Shedeur Sanders’ Latest Act of Kindness Resembles His Colorado Days
Shedeur Sanders, in his early professional career with the Cleveland Browns, has made significant philanthropic efforts, notably pledging millions toward homelessness initiatives. He has also donated substantial funds for new equipment to youth athletic programs and has been actively involved in community support events in Cleveland.
Homelessness Support: In January 2026, it was reported that Sanders committed his entire earnings from prize money and sponsorships—reported as $12.4 million—to a Cleveland-based initiative aimed at building 75 homes with over 180 beds.
Youth Sports Investment: In July 2023, while in college, he donated approximately $45,000 worth of equipment to the N.E.D. Falcons youth organization, benefiting over 200 young cheerleaders and football players.
Community Engagement: Following a fire incident in Cleveland in July 2025, Sanders hosted the “Garden Valley Fun Fest” to provide support to displaced families, offering free food, clothing, and activities.
Other Initiatives: He has participated in car giveaways for families in need in partnership with local organizations and has consistently focused on giving back to youth, frequently visiting schools and hosting community events.
Sanders has emphasized that his philanthropic work is driven by a desire to make a positive impact, often stating that “success means nothing if it doesn’t serve others”.
The Reintegration of the NFL Between 1940 and 1960
The reintegration of the NFL between 1940 and 1960 was driven by “The Forgotten Four”—Marion Motley, Bill Willis, Kenny Washington, and Woody Strode—who broke the color barrier in 1946, followed by pioneers like George Taliaferro and Willie Thrower. These players overcame a 12-year league ban to establish a lasting Black presence in professional football.
Key Major Black Players (1946–1960):
Marion Motley (FB/LB, Cleveland Browns, 1946–1953): A dominant force who averaged a record 5.7 yards per carry, helping the Browns dominate.
Bill Willis (DL, Cleveland Browns, 1946–1953): A quick 210-pound defensive star whose style helped define the modern linebacker position.
Kenny Washington (RB, Los Angeles Rams, 1946–1948): UCLA teammate of Jackie Robinson who became the first Black player to sign a modern NFL contract.
Woody Strode (E/DL, Los Angeles Rams, 1946): Joined Washington to break the color line with the Rams, later becoming a renowned actor.
George Taliaferro (HB/QB, Various, 1949–1955): The first African American drafted by an NFL team.
Willie Thrower (QB, Chicago Bears, 1953): The first Black quarterback to play in the NFL.
By 1960, the number of Black players had grown significantly, with 61 playing in the league, constituting over 16% of players.
The NFL Today!
Approximately 58% to 70% of NFL players identify as Black, representing the largest racial group in the league. This high level of representation, which increased from only 16.5% in 1960, features prominent stars across all positions, including quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Key Statistics and Context (2025-2026)
Player Demographics: Recent reports indicate that while 53.5% was the 2023 figure, more recent estimates in late 2025 and early 2026 suggest the number has risen, with some sources citing nearly 70% of rosters.
Position Disparities: While Black players dominate many positions, studies have shown that in past years, the quarterback position was predominantly white, though this has shifted with modern, elite Black quarterbacks.
Coaching Disparity: Despite the high player percentage, Black individuals were significantly underrepresented in coaching, making up only about 19%–22% of head coaches as of early 2025.
Major/Impactful Black Players
Patrick Mahomes (QB): Often cited as a face of the league and one of its top players.
Lamar Jackson (QB): A multiple-time MVP, highlighting the rise of Black quarterbacks.
Jerry Rice (WR): Widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history.
Jim Brown (RB): A pioneer for Black athletes in the league.
Kenny Washington (HB/DB): Broke the league’s modern color barrier in 1946.
The high percentage of Black players has transformed the league’s culture, even while discussions regarding diversity in leadership and coaching continue, notes this article from The Guardian.
Black Players Who Transformed the NFL
Deion Sanders revolutionized the NFL (1989–2005) as a premier shutdown cornerback and electrifying return specialist, earning eight Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl titles. His “Prime Time” persona, dual-sport stardom, and high-stakes playstyle redefined superstar branding, while his lockdown ability directly increased the defensive value of cornerbacks during the league’s pass-heavy evolution.
Key impacts of Deion Sanders on the NFL include:
Redefining the Position: Sanders, a 1989 first-round pick, brought unparalleled speed and ball-hawking skills (53 career interceptions) to the cornerback position.
Cultural Icon: His flashiness and confidence brought mainstream attention and a new era of showmanship to the league.
Two-Way Excellence: As a rare elite defensive back and return specialist, he influenced games in all three phases.
