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THE ALTERNATIVE VOLUMEPERSPECTIVE 26 ISSUE 40

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HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS FOR FIREARMS

NAACP CalLs ON SENATE To SUPPORT BACKGROUND CHECKS

York and a former chancellor of the New York public schools system.

The Black Stars News 2015 Annual

From mass shootings most Awards Dinner will honor Mayor recently in El Paso, Texas David Dinkins, Rep. Charles Rangel,Ohio Rep.to Yvette and Dayton, streetClarke, R.throughout Donahue Peebles, Barbara killings our country, Arnwine, Inez Barron, dangerously easy access to Sabrina Lamb, Dr. Rudy Crew, Stephen guns in the Alia U.S. Jones, are a major Byrd, and the Central and deadly problem, and Park Five survivors ofone gross injustice on December 18 impacts from 6:00pm – that disproportionally 10:00pmofatcolor. Meanwhile, MIST Harlem, 46 West communities 116th Street. some of our elected officials in “Each honoree chosen for “leadership” do nothing. As of recognition has demonstrated August 6, 2019, there had been exceptional leadership and vision in 251 mass in the US her orshootings his respective profession or this year; that’s more than 1 per endeavor and in some significant day. measure has contributed towards creating a more just society in this country,” says Black Star News founder publisher Milton Enough is and enough!

Allimadi. “Obviously much work be done here and At theneeds end oftoFebruary, 2019 around the world.”

Pioneering producers Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones, through their company Front Row Production, brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” with a multi-ethnic cast to Broadway. In 2016 they bring “Eclipsed” with Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong ’O to Broadway.

David Dinkins

Charles Rangel

was a member of the New York City Council, representing the 40th council district in Brooklyn, succeeding her mother, Una S. T. Clarke. In the current 114th Congress Clarke serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, responsible for consumer protection, food safety, energy development, public health, communications, the environment, and interstate and international commerce.

majority. She now leads The Transformative Justice Coalition.

Arnwine was for 26 years executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law. Inez Barron, honoree, formerly a State Assembly member, is now a New York City council member and a champion of education for our youth.

Honorees, the so-called Central Park 5, are collectively and individually heroes. They are survivors of one of the ugliest miscarriage of justice in New York’s history; having been railroaded and unjustly convicted for a crime they did not commit and for which they served long prison sentences ranging from seven years to 13 years before being exonerated when the actual rapist confessed. They are: Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, and Kharey Wise.

the U.S. House, with bipartisan The gala starts at 6:00pm with a support, passed H.R. 8, cocktail hour to be followed by the the Bipartisan dinner andBackground awards ceremonies. There The Black Star News, which focuses Checks of 2019 and H.R. by Honoree Imhotep Gary Byrd is willAct be musical entertainment on investigative journalism, has a legendary radio talk show host singer Cassandra Douglas 1112 opera the Extend Background been featured as a result of some if and executive producer, radio DJ, from harmonica Checkand Length.

Together,phenomenon these its news scoops, on CNN, The New R. Donahue Peebles, honoree, is poet, songwriter, music recording William Galison. David Dinkins is York Daily News, The New York bills would have a definite impact H.R. 1112 a leading developer andthat founder of“We extend would mandate ourproducer, deepest rapper, heartfelt artist and writerresurgence of white nationalism, honored for Lifetime Achievement Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s The Co., thebe nation’s largest on reducing gunNew violence and first no sale of Peebles a firearm may condolences to the families and community activist. and He begandomestic terrorism, intolerance — he was York City’s Content magazine.

African American-owned real savingAfrican lives; they wouldmayor help and alsoconducted hisofcareer as a radio DJ in Buffaloand racial hatred germinating American without a completed friends the victims of these estate firm with $3.5 billion worth PastWhite Black Star News honorees age 15. For over that 30 years, welcomedout Nelson Mandela keep firearms of the hands to thebackground House. check.under “Wedevelopment must now tragicat shootings. Those lost he’s from the of properties have included: Gil Noble (Like It been a talk show host at WBLS and citywho afterclearly his release in 1990. of those should not advocate to all of our—members deserve better. or management he was one their lives Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad WLIB radio in New York City. He Rep. Charles Rangel, also8honored have them. Specifically, H.R. of the pioneering developerswho What President Trump refusesCosby, of the Senate to support and We call on this current O’Brien (CNN), Ms. Camille also has a Friday night radio talk Achievement, helped turn around and revitalize wouldfor barLifetime direct firearms sales has pass it, to acknowledge is that the and to the President to administration to use its Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), show on WBAI. served in Congress since 1971. He is the once-blighted Anacostia Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel between unlicensed people, sign the bill sooner rather than resources to repair theLamb, moral founderracist, white supremacist Honoree Sabrina a recipient of The Bronze medal for neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Larrieux (Entertainer), including at gun shows or online, and xenophobic language Dr. he William depend on it." fabricof ofWorld this country instead of of Money, is a champion helping save soldiers behind enemylater. Lives A champion of African-American Pollard (Medgar Evers College), of financial literacy for youth-- shespews has created an increase without background check. linea during the Korean War. divisive and inflammatory economic empowerment Peebles’ using is Herm Edwards (NY Jets), Nayaba teaches knowledge Firearms could be sold only by contemplating a possible motivated actsNews), of La-Verna The NAACP released this run for NYC rhetoric to further divideabout us. handlingin racially Rep. Yvette Clarke is a Democratic Arinde (Amsterdam money, budgeting and planning. mayorininthe 2017. licensed dealers, manufacturers, member of the US House of violence.

This coupled the statement aftermath of the The tragic shootings in El Paso Fountain (Columbiawith University), Dr. Rudy Crew, honoree, is one of Representatives from New Lillian Roberts (DC37), Desiree or importers, who are required Honoree Barbara Arnwine, all-too-easy access to guns has Dancy fatal shootings in El Paso, Texas civil and Dayton are stark reminders th the nation’s leading educators.

He’s York whose 9 district covers (New York Times), Greg Floyd rights lawyer, a champion of to conduct comprehensive created a violent and tragic fate (Local and Dayton, Ohio, iswhich took the of the dangers that plague much of central Brooklyn. Before 237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National president of Medgar Evers College protecting voting rights of ethnic background checks. for this country.” our communities under the entering Congress in 2007, she lives of 29 people in total.

Action Network), and many others. of The City University of New minority groups — the emerging

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N AT I O N A L PASSING OF AWARD-WINNING NOVELIST The NAACP released the following statement on the passing of award-winning novelist, Toni Morrison: Our hearts are heavy over the loss of our sister, Toni Morrison. Morrison, a renowned teacher, professor, and awardwinning novelist, revealed the unspoken truths of Black life in America and provided us with a deeper understanding of what it

TONI MORRISON

meant to be loved. Among the many prestigious awards Morrison received throughout her life, she was notably the first black woman to win a Nobel Prize in Literature. She also received an NAACP Image Award for her novel, Love.

Her legacy will live on through her contributions to the literary community, and the world as a whole.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to her loved ones.

