
Serena Williams Is Proof That Even Without Her Costume, She’s Still A Superhero

In 2001, Serena Williams stepped out onto the courts of Indian Wells to play against Belgian opponent, Kim Clijsters.
There, Serena was showered with boos and racial slurs from the crowd's spectators. Despite winning the game, Serena vowed never to return (she returned 14 years later, in 2015), refusing to subject herself to the game's bigots and naysayers.
In 2004, during the U.S. Open semifinals, Serena was singled out by the distinguished tennis chair umpire, Marina Alves. Alves was excused from officiating any more matches on the final day of the U.S. Open after she made five bad calls against Serena in her semifinal matchup against American, Jennifer Capriati. Unable to see past Serena's black body, the serves and returns Alves called out were landing, impressively unreturned, and inside the lines. Nevertheless, with the help of the umpire, Capriati won against Serena Williams.
The Tennis Association called Serena and apologized for their umpire's errors and a year later, that match was credited for demonstrating the need for the installation of Hawk Eye, the line-calling technology that took the seeing away from only the umpires and line judges.
In 2009, Serena was again the subject of racial discrimination during the U.S. Open semifinals, playing against Kim Clijsters. The umpire, Louise Engzell, was accused of "over-officiating" when she called a foot fault against Serena that no one else was able to locate, despite the numerous replays. After continuous bad calls, Serena gets frustrated and yells at the linewoman, something that several players do in moments of frustration. However, unlike several players, Serena's outburst resulted in a point penalty resulting in the loss of the match, an $82,500 fine, plus a two-year probationary period by the Grand Slam Committee.
Serena dealt with racial discrimination, once again, in the 2012 Olympics, when she brought home the only two gold medals Americans would win in tennis. Her celebratory dance was likened to the "Crip-walk" and was considered "immature and tactless."
In 2014, Williams withdrew from a doubles match with her sister, Venus, because she was "dehydrated, dizzy, and feverish." Nevertheless, despite having proof of her symptoms, Serena was drug tested the next day and had to address comments of her being drunk, drugged, or pregnant during the match.
In 2018, according to Deadspin, Serena Williams has been tested for performance-enhancing drugs more than twice as often as other top American women players. In a statement to Laura Wagner, Serena's team said that "the testing was invasive and targeted."
Now, for what seems like the thousandth time, Serena Williams has been targeted by the French Tennis Federation president, Bernard Giudicelli over her French Open attire. According to BBC Sports, Serena Williams will be banned from wearing her striking black catsuit at the French Open, with the tournament set to introduce a stricter dress code.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion said the outfit made her feel like a "superhero" at the Roland Garros this year. Made by Nike, Williams stated that the outfit helped her cope with the issue of blood clots, which she said almost resulted in her death, after giving birth.
In an interview with Tennis Magazine, Giudicelli specifically mentioned Williams' last year outfit and remarked, "It will no longer be accepted." Further saying:
"I believe we have sometimes gone too far. You have to respect the game and the place."
The decision left tennis fans enraged, and many took to social media to raise their voice in dissent. While someone asked how it was okay to wear revealing dresses on the court and not a body suit that covered her entire body and was made for health reasons.
Nike came out to support Williams and slammed the French Open's new dress code saying, "You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers."
Although repeatedly racially discriminated against while playing the game as fairly as any player possibly could, the tennis star steadily reminds us of her superpowers even without her cape. In a pre-tournament news conference that took place on Saturday (August 25), Serena touched on the newly instated catsuit ban:
"I think that obviously, the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to do. I feel like if and when, or if they know that some things are for health reasons, then there's no way that they wouldn't be okay with it. So I think it's fine. The president of the French Federation, he's been really amazing. He's been so easy to talk to. My whole team is basically French, so, yeah, we have a wonderful relationship."
With a smile, she also added:
"When it comes to fashion, you don't want to be a repeat offender."
As any hero does, Serena Williams maintains grace under fire and acts in alignment with her higher purpose. For almost 23 years, Serena Williams has shown us that despite the naysayers, the bullies, the critics, and the odds being stacked against her, she will do nothing but rise.
Now, Serena is scheduled to play in Round 128 of the U.S Open, seeded No. 17. She was the runner-up at Wimbledon in July and is favored to place in the U.S Open finals. If she wins, she will tie with Margaret Court as the most successful tennis player of the Open era. Arguably the greatest athlete of our time, it'll be a crown the queen more than deserves.
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Taysha Robinson is a writer and high school English teacher, based in metro-Atlanta. A self described philomath, you can find her reading books and articles of every genre, attending educational conferences, and hiking wherever the terrain will allow.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage