By Bridgette Bartlett Royall ·Updated May 25, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… These days, it is easy to feel like the world is on fire: all of our bills are too high, we’re at war with Iran, the government is…well, you know how stressful politics is right now. Our news cycle usually feels like one sad or depressing story after another. But there is still an abundance of Black joy and Black excellence in our midst. So we’ve gathered up some of the week’s most cheerful news to help take your happy meter up a notch. Enjoy—and be sure to share this story in your favorite group chat. Every last one of us can use more joy in our lives! (Get last week’s joy here.)
WINNER’S CIRCLE Atlanta had a mayor named Keisha. And the state is heading toward having a governor named Keisha soon too. Georgia gubernatorial candidate, former Atlanta Mayor, attorney and judge, Keisha Lance Bottoms, was declared winner of the Democratic nomination for governor in the 2026 election. We love this for the proud Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member and Florida A&M University alumna.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Keisha for Georgia – The #TeamKeisha Account! (@keishaforga)
HEIR TIME It is a joy to witness the children of our favorite celebs grow up and forge their own dope >Reginae Carter (daughter of Toya Johnson-Rushing and Lil Wayne) who is killing it with her Heir Time podcast. She recently sat down with Destiny Jones, the daughter of hip-hop icon Nas, and the two candidly discussed a wide range of interesting topics from dating to ditching their body guards to generational wealth.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by @itsheirtime_
21 YEARS IN THE GAME Actors Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, who have shared the big screen together in classic films like Brown Sugar, just celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary! The stunning couple have two young adult children, Nicholas and Sophie. We wish the talented duo many more years of marital blessings!
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Boris Kodjoe (@boriskodjoe)
HOMELESS TO HOMEOWNER Armed with faith, fortitude and focus, Daquan Perry of The Bronx, NY recently purchased his own home (a co-op) merely a year after living in a homeless shelter. His empowering road to View this post on Instagram
A post shared by News 12 The Bronx (@news12bx)
GRAD SZN IS GIVING! The Black graduates of the View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Girls United (@essencegu_)
TOPICS: black excellence black joy black joy matters celebrating black joyThe post Celebrate Black Joy: This Week’s Best Uplifting Moments appeared first on Essence.