Super Bowl Impact: He won consecutive championships with different teams: Super Bowl XXIX (49ers) and Super Bowl XXX (Cowboys).
Draft & Personnel Value: His success contributed to the growing necessity for elite cornerbacks to counter evolving pass-first offenses.
Note: As of February 2026, Sanders has expressed zero interest in coaching in the NFL, citing the treatment of his son, Shedeur, during the 2025 draft process.
Emmitt Smith profoundly impacted the NFL as its all-time leading rusher (yards) and rushing touchdown leader (164), serving as the durable centerpiece of the 1990s Dallas Cowboys dynasty. As a key member of “The Triplets,” he won three Super Bowls, four rushing titles, and was the 1993 MVP, redefining consistency with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Key aspects of Smith’s impact include:
Unmatched Durability and Production: He holds the record for most career rushing attempts ) and is the only player with 11,000-yard rushing seasons. He was the first to record five straight seasons with over 1,400 rushing yards.
Dynasty Anchor: Smith was central to the Cowboys winning Super Bowls XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX. He won Super Bowl XXVIII MVP honors, famously playing through a shoulder injury.
Record-Breaking Career: In 2002, he broke Walter Payton’s all-time rushing record. He retired with 175 total touchdowns, ranking second in NFL history.
Longevity and Toughness: Known for his vision and endurance, he played 15 seasons (13 with Dallas, two with Arizona), solidifying his place as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Smith was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1990s.
Doug Williams transformed the NFL by breaking racial barriers as the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, leading Washington to a 42-10 victory in Super Bowl XXII (1988). His MVP performance, which included a record-setting four-touchdown second quarter, shattered stereotypes about Black quarterbacks’ leadership capabilities.
Key aspects of Williams’ impact include:
Historic Milestone: Williams was the first Black quarterback to start a Super Bowl.
Super Bowl XXII Performance: After overcoming injuries in the game, he passed for 340 yards and four touchdowns in the second quarter alone, earning MVP honors.
Redefining the Position: His success erased the stigma that Black players could not play the “thinking man’s” quarterback position, opening doors for future generations of players like Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Path of Adversity: Before his Super Bowl victory, Williams was a first-round pick (1978) who struggled with low pay in Tampa Bay, left for the USFL, and was a backup with Washington before his heroics.
Lasting Legacy: Williams’ win is seen as a “proof of concept” that redefined racial perceptions in the league and paved the way for diversity in leadership.
Williams’ victory remains one of the most significant moments in American sports history, marking a turning point for racial equality and representation in the NFL.
While the 2025 Forbes list highlights 18+ Houstonian billionaires, dominated by names like Richard Kinder and Tilman Fertitta, specific, publicly ranked, ultra-high-net-worth Black men residing exclusively in Houston are rarely listed in the top 400 national rankings. However, the city is a major hub for Black wealth, with high-net-worth individuals often connected to industries like energy, real estate, and finance, concentrated in areas such as River Oaks.
Regional Context: While not Houston-based, prominent Black billionaires impacting the Texas business landscape include Robert Smith ($12.0B, Vista Equity Partners) and David Steward ($12.8B, World Wide Technology), both of whom have significant investments in the region.
Industry Leaders: Houston is home to influential Black entrepreneurs and executives in sectors such as oil and gas, healthcare, and professional services, though their exact net worths are often private.
Community Wealth: Areas like MacGregor Way are known for affluent, established Black Houstonians who have built wealth through business and professional endeavors.
The Wealthiest Black Man in Houston
Trae tha Truth
This Is the RICHEST Black Man In HOUSTON. Houston is one of the most powerful economic engines in America. But beyond the oil headlines, there is a quieter layer of power shaping how money actually moves. We are not talking about overnight fame. We are talking about individuals who learned how to operate inside the energy capital of the world. This video countdown the Top 10 Richest Black Men in Houston. It reveals how Trae tha Truth and Slim Thug are buying back the block, how J. Prince built a leverage empire that controls the entertainment industry, and finally, it uncovers the “Oil Baron” at Number 1 who built a global energy company operating across Africa and the US.
Copyright Disclaimer: This video in this blog contains images and footage used under the “Fair Use” policy for purposes of criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. We do not claim ownership of the materials used in the video. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Black Owned Huston Business directory 2026
As of early 2026, several platforms and directories serve as resources to locate Black-owned businesses in Houston, Texas, including the national ByBlack.us directory. Key resources for finding local, Black-owned services and, in some cases, popular hangouts, include dedicated search tools, applications like Blapp, and specialized search engines like Hiihat.
