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← Older posts Newer posts →2022 BLACK MUSIC HONORS
May 8, 2022The 7th Annual Black Music Honors announces its incredible roster of performers for a star-studded celebration of influential music legends with a live studio audience taping at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Ga. on Thursday, May 19 (tickets available at BlackMusicHonors.com and Ticketmaster.com). There will be a special Juneteenth highlight recognizing the national federal holiday.Performers gracing the stage at this year’s power-packed televised show includes popular late 80’s Hip-Hop Duo Kid N’ Play; GRAMMY-award-winning Supergroup 112; Multi-Award-Winning Music Veteran Carl Thomas; Three-Time GRAMMY-Nominated, “The Love King,” Raheem DeVaughn; Compton-Bred Actress and Songbird Amber Riley; Multi-Hyphenate Crooner and Penman Eric Bellinger; Powerhouse Songster and Serenader Avery Wilson; Multi-GRAMMY-Award-Winning Artist PJ Morton; Multifaceted Entertainer and Rising Artist Jade Novah; Viral Vocal Teen Prodigy Keedron Bryant; Gospel Sweethearts Ajah and Rhea Walls from Multi-GRAMMY-Nominated and Stellar-Award-Winning The Walls Group; Multi-Talented Vocalist and Sunday Best Season Six Winner Tasha Page-Lockhart; Gospel Songstress and Sunday Best Season One Winner Crystal Aikin; NAACP-Image-Award-Nominated Singer and Actress Sheléa; Billboard-Chart-Topping Singer-Songwriter Kevin Ross; and Two-Decade-Spanning Independent Artist and GRAMMY Award-nominee Eric Roberson. Kicking off the 2022 BMH Honorees is Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter Keri Hilson who is tapped to receive the Music and Songwriter Icon Award. Multi-Award-Winning Gospel Duo Mary Mary will be presented with the Gospel Icon Award; Five-Time GRAMMY Nominee Tevin Campbell is set to receive the R&B Icon Award; Award-Winning Supergroup Dru Hill is to be recognized with the Urban Music Icon Award and a planned special performance in celebration of their 25th anniversary; NAACP Image Award-Winning Singer Karyn White will be honored with the Soul Music Award, and the Legendary R&B Group The Whispers will take home the Legends Award for their incredible nearly six-decade music career. Two-Time GRAMMY WinnerLeToya Luckett and Comedian DeRay Davis are co-hosting the show.National Broadcast Syndication will air June 4 – July 3 and on Bounce TV on June 25. For live-taping tickets go to www.blackmusichonors.com or you can purchase tickets here. For more information about Black Music Honors, visit www.blackmusichonors.com or connect on social media @blackmusichonors on Facebook and Instagram or @blackmusichonor on Twitter. 112 Jade Novah Kid ‘N Play Tasha …
Posted in Spotlight, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentBridgerton Season 2 | Official Trailer | Netflix
March 10, 2022What happens when duty is in conflict with the heart’s true desire? There is potential for a considerable scandal, indeed. Bridgerton Season 2 premieres March 25th, only on Netflix.
Posted in Music & Film | Leave a commentJANET JACKSON, NICKI MINAJ, KEVIN HART, NEW EDITION, THE ISLEY BROTHERS AND MORE TO HEADLINE THE 2022 ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE
March 7, 2022THE 27TH ESSENCE FESTIVAL OF CULTURE HOSTED IN NEW ORLEANS WILL BE IN-PERSON AND FEATURE EXTENDED VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES, CELEBRATING “ITS THE BLACK JOY FOR ME” FROM JUNE 30 – JULY 3, 2022 ESSENCE Communications, Inc., the leading media, technology, and commerce company dedicated to serving Black women and their communities deeply, has announced the 100% physical return of the ESSENCE Festival of Culture™ to New Orleans with extended virtual experiences and a commitment to creating opportunities that will economically benefit, invest and contribute to Black-owned businesses. The Festival will host a multi-generational experience entrenched in culture, equity, and celebration. “As the nation’s largest festival by per day attendance, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture is a staple that celebrates community and empowers equity. We are excited to welcome the family back live to New Orleans and thrilled to connect with more of our diasporic family through new digital experiences,” said ESSENCE CEO Caroline Wanga. “Whether it be those that have three years of outfits reflective of the Festival tradition that was disrupted by the pandemic, or those who will have their inaugural Festival experience in 2022 , all are invited to immerse in the crown jewel of culture known as the ESSENCE Festival of Culture. Our almost three-decade-relationship with the City of New Orleans has been critical to the fiber of the Festival and we fully recognize and appreciate the City and its citizens for all they do to create memorable experiences for all attendees. Lastly, it is critical that we understand that what we deliver with this Festival—live and virtually—also impacts Black economic inclusion. The ability to have those that benefit from this be Black businesses is my favorite manifestation of our 2022 Festival theme, ‘It’s The Black Joy for Me.’ See you in July.” ESSENCE looks forward to physically returning to the City of …
Posted in Tour Alert, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentJesse L. Jackson, Jr. Pens Powerful Book
