ATLANTA, Ga. — Morehouse College student-athlete Jaelon “J.T.” Ridley has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship, recognizing his academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to excellence both on and off the golf course.

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) announced that Ridley was chosen as one of only 12 students nationwide for the scholarship’s fourth cohort. The recipients were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the country.

Ridley recently completed his first season competing for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers and now joins an elite group of scholars carrying forward the legacy of one of golf’s most influential pioneers.

Established in 2022, the Dr. Charles L. Sifford Scholarship Fund honors the groundbreaking achievements of Dr. Charles “Charlie” L. Sifford, who became the first Black golfer to earn a PGA Tour card in 1961. The scholarship was created to help support tuition expenses for students attending HBCUs and those enrolled in accredited PGA of America Golf Management Programs.

For Ridley, the recognition represents more than financial assistance. It connects him to a legacy of perseverance, opportunity, and progress in a sport where African Americans have historically faced significant barriers.

The scholarship is supported by the Cobbs Creek Foundation, which serves as the fund’s fiscal sponsor. The historic Philadelphia golf course holds a special place in golf history, having welcomed Black and women golfers since its founding in 1916 and serving as the home course of Dr. Sifford during his years as a Philadelphia resident.

Ridley’s selection highlights the continued impact HBCU student-athletes are making in collegiate athletics and beyond. As Morehouse College continues to develop leaders in every field, Ridley’s accomplishment stands as another example of the excellence found throughout HBCU campuses nationwide.

The honor not only celebrates Ridley’s achievements but also reinforces the importance of creating pathways that support future generations of Black golfers, scholars, and leaders.

With the support of the Sifford Scholarship, Ridley joins a growing community of students dedicated to carrying forward the values of academic excellence, leadership, and service that have long defined both Morehouse College and the HBCU experience.

The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl is entering a new era.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame has officially announced that the premier HBCU postseason all-star game will relocate from New Orleans to Atlanta beginning in 2027. The sixth annual HBCU Legacy Bowl is scheduled to take place on February 27, 2027, at Center Parc Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

Since its launch in 2021, the HBCU Legacy Bowl has become one of the most important showcases for draft-eligible HBCU football players, giving student-athletes the opportunity to perform in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives from all 32 NFL teams.

According to event organizers, the move to Atlanta is designed to create greater opportunities for athletes, coaches, students, and corporate partners while expanding the reach of the event’s highly successful Career Fair.

“Atlanta represents tremendous growth and opportunity for the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl and the young people we serve,” said Doug Williams, Super Bowl XXII MVP and co-founder of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. “We believe this next chapter will elevate the experience for our students, fans, partners, and NFL scouts while continuing to honor the proud traditions and lasting impact of HBCU football.”

Williams and fellow Black College Football Hall of Fame co-founder James “Shack” Harris launched the HBCU Legacy Bowl in 2021. Over the past five years, the event has been hosted at Tulane University’s Yulman Stadium in New Orleans with support from the NFL and the New Orleans Saints organization.

The game features top talent from HBCU programs across the country, including players from the SWAC, MEAC, CIAA, SIAC, independent HBCUs, and NAIA programs. Participants are divided into Team Gaither and Team Robinson, named after legendary coaches Jake Gaither and Eddie G. Robinson.

Beyond football, the HBCU Legacy Bowl has established itself as a powerful platform for career development. The annual Career Fair connects HBCU students and graduates with leading employers, professional organizations, and networking opportunities that extend well beyond the playing field.

“Atlanta offers increased accessibility, expanded accommodations, and a broader platform to continue growing the impact of our mission,” organizers noted.

James “Shack” Harris emphasized the importance of continued support from Allstate, stating that the partnership has helped transform the event into a premier opportunity for HBCU student-athletes while creating meaningful career pathways for students and graduates.

With Atlanta’s rich HBCU culture, thriving business community, and status as a major transportation hub, many believe the move will further elevate the national profile of the HBCU Legacy Bowl and the talented athletes it showcases.

As the event prepares for its next chapter, one thing remains unchanged: its mission to celebrate HBCU excellence while opening doors to opportunities both on and off the field.

Former HBCU basketball standout Xavier Mills is continuing to expand his presence in Hollywood, landing another notable role that further elevates his growing acting career.

Mills, a former player at Winston-Salem State University, appears in the new Amazon/MGM thriller Is God Is, sharing the screen with Emmy-winning actor Sterling K. Brown. In the film, Mills plays Brown’s son, marking one of his most high-profile roles to date.

