Black stars were out all around the country this week, with several major events bringing familiar faces together.

The 2026 National Association of Black Journalists Convention drew a strong crowd in Atlanta, where Gina Prince-Bythewood and Thuso Mbedu appeared for a conversation about Children of Blood and Bone, while La La Anthony took part in a live podcast taping. Eva Marcille joined a discussion on faith and HIV, and Keisha Lance Bottoms sat down for a fireside chat. Elsewhere in the city, Claressa Shields made boxing history at State Farm Arena with Latto by her side. Usher and Floyd Mayweather Jr. were among the stars watching from ringside.

In Los Angeles, Aaron Pierre stepped out for the premiere of DC Studios’ Lanterns, while several young stars attended Netflix’s End of Summer Bash. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II joined Maverick Carter and others for The Shop event at the Hollywood Palladium.

Martha’s Vineyard also welcomed plenty of star power during MVAAFF, where Phylicia Rashad and Daphne Maxwell Reid attended the Women’s C-Suite Luncheon. Ruth Carter and Courtney B. Vance were later spotted at The Cut and Cartier Dinner.

Take a look at the stars who were out and about this week.

Usher

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 15: Recording artist Usher looks on from ringside during the eighth round of the WBA Continental USA Middleweight Title bout between Troy Isley and Joseph Hicks Jr. at State Farm Arena on August 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Claressa Shields poses with Latto.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 16: Claressa Shields poses with Rapper Latto after defeating Kaye Scott of Australia with a sixth-round TKO during their WBC World & WBA World Female Middleweight Title bout at State Farm Arena on August 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Claressa Shields reacts after defeating Kaye Scott.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 16: Claressa Shields reacts after defeating Kaye Scott of Australia with a sixth-round TKO during their WBC World & WBA World Female Middleweight Title bout at State Farm Arena on August 16, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Lil Rel Howery and Adam Blackstone

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: L-R) Lil Rel Howery and Adam Blackstone attend the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Central City Productions)

Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jasmine Simpkins, and Thuso Mbedu speak at the “Children of Blood and Bone” Exclusive Clips and Conversation at The NABJ Convention.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 15: (L-R) Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jasmine Simpkins, and Thuso Mbedu attend the “Children of Blood and Bone” Exclusive Clips and Conversation at The National Association of Black Journalists Convention at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on August 15, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

Gina Prince-Bythewood and Thuso Mbedu

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 15: (L-R) Gina Prince-Bythewood and Thuso Mbedu attend the “Children of Blood and Bone” Exclusive Clips and Conversation at The National Association of Black Journalists Convention at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on August 15, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

Erica Campbell

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Erica Campbell attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)

Yolanda Adams attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Yolanda Adams attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)

PJ Morton

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 15: Pj Morton attends the 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards at Spectrum Center on August 15, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Central City Productions)

Chibuikem Uche, Kennedi Reece, Cornell Young IV, Alijah Kai, Maleah Joi Moon, and Jordan Aaron Hall

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Chibuikem Uche, Kennedi Reece, Cornell Young IV, Alijah Kai, Maleah Joi Moon, and Jordan Aaron Hall arrives at the Netflix’s End Of Summer Bash at LAYLA Restaurant on August 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

Michael Cooper Jr. and Lovie Simone arrives at the Netflix’s End Of Summer Bash.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 13: Michael Cooper Jr., Lovie Simone arrives at the Netflix’s End Of Summer Bash at LAYLA Restaurant on August 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

La La

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 14: La La Anthony speaks onstage at the “Clock It” Live Podcast Taping during the 2026 National Association Of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention & Career Fair at Atlanta Marriott Marquis on August 14, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)

Keisha Lance Bottoms participates in a Fireside Chat during the 2026 NABJ Convention.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 14: Georgia Democratic nominee for Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms participates in a Fireside Chat during the 2026 National Association Of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention & Career Fair at Atlanta Marriott Marquis on August 14, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Nykieria Chaney/Getty Images)

Ayra Starr

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 14: Ayra Starr lights the Empire State Building in celebration of the release of StarrGirl in partnership with the Endometriosis Foundation of America at The Empire State Building on August 14, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)

Miguel attends the 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 13: Miguel attends the 2026 HollyShorts Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on August 13, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

The cast of ‘A Different World’ attend Netflix’s End Of Summer Bash after party.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Chibuikem Uche, Kennedi Reece, Maleah Joi Moon, Alijah Kai, Madison Bailey and Cornell Young IV attend Netflix’s End Of Summer Bash after party at LAYLA Restaurant on August 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

J. Alphonse Nicholson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 13: J. Alphonse Nicholson attends the Los Angeles premiere of DC Studios Drama Series “Lanterns” at Paramount Theater on August 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)

Aaron Pierre attends the L.A. Premiere of “Lanterns.”