March 1, 2022Former Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. is a man of courage, with a renewed mission. In his new book, THE FINGER OF GOD: FROM THE LINEAGE OF DAVID TO THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES (Archway Publishing – 2021), Jackson takes readers on a historical Constitutional odyssey intertwined with Biblical and scholarly quotes, along with illuminating transparencies about his personal, political and prison life. In his points of references in THE FINGER OF GOD Jackson relies upon his theological wisdom and the foundation of the forefathers of our nation. Jackson dissects the U.S. Constitution and educates readers while invoking his vision for America. He also shares his unwavering strengths, his frailties, and his unguarded reflective moments. As a graduate of North Carolina, A&T State University (BS), Chicago Theological Seminary (MDiv), the University of Illinois College of Law (JD), the eldest son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. garnered respect and honor while rising as an esteemed Congressman during his political career serving 17 years in the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. Having served as the national co-chairman during Barack Obama’s first presidential campaign in 2008, Jackson was an influencer amongst his colleagues and in his community who had crossover appeal and eloquent oratorical magnetism. His career was also riddled with controversy after he resigned in 2012 and faced campaign financial improprieties that led to a conviction. The outcome of his offense was a 30-month prison sentence which forced Jackson to face a period of deep introspection. Although Jackson’s remorse stemmed from his own errors in judgement, not upkeeping his family name, the demise of his marriage and the mere fact that he would be deemed a “felon,” which all weighed on his emotions, Jackson faced the truth. He sought redemption and found new purpose while being incarcerated. Presently, the former Congressman is …
Posted in Spotlight | Leave a commentWINNERS OF THE “53rd NAACP IMAGE AWARDS
February 27, 2022PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN, THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX HONORED WITH THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD WINNERS INCLUDE ANGELA BASSETT, ISSA RAE, JENNIFER HUDSON, NIKOLE HANNAH-JONES, STERLING K. BROWN, WILL SMITH, AND MORE THE STAR-STUDDED EVENING FEATURED APPEARANCES FROM KERRY WASHINGTON, LIL NAS X, LL COOL J, MORGAN FREEMAN, REGINA KING, MEGAN THEE STALLION, PAULA PATTON, SIMU LIU, TIFFANY HADDISH, AND ZENDAYA Following the week-long virtual experience, tonight the NAACP celebrated the stellar achievements of the “53rd NAACP Image Awards” winners during a special LIVE broadcast on BET hosted by seven-time NAACP Image Awards winner Anthony Anderson and presented by Wells Fargo. Watch an encore presentation of the “53rd NAACP Image Awards” Monday, February 28 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET. Internationally, the show will air on BET UK on My5 and Sky On Demand on Monday, February 28, BET France on March 2 at 8:45 pm CEST, and MTV Brazil on Thursday, March 3. #NAACPImageAwards Winners of the night included Jennifer Hudson (Entertainer of the Year and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture – “Respect”), Angela Bassett (Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series – “9-1-1”), Will Smith (Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture – “King Richard”), Sterling K. Brown (Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series – “This is Us”), Issa Rae (Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – “Insecure”), Anthony Anderson (Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series – “black-ish”), Nikole Hannah-Jones (Social Justice Impact) and “The Harder They Fall” (Outstanding Motion Picture). During the ceremony, NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, presented the President’s Award to Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex who together have heeded the call to social justice and have joined the struggle for equity both in the U.S. and around the world. “Through the work of their foundation and their unwavering commitment to the causes we believe in and share, [The Duke and Duchess of Sussex] have demonstrated they are so deserving of this honor,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson. NAACP Image Award winner and Academy Award-nominated …
Posted in R&B Pop Culture, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentAWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST, HOST AND BLACK STAR NETWORK CEO ROLAND S. MARTIN DEBUTS FOUR NEW DIGITAL SHOWS
February 6, 2022Roland S. Martin, award-winning journalist, host of the daily digital program #RolandMartinUnfiltered, and CEO of the newly-launched Black Star Network, is premiering four new shows on his OTT channel this week with two launching this week just in time for Black History Month. Black Star Network is one of the only 100% Black-owned OTT networks targeting African American consumers with politics, news and culture content. Building upon the breakout success of his leading Black news and information-focused series #RolandMartinUnfiltered, Roland is curating and debuting streaming programs on Black Star Network representing a range of topics and interests: business series “Get Wealthy!” with America’s wealth coach Deborah Owens; health and wellness show “A Balanced Life” with Dr. Jacquie Hood Martin; an examination of Black issues with “The Black Table with Dr. Greg Carr;” and a daily news talk show, “The Culture with Farajii Muhammad.” Mining the deep bench of talent cultivated over two decades of broadcast, digital and print newsroom leadership, Roland has assembled this highly skilled group of experts and media personalities to inform, inspire and entertain Black Star Network’s fast-growing audience. “There are so many viewpoints and perspectives in Black America, and our desire is to showcase them in an effort to inform, entertain, enlighten and educate our audience,” Martin said. “I’m excited to launch these shows, as well the next four shows we have in program development, which will debut later in 2022.” Airing every Monday, “Get Wealthy” hosted by Deborah Owens unearths the vital information that financial advisors and institutions often don’t share with their Black clientele… that they absolutely need to know. Viewers will gain valuable insights on improving their financial fitness by Owens, dubbed “America’s Wealth Coach.” On Tuesday beginning this week at 11 a.m. ET, “A Balanced Life” with author, life coach and self-help expert Dr. Jacquie Hood Martin uplifts the audience …