B r i d g i n g t h e H e a lt h G a p

National Dental Association Convention Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), participated in a panel discussion at the 2019 National Dental Association Convention (NDA) President’s Symposium that explored the challenges associated with bridging the health gap in the 21st century.

The panel was held on July 20th at the Renaissance Downtown Hotel in Washington, D.C. Joined by co-panelists Catherine Alicia Georges, EdD, RN, FAAN, President, AARP National Volunteers, and Rear Admiral Timothy L. Ricks, DMD, MPH, Chief Dental Officer of the U.S. Public Health Service and Assistant Surgeon General of the United States, Mr. Bergman and the panel of distinguished leaders discussed the roles of the public, private, and philanthropic sectors to identify and address the factors that lead to disparities in health care. The panel was moderated by Hazel J. Harper Johns, DDS, MPH, with welcome remarks from John T. Daniels, II, DDS, FICOI, NDA President.

As the leading voice on issues most important to those in the 50 plus community, Dr. Georges outlined AARP’s health agenda highlighting the organization’s efforts to address health inequalities in communities of color and the need for collaboration among the sectors to help overcome the social determinants that impede seniors from accessing care. Dr. Georges also stressed for greater understanding of oral health as part of overall health as she detailed AARP’s oral health advocacy initiatives and championed for the inclusion of a dental benefit in Medicare.

Dr. Ricks updated attendees on the

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progress of a new Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health that has been commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Public Health Service’s Oral Health Coordinating Committee. He identified challenges and opportunities that have emerged since publication of the first report in 2000, and described key issues currently affecting oral health, such as disease prevention and treatment strategies for an aging population, trends in the dental workforce, and factors contributing to the rising cost of health care.

In his remarks, titled “The Power of Us,” Mr. Bergman shared key insights on a variety of topics, ranging from trends affecting the practice of dentistry and the rise of consumerism to the growing demand for diversity and cultural competency among health professionals. “At Henry Schein, we strongly believe in the power of publicprivate partnership because the global health issues we face are too daunting for any single sector to effectively address,” said Mr. Bergman. “With our public-private partnerships, we work with governmental as well as nongovernmental organizations, customers, and suppliers to make a difference in society. This enables trust, and with trust, you can move things forward – like advancing oral health, for example, by bringing together academia, professionals, and public health officials from around the globe.”

health around the world by aligning the company’s strengths as a business with the needs of society. This work is exemplified by the company’s global corporate social responsibility program, Henry Schein Cares, which focuses on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.

“We remain dedicated to the work of using our resources, in partnership with our entire network of customers, suppliers, investors, and Team Schein Members, to advance the cause of building better societies,” added Mr. Bergman. “Nothing is impossible, especially for those of us who recognize the potential of partnership and are committed to achieving a common goal.

All of us at Henry Schein look forward to an even closer partnership between

the NDA and its members as we move forward together on a strategy to make oral health care more accessible.”

For over 100 years, the NDA has been a national forum for minority dentists and a leader in advancing their rights.

The NDA promotes oral health equity among people of color by harnessing the collective power of its members, advocating for the needs of and mentoring dental students of color, and raising the profile of the profession in their communities. The NDA is comprised of thirty-nine state and local chapters throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean. Representing nearly 8,000 African American dental professionals and 37 million African Americans, its membership also includes members from Africa, Canada, Saudi Arabia, South America and Latin America.

Additionally, Mr. Bergman commented on the company’s strong commitment to advancing oral health, oral health literacy, and the development of leaders at all levels of the global oral health community. He also explained how Henry Schein works to positively impact

August 8, 2019 - August 14, 2019

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NEWS ASSN OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUMS SELECTS BLACK ARCHIVES BOARD MEMBER Executive Director of the Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc., Timothy A. Barber, was recently selected as a new member of the Board of Directors for the Association of African American Museums (AAAM). AAAM was established to provide professional development and networking opportunities to its membership base and to African American and African Diaspora audiences broadly.

Barber, who began his career at the Black Archives more than 15 years ago, has been involved with AAAM as a member for over a decade. Climbing the ranks from intern to assistant archivist, archivist and then executive director, Barber has developed a deep connection to Miami’s African American history, its preservation, and the preservation of the stories and histories of black communities nationwide.

As Director of the Black Archives, Barber successfully administered a ten million dollar GOB capital grant fund to expand and re-open the Historic Lyric Theater, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. He has also leveraged federal grants from the Institute of Museums and Library Services along with local county grants to create sustainability for the organization’s operations and programming.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Association of African

American Museums,” said Barber. “The work that I am doing here locally, and on a national level with AAAM is more than just a job to me. This is a large part of my life’s purpose, and I find great satisfaction in knowing that the work I’m doing today will help to ensure that our stories live beyond my time on this earth.” AAAM membership of over 500 national and international institutions that include cultural organizations, historical societies and museums which not only collect, preserve, and exhibit objects valuable to art, history and science, but also educational institutions, research agencies and cultural centers. AAAM and its Board of Directors support the goals of African American museums and museum professionals through professional development, member services, and annual national conferences.

“The Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater is proud and honored that our Director has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Association of African American Museums,” said Patricia J. Braynon, Black Archives board Chair. “Mr. Barber will prove to be a valuable member of the AAAM Board, as he has shown through his untiring work locally at BAHLT.” Under Barber’s leadership, the Black Archives has become one of the leading black cultural institutions in South Florida; through the development of signature arts, culture and educational

programming. Barber has also been influential in restoring Miami’s Historic Overtown as a destination for cultural entertainment, theater and events, working as a cultural partner of the Southeast Overtown Park West Community Redevelopment Agency.

“Huge congratulations to Timothy Barber upon his appointment to the AAAM Board of Directors,” said Black Archives Board Member, Andrea Pelt-Thornton. “This is an awesome testament to his passion and commitment to preserving the African American experience. We are proud of Tim, and celebrate this opportunity for him to serve the dynamic AAAM organization.”

Ab o u t A A AM 

The Association of African American Museums (AAAM) is a non-profit member organization established to support African and African American focused museums nationally and internationally, as well as the

professionals who protect, preserve and interpret African and African American art, history and culture. Established as the single representative and principal voice of the African American museum movement, the Association seeks to strengthen and advocate for the interests of institutions and individuals committed to the preservation of African-derived cultures.

The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida is a photographic and manuscript archival research repository dedicated to documenting the history of people of the African Diaspora in Miami-Dade County from 1896 to the present. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, the non-profit became one of the largest repositories for the history of Blacks in South Florida. For information on how to support The Black Archives, please call 786-708-4610 or email kpritchett@ bahlt.org.

WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT Names First African-American President Women in Development (WiD), New York announces 2019-2020 40th Anniversary Year, with first African-American President in the organization's history; new leadership; and event schedule. WiD's mission is to empower, connect, and engage women in a community that fosters professional growth and leadership, while advancing the field.  OFFICERS FOR 2019-2020:  Pre side nt: Yolanda F. Johnson, President and Founder, YFJ Consulting, LLC  Vice Pre side nt o f Pr o g r a m s: Lane Richards Peace, Director of Development, James Lenox House/ Carnegie East House  Treasure r : Martha Lauria, Director, Gift Administration and Donor Services,

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Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center  S ec r etary: Jocelyn Bowman, Director of Advancement, St. Luke's School 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 2019-2020: WiD was founded 40 years ago as an informal networking group for women in professional fundraising. At the time, men far outnumbered women in the development profession. By 1985, the gender balance in fundraising was shifting, as women comprised 49% of all fundraisers.

