25 minute read
Hollywood Buzz
HOLLYWOOD SPOT LIGHT
Chez Hadley
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It has been characterized as a powerful and transporting documentary— part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture, and fashion. And this month, Roots drummer and front man, Questlove, makes his directorial debut with the two-hour documentary, Summer of Soul, subtitled “Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised). Dubbed as “The Black Woodstock”, the documentary featuring never before seen concert performances by Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, B.B. King, Mahalia Jackson, Gladys Knight, the 5th Dimension, the Staples Singers, Max Roach, Moms Mabley and Pigmeat Markham, was filmed at the Harlem Cultural Festival–a series of concerts held in 1969 at Marcus Garvey Park to an estimated audience of 300,000. It was in 2019 that Questlove was approached by two producers who said they had 45-plus hours of footage from a little known, but culturally historic, music festival. Said Questlove, “I was shocked that there was all this footage out there and that no one had done much with it.” The racial justice protests of last summer gave the project even more meaning. The film’s climax is Nina Simone performing “Young, Gifted and Black” with a recitation from the Last Poets’ David Nelson: “Are you ready to smash white things, to burn buildings…Are you ready to build black things?” The documentary arrives in theaters and will be available on Hulu on July 2.
OUT THIS MONTH
Zola July 2 Cinderella July 16 Space Jam: A New Legacy July 16 Jungle Cruise July 30
HOLLYWOOD BUZZ
LeToya Luckett, YaYa DaCosta and Morris Chestnut to Headline “Our Kind of People”
LeToya Luckett, Yaya DaCosta and Morris Chestnut have all been set as leads in the Fox drama series Our Kind of People, based on the critically acclaimed book: Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class. Set in Martha’s Vineyard, Our Kind of People is the story of a strong-willed single mom Angela Vaughn (DaCosta) who sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of Black women. But she soon discovers a dark secret about her mother’s past that will turn her world upside-down and shake up this community forever. Luckett w i l l p l a y Leah Dupont, a strong, confident, elegant businesswoman, who, along with her husband Raymond (Chestnut), sits at the top of the food chain of the wealthy, long-standing Black elite in Martha’s Vineyard and makes it her business to bar Angela’s acceptance into the elite conclave fearing that Angela will destroy everything Leah’s family has built.
The Best Man—The Final Chapters
Fans of “The Best Man” movie franchise will be pleased to know that a ten-episode limited dramedy series The Best Man: The Final Chapters is in the works, with the core members of the original cast–Chestnut, Nia Long, Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Sanaa Lathan, Taye Diggs, Melissa De Sousa and Harold Perrineau– all reportedly signing seven figure deals to return. Morris Chestnut is a hot commodity these days. The actor–who stars on The Resident–is one of the producers behind the upcoming feature Greenwood Avenue, about the Tulsa Race Massacre. The film will follow the story of a Philadelphia lawyer who goes to Tulsa, Oklahoma to discover the events of the Black Wall Street massacre of 1921 and her family’s connection to it. In the meantime,
Tiffany Haddish to Bring FloJo Story to Life
Tiffany Haddish is set to produce and star in a biopic about Olympic Goldwinning track and field athlete Florence (“Flo-Jo”) Griffith Joyner to detail her remarkable accomplishments and untimely death at the age of 38. The fastest woman of all time, the records Flojo set back in 1988 for the 100 and 200 meters events still stand. Her indelible impact on the world of sport also had a great deal to do with her fashion. “I am looking forward to telling FloJo’s story the way it should be told,” Haddish told Deadline. “My goal with this film is making sure that younger generations know my ‘she-ro’ Flo-Jo, the fastest woman in the world to this day, existed.”
