BLAC’s Best of the Rest: Let’s get away

Clarence Williams III died in his Los Angeles home last Friday after a battle with colon cancer. He was 81 years old. The actor is best known for his roles as undercover officer Link in the “Mod Squad,” Prince’s volatile dad in “Purple Rain” and the creeptastic mortuary owner in “Tales from the Hood.” (NPR)

2021 seems to be shining on former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Since he was granted clemency by former President Donald Trump in January, he has embarked upon a new career as a Christian ministerand even found new love. He plans to build a life in Atlanta, where much of his family now lives. (Deadline Detroit)

Superstar producer Pharrell Williams is opening a network of private schools for low-income students through his new program YELLOWHAB, which claims to “offer a highly personalized and immersive education that knits together learning opportunities at school, at home, and in the community.” Tuition for the first school in Norfolk, Virginia, is completely free. Families have until July 1 to applyto enter the lottery which will enroll 40-50 students in grades three through five this fall. (The Root)

The Olympic gold medalist and current boxing champion said she’s making the switch primarily because the sport continues to underappreciate and underpay women, even world renowned champions like herself. “I made the decision that I’m not going to keep waiting for boxing to miraculously realize that women’s boxing is important, and that Claressa Shields is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete,” she said. (The Undefeated)

The ongoing pandemic has forced us to stay home most of the time, but the travel economy still exists and Black travel and hospitality entrepreneurs have found creative ways to stay open throughout. Here’s a roundup of Black travel advisors and tourism pros on the state of Black travel this summer. (Cuisine Noir)