Today, women in development far outnumber men in the profession, although salary inequity persists. WiD

pioneered advancement for women's professional development providing a forum for growth, knowledge transfer, shared experiences and networking opportunities. The 40th Anniversary year kicks-off in September 2019 and culminates with the 40th Anniversary Woman of Achievement Luncheon in May 2020.

FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT IN WID'S HISTORY: A trailblazing figure on the NYC fundraising landscape, Yolanda F. Johnson is the Founder and President of YFJ Consulting, LLC. With nearly 20 years of experience as a fundraising expert and professional musician, Yolanda has used her unique skill set to successfully raise millions of dollars for non-profit organizations. Yolanda's extensive background has given her a unique perspective on the presentation aspects of fundraising. She recently launched a new workshop, All the World's A Stage, with a focus on using performance practice for fundraising and philanthropy. In 2018, she cocreated the WiD Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. "I am thrilled to lead WiD through this momentous anniversary year, as it continues its mission of empowering women in the fundraising

August 8, 2019 - August 14, 2019

field."

UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE: Staten Island Yankees Ladies Night - featuring a speech on women's empowerment by Yolanda F. Johnson ahead of the post-game fireworks. She will also throw the first pitch. (August 3, 2019, 7:00 p.m.)  Annual Member Meeting and 40th Anniversary Kick-Off - featuring Official Launch of New WiD Brand (September 19, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)  Demystifying Philanthropic Vehicles with BNY Mellon - inside look at the various methods philanthropists use to give. (September 25, 2019)  "Putting Research into Action"- CoLab Focus Group in Partnership with Indiana University Women's Philanthropy Institute (October 23, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)  Luncheon: "What's Your Story?

The Importance of Storytelling in Fundraising" - featuring acclaimed author, Laura Fredricks and CEO of StoryCorps, Robin Sparkman (October 28, 2019 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.)  WiD Wellness Series: Dining for Success (October 17, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) and Workplace Pilates (November 19, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) 

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E D U C AT I O N

V P F o r D E V E L O P M E N T at U n i o n I n s t i t u t e N a m e d

President Karen Schuster Webb, Ph.D., has announced the appointment of Shanda L. Gore, Ed.D., as the first Vice President of Institutional Innovation and Economic Development at Union Institute & University. Dr. Gore will work with the leadership team to develop long-term revenue strategies for enrollment growth, new market access, and targeted funding sources.

Dr. Gore has held several roles in higher education including Associate Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer, and an Executive Director for nearly 15 years at the former Medical College of Ohio Foundation and the University of Toledo (UT). A seasoned fundraiser, she has raised funds through events, donor relations, and grants totaling more than $2 million in the last six years. She has also taught at undergraduate and graduate levels and served on dissertation committees. As an administrator, she created and directed the regional UT Minority Business Development Center and was recently awarded additional funding to enhance its virtual capabilities worldwide.

In the private sector, Dr. Gore has been a trainer, marketing coordinator and specialist for regional and national firms and is the president and founder of Mays and Associates, LTD, a strategic planning and consulting company serving clients across the United States. She has served as the president of the Ohio Diversity Officers Collaborative, State of Ohio Coordinator of the American Association of Access, Equity, and Diversity, and currently serves as State co-chair and executive board member for the American Council of Education (ACE) Women's Ohio Network. She has published and presented at competitive conferences, including the Higher Learning Commission, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the National Diversity Council Leadership Conference, and the Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education. Recognized as an African American Legacy Emerging Leader of Excellence, she is the recipient of the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union Community Appreciation Award. She recently completed workshops for Big 10, MAC, and Mid Atlantic NFL officials on

team building strategies.

degree programs.

Dr. Gore is a graduate of Bowling Green State University from which she earned three degrees: a Bachelor of Communications degree, a Master's of Communication with a study emphasis on minority communities in the Greater Toledo Ohio area, and a Doctor of Education in Leadership Studies. Her research area was involvement behaviors and minority medical student retention.

Union Institute & University is a non-profit, regionally accredited university specializing in providing quality higher education degrees for adults nationwide. Founded in 1964, Union's academic programs and services are the result of more than five decades of identifying and refining ways to structure and deliver education to meet the needs of adults. Distinguished as the pioneer in adult education, Union perfected the concepts now common in higher education such as the hybrid model, a blend of online and traditional classroom instruction, interdisciplinary studies, and student centered education with socially relevant and applicable learning outcomes in its undergraduate, master's and doctoral

The university is guided by its core mission to educate highly motivated adults who seek academic programs to engage, enlighten, and empower them to pursue professional goals and a lifetime of learning, service, and social responsibility.

Union is a national university with academic centers located in: Ohio, Florida, and California.

JP MORGAN CHASE and NUL Join To Help Black Households Increase Savings JPMorgan Chase & Co. is committing $1.5 million over two years to help the National Urban League launch their new Financial Savings Initiative, a program that will help Black households build savings and meet their long-term financial goals. The announcement is being made at the National Urban League Annual Conference in Indianapolis.

Through tailored financial tech tools and coaching, the initiative aims to enable more Black households will be able to save for the future and achieve goals like homeownership, small business formation and expansion, and investing for retirement and college.

More than half of Americans struggle financially, experiencing high amounts of debt, irregular income and lack of savings. Research from JPMorgan Chase

and Morning Consult found that 52 percent of Americans do not have enough money saved or on hand for a $500 emergency.

“Closing the racial wealth gap is a key objective of the National Urban League, and we’re proud to partner with JPMorgan Chase & Co. on achieving that goal,” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said. “Through our network of 90 affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, we can reach the people most in need of these financial tools and fulfill our mission of empowering communities and changing lives.”

As part of the initiative, the National Urban League will select 10 Urban League affiliates from around the country to integrate financial technology tools into their financial coaching programs.

“Financial health is an important element in building strong and resilient households, communities and economies.”  Sekou Kaalund Advancing Black Pathways for JPMorgan Chase

The program will include tools that are being identified, tested and scaled

by JPMorgan Chase as part of the firm’s $125 million, five-year investment in financial health and specifically, through the Financial Solutions Lab. Managed by the Financial Health Network in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase, the Financial Solutions Lab supports promising fin-tech innovations that can help people in the U.S. increase savings,

improve credit and build assets. Financial Solutions Lab innovations have led to more than $1 billion in savings for U.S. residents to date.

“Financial health is an important element in building strong and resilient households, communities and economies,” said Sekou Kaalund, head of Advancing Black Pathways for JPMorgan Chase. “Too many Black Americans lack access to the tools and coaching they need to save for the future. With initiatives like this one, more people can share in the rewards of a growing economy.”

Over the last five years, JPMorgan Chase committed over $100 million to 250 nonprofit organizations and research institutions across the world, helping 7 million people improve their financial health and save more than $1 billion.