Financial Services: Unity National Bank of Houston, located in the city, is noted as the only Black-owned bank in Texas.
Entertainment/Socializing:Yelp lists for Houston often feature Black-owned or popular Black-frequented spots, such as The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, Urban Social, and The Spot Lounge & Bar.
Neighborhood Focus: The MacGregor Way area is known for being a historically prominent Black neighborhood with many established, locally owned businesses.
National Directories: ByBlack.us serves as a certified directory for finding verified businesses.
High achievers are primarily characterized by an intense, inner drive to set and accomplish challenging, long-term goals, often combined with high levels of self-discipline, resilience, and a proactive “doer” mentality. They are, according to Big Self School, Medium, Medium, and Betsy Allen-Manning, defined by a growth mindset, strategic risk-taking, and a strong preference for continuous learning, feedback, and action over excuses.
Key Traits of High Achievers:
Goal-Oriented and Visionary: They set ambitious, clear, and measurable goals, often working toward a long-term vision rather than short-term gains.
Action-Oriented and Proactive: They have a short time frame between idea and execution, choosing to take action and “do” rather than simply talking.
Resilience and Grit: They view failures and setbacks as learning opportunities, possessing the persistence to keep going when faced with adversity.
Disciplined and Focused: They possess high self-control over their actions, emotions, and time, focusing on high-impact tasks that move them forward.
Intrinsic Motivation: They are driven by an internal need for achievement, excellence, and to feel valuable, rather than just external rewards.
Calculated Risk-Takers: They are comfortable stepping outside their comfort zone, but they evaluate risks rather than acting recklessly.
Lifelong Learners: They are curious, open-minded, and constantly seeking to improve their skills, knowledge, and efficiency.
Effective Time Management: They prioritize ruthlessly, often juggling multiple tasks by focusing on what actually produces results.
Responsibility and Ownership: They take full accountability for their results, believing they are responsible for creating their own success.
Adaptability: They are flexible and able to adjust to new situations, innovate, and pivot when necessary.
According to studies on high-achieving personalities, such as PeopleHawk and Anna Lundberg, they are often perceived as highly, and sometimes intensely, competitive with themselves to maintain high performance standards.
The wealthiest Black neighborhoods in America are characterized by high homeownership, high educational attainment, and significant median household incomes, with top locations. These areas, often referred to as “Black Beverly Hills,” feature multi-million-dollar homes and are largely concentrated in suburban areas near Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York.
Top High-Income Areas:
Bowie, Maryland: Often cited as the pinnacle of Black affluence with a 88% Black population, 60% with degrees, and average income over $174,000.
Prince George’s County, MD: Known for having some of the wealthiest majority-Black census tracts in the country, including Mitchellville, Woodmore, and Kettering.
“Black Beverly Hills” (Los Angeles, CA): Baldwin Hills, View Park, and Ladera Heights are historically affluent, high-value, predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Atlanta Metro Area, GA: Buckhead and surrounding suburban areas have a high concentration of affluent African Americans, with the city boasting a high number of Black millionaires.
Other Notable Affluent Neighborhoods:
Olympia Fields, Illinois: A suburban Chicago community with high household incomes.
Wheatley Heights/Hillcrest, New York: Upper-income areas within New York.
Southfield, Michigan: Ranked as a top city for financial growth, especially for Black women.
Key Characteristics:
High Property Values: In places like View Park, home prices can exceed $1.5 million.
Education & Occupation: Many residents are professionals in medicine, law, entertainment, and tech.
Regional Concentration: While these neighborhoods exist nationwide, the highest concentrations of Black, high-income areas are in the South and Northeast, particularly in the Washington, D.C. suburbs.
These neighborhoods are marked by a strong sense of community, low crime rates, and proximity to major metropolitan job centers.
10) Cedar Hill, Texas
More than 50% of the resident population in Cedar Hill is Black, with another 25% being Hispanic. This diverse city has a median household income of $85,837 according to BestNeighboorhood.org. The small city has doubled its number of residents over the decades, too.
9) Randallstown, Maryland
Located in Baltimore County, Randallstown offers a more bustling suburban feel than some of the Maryland neighborhoods on this list. The average household income is $100,000, and it has a large amount of Black residents, making up almost 90% of the population.
8) Stone Mountain, Georgia
As a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, Stone Mountain has a population of less than 7,000 residents. Yet, more than half of the residents identify as middle-class. Additionally, 10% of its residents consider themselves upper-class.
7) Florissant, Missouri
The Midwest may not have many prominent Black neighborhoods, but this one is one to bookmark if you’re looking to move that way. The city has an average household income of approximately $107,000 and has a high number of Black homeowners, despite the fact that Black people only make up 62% of the population.
6) Bloomfield, Connecticut
This town in Connecticut is a hub for Black homeowners. While only 58% of the population is comprised of Black people, 70% own their homes making it a great place to settle down.
5) Cambria Heights, New York
Located in the western part of New York state, Cambria’s population is 58% Black with an impressive 92% of them being homeowners. The neighborhood is also affordable for New York’s standards with an average household income of $110,000.
4) Olympia Falls, Illinois
This neighborhood is more than 70% Black and has an average income of $133,000, that’s on par with popular East Coast states like Maryland and New York. Even more impressive is the fact that all of the Black population are homeowners, and most are college-educated.
3) Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C., has always been a popular place for young Black millennials and families to settle down. The district boasts a diverse population, with over 68% Black and almost all of them owning a home. It isn’t the most affordable place to live and can be hard to find a spot, as the average income is over $150,000.
2) Baldwin Hills, California
Nicknamed “The Black Beverly Hills,” Baldwin Hills has been a safe haven for Black families since the 1960s. Black people make up more than 71% of the area. This area has been home to a number of Black politicians, doctors, and celebrities, such as legends like Ray Charles and Tina Turner.
1) Bowie, Maryland
Maryland has some of the wealthiest neighborhoods for Black people in America. While Charles County and Potomac are popular, Bowie is the number one location for elite Black residency. 88% of the population is Black, with 60% college graduates and 85% homeowners. The statistics should come as no surprise, given the amount of HBCUs surrounding the area and the neighborhood’s close proximity to Washington, D.C.
Artis Gilmore, the Basketball Hall of Famer known as the “A-Train,” has focused his post-playing career on philanthropy, primarily supporting former ABA players in need through the Dropping Dimes Foundation. He also serves as a special ambassador for Dolphin Pointe Health Care, focusing on senior wellness and community support in Jacksonville.
Key philanthropic initiatives and roles include:
Dropping Dimes Foundation: Joined the advisory board to assist former American Basketball Association (ABA) players facing financial or health hardships.
Dolphin Pointe Health Center: Acts as a special ambassador, promoting community health, senior care, and assisting with facility, outreach.
Community Engagement: Actively involved in local Jacksonville, FL, initiatives, including participating in fundraising events for the North Florida School of Special Education and promoting youth fitness.
University Support: Helped raise funds for a new on-campus practice facility at Jacksonville University.
Legacy Preservation: Engaged in efforts to support the NJCAA Foundation, which supports two-year college athletics.
In this video, Artis Gilmore discusses his dedication to giving back and his, which is a key part of his legacy:
Gilmore has often expressed a desire to be remembered for making a difference in the community and assisting others. He was born in Chipley, FL. Artis Gilmore “Keep Giving Back”!
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a dedicated philanthropist who founded the Skyhook Foundation in 2009 to provide underserved children with hands-on STEM education, with the motto “Give Kids a Shot That Can’t Be Blocked”. The foundation partners with LAUSD and OCDE to offer outdoor learning, often supplying essential items like shoes and backpacks.
Key aspects of Abdul-Jabbar’s philanthropic work include:
Skyhook Foundation Focus: Provides 4th-6th graders with outdoor environmental STEM education, aiming to bridge the educational gap.
Program Impact: The foundation’s flagship program, Camp Skyhook, offers immersive, multi-day learning experiences in nature.
Partnerships: Collaborates with organizations like Adidas and OCDE to provide resources and educational opportunities to students in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Major Fundraising: In 2019, he auctioned off over 100 items of memorabilia, including four NBA championship rings, raising nearly $3 million for the Skyhook Foundation.
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Where are the best places to buy rental property this year?
As a seasoned real estate investor who has been investing in single-family and multi-family real estate for decades in the United States and abroad, this is a question I get asked often. To help you narrow down the best market for your real estate investment goals, RealWealth has rounded up the top choices for 2025 and into 2026.
3 Factors for Analyzing a Real Estate Market
Before researching and analyzing markets, you’ll want to understand your real estate investment goals so you can avoid making impulse decisions. Ask yourself, “What do I want from my investment?” Knowing your goals and the answer to this question is critical to choosing the right path for you.
Before we dive into our best places to buy rental property for 2026, here are some tips for analyzing potential real estate markets.
I’ve found that the best cities to invest in have three factors in common: job growth, population growth, and affordability.
1. Job Growth
Because population growth correlates with the availability of job opportunities, real estate investors should prioritize markets where job opportunities are expanding.