Posted in Spotlight | Leave a commentSuper Bowl – 2022 Sports Power Brunch Honoring Vanessa Bryant
February 6, 2022The 3RD ANNUAL SPORTS POWER BRUNCH PRESENTED BY CHAMPION KICKED OFF SUPER BOWL WEEK WITH AN EPIC, STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN SPORTS The Highly-Anticipated Annual Super Bowl Week Event Honored Vanessa Bryant (Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation), Natalie White (LA Sparks), Terri Hines (FOX Sports), and Denise White (EAG Sports Management). Additional celebrity attendees included Laura Govan, Derek Fisher, Michole Briana White, Mali Music, Nicki Micheaux, Taylor Mosby, Sheree Zampino, Jasmine Sanders and More! The event was Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA. Hosted by Eboni K. Williams, Executive Producer and Host of ‘REVOLT Black News,’ the event recognizes leading women who have made an indelible mark in the sports industry. This year, four groundbreaking women were celebrated for their contributions to the field: Vanessa Bryant, President of the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation; Natalie White, Senior Vice President, Los Angeles Sparks; Denise White, CEO & Founder, EAG Sports Management; and Terri Hines, Executive Vice President, Communications, FOX Sports. Named as one of top 10 events to attend by The Atlantan Magazine, this annual event takes place during Super Bowl week in each host city. Created in 2019 by LaTonya Story, CEO of LPS Consulting PR, the 20-year sports communications and marketing professional has curated a memorable experience with this highly anticipated annual event that encourages and empowers women to continue to thrive and excel in the sports industry and beyond. Attendees enjoy a day filled with empowerment, inspired conversations and networking with today’s sports, entertainment, and business industry leaders. “Creating The Sports Power Brunch has been a labor of love and faith,” states Story. “I could not have imagined the overwhelming amount of support and enthusiasm for an idea that has turned into reality. This year’s stellar lineup of honorees exemplify that not only can women excel in sports but shatter the …
Posted in 57th NAACP Image Awards | Leave a commentSAMUEL L. JACKSON NAMED CHAIRMAN’S AWARD RECIPIENT FOR “53RD NAACP IMAGE AWARDS”
February 6, 2022The NAACP and BET announced that Academy Award-nominated actor and producer Samuel L. Jackson will receive the prestigious Chairman’s Award during the “53rd NAACP Image Awards.” The Chairman’s Award is bestowed in recognition of individuals who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their distinct platforms to create agents of change. Past honorees of the Chairman’s Award include the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis and Ruby Dee, Danny Glover, Rev. James Lawson, Tyler Perry, then-Senator Barack Obama, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. It was also announced that Scot X. Esdaile will receive the Activist of the Year award and Channing Hill will receive the Youth Activist of the Year award. The “53rd NAACP Image Awards,” hosted by seven-time NAACP Image Awards Winner Anthony Anderson, airs Saturday, February 26 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET. “Samuel L. Jackson is an incredibly talented actor with a remarkable career in film and theater spanning over four decades,” said Leon W. Russell, chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “Many might not know that prior to his acting career, Jackson was a staunch activist during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, even serving as an usher at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. His continued public service and advocacy for social change make him an excellent recipient for the Chairman’s Award.” “Samuel L. Jackson’s talent and star power has inspired generations and continues to raise the bar for all of Hollywood,” said Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. “We admire his impressive entertainment career and humanitarian efforts, and we look forward to giving him his flowers as a living legend, continuing to honor his Black Excellence.” Appearing in well over 100 films, Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most respected actors in Hollywood. Jackson’s portrayal of ‘Jules’ in Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” made an …
Posted in R&B Pop Culture | Leave a commentMoonfall Premiere
February 6, 2022 Posted in Photos, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentA JOURNAL FOR JORDAN – In Theaters Now
February 3, 2022#AJournalForJordan, a film based on a true story of love beyond words, directed by Denzel Washington, and starring Michael B. Jordan and Chanté Adams.
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