Owner/Publisher Executive Editor Editor-In-Chief Dr. Teresa Taylor Williams

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Happy. Healthy. Loved. These are the dreams we have for our children.

So we cherish the moments when little giggles fill the room, imaginations take us on great adventures, and when it seems our hearts could burst with pride and love.

Here and now, we’d stop time if we could. Because when kids are being kids, we all feel better.

Let’s get every child covered.

If your child needs health insurance, Fidelis Care is just a call, click, or visit away.

Call: 1-888-FIDELIS Click: fideliscare.org/everychildcovered Visit: A Fidelis Care community office near you. Search for locations at fideliscare.org/offices

1-888-FIDELIS • fideliscare.org (1-888-343-3547)

TTY: 711

To learn more about applying for health insurance, including Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans through NY State of Health, The Official Health Plan Marketplace, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

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ENTER TAINMENT New Episodes of SAINTS

Brown Sugar , the popular subscription streaming service from Bounce, has a cool lineup of original series and movies to help consumers beat the heat in the dog days of August.

All-new season four episodes of the hit Bounce drama series Saints & Sinners will be available to watch Monday mornings on Brown Sugar, with seasons one, two and three available for binge-watching. New Saints & Sinners episodes premiere on Bounce Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. New season five episodes of Bounce's popular original sitcom In The Cut are available on Brown Sugar every Tuesday in August, following their Monday night Bounce premieres (9:00 p.m. ET.) All

FUBU JOINS

ONE Musicfest, the Southeast's premier

urban progressive music and arts festival - has announced a collaboration with the iconic sportswear brand FUBU to create a limited edition of merchandise for the 10th annual festival taking place September 7-8, 2019 at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta.

The "ONE Musicfest x For Us By Us" partnership will consist of t-shirts and hats and will be available to purchase during the festival. The deal reflects OMF's philosophy of economic empowerment and cultural pride - key elements that have long set the event apart from other music celebrations. "ONE Musicfest has always been about bringing the best of urban culture together," says Jason Carter, founder of ONE Musicfest. "FUBU is a staple of our culture and represents everything we believe in - excellence, innovation, and authenticity. Like FUBU, ONE Musicfest was created for the consumer by the consumer. We're honored to work with them for this year's milestone festival."

"When we started the FUBU brand 27 years ago, our immediate goal was to fill a need and represent urban culture in the apparel industry," says FUBU founder and CEO, Daymond John. "We saw people that looked like us spend money on brands that did not care to understand the nuances of our culture. 'For Us, By Us' was about the empowerment and celebration of Urban culture. Therefore, and in that same spirit, it is only right that we partner with ONE MusicFest, whose goal is also to create spaces for the most amazing people on this planet to be recognized."

Founded in 1992 by four neighborhood friends from Queens, New York trying to

SINNERS and IN THE CUT Make Lineup

prior seasons of In The Cut are available for viewing anytime on Brown Sugar.

People can avoid the summer heat this August with Brown Sugar's curated homepage collection "It's

Getting Hot in Here," featuring classic titles such as Mean Johnny Barrows (Fred Williamson), The Dolemite Explosion (Rudy Ray Moore) and Black Heat (Timothy Brown) among others.

IN MERCHANDISE DEAL make quick cash by selling tie-top hats to their friends and family, FUBU quickly grew from a shoestring budget of $40 into a $6 billion fashion empire. In 2017, FUBU celebrated the brand's 25th anniversary with a capsule collection of classics with plans to introduce larger collections and more collaborations in the near future.

Hailed as one of the nation's "Can't Miss Festivals," ONE Musicfest returns for its tenth year on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8 with an unforgettable lineup of performances including Gucci Mane, Rae Sremmurd, Tory Lanez, Rick Ross, DMX, Wu-Tang Clan, Three 6 Mafia, Teyana Taylor, Raphael Saadiq, KP The Great featuring Pharrell Williams and Usher, Florida AllStars featuring Uncle Luke, T-Pain, Trina, Trick Daddy and more!

FUBU (short for For Us By Us) was founded in 1992 by Daymond John, J. Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin and Carl Brown. The earliest collection consisted of a small line of tops and hats with the FUBU logo. By 1995, an extensive sportswear line was designed and produced by FUBU using raw materials imported from around the world. With the success of the collection, distributors and investors came calling. To date, over 5,000 stores globally have carried the FUBU collection and more than $6 billion in merchandise has been sold at retail. The partners of FUBU soon became leaders in one of the most successful sportswear companies of all time and the creators of a whole category of marketing innovations that are now considered to be staples of industry. Their philosophy was to make clothing for the consumer by the consumer. For more information, follow FUBU on facebook.com/fubuthecollection and @fubuthecollection on Twitter and Instagram.

ONE Musicfest is the Southeast's largest annual urban progressive music festival, featuring a diverse range of music, including classic and next generation hip-hop, soulful R&B, alternative, and rock. Started in 2010, ONE Musicfest is now recognized as one of the most highly-anticipated celebrations of the arts in the Southeast, with this year's festival expecting an attendance of 50,000 music lovers from throughout the country.

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Additional popular titles streaming this month are fan favorites including Eve's Bayou (Samuel L. Jackson and Lynn Whitfield), Crash (Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard), In Too Deep (Pam Grier and LL Cool J), Blue Hill

Avenue (Richard Lawson), American Son (Nick Cannon), Hoodlum (Laurence Fishbourne and Cicely Tyson) and American Bad Boy (Obba Babatundé and Katt Williams).

Subscribers can watch these films and countless others on Brown Sugar, along with complete seasons of other top-rated Bounce originals such including Family Time.

Brown Sugar is available on Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Comcast Xfinity X1, Amazon Prime Channels, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Kindle, Android and Apple smartphones and tablets and web browsers via BrownSugar.com.

There is a free seven-day initial trial period for subscribers with a retail price of $3.99/month thereafter. Visit www.

BrownSugar.com for more information.

Brown Sugar is a part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

WARNER BROS. PICS TEAMS UP WITH "MESS IN A BOTTLE" FOR "THE KITCHEN" (Black PR Wire) LOS ANGELES -- Warner Bros. Pictures has announced a partnership with the popular t-shirt brand Mess in a Bottle to create a special collection of shirts commemorating the August 9th release of the New Line Cinema film The Kitchen, starring Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss.

The bespoke collection features a variety of short-sleeve t-shirts bearing uplifting affirmations inspired by the femaledriven mob drama, which centers around three women in New York City's Hell's Kitchen who take business into their own hands when their gangster husbands are sent to prison. Phrases like "Queen, don't be afraid to rule like a king" and "I want it all" reflect the resilience and determination displayed by the women in The Kitchen.

"Mess in a Bottle embraces the strength of women," shares Kalilah Wright, owner and creative director at Mess in a Bottle, which was founded in 2015 to evoke change, question the status quo and provide a product that allows one to 'wear their voice.' "Women figure it out, make it happen and make no excuses. Our brand embodies this and this collection of shirts reminds us that you can be a mother, business owner and a woman in power."