Diana Ross Shows Her Gratitude
Diana Ross has a new album set for release this fall and its message is simple. Said Ross, “This collection of songs is my gift to you with appreciation and love. I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to record this glorious music at this time. I dedicate this songbook of love to all of you, the listeners. As you hear my voice you hear my heart. "Let Love Lead the Way". Recorded in her home studio, "Thank You" offers a powerful, inclusive musical message of love and togetherness. Ross co-wrote and collaborated on the 13 songs. In other news, Danny Glover and Samuel L. Jackson are among those chosen to receive Honorary Oscars, at the long-delayed 12th annual Governors’ Awards…Seems Dwyane Wade and wife Gabrielle Union’s “Shady Baby”, Kaavia, has inspired the couple’s next collaboration. “We’re so excited to officially announce our new baby company, Proudly. As we continue to work on new endeavors together, our goal is to always center our work around being the change we want to see while championing diversity, equity and inclusion,” the two said in a statement. “With Proudly, we’re proud to have a range of products that caters to the unique skin care needs of children of color that are so often overlooked in the mass market”…Finally, even though his upcoming biography isn’t out yet, Will Smith’s book, Will, has been listed as Amazon’gs #1 best seller among actor and entertainer biographies. In a post, the 52-year old actor thanked his fans for their preorders. The book is set to be published on November 9.
Q&A
Jacob Lattimore
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Big Break: Black Nativity Upcoming Projects: Gully This 24-year old singer/actor got his big start starring in Black Nativity opposite Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett and Mary J. Blige at the age of 16. It led to roles in “The Maze Runner”, “Collateral Beauty”, “Detroit” and most recently “Like A Boss” starring Tiffany Haddish and Salma Hayek. A talented vocalist, he has released two albums and scored a hit single in 2017 with “Heartbreak Heard Around The World” featuring T. Pain. In 2018, He was cast to star in “The Chi”, which is presently in the midst of its fourth season. On shooting the new season of “The Chi”: “It’s been incredible. This is the first time we are going to be airing while we’re actually finishing up a few episodes. The show started May 23 and we are on episode eight right now. I like this way where we shoot and put it out. It’s kind of like you’re doing a music video. We definitely need this out for the people right now. The moment seems right and we saw the trailer and said ‘oh my goodness, we just finished filming that a couple weeks ago.
On Season four’s focus on the police abuse of
Black men: As a Black actor, it seems like almost every TV show or movie has to have it because it is so much a part of our reality,” said Latimore. “It’s relevant to our experience. We are The Chi and represent the culture and we have to talk about those issues. It has been really difficult to film with COVID and we haven’t been really able to come together as a cast off set as much as we used to. It’s definitely been difficult in that way. Everyone is so isolated when we are there. It’s difficult, but we are making it work and making it look good
On how much you see of him in his character,
Emmett: I’ve been able to put a lot of myself in the character. I’m really goofy and funny and I’ve been craving a character like this where I can just be myself. I wanted to show my personality a little more. I’ve done a lot of dramas and films like “Detroit” and “Collateral Beauty.” I had to bring the tears to screen and you will see a different dynamic from Emmett this year because he has to go through a lot this year. Overall, it’s been fun to be the light of the show. To be comedic, smiley and fun, it’s dope.”
On his music: I'm actually getting ready to release some new music. I'm reallyexcited about the coming visuals. The visual (music videos) really shows me as an entertainer. I love to dance, I love perform and you know, Chris Brown, Usher, Bruno Mars, that's like the type of artist I really want to be like. I'm very vocal about it right now. I wasn't that vocal when I was younger, I was just kind of doing things, but now I know exactly what I want and expect it.
ANDRA DAY in a spaghetti-straped pink gown JENNIFER HUDSON in Dolce & Gabbana H.E.R. in Giorgio Armani TARAJI P. HENSON in Versace
SAWEETIE in Dolce & Gabbana
Eye On Gospel
Back On Top
Kirk Franklin is back on top of the charts with “We Win”, his collaboration with hip hop star Lil Baby on the first single from the Space Jam: A New Legacy Soundtrack, out July 9. "I'm humbled. There are so many dope gospel artists in this genre, and I'm honored to shed some light on the music that we make," Franklin told Billboard. "What else can I say but thank you. Thank you to the Father for letting me borrow something for this record, to Lil Baby for jumping on the track and to everybody that helped make this record possible."