The project adds another major credit to a résumé that is quickly gaining momentum across film and television. Adapted from Aleshea Harris’ award-winning stage play, Is God Is centers on a dark, revenge-driven narrative rooted in family trauma and emotional intensity, featuring a cast that also includes Vivica A. Fox and Erika Alexander.

For Mills, the opportunity represents more than just another acting job—it is another step in a transition from athlete to working actor on major productions.

The Greenville, North Carolina native has been steadily building his profile in the entertainment industry. Many audiences first became familiar with him through his role as football player Nishan Leonard in Hulu’s Chad Powers, with Mills also set to return for the show’s upcoming second season.

His athletic background remains a defining part of his on-screen identity. Mills has spoken about how his experience as a college athlete helps him bring authenticity to sports-related roles, emphasizing discipline, preparation, and mindset.

He has also appeared alongside Wanda Sykes in Undercard and is expected to feature in Netflix’s upcoming project Fight for 84, further broadening his portfolio across genres.

Working on Is God Is also gave Mills the chance to learn from seasoned performers like Sterling K. Brown, whom he has credited with teaching him the importance of preparation, presence, and composure on set.

As his career continues to evolve, Mills represents a growing wave of former HBCU athletes finding new lanes in entertainment while carrying their athletic discipline into creative spaces.

For Mills, the mission remains centered on growth, faith, and longevity—both on screen and beyond it.

Credit: Story originally reported by Steven J. Gaither, HBCU Gameday (via Kansas City Star / McClatchy distribution) | Updated May 25, 2026

New details have emerged regarding the death of former Virginia Union football standout William Davis, whose passing at the age of 22 shocked the HBCU football community earlier this month.

According to a report from TMZ, Davis died from gunshot wounds to the chest. Initial reports following his death did not disclose a cause, though authorities indicated the incident was being investigated as a possible suicide. Officials have stated that the investigation remains ongoing.

Davis built an impressive collegiate career during his time at Virginia Union University, where he developed into one of the program’s most impactful defensive playmakers. From 2022 through 2024, he appeared in 19 games and recorded 50 total tackles, including 37 solo stops. His defensive production also included 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, five interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Beyond his contributions on the field, Davis was recognized for his commitment to academics and leadership. Before entering the transfer portal, he earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management while helping establish a winning culture within the Panthers football program.

Following his success at Virginia Union, Davis continued his football journey at West Virginia Mountaineers football, where he appeared in one game before later joining the Sam Houston Bearkats football program.

The news has prompted an outpouring of condolences from former teammates, coaches, classmates, and fans throughout the HBCU sports community. Many have remembered Davis not only for his athletic ability but also for the impact he made on those around him during his collegiate career.

HBCU Original extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends, teammates, and loved ones of William Davis during this difficult time.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of self-harm, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 for immediate support.

The HBCU athletics community is mourning the loss of Livingstone College student-athlete Kendall Cook, who passed away at the age of 19.

Cook, a member of the Livingstone College women’s volleyball program, was remembered by teammates, coaches, classmates, and supporters across multiple communities that were touched by her life and athletic journey. The freshman student-athlete began her collegiate career at Clark Atlanta University before transferring to Livingstone College, where she competed as an outside hitter and middle blocker.

A 2025 graduate of Frankfort High School, Cook earned recognition for her accomplishments both on and off the court. School officials in Frankfort confirmed her passing this week, though no cause of death has been publicly released.

“Kendall was a beautiful, talented soul,” Frankfort Independent Schools Superintendent Sheri Satterly said in a statement. “She was a joy to know and be around,” whether in the classroom or during athletic competition.

The news has generated an outpouring of support throughout the HBCU sports landscape, where student-athletes often form lasting bonds that extend far beyond competition. Friends, classmates, and fellow athletes have shared tributes celebrating Cook’s kindness, competitive spirit, and positive impact on those around her.

Frankfort Independent Schools announced that grief counseling and mental health resources would be made available to students and members of Cook’s graduating class as the community processes the loss.

In addition to volleyball, Cook was also active in softball during her athletic career, demonstrating the versatility and dedication that defined her time as a student-athlete. Those who knew her described a young woman whose energy and character left a lasting impression on everyone she encountered.

For Livingstone College and the broader HBCU community, Cook’s passing serves as a heartbreaking reminder that the individuals representing institutions on the field, court, and track are far more than athletes. They are daughters, friends, classmates, teammates, and future leaders whose lives impact countless others.

HBCU Original extends its deepest condolences to Kendall Cook’s family, friends, teammates, coaches, the Livingstone College and Clark Atlanta University communities, and all those grieving this tremendous loss.