The Kitchen opens nationwide in theaters on August 9th.

Mess in a Bottle is an independently owned apparel company run by accomplished designer and trained architect, Kalilah Wright. The concept is based on a form of communication dating as far back as 310 B.C. when messages were placed in bottles and released into a large body of water. Mess in a Bottle is the 21st-century form of communicationspreading emotional, thought-provoking and expressive MESSages all over the world.

The gritty, female-driven mob drama The Kitchen, written and directed by Oscar nominee Andrea Berloff (screenplay, Straight Outta Compton) follows three 1978 Hell's Kitchen housewives whose mobster husbands are sent to prison by the FBI. Left with little but a sharp ax to grind, the ladies take the Irish mafia's matters into their own hands-proving unexpectedly

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adept at everything from running the rackets to taking out the competition... literally.

The film stars Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Domhnall Gleeson, James Badge Dale, Brian d'Arcy James, with Margo Martindale, Common and Bill Camp. Written and directed by Andrea Berloff, based on the comic book series created for DC Vertigo by Ollie Masters and Ming Doyle, it was produced

by Michael De Luca and Marcus Viscidi.

Executive producers were Richard Brener, Michael Disco, Dave Neustadter, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth, Elishia Holmes and Adam Schlagman. Maryse Alberti was director of photography; Shane Valentino, production designer; Christopher Tellefsen, editor; Sarah Edwards, costume designer; and Bryce Dessner, composer.

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ENTER TAINMENT SERENA WILLIAMS On ESSENCE’s September Global Fashion Issue Cover E SSENC E , the number one media,

technology and commerce company serving Black women, unveils its upcoming September Global Fashion Issue cover featuring tennis great, entrepreneur and style icon SERENA WILLIAMS in a way that fans have never seen her before!

Williams is resplendent from beginning to end in the story, The Future of Serena Williams—from rocking face paint by artist Láolú on the cover, to dazzling fans in designers such as Carolina Herrera, Giuseppe Zanotti, Talbot Runhof, Issey Miyake and more in a gorgeous photo spread shot by photographer Kwaku Alston and styled

by ESSENCE Fashion Director Marielle Bobo.

“We are beyond ecstatic to have Serena Williams—one of the most photographed women on the planet—to be the muse for our September Global Fashion issue,“ said ESSENCE Chief Content & Creative Officer MoAna Luu. “This issue promises to be one of ESSENCE’s biggest with a fresh new redesign. We also brought the best Black creatives in the world— including visual artist Láolú, who gave us Serena’s stunning face painting for the cover—to present all of the stunning visuals that you see.”

The multi-hyphenate wife/mom/ entrepreneur also opens up to ESSENCE Entertainment Director Cori Murray about everything from her upcoming S By Serena New York Fashion Week

get me excited. Or it could be something fresh I haven’t seen before. Honestly, I can go in any direction. Just depends on how I feel…”

that we wanted to dress down for, or we might want to go out with our friends and relax, or we may just be walking around the house as a mom. So when we were designing the collection, we wanted to speak to every aspect of that woman...”  ON BODY POSITIVITY IN FASHION: "We want to be inclusive. We have an extended size, and we call it great because I don’t like the word 'plus.' So we call it S Great because every woman is great. Hopefully the word 'great' will catch on and people will get rid of the word 'plus.'

moment, what she looks for in fashion, the importance of speaking up and freedom. (See quotes below):

 ON WHAT SHE LOOKS FOR IN FASHION: “Wow. I love fashion, obviously. It has to connect to me, first of all. I like things that are unusual, but also a little classic. It depends: It could be a crazy pop of color, and it’ll totally

 ON HER “S BY SERENA” NYFW MOMENT: “Everything that’s on the runway will be ready for sale for 24 hours on September 10th. As far as the clothing, we really wanted to have fun and be confident. It’s kind of like all the aspects of my life. But not just my life, most women’s lives. We have a job, or we have somewhere to go for an event, or we have something more serious

 ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SPEAKING UP AND FREEDOM: "Freedom means standing up and not being afraid to say, ‘I’m here’ or ‘Hear my voice’ or ‘This isn’t what I agreed to’ or ‘This isn’t fair and that isn’t right.’ I’ve done it my whole career. It’s knowing where I’ve come from, knowing my history, in particular, the sport that I’m in. When I first started, there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me. So it was really important to always help other people feel as if this is something they could also be a part of…”

The groundbreaking September issue of ESSENCE hits newsstands on August 16th. For more on this story, visit ESSENCE.com.

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ENTER TAINMENT "love & marriage: HUNTSVILLE" RETURNS OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has unveiled the explosive new trailer for its hit reality series "Love & Marriage: Huntsville," which returns with all new episodes Saturday, September 7 (9 p.m. - 10 p.m. ET/ PT).

The series, which follows three powerful African American couples working in real estate in the thriving city of Huntsville, Alabama: Melody and Martell Holt, Marsau and LaTisha Scott and Maurice and Kimberlee Scott, will also feature a new couple Cedarric and Adaira Collins, both good friends of the Holts and Scotts.

This season being a power couple doesn't mean the perfect couple as Martell works to try and win back his estranged wife Melody. LaTisha doesn't allow her husband Marsau to get in her way as she puts her homemaker days behind to put her real estate license to good use.

Kimberlee is forced to reconcile with the challenges of a blended family as she deals with Maurice's son and ex-wife's potential move to Huntsville. While there's still a lot of love to go around, neither business

nor pleasure seem to be getting any less hectic for these couples.

Catch up on the first eight episodes of the series on the WATCH OWN app.

"Love & Marriage: Huntsville" is produced by Kingdom Reign Entertainment and ITV America with Carlos King, Bernie Schaeffer, Rob Cornick and Andrew Hoagland serving as executive producers.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the channel.

OWN is a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today's most innovative storytellers. OWN's original scripted series include popular drama "Queen Sugar," "Greenleaf," "The Haves and the Have Nots," "If Loving You is Wrong," family saga "Ambitions" from box office hit-maker Will Packer, and the upcoming drama series "David Makes Man," from Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney. OWN's Saturday night

unscripted programming lineup includes "Iyanla: Fix My Life," "Ready to Love," "Love & Marriage: Huntsville," and "Black Love." OWN connects with its audience wherever they are, inspiring conversation among a global community of likeminded viewers on social media and beyond. Launched on January 1, 2011, OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery, Inc. The venture also includes award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime on WatchOWN.tv or across mobile

devices and connected TVs. Kingdom Reign Entertainment, LLC is recognized as one of the leading entertainment companies in reality television. Founded by television trailblazer Carlos King, the company's programming ranges from non-scripted to scripted programming with such hits as Styling Hollywood (Netflix), Love & Marriage: Huntsville (OWN), Gucci Mane & Keyshia Ka'Oir: The Mane Event (BET), Hollywood Divas (TV One), Selling It: In the ATL (WeTV) among others.

NOSTALGIACON To Showcase Toys, Video Games, Electronics, & Furniture Organizers of NostalgiaCon’s inaugural ‘80’s pop culture convention (http://www.