Also making strong chart moves was Brian Courtney Wilson, who landed his first No. 1 since 2018 with the recent release of “Still”. Wilson recently teamed with Ledisi to record the Donny Hathaway / Roberta Flack Classic "Be Real Black For Me.”
In other chart news, Grammynominated Todd Dulaney returns with all-new music and his highly anticipated live album, Anthems & Glory. Recorded live at All Nations Worship Assembly in Chicago, this new body of music finds Dulaney leading listeners literally back to the scriptures for hope, comfort, answers, instructions, and everything to live life according to the Bible. Anthems & Glory features a collective of 17 tracks and a stellar line-up of special guests that include Kierra Sheard, David Wilford, Todd Galberth, Smokie Norful, Tamela Mann, Apostle Matthew Stevenson and Tim Bush.
Virginia Union University (VUU) will launch the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at Virginia Union University. The center is the first of its kind in the United States. It will provide education and resources to help musicians and budding gospel artists to learn the cultural and business aspects of gospel music and the industry. Courses will be available to all VUU students and a variety of certification courses related to work in the industry will also be available to the general public. “The strong theological training I’ve received here at Virginia Union during the past two years has helped to shape my ministry,” said the Grammy-winning artist who is a second-year student of the Virginia Union University’s Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology. “My goal is to give back to the school that has poured so much into me, by helping emerging gospel artists learn the business, as well as theological aspects of the gospel music industry.”
“Gospel music is an important part of our culture and VUU is honored to partner with Walker to create a central hub for the study, writing, and preservation of gospel music. Walker has poured his spiritual gift and innovative ideas into the development of courses and events planned for the Center,” said Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, President and CEO of Virginia Union University. “VUU is growing to meet the changing career interests of our students by creating academic programs where the workforce demand is high or where students can explore opportunities in STEM, history, or the arts.”
The “Greatest Night in Gospel Music” returns Live with the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, taping on July 10th at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, TN. Tye Tribbett and contemporary artist and multiple Stellar Award winner, Jekalyn Carr have been tapped to host the highly-anticipated event, which will feature inspirational performances from the genre’s most celebrated artists, including Jonathan McReynolds, J.J. Hairston, Maverick City Music, Pastor Mike Jr. and Tamela Mann. The Clark Sisters, who will receive the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award, are also expected to deliver a moving performance at this year’s ceremony.
“After a challenging 2020, we are thrilled to return to the mainstage in one of the music epicenters of the world, Nashville, TN, for the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards,” said Don Jackson, Founder of the Stellar Awards and Chairman of Central City Productions. “With a theme of ‘Lighting the Way with Our Faith, Music and Family,’ we are set to deliver an evening of inspiration and celebration, led by the incomparable Tye Tribett and Jekalyn Carr, who are sure to bring high energy and excitement to the evening.”
“I'm so hyped to return to the Stellar stage this year as a host alongside my sis, Jekalyn Carr,” said Tribbett. “This is the biggest night in gospel! I can't wait to see and hear all the amazing music that has blessed us this year!!”
The Stellar Awards not only recognizes the year’s best performances in the genre, but honors Gospel music icons, and those who have been instrumental in advocating for the gospel industry. Top nominees for this year’s ceremony include Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Kierra Sheard, Maverick City Music, and Pastor Mike, Jr., each receiving seven nominations, including a nod each for Artist of the Year. Other celebrated artists receiving multiple Stellar nominations include Tasha Cobbs Leonard, The Clark Sisters, Rev. Luther Barnes and the Restoration Worship Center Choir, the Chicago Mass Choir and host Jekalyn Carr. Tramaine Hawkins will receive the Aretha Franklin Icon Award for her contributions to gospel music.
