Housing

State House Committee on Judiciary

State House Subcommittee on Banking in Underserved Communities

State House Subcommittee on Mitchell-Lama

State House Subcommittee on Transitional Services

State House Subcommittee on Trust and Estates

Besides Demings and Jeffries the managers are:

Rep. Jerrold Nadler

Rep. Adam Schiff

Rep. Zoe Lofgren

Rep. Jason Crow

Sylvia Garcia