NostalgiaCon80s.com) September 28 and 29 at the Anaheim Convention Center announced today a national call for retro pop culture collectors of unique ‘80s toys, video games, posters, electronics, and furniture. As part of eclectic items that already include the National Boombox Museum and ‘80s cars, NostalgiaCon is adding space to spotlight select collections that demonstrate strong fan interest.

To submit a collection for consideration, email info@ nostalgiacon.org and specify the exact nature and space requirement of your collection.

The deadline is August 31.

Only collections that are not being sold on the exhibit floor will be considered for this free showcase. Exhibitor opportunities for the retro marketplace are available separately by emailing exhibiting@nostalgiacon. org.

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foods and more, that fans feel the most fond of. NostalgiaCon is the first platform ever created to fully scale and monetize the decades both in the United States and internationally through conventions, concerts, events, privately licensed entertainment, social media, and more. On September 28 and 29, the Anaheim Convention Center will host NostalgiaCon, where the 1980’s will be captured in its full glory, capitalizing on the powerful force of nostalgia via the people, trends and moments that define entire generations.

With offices in downtown Miami, NostalgiaCon (www.

NostalgiaCon80s.com) is a global fan conventions company wholly

focused on celebrating the pop culture icons, influencers, music, newsmakers, entertainers, shows, films, sports, fads, toys,

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NostalgiaCon is the brainchild of serial entrepreneurs Manny Ruiz, creator and producer of the nationally renowned Hispanicize event and the Mixed Reality Marketing Summit, and Sean Wolfington, Chairman and CEO of The Wolfington Companies and Chairman and CEO of CarSaver, Walmart’s exclusive auto buying platform.

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BOOKS

ST R A N D B O OKS T ORE Named Officia l NYC L andmark

Book lover or not, every New Yorker has probably heard of the iconic Strand Bookstore at one point. Recently, it was named an official NYC landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).

Famous for its impressive 18-mile stretch of books, the Strand boasts a huge selection of both new and used books across virtually every subject. It’s become the center of NYC’s literary scene (not to mention one of the most recognized bookstores in the world), with famous writers noting it as their second home.

A historical landmark The Strand has been in operation for 92 years. It first opened on Fourth Avenue, before moving to its present location in 1956. The original building located on 826 Broadway was built by William H. Birkmire way back in 1902. The LPC praises this building’s distinct Renaissance Revival style, noting how it belonged to part of NYC’s historic garment industry before its position at the epicenter of NYC’s literary culture.

The Bass family, owners of the Strand, bought the building in 1996 to ensure the company’s survival amidst rising rental prices in the city. This was a necessary move, considering NYC’s reputation for its insane real estate market, especially

today. Statistics on Yoreevo show that 13,500 buildings over six stories high were built in the city within a mere five years. This is a testament to the constant development that has been pushing rent prices up and putting stores like the Strand under pressure in recent years.

Depending on who you talk to, this recent status is either proof of the Strand’s staying power or another hindrance that it has to overcome. Owner Nancy Bass Wyden, alongside staff and some of the store’s supporters have alleged that this recognition could actually do more harm than good as the bureaucratic processes of maintaining a landmark status could damage their operations.

The LPC, however, insists that this won’t be the case — noting, in fact, that the landmark status was meant to praise the Strand’s resiliency. Despite independent bookstores closing left, right, and center, the Strand has managed to face these challenges head on. From rising rent prices to the rise in e-books being sold online, the Strand continues to welcome those who appreciate the classic hardback book.

The Commission also assures that the LPC’s flexible regulating processes will not hinder Strand’s operations, noting that it will instead allow the bookstore to remain as part of NYC’s landscape for years to come.

In good company For a city where almost every block has some historical significance, to be recognized as an official NYC landmark is still cause for celebration. The Strand joins the likes of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Statue of Liberty as designated landmarks. Plus, the Broadway Theater has also received this designation.

It is yet another resilient landmark in NYC, as it continues to welcome over 1000 spectators every night.

All in all, these landmarks represent a diverse city that welcomes people with all

African American Author

Secures SIX-BOOK DEAL On the heels of the success of Black Panther and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, there has been an uptick of mainstream interest in black/African stories and creators. One such rising star, Rena Barron, snagged two three-book deals with two prestigious publishers that totaled in the seven-figure range.

“Rena Barron has kicked off an adventure that puts the epic in epic fantasy,” writes Stephanie Stein at HarperCollins who acquired Kingdom of Souls in a joint deal with Vicky Leech from HarperCollins UK. “One with a richly textured world, starcrossed romance, and a story that’s fresh and twisty and fun, that makes you care so much about its sky-high stakes by making them deeply personal.”

While getting a contract in the ballpark of a million dollars in the world of publishing isn’t unheard of, it is exceptionally rare for a new African/black creator just entering the scene. HarperCollins who publishes New York Times bestselling author, Angie Thomas of The Hate U Give won the heated auction to acquire Barron’s first series. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, known for the award-winning The Crossover by

Kwame Alexander, will publish her second series.

Barron signed the two deals within three months of each other. Her debut novel, Kingdom Of Souls, a young adult fantasy novel for ages thirteen to eighteen described as Black Panther meets Wonder Woman hits stores September 3 and has sold in several international territories. In this West African-inspired fantasy, sixteenyear-old Arrah hails from a powerful family of witchdoctors, but she doesn’t have magic of her own. When the terrible Demon King threatens her kingdom, she must trade years of her life in return for the magic she needs to stop him. The book evokes folk magic, voodoo, and builds an intriguing world in which black nations have thrived without a history of oppression.

In Barron’s second series, focused on ages eight to twelve, she returns to her Chicago roots in the contemporary fantasy, Maya And The Rising Dark, which has been called Stranger Things meets Percy Jackson. Set on the south side of Chicago, a twelve-yearold girl discovers her father is the keeper of the gateway between our world and The Dark, and when he goes missing she’ll need to unlock her own powers and fight a horde of spooky creatures set on starting a war. Maya And The Rising Dark hits stores on May 5, 2020.

“When I saw Black Panther I cried,” says Barron. “Growing up, I rarely saw stories about people who looked like me that weren’t centered on our suffering or oppression. Those are important stories, but we’re more than that. Our children deserve to see themselves centered in magical tales, go on fantastical adventures, or be the chosen one too."

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Do you ever wish that when feelings of anxiety or depression start creeping in, a caring, supportive therapist was right there, helping you break past the dark thoughts and emotions?

Enter licensed mental health counselor and wellness coach, Jill Sylvester. Her new book Trust Your Intuition: 100 Ways to Transform Anxiety and Depression for Stronger Mental Health will make it seem that Jill is there beside you, coaching you through the techniques she uses with the adults, adolescents, children and parents she counsels in her private practice. Jill’s first book, Land of the Blue, won a Mom’s Choice Award in 2018.

Couched in personal anecdotes about Jill’s own struggle with anxiety and depression and her path to overcoming them, Trust Your Intuition (May 31, 2019) provides that reassuring voice we all crave when feeling

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kinds of interests. In fact, NYC locals see these landmarks as something to be proud of. For instance, The Museum of Broadway is slated to open in 2020 to celebrate Broadway’s history, with its goal to educate visitors on why these landmarks are so important to the city.