Carol McGruder: “Taking on Big Tobacco and Winning”
The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) won a major victory in their battle against menthol cigarettes when last month the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it was working toward issuing proposed product standards within the next year to ban menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes and ban all characterizing flavors (including menthol) in cigars. While they say the decision was based on pure science in an effort to reduce tobacco addiction and curb the death rates of tobacco related illnesses, at least some credit in part is due to the culmination of a 12-year effort by one California woman–Carol McGruder. It is the efforts of McGruder and the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council she helped to cofound (and is co-chair of) that have pushed through legislation to regulate–if not all out ban– the sale of menthol and all flavored tobacco in California last year with the passage of SB793 in addition to such breakthroughs as the recent announcement from the FDA. In fact, the AATCLC has been at the forefront of the national movement to restrict the sale of mentholated tobacco products, assisting municipalities across the country (Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Oakland, Berkeley, Massachusetts, New York) in passing ordinances to get tobacco products out of their communities. “We're just hoping to make this moment count because moments don't last forever,” said the anti-smoking crusader. Fact is, if McGruder has her way, smoking will altogether be banned…and in her lifetime. “There was a time when people thought smoking would go on forever on airplanes or in nightclubs, but it’s been about community norms change. So, this is not going to be something overnight. It’s a process and part of the process is getting people ready,” said McGruder. “I worked on apartheid as a student and never thought I would wake up one day and Nelson Mandela would be out of jail and the president of South Africa. This will happen in my lifetime. I'm not going to pass this legacy on to another generation of my children.” Ironically, McGruder got into tobacco control by a fluke. “I needed a job and there was one available, but I had been an activist my whole life on many different issues, AIDS, black infant mortality, Afrocentric parenting,” McGruder recounts. “When I got into commercial tobacco control, I had already lost my favorite aunt who was an incredible businesswoman ashamed at her addiction to nicotine and unable to kick it, even when she was on oxygen in the later stages of her illness.” For McGruder, it’s simple. Whether you smoke or not, you are impacted by the tobacco industry. “It's not just about the individual. As a community, we have to say we will not look back and have lost a million people –because that's how many black people have died in these past 20 years from tobacco induced diseases–a million mothers, fathers... people who are the bedrock of our families and communities,” she states. “We've added many laws over time, starting with you can't smoke indoors anymore. There are certain number of people who quit then because every time they had to get and go outside. It made them think about what they were doing. Then there are other people who are so addicted, they'll stand out and smoke in a blizzard. We need to keep working until we find what works for them to get them off.” For now, it is an all-out ban of menthol cigarettes. AATCLC, Action on Smoking and Health, the American Medical Association, and the National Medical Association, which represents Black physicians sued the
FDA last year for its failure to enact public health policy that protects the health and welfare of African
Americans. According to the FDA, there is strong evidence a menthol ban would help people quit. Studies show that menthol increases the appeal of tobacco and facilitates progression to regular smoking, particularly among youth. It also masks the unpleasant flavors and harshness of tobacco products, making them easier to start using. Tobacco products with menthol can also be more addictive and harder to quit by enhancing the effects of nicotine. One study suggests that banning menthol cigarettes in the U.S. would lead an additional 923,000 smokers to quit, including 230,000 African Americans in the first 13 to 17 months after a ban goes into effect. An earlier study projected that about 633,000 deaths would be averted, including about 237,000 deaths averted for African Americans. Menthol has been in