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 13: Aaron Pierre attends the Los Angeles Premiere of DC Studios Drama Series “Lanterns” at Paramount Theater on August 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Daphne Maxwell Reid and Phylicia Rashad

OAK BLUFFS, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 10: Daphne Maxwell Reid and Phylicia Rashad attend the MVAAFF Women’s C-Suite Luncheon during the 2026 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, sponsored by AARP as presenting, along with Google and L’Oreal, at Farm Neck Golf Club on August 10, 2026 in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mariel and Katherine Tyler/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

Courtney B. Vance

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: Courtney B. Vance poses with Cartier sunglasses during The Cut and Cartier Dinner at MVAAFF on August 12, 2026 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for MVAAFF )

Ruth Carter

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: Ruth Carter wears Cartier sunglasses during The Cut and Cartier Dinner at MVAAFF on August 12, 2026 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for MVAAFF )

Anthony Anderson, Rocsi Diaz and Mike Tyson attend the “We2Matter” annual fundraiser gala.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 12: (L-R) Anthony Anderson, Rocsi Diaz and Mike Tyson attend the “We2Matter” annual fundraiser gala at the Taglyan Complex on August 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

Courtney B. Vance, Jo-An Turman, Glynn Turman, Ruth Carter, and Malcolm D. Lee

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: (L-R) Courtney B. Vance, Jo-An Turman, Glynn Turman, Ruth Carter, and Malcolm D. Lee attend The Cut and Cartier Dinner at MVAAFF on August 12, 2026 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

LeToya Luckett attends The Cut and Cartier Dinner at MVAAFF.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 12: LeToya Luckett attends The Cut and Cartier Dinner at MVAAFF on August 12, 2026 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

D.C. Young Fly

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 11: Host D.C. Young Fly speaks on stage during the premiere episode of “The Spell Off LIVE!” on August 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Lou Young III in Atlanta.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 11: Lou Young III arrives onstage during the premiere episode of “The Spell Off LIVE!” on August 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)

Lindsay Peoples attends the Celebration of Cinema and Culture.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 10: Lindsay Peoples attends the Celebration of Cinema and Culture at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, presented by The Cut and Delta Airlines at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum on August 10, 2026, in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Mariel and Katherine Tyler/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

Steelo Brim and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: (L-R) Steelo Brim and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II attend the “By Any Means” x The Shop Live Creator Event at the Vinyl Room at Hollywood Palladium on August 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

Maverick Carter speaks during the “By Any Means” x The Shop Live Creator Event.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Maverick Carter speaks during the “By Any Means” x The Shop Live Creator Event at the Vinyl Room at Hollywood Palladium on August 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

Kayla Nicole in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 11: Kayla Nicole attends the “By Any Means” x The Shop Live Creator Event at the Vinyl Room at Hollywood Palladium on August 11, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

Monica McNutt

RYE, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Monica McNutt attends Jalen Brunson’s 4th Annual Charity Golf Classic & Dinner at Westchester Country Club on August 10, 2026 in Rye, New York. (Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images)

Jalen Brunson attends his 4th Annual Charity Golf Classic.

RYE, NEW YORK – AUGUST 10: Jalen Brunson attends his 4th Annual Charity Golf Classic & Dinner at Westchester Country Club on August 10, 2026 in Rye, New York. (Photo by Joy Malone/Getty Images)

Kingsley Ben-Adir

LOCARNO, SWITZERLAND – AUGUST 10: Kingsley Ben-Adir attends “Frank & Louis” red carpet during the 79th Locarno Film Festival on August 10, 2026 in Locarno, Switzerland. (Photo by Alessandro Levati/Getty Images)

Author: Okla Jones

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