The influx of tourists every year means that NYC will always be busy, no matter the season. Official landmarks help tell NYC’s story to those who visit, which allows them to see the narratives behind what it is about the Big Apple that keeps people coming back.

uncertain, dark or down.

Its five sections focus on how to: Hold On through some of the most grueling feelings of anxiety and depression; Take Good Self-Care; Believe; Trust Your Intuition; and Feel Better. Written in a warm, conversational tone accessible to all, it is easy to read, re-read, or flip through when you need to find just the right tool for a particular challenge.

For example:  Is anxiety creeping up on you? Play the “And Then What?” game, running the anxiety all the way through to a place where you emerge unscathed—or laughing!  Feeling overwhelmed or on the verge of panic? Take a moment to distance yourself from the source.  Want to set yourself up for a peaceful, anxiety-free day? List three to five things you are grateful for when you first wake up.

Check in with yourself through exercise or meditation before checking your phone.  Are your children feeling anxious? Show them how to use the ‘tighten and release’ technique to help tension leave their body.

Bonus: you can do this too!  Are you unnerved by your inner gremlins’ negative voices? Learn to outsmart them by talking back.  Worried that your next bad day is right around the corner? Don’t wait for it to happen. Prevent it by scheduling regular mental health days off.

Above all, Trust Your Intuition delivers this powerful reminder: your intuition never lies. Through practice, you can learn to tune into its voice and follow it like an inner navigation system. You can strengthen intuition too, like a muscle, and come to trust your own inner voice.

Doing so—and following the tips in Trust Your Intuition—will reinforce your power to raise the bar for your life and overcome the feelings weighing you down. It’s simply a matter of deciding you truly want something different, Jill says: not just in theory, but in action.

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MOVIE S

B I L L D U K E R e p r i s e s ‘ M E N AC E I I S O C I E T Y ’ R o l e

Bill Duke, G Perico, and Soren Baker have released the short film The Bookstore Menace, a clever reworking of Duke’s iconic role in the landmark 1993 film Menace II Society. The film world premiered on the Facebook page of leading hip-hop website Ambrosia For Heads last night.

A legendary actor, director, producer, and owner of the new NSights Network, Bill Duke is best known in the rap world for his scene in the film Menace II Society. Who can forget his famous line: “You know you f-ed up, don’t you?”

“No matter where I travel across the world, this line is the line people remember most,” says Duke who has acted in dozens of films, including Predator and Commando. “They say it back to me often and declare that the line has become an iconic line in movie

history.

“This reprisal is a fun way to remind people of the line in the movie, while placing value on the incredible content that can be found in these two books that have become topics of discussion in the film and TV and rap music genres,” Duke continues. “The interrogation of G Perico is our ‘new jack’ new spin on an old story.”

The books highlighted in The Bookstore Menace are Bill Duke: My 40-Year Career on Screen and Behind the Camera and Baker’s The History of Gangster Rap. Its author, storied rap journalist Soren Baker, partnered with Duke and G Perico, the rising gangster rapper who is often compared to Eazy-E and DJ Quik, to create the highly anticipated release of the short film that re-creates one of the hottest scenes in entertainment and hip-hop history.

Movie Review: Return To Pride Rock Twenty-five years ago, I went to see my very first theatrical film. That movie was The Lion King. That was the film that sent me on my path of loving movies so of course when Disney finally got to The Lion King during their “live action remake phase” I would be excited to go see it especially with Jon Favreau at the helm (who if you remember directed the excellent Jungle Book remake).

Was this live action silver anniversary every bit as good as the original or was it just a soulless cash grab?

The story for The Lion King is, unfortunately, very disappointing. You know what the very best of these Disney remakes are? The Jungle Book, this year’s Aladdin and Maleficent. Why? Because the former two took the same stories as the originals but added new plot elements which makes the movies similar yet new and completely different while the latter was a brand new tale altogether. The Lion King, for whatever reason, decides to blow it’s massive budget and talent on telling the same story yet again. The story follows the same beats even going as far as to remake the same shots and cinematography and save for a few lines of dialogue and one or two new scenes it’s pretty much the same movie all over again. Granted, the idea of a younger generation experiencing this movie on the big screen with new film making technology is a logical explanation but it’s still lazy and disappointing to see this. It isn’t bad at all, It’s The Lion King of course the story is still going to be good, of course the emotional moments are still going to hurt, of course the comedy is still going to pull a laugh, but what is the point of going through all this time, work and mass amounts of money just to tell the same story again with little to no new elements or input? Just a few tweaks here and there and it’s a different movie but instead it’s the same movie but with a fresh coat of paint.  The characters for The Lion King are good but only because they’re the same

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characters as before I find it difficult to discuss the characters of The Lion King because they’re the same exact characters they were twenty five years ago. They have the same dialogue, the same characteristics and the same development.

Granted they’re still great characters there’s no mistaking that, however like the story what is the point of making a new film if you’re just going to do the same thing again.

Granted two characters stood out very much, one bad and the other good: Scar and Shenzi. Scar is the same villain once again and to me that’s a colossal problem.

One thing I would love to see from these live action remakes is new, original takes on the villains such as seeing Maleficent from a sympathetic angle or Jafar with some backstory and different reasons to conquer the kingdom. Scar is a character who could have easily been spun as tragic and sympathetic character, give him new motivations to get the throne make him feel guilty about his action heck make him care about Simba and be conflicted with what he has to do. But no. It’s just Scar yet again though this time he comes off as far less intimidating as he’s been given a lankier, weaker build and is clearly not in control of the hyenas. Speaking of which, the only character to actually get any kind of update is Shenzi. Initially a comedic goon she is now a secondary antagonist being the leader of the hyenas. Shenzi is cruel and intimidating and I found myself finding her to be a far more interesting and effective villain then Scar. It’s clear she’s the one in control, she’s the one with all the power and could crush Scar easily and without a second thought.

That coupled with a brief line of dialogue about how hyenas and lions have been at war for years could have made for a grand and interesting villain. Instead it’s the same old bit once again.  For a change acting for The Lion King is different and excellent with a few exceptions.

JD McCrary and Donald Glover both do wonderfully as Simba. Both manage to make the performance their own and bring the character to life in their own way, not to mention their musical numbers were very much spot on and done very well.

Beyonce Knowles does very well as Nala.

She works well with Glover and manages to blend in perfectly with her role seeming almost unrecognizable.

Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner practically steal the show as Timon and Pumbaa. The two have excellent chemistry together, nail their jokes perfectly and were all around just made for a fun and immensely entertaining time. Every last second with the two is a sheer delight and I could not think of a better duo to have taken these roles.

Florence Kasumba is positively frightening as Shenzi. Every single line she delivers is cold and cruel, she lets her threats roll off her tongue, it is a truly menacing and mesmerizing performance and only makes me wish more that Shenzi was the lead villain.

Keegan-Michael Key and Eric Andre are both very humorous as Kamari and Azizi (the updated Banzai and Ed). Though they aren’t around much they still work very well together and do manage to have some truly humorous and memorable moments.

