Sheryl Swoopes: Last News

Howard Bragman, a beloved Hollywood publicist who specialized in crisis relations, has died after a short battle with leukemia. The movie premiere staples was 66.His clients included Cameron Diaz - who has been filming her movie Back In Action this month - Monica Lewinsky, Ricki Lake, Sharon Osbourne and Chaz Bono.And he even appeared on various reality TV shows, including The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills and as a guest judge on the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race. He died Saturday night in Los Angeles, his family said Sunday. Bragman was diagnosed with leukemia just 10 days ago and promptly hospitalized. Sad loss: Howard Bragman, a beloved Hollywood publicist who specialized in crisis relations, has died after a short battle with leukemia.

Howard Bragman, the powerhouse publicist who specialized in crisis communications and guiding celebrities in coming out of the closet, died Saturday night after a battle with leukemia. He was 66. Photo: Instagram

Essence Black Women In Sports brought its best game to the table. The brunch table that is.  From college All-Americans and WNBA stars to business leaders and those who breathe life into the game on the broadcasting side, the Black Women in Sports Brunch brought some of basketball’s finest together and forced everyone in the room to take a harder look at how to embrace, encourage, empower and equip female basketball players. The event kicked off with two powerful panels, exploring solutions and ideas surrounding better experiences on campus for Black female student athletes at predominantly white institutions and financial literacy. With appetites for tangible solutions filled, the afternoon moved to honoring two of basketball’s most beloved: legendary girls basketball coach, Tara Starks, and the “Michael Jordan” of women’s basketball, Sheryl Swoopes. Upon receiving her award, Tara Starks took her time at the podium to acknowledge her mission to meet the needs of young female basketball players in the Minneapolis community with a consistent commitment to mentor them through the game of basketball. Unapologetic and overwhelmed with emotion, Sheryl Swoopes shared her gratitude for the honor and some bright spots in her basketball career. Adversely, she also expressed the heavy hit her personal and professional life took after retiring from the WNBA.  Both pioneers in the basketball sphere, Starks and Swoopes now join a special sorority: a new class of women to be honored by ESSENCE for their contributions to sports.Take a look at the momentum, memories and conversations from the event, sponsored by Coca-Cola, below.TOPICS:  black women in sports Black Women in Sports Brunch & Honors