When assessing a location for a strong job market, here are key points to keep in mind:
Number of jobs. The number of jobs in an area signifies which locations are experiencing growth and which are not.
Rise in median salary. The median salary is the midpoint of all wages. When it rises, it indicates a growing economy with a demand for skilled workers.
Job diversity. A strong mix of industries and workforce signals a location is on an upward momentum.
Commercial buildings. When the economy improves, industries expand, and more commercial buildings and towers are built.
2. Population Growth
Despite what the numbers on your pro forma may say, a rental property only brings in revenue if you can find someone willing to rent it. To determine the best places to buy rental property for 2025, look for areas with high population growth and housing demand.
To analyze a region’s real estate market, look for signs of increasing population, as this often equates to increased demand for housing. Real estate markets with growing populations also tend to have strong economies. When more jobs are available, more people can afford to pay rent.
When demand for houses outpaces supply, home prices rise, and rents increase. When you invest in rental properties in an area with high population growth and housing demand, your investment should pay off over time as rents rise.
3. Affordability
Every housing market has its own pricing and market trends. Different factors come into play when researching where to invest in rental property. Here are three:
Location. A property’s location, including the city and neighborhood, plays a big role in its current value, appreciation potential, and how long it takes to recoup your initial investment. At RealWealth, we suggest investors avoid high-priced markets like New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco and instead focus on markets with growing appreciation and job growth like Baltimore, Maryland, San Antonio, Texas, and Jacksonville, Florida.
Price-to-rent ratio. Investors use this benchmark number to gauge an area’s potential profitability. To find this number, divide the median home price by the median yearly rent. The calculated number lets you know if renting or owning a property is cheaper. A price-to-rent ratio of 15 or lower favors buying, while 21 and above means it’s cheaper to rent than buy. The higher the price-to-rent ratio, the worse the market is for real estate investing (rentals in particular). It also translates to lower cash flow potential. Conversely, an area with affordable real estate but increasing rents will almost always make for a good investment.
Fixer-upper. A fixer-upper in a popular or up-and-coming neighborhood can also be a good investment if you have the time, money and experience to make improvements that increase rent and property values.
When you find a market with all three factors – job growth, population growth, and affordability – you’ll likely be able to find good real estate investment opportunities for both cash flow and appreciation.
Celebrities wield immense power to shape public opinion, drive consumer behavior, and influence social change by leveraging their vast, often intimate, platforms to inspire, advocate, or endorse. They possess the ability to shift political narratives, promote social causes, and boost brand equity through emotional connections with their audience, serving as, both, cultural, icons, and, economic, engines.
Key Aspects of Celebrity Power and Value:
Influence and Advocacy: Celebrities can sway voting behavior and mobilize engagement for social issues, with studies showing they are trusted, often, more, than, traditional, leaders or news, media.
Economic Impact: As brand endorsers, celebrities provide credibility and, high, visibility,, turning products into, desired, lifestyle, symbols (e.g., Nike and Michael Jordan).
Cultural Identity: They act as role models, shaping, personal, identity, fashion, and social standards.
Symbolic Value: They represent, success, wealth, and, fame, often, embodying, the, ideals of, modern, hyper-individualism and capitalism.
Power Dynamics:
Industry Drivers: Celebrities, can, make, or, break, a, project, or, campaign, by, acting, as, crucial, market, forces.
Social Capital: They possess, high, visibility, which, can, be, used, to, amplify, social, or, political, movements.
While their influence can be highly positive for activism, it also brings risks of promoting, unrealistic, beauty, standards or superficial consumption.
The wealthiest African American person in the US, according to the 2024 Forbes 400 list, is David Steward, founder of World Wide Technology, with an estimated net worth of $11.4 billion. He is followed by Robert F. Smith, a private equity billionaire, at $10.8 billion. Other prominent Black billionaires include Oprah Winfrey, media mogul; Jay-Z, music entrepreneur; and Michael Jordan, NBA legend and brand icon.
Top Richest Black Americans
David Steward: Founder of World Wide Technology, a global IT services provider. Anchored in faith and ever mindful of their blessings, David and Thelma Steward were inspired to create the Steward Family Foundationin 2013.
Robert F. Smith: Founder of Vista Equity Partners, a software-focused private equity firm. Robert F. Smith learned early on about the importance of giving back to his community from the example set by his parents. Robert F. Smith’s Philanthropy!
Oprah Winfrey: Built a media empire from her popular talk show. The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation (OWCF) supports organizations around the world. Oprah Winfrey herself, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation have helped organizations that serve children, families, and communities, with a specific focus on youth education. OWCF has also provided assistance to similar organizations since 2010.