John Oliver is fantastic as Zazu though it wasn’t what I was expecting. I imagined Oliver being as loud and boisterous as Rowan Atkinson was but instead he’s more often subdued though he has his own energetic and loud moments. It was a fun performance and another that was fun in every scene though I still wish he got as excited as Zazu as he would be about a Japanese mascot.

Lastly we come to James Earl Jones as Mufasa and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar and unfortunately they are the weak links in the cast. I was beyond excited for Jones to return to his role and while it was a different performance it wasn’t particularly good. It was so odd, he came off as stilted as if he were merely reading his lines off a cue card with as little care or passion as possible.

It was jarring and disappointing to hear.

Ejiofor reminded me of Idris Elba as Shere Khan in The Jungle Book. Elba took that performance and made it different, playing Khan as cold, calculating and outwardly violent rather then sarcastic, playful and subtle. It was different and as such he made a familiar villain new again. Ejiofor seems to be mimicking Elba as his performance came off as very similar though without the dread and menace behind each word. He too came off as awkward and stilted. In his case, however, I don’t blame him too much as he

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was given little to work with. Had Scar been re-imagined Ejiofor could have given a better performance.  The effects for The Lion King are truly beautiful.

I have seen many people harp on the effects for this film. Many, many, many people.

Their problem is the film’s approach to making every thing photo realistic and that means making the characters move and act like actual animals rather then cartoons.

It’s an interesting approach and one that I personally didn’t mind much but the main problem people take is that the characters don’t emote. There isn’t much in terms of facial expressions and yes at times it can be pretty distracting as the way the characters look never matches up with how they sound. However, this isn’t some massive sin that brings the entire film down and it has become irksome to hear others say that no facial emotions means the effects are bad.

Because guess what? They’re still fantastic.

The characters look almost perfectly real, some more the others (it was a while before I was convinced Pumbaa wasn’t an actual warthog) and the fit into the real landscapes perfectly. It’s also fascinating to see remade scenes with the new technology and though it is annoying to see the same thing again I couldn’t help but feel drawn in by how well the effects were done. It really is a beautiful film to look at and even though it is just a fresh coat of paint over something familiar it’s still a fine coat of paint.  Lastly the music for The Lion King is done rather well.

The songs from the original are brought back and mostly are remade rather well. They still sound good and thanks to the different performers have a different and almost unique feel to them. The instrumentals are also done beautifully and make for a very pleasing and exciting movie going experience. I wish I could say the same for the this film’s rendition of my favorite song Be Prepared which is very short and sung with little energy or care by Ejiofor.

Final Thoughts: The Lion King isn’t a perfect film. It’s the same story we’ve already been told and the same characters we already know. Be that as it may it isn’t a bad film. It’s still the good film it was before, the acting is mostly excellent, the effects are gorgeous, the music is done beautifully and it’s all around an entertaining film. It’s a nice way to spend a summer afternoon especially with your family. If you have kids take them to see this so you can experience this film together and make your own memories. And of course be thankful there’s no new The Santa Clause.

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ENDNO TE S

EARTH , WIND & F I R E H o n o r e d at Kennedy Cent er

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the selection of five Honorees who will receive the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. Recipients to be honored at the 42nd annual national celebration of the arts are: R&B collective Earth, Wind & Fire, actress Sally Field, singer Linda Ronstadt, children’s television program Sesame Street, and conductor and musical visionary Michael Tilson Thomas.

Earth, Wind & Fire (EWF) are a music institution. Over their five-decade history, the group have sold out concerts all around the globe, scored eight Number One hits, and sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, making EWF one of the best-selling musical groups of all time. The group has won an impressive nine Grammy Awards® including one for Lifetime Achievement in 2012. In 2000, EWF was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their lasting impact on popular music.

For their record-breaking success, EWF have been awarded with Lifetime Achievement honors from ASCAP,

NAACP, BET, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. EWF’s reach extends to heads of state. They have been invited to perform for Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, who said in an interview with Rolling Stone that EWF was a “rhythm and blues and pop staple.”

With a sound that blends funk, jazz, pop, soul, and R&B, EWF cannot be confined to a specific label except their own. Timeless songs have bridged the gap among generations and nationalities, whether it’s the funky and infectious “Let’s Groove,” the timeless dance classic “September,” or the heartfelt “Reasons.” EWF’s catalog of hits has become the soundtrack to many lives; now, then, and forever.

EWF’s influence has reached musical giants such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Prince. Additionally, many of today’s chart-topping artists, including Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, and Alicia Keys, have hailed the band for their artistry.

The music of EWF is more alive than ever as it continues to inspire new audiences and thrill those who have been with the group from the beginning.

Apollo Uptown Hall:

Harlem’s Culture – Past. Present. Future.

Lythcott and Director of Theatre Arts, Jonathan McCrory; Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Executive Director, Anna Glass, and Artistic Director, Virginia Johnson; The African-American Day Parade’s Chairman, Yusuf Hasan; and HARLEM WEEK Inc.’s Chairman, Lloyd Williams, and Board Member, Donna WalkerKuhne, with music by Kool DJ Red Alert.

The event will close with a performance by the Brooklyn United Marching Band and a special presentation

by Keisha Sutton-James, granddaughter of Harlem politician Percy E. Sutton.

Apollo Uptown Hall: Harlem’s Culture – Past. Present. Future. is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are mandatory at: http://apollotheater.org/uptownhall

Recent Kennedy Center history : Earth, Wind & Fire were among the guest cast paying tribute at the previous Kennedy Center Honors for Honoree Al Green

(2014).

“Receiving the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor fills us with a lot of pride and gratitude. We have always wanted to make music that inspires and contributes to humanity, and this is acknowledgement that we have helped enrich lives and the arts.” – Earth, Wind & Fire co-founders Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson

Earth, Wind & Fire (musical group; Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson)

Limited Run | Now Through August 24 Only!

NATIVE SON Nambi E. Kelley

By Based on the novel by

Richard Wright Directed by

Seret Scott

"A fluid, vigorous adaptation of the novel. Galen Ryan Kane is forceful!"

Photo: T. Charles Erickson

On Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m., the Apollo Theater in partnership with Spectrum News NY1, WLBS, and New York Amsterdam News will present Apollo Uptown Hall: Harlem’s Culture – Past. Present. Future. The panel will gather thought leaders from some of Harlem’s most influential arts organizations to celebrate milestone anniversaries in the Harlem arts community and discuss the roles these cultural organizations will play in either preserving traditions or advancing change. The event is free with RSVP. Moderated by Spectrum News NY1 Anchor Cheryl Wills, WBLS’ Imhotep Gary Byrd, and New York Amsterdam News’ Herb Boyd, the discussion will feature a panel of thought leaders from the Harlem arts community including, Apollo Theater’s Executive Producer, Kamilah Forbes; National Black Theatre’s CEO, Sade

Like the elements in its name, Earth, Wind & Fire’s music has withstood everchanging trends in the world and shows no sign of vanishing as they continue to create uplifting music that will forever reach a sacred universal atmosphere.

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