TheFloridaStar Podcast

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.  South Carolina State ran for 292 yards and beat Florida A&M 31-13 on Sunday in the 2026 Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium, though the afternoon's biggest draw never took a snap. Ticket packages for the game were built around sections closest to FAMU's Marching 100 and South Carolina State's Marching 101, and even with the outcome long decided, the...

  Before some of us knew Dolly Parton as the Queen of Country Music, we knew her as the woman behind Whitney Houston’s song. We knew the blonde hair, the rhinestones, and that unmistakable Tennessee voice. But somewhere along the way, Black America came to understand something deeper about Dolly; when she said she loved people, she had the receipts to prove it.   The community is now left to mourn...

  James Weldon Johnson was an educator, journalist, diplomat, lyricist, poet, and human rights activist best known as the writer behind “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the timeless hymn celebrated as the Black national anthem. But he also used his writing to win the heart of the love of his life — Grace Nail Johnson. James Weldon Johnson was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on June 17, 1871, to James a...

As a young Black man, this topic is personal to me. When people discuss mental health, they usually don’t picture someone who looks like me. Instead, Black men are often seen as strong, tough, or able to handle anything life throws at us. Growing up, I was taught exactly that. My elders always told me to be strong. If I got hurt, I was told to get back up. If I was upset, I was told not to cry. Sh...

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Legendary Jacksonville rapper, independent hip-hop icon, entrepreneur, and Duval native Natalac (Sheldon Martinez Davis) has officially announced the definitive details for his 30th Annual Dual-City Birthday Tour, highlighted by a star-studded finale event titled "Natalac's Big Birthday Bash featuring Benzino." The highly anticipated celebration bridges his region...

By: Vanessa Davis-Frederick, Contributing Writer Photos by Will Brown, Jacksonville Today When people think about healthy communities, they often think about good schools, safe streets, affordable housing, and economic opportunities. But there's another important piece of the puzzle that doesn't always get enough attention: the health of our waterways. That's the idea behind the Res...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 2nd Annual Business Expo Jacksonville is set to return on Saturday, June 6, 2026, bringing together local businesses, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and consumers for a day dedicated to networking, shopping, education, and economic growth. Hosted by Coastal Today Magazine, the event will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Aloft Hotel Tapestry – Southside Jacksonvi...

JACKSONVILLE – Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland urges voters to update their voter registration when issued a new Florida driver license number or Florida ID card number by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Beginning on July 31, 2024, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles began implementing legislation that requires the distinguish...

  Jacksonville, Fla. — City Rescue Mission’s 80th anniversary banquet was more than a milestone celebration; it was a deeply moving reminder of the lives changed through eight decades of quiet, faithful service to the community’s most vulnerable. Held before a packed room of civic leaders, donors, and supporters, the evening blended reflection, storytelling, and vision in a way that left a lasting...