the crosshairs of McGruder for some time. “We focused on menthol because when [the tobacco companies] were sued and in discovery litigation, their own internal documents showed how they went after us [African Americans] and how they increased our prevalence from 4% to 20% to 50% to 80%.” Mitch Zeller, J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products agrees. “For far too long, certain populations, including African Americans have been targeted, and disproportionately impacted by tobacco use,” Zeller reported. “Despite the tremendous progress we’ve made in getting people to stop smoking over the past 55 years, that progress hasn’t been experienced by everyone equally.” “We're not saying we want menthol smokers to become non-menthol smokers,” McGruder adds, “but menthol is what has been used against black people. So, the vast majority of black smokers– over 85%– smoke mentholated tobacco products. We'll get to the other 15%, but for right now, let's deal with the main issue, which is menthol. Think of the health disparities in our black men that would go away if we got our black men to stop smoking menthol.” Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And that, in a nutshell, is what fuels McGruder’s passion. “Nobody loves a black smoker more than the AfricanAmerican Tobacco Control Leadership Council. This is for you,” she says, happily noting the number of people who have thanked her after breaking the habit due, in part, to her efforts. The AATCLC not only goes after big tobacco but seeks to expose the people who take money from them. At one time in her life, McGruder says she thought it was wonderful to see companies like Kool and Newport support events like jazz festivals that featured A-list artists. That was until she learned that Big Tobacco’s sponsorships, giveaways and financial support were part of a “master plan,” she said, to keep Black people hooked on their products. Said McGruder, “Senate bill 793, which was passed and signed into law by Governor Newsom, would have taken Newport cigarettes and flavored tobacco off the market on January 1, but the tobacco industry got enough signatures to put it on the ballot in November, 2022. So, people are going to be hearing it's racist, and the other and all this conversation about the unintended consequences of criminalization when, in fact, police aren’t going to be stopping blacks to ask them if they’re smoking menthols. “You need to ask those people, do you take money from Reynolds American? Do you take money from the makers of Newport cigarettes?” For all their advances–including the recent action by the FDA which will reduce youth initiation, increase the chances of smoking cessation among current smokers, and address health disparities experienced by communities of color –McGruder and the AATCLC’s mission goes even further, including reparations to African Americans for what the tobacco industry has done. “How much are black people due as a community for the irreparable harm that they have put upon us in our community? McGruder states. “That's what people need to be looking at. “There's money that's been paid to people to settle things, there are foundations that have been created. People being paid off. “Part of what I want to do before I retire,” she continues, “is to lead my people to that well so that we are part of our own solution. We have small grants we give out to organizations and we're helping them to infuse what they're already doing into tobacco control. We pass this tax and there's money there for our resources, for our community, including jobs and careers.” It is a far cry from where McGruder started and had no funding for the first few years of the AATCLC’s existence. “We have kept this engine going when nobody thought we would ever get any traction on menthol; when our own public health policy professionals and foundations threw up their hands and said, well, it's a done deal when the tobacco control act was signed, and still we never gave up. This goes to prove that a few people can move the needle and I want to tell you we have moved the needle and we will continue to move it.”
2021 L.A. Focus/ July 14
We have kept this engine going when nobody thought we would ever get any traction on menthol; when our own public health policy professionals and foundations threw up their hands and said, well, it's a done deal when the tobacco control act was signed, and still we never gave up. This goes to prove that a few people can move the needle and I want to tell you we have moved the needle and we will continue to move it.
