75 CENTS
OMAHA STAR
“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”
THE
Celebrating 80 Years
1938 2018
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
~ Carter G. Woodson The father of Black History Month
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 81 - No. 3 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, February 8, 2019
75 cents
‘I See it First and then I Make it Happen’— Michael Beasley By Lapacazo Sandoval You may not know his name but it’s a good chance that you know actor Michael Beasley by his face, and it’s a nice face even when he has three teardrops painted under his eye, a mark charting the number of people that he murdered. In real life, Beasley is a 6’3’’ lovable teddy Michael Beasley (courtesy photo) bear. In Showtime’s “Escape at Dannemora,” directed by Ben Stiller, starring Benicio del Toro, Paul Dano and Patricia Arquette, who earned a Golden Globe for her role, Beasley plays the character ‘Murder,’ one of the main inmates at the Clinton Facility, a maximumsecurity prison in the sleepy town of Dannemora in upstate New York. The series is based on true events and follows the 2015 prisoners’ escape of Richard Matt (Benicio del Toro) and David Sweat (Paul Dano). At the start of the story, Murder (Michael Beasley) and his closest friend, Kilo, are on seemingly good terms with Matt and Sweat. It’s later revealed that Matt snitches on Murder, which lands him in solitary confinement for a week. A now vengeful Murder gets together with the new tailor-shop patrolman, CO Frank, to set up revenge. Beasley’s other acting credits include Netflix’s series “Bloodline,” a reoccurring role in HBO’s comedy series “Eastbound and Down,” a two-part episode run in CW’s drama series “Preacher,” Netflix’s “House of Cards” and “Superfly,” to name a few. Here is what Michael Beasley had to share about seizing opportunities, making plans and telling the universe exactly what he wants. Los Angeles Sentinel: Before we jump into talking about “Escape at Dannemora,” where do you call home? Michael Beasley: Atlanta. Atlanta has changed a lot. When I first got started [in acting] everyone was telling me that I had to live in Los Angeles or New York. In New York, for example, you might have eight thousand actors auditioning for one role. That’s not the case in Atlanta and I wanted to create opportunities for myself here [Atlanta]. I had a plan. It didn’t just happen. It was a numbers game. The more auditions that you have, the more chances you have to book. Once the casting agents knew they could trust me, the work came in. I’m definitely about the work and having a plan. LAS: I viewed the trailer for Escape at Dannemora, now on Showtime, and I am blown away. Unfortunately, they did not provide me access to watch the series. MB: ‘Escape at Dannemora’ is now streaming, so hopefully you can catch it. I play a character named ‘Murder’ and he has three teardrops under his eye, which means that he has three bodies, three murders that he committed. LAS: Three, that’s a lot. What was it like working with the cast? It’s an impressive ensemble. MB: I love great actors and learning from them. It was a great thrill to work with such a great cast. Patricia [Arquette] won the Golden Globe Award [Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Limited Series]. And you know, Benicio [Del Toro] is a really nice See Beasley continued on page 3
Cathy Hughes to be Inducted into Broadcasting Hall of Fame WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cathy Hughes, founder and chairperson of Urban One Inc., will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame at the 2019 NAB Show. The induction will occur during the Achievement in Broadcasting Dinner on April 8 at the Encore in Las Vegas. Hughes grew Urban One, formerly known as Radio One, into the largest African-American owned, diversified media corporation in the nation. The company is an urban market leader with 59 broadcast stations across the country. As such, Hughes became the first woman to own a radio station that was ranked number one in a major market. Today, the company is run by Alfred Liggins III, Hughes’ son. Urban One Inc. also owns TV One, a television network serving more than 60 million households, and maintains controlling interest in Reach Media Inc. (blackamericaweb.com), which provides several syndicated programs, including the “Tom Joyner Morning Hughes Show.” The company also provides social content, news, information and entertainment through its digital platform, iOne Digital, with popular websites including “Cassius” and “Bossip.” Urban One maximizes its reach to more than 80 percent of the African-American market by offering cross-platform marketing opportunities with its marketing firm, One Solution. Hughes began her radio career at KOWH-AM in her hometown of Omaha. In 1971, she became a lecturer at the newly established School of Communications at Howard University in Washington, D.C. During her tenure, Hughes served as general sales manager at WHUR-FM, Howard University Radio, increasing the station’s revenue from $250,000 to $3 million in her first year. She also became the first woman vice president and general manager of a station in the nation’s capital and created the format known as the “Quiet Storm,” which revolutionized urban radio and was aired on over 480 stations nationwide. In 1980, Hughes purchased her flagship station, WOL-AM, in Washington, D.C., and pioneered yet another innovative format known as “24Hour Talk From a Black Perspective.”
MCC Graduate Receives National Alumni Award Metropolitan Community College alum Hubert “Charles” Ahovissi has been named an Outstanding Alumni award winner by the American Association of Community Colleges. The award from AACC goes to community college alumni who have excelled in their chosen fields. Ahovissi is one of three community college alumni chosen to receive the distinction this year by AACC. He will be recognized for his achievements at AACC’s 99th annual convention on April 16 in Orlando, Fla. “Charles embodies what Metropolitan Community College is all about. He wasn’t the traditional college age when he came to MCC, but he had a goal in front of him. That goal was to earn an education and share the passion for his culture through the organization he founded,” said Randy Schmailzl, MCC president. “We are extremely proud of him and hope that he inspires many others to earn their Ahovissi education and make a difference in our world.” “Community colleges shape the lives of millions of students, no matter their background, helping them reach their educational and career goals. The AACC Outstanding Alumni Awards honor just a few of those students who left our institutions and went on to make an impact on the world,” said AACC president and CEO Walter G. Bumphus. “This year’s Outstanding Alumni are as diverse as community colleges. From a successful businessman, to a selfless health care worker, to an immigrant sharing his culture with the Midwest, these alumni are truly deserving of the term ‘outstanding.’” Ahovissi is a 2013 graduate from MCC, where he earned his associate degree in Liberal Arts. He is a professional artist, dancer, drummer, choreographer, educator, stage costume designer and tailor. Born in Benin, West Africa, Ahovissi is also an approved teaching and performing artist through the Nebraska and Iowa Art Councils. He was also named the recipient of the MCC Distinguished Alumni Award last year, an honor given once a year to a former student of the college who has shown personal or professional achievement, gives back to the community and is involved with or supports MCC postgraduation. Ahovissi began his career in 1984 when he joined the National Ballet Company of Benin before joining the Super Anges Dance Troop in 1987. With the dance group, he performed internationally before moving to Omaha in 2000. In 2006, Ahovissi founded the African Culture Connection as a nonprofit organization to teach African culture. He is the recipient of the 2010 Girls Inc Angel Award, 2012 Nebraska Governor’s Art Award for Heritage Arts, 2012 National Arts & Humanities Youth Program Award and the 2017 U.S. Air Force Excellence Through Diversity Award. He shares his passion through public performances, school assemblies, residencies and workshops in the Omaha community.
Clair Cares – Feb. 15. See In the Village for details.
February is Black History Month
“Cathy Hughes is a truly remarkable broadcaster and entrepreneur whose contributions continue to greatly influence and drive our industry,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “We look forward to honoring Cathy with this well-deserved award at this year’s NAB Show.” In addition to her professional career, Hughes continues her family’s work and legacy at The Piney Woods School in Mississippi, which was established by her grandfather in 1909. The school is the largest of only four African-American boarding schools in the country. She also advocates on behalf of the homeless and minority communities, in addition to mentoring countless women. Additionally, Hughes was awarded the NAB Distinguished Service Award in 2001. Last year’s NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee for radio was nationally-syndicated radio personality Elvis Duran. About NAB Show NAB Show, held April 6-11 in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest and most comprehensive convention encompassing the convergence of media, entertainment and technology. With nearly 100,000 attendees from 165 countries and 1,700+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and fuel the digital storytelling economy. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, NAB Show is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life in new and exciting ways. For complete details, visit www.nabshow.com. About NAB The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
5 Takeaways from Stacey Abrams’ Powerful Response to Trump’s SOTU Address By Nigel Roberts Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams showed exactly why her party selected her as its standardbearer to rebut President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address fantasies about how he has made America “a winner, each and every day.” We learned several things from her response. Abrams is prepared for the national spotlight. She wasn’t intimidated Abrams by the high-pressure assignment. USA Today noted that previous political rising stars who delivered a rebuttal of a president stumbled while on the big stage. Unlike them, Abrams was smooth, focused and engaging. Unlike Trump, Abrams has an economic vision that can lift all Americans. Trump tried to convince the nation that the US economy is booming thanks to him. However, what’s more accurate is that he’s overseeing economic growth that started under President Obama. Furthermore, the tax reform that Trump and Republican lawmakers enacted at the end of 2017 has mostly benefited the wealthiest Americans, according to the Center on Budget
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
and Policy Priorities. Abrams spoke passionately about an America where opportunity is possible for all. She talked about the values that her parents instilled in her of striving for goals while making sure others are not left behind. “In Georgia and around the country, people are striving for a middle class where a salary truly equals economic security. … But instead, families’ hopes are being crushed by the Republican leadership that ignores real life or just doesn’t understand it,” she said.
Abrams doesn’t tiptoe around issues. Abrams was clear that Trump’s immigration policy isn’t really about security. “This administration chooses to cage children and keep families apart,” Abrams said. “America is made stronger by the presence of immigrants, not walls.” The president vowed that he will continue to fight for his wall and immigration policies – supposedly in the name of keeping the nation safe. But what’s really behind his immigration policies is preventing people of color from entering the country. Let us never forget his infamous “shithole countries” comment about Haiti and African See Abrams continued on page 3
Cocktails & Kisses – Feb. 16. See In the Village for details.