The Alarming Intersection of Domestic Violence and Homelessness Among Women Contributor GERALD BELL
When in 2001, “Brenda C.” decided she had finally had enough and decided to leave her abusive husband. She gathered up her young daughter and some of their belongings into the car, drove to a nearby hotel and checked in. She never looked back. She is one of the more fortunate victims of domestic violence, having the wherewithal to leave. In fact, some of the most recent research shows that domestic violence is one of the main drivers into homelessness for the over 18,330 homeless women in Los Angeles County. Of the women surveyed in a 2019 Los Angeles City Women’s Needs Assessment–conducted by the Downtown Women’s Center, more than 60% had experienced violence at some point in the last 12 months, and 25.7% reported the violence as occurring constantly or often. Once a woman decides to leave an abusive relationship, her biggest obstacle is likely to be that she has nowhere to go. This is particularly true of women who are without the financial bandwidth. Lack of affordable housing and long waiting lists for assisted housing means that many women, and their children, are forced to choose between staying in abusive home environments or life on the streets. Sadly, shelters are frequently filled to capacity and have to turn away battered women and their children. “Some women come to [our shelter] with absolutely nothing or very little employment experience because they have been raising kids and the person harming them doesn’t allow them to work,” says Elizabeth Eastlund, Executive Director of Rainbow Services, an emergency shelter that provides temporary housing to individuals and families faced with homelessness due to domestic violence. “Some survivors are able to move through our system fairly quickly and get back on their feet, but for others it may take a while because they come from situations where they have only known abuse, and that very often includes financial abuse.” While the number of unhoused women due to intimate partner violence has skyrocketed in the last decade, the resources for women fleeing abusive partners is also lacking. Eastlund said that more and more survivors of domestic abuse have unmet needs for both short and long-term housing. “I work with many women who have unfortunately experienced domestic violence or sexual assault or even child abuse,” says Amy Turk, CEO of the Downtown Women's Center. “But the dynamics of domestic violence are the financial isolation. So, without any finances it’s really difficult for people to leave and then go pay for housing somewhere else.” According to the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), domestic violence victims often have poor credit records and employment histories because of the violence they have experienced. Landlords often discriminate against victims if they have a protection order or any other indicators of domestic violence. Moreover, if violence occurs in the home, landlords can evict their tenants–resulting in a victim becoming homeless because she was abused. In a podcast for Heal California, Turk said that women who are victims of domestic violence typically make less money than men. “And of course, that’s more true for women of color,” she adds. “The compounding impact of not being able to add to your wealth over time has also left many older women in particular, either vulnerable to homelessness or homeless themselves.” “Our community must address the deep-rooted causes within larger safety net systems that stop people from falling into homelessness,” argues Heidi Marston, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), an agency of the City of Los Angeles that has conducted numerical and demographic counts of homelessness since 2005. In 2020, LAHSA reported that women comprised 32% of LA’s total homeless population and that 29% experienced domestic/intimate partner violence. "We, as a society, have become desensitized and even have normalized homelessness," Marston said in a state of homelessness address. "We have convinced ourselves that the basic human need of shelter or housing is something that has to be earned or deserved, and that's what we have to stop, that's what we need to change." To combat the increase of homeless families struck by domestic violence, many cities are providing motel vouchers for the nights when the shelters are full, the NCH reports. But it takes a longer period of time for many to find permanent housing because of the nature of being a homeless family. “There’s been a lot of efforts made in the last five to six years to highlight the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness,” says Eastlund. Her agency has a Domestic Violence Housing First program that supports victims with their rent or other costs related to staying somewhere safely. “If you are living in poverty, six months of rental assistance is nice. But after that six months you’re likely not going to be able to afford the rent on your own.” An emergency shelter is just a first step in meeting the needs of women who are able to escape intimate partner violence. NHC stated that shelters (such as the Downtown Women’s Center and Rainbow Services) exist to provide only that immediate safety net to battered women and their children. Which is why so many other wraparound services are required to help them regain full control of their lives. Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) introduced a bill earlier this year that would recognize unaccompanied women who are experiencing homelessness as a distinct subpopulation in order to target resources to help them. Senate Bill 678 — the Unaccompanied Women Experiencing Homelessness Act of 2021 would require the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to collect data about this subpopulation in accordance with state and federal privacy and confidentiality laws, and include that data in the state’s Homeless Data Integration System in order to improve the state’s ability to design programs and strategies to address their specific needs. "We can end homelessness," said Marston. "How do we know this? Because we created it. Policy choices and underinvestment brought us to where we are today."
This article is the third in a eight- part series L.A. Focus is producing on domestic violence in collaboration with California Black Media and the Blue Shield of California Foundation. It explores how individuals, families and organizations in our community can seek creative solutions to work through the host of problems that stem from intimate partner violence. For more information, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit: www.thehotline.org.
