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Spike Lee Leads Gun Violence Protest After "Chi-Raq" Premiere

By goodblacknews on December 2, 2015
chi raq premiere gun violence protest
Rev. Al Sharpton and Spike Lee (STEPHEN LOVEKIN/VARIETY/REX SHUTTERSTOCK)

The fact that Chicago’s police superintendent was fired hours before the premiere of Spike Lee’s latest feature, “Chi-Raq,” only reinforced the timeliness of the movie’s message about the senselessness of gun violence and racial discrimination. And instead of an after-party, Lee led many attendees out of Manhattan’s Ziegfeld Theater on a march down Broadway to Times Square.

The movie, the first feature produced by Amazon Studios, is a loose adaptation of the ancient Greek drama “Lysistrata.” In Lee’s telling, a group of determined women in Chicago band together to demand that their husbands and lovers put down their weapons, or lose their intimate privileges.

“It was great in 411 B.C. — it’ll work today,” Lee said of the source material Tuesday night. “This film is about changing lives.”
Chicago is among the big U.S. cities that is suffering through a spike in violence and homicides, particularly among African-Americans. Protests have rocked the city in the past few days following the release of a video showing the police shooting a 17-year-old black teenager some 16 times last year. Lee said he hoped “Chi-Raq” would help inspire others to “work harder to make America safer.”
Kevin Willmott, who co-wrote the script with Lee, said the events of the day made for a “surreal” experience at the premiere. The movie was shot in Chicago last summer over a six-week period, which allowed cast members to see first-hand the issues depicted in the story. Chicago is the “epicenter” of violence at present but these issues are hardly isolated to one city, Willmott said. “It’s an American problem,” he noted. “It’s about guns, it’s about race, it’s about jobs. There’s nothing new about the problem.”

Anthony Anderson Inks Multi-Year Deal to Continue as Host of the NAACP Image Awards

By goodblacknews on December 1, 2015

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“Blackish” star and NAACP Image Awards Host Anthony Anderson

The NAACP and TV One announced today that Anthony Anderson has signed a multi-year deal to continue as host for the 47th and 48th NAACP Image Awards.  The 47th NAACP Image Awards will be nationally telecast live on TV One on Friday, February 5, 2016 as a two-hour special from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The live telecast will also include a one-hour live pre-show from the star-studded red carpet.
“I look forward to the NAACP Image Awards each year! The NAACP Image Awards always delivers an epic evening with the best of the best across film, TV, music, and literature,” said Anderson.  “It is a privilege and honor to be asked back to host for the next two years – there is no doubt that this year’s show is going to be magnificent.  I may even have a few surprises up my sleeves!”
Anthony Anderson currently executive produces and stars alongside Tracee Ellis Ross and Laurence Fishburne on the hit ABC series “Black-ish,” for which he won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. He has also earned Emmy and People’s Choice Award nominations for his role in the series. Anderson can next be seen in “Barbershop 3: The Next Cut.”
As previously announced, Reginald Hudlin and Phil Gurin have signed a three-year deal to continue as executive producers for the NAACP Image Awards. 
For all information and latest news, visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.
article by Tambay A. Obenson via Shadow and Act

"Creed" a Massive Box Office Success in Philadelphia; Rakes in $42.6M Overall

By goodblacknews on November 29, 2015

Creed Box Office
“Creed” stars Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan (COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.)

Rocky Balboa is so synonymous with Philadelphia that the “City of Brotherly Love” erected a statue to memorialize the steps that the fictional boxer bounds up as part of his iconic training routine.
Well, actually the statue, with its portrait of the pugilist flinging his hands triumphantly in the air, was created for a scene in “Rocky III” and donated to Philadelphia by Sylvester Stallone, but at this point it has become such a symbol of the city’s working class spirit that its origins are almost superfluous.
That close bond between city and subject played out at the box office this weekend with the debut of “Creed,” which finds Balboa coaching the illegitimate son (Michael B. Jordan) of his former nemesis Apollo Creed. The picture, which took in an outstanding $42.6 million over its first five days in theaters, is over-indexing in Philadelphia by a massive 72%.
“Philadelphia is on fire and it has been since opening day,” said Jeff Goldstein, a distribution executive vice president at Warner Bros., the studio that is distributing the film.
Two of the top five best-performing theaters, AMC Neshaminy and the AMC Cherry Hill, are from the Philadelphia area. Another local theater, Regal Riverview Plaza, cracked the top ten list of highest-grossing theaters. On most films, those lists are dominated by locations in New York and Los Angeles, Goldstein said.
“Creed” is doing well in those cities and is also performing strongly in major metropolitan areas like Chicago, Atlanta and Houston, playing particularly well in communities with large Hispanic and African-American presences.
It’s not uncommon for films to do well in the places where they are set. For instance, both “Spotlight” and “Black Mass,” two fall releases that play up their Boston backdrops, did very well in the city when they debuted.
In the case of “Creed,” Philadelphia is almost a supporting character. The film recreates that run up the steps, features local landmarks such as South Philly’s Italian Market and plays up the fictional Balboa’s status as a hometown hero.
“Philadelphia is a part of all of the film’s DNA, so it makes sense it would play well there,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst with Rentrak. “When the heart of the movie is a certain geographical location, it usually does well there.”
article by Brent Lang via Variety.com

Chris Brown Pledges $1 From Every New Album Sold by December 25 to Children’s Charity

By goodblacknews on November 29, 2015

(Instagram)
Chris Brown and daughter Royalty (photo via Instagram)

In a stroke of marketing (and altruistic) genius, singer Chris Brown has pledged to donate $1 from the sale of every copy of his upcoming album “Royalty” to a children’s charity.
He made the announcement via video on Instagram where he said, “The holidays are all about giving back, so this Christmas, from now until Christmas, if you order the album, pre-order the album, one dollar of every album sold will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospital”
“So please do your part. Give back, return it for the holidays,” he added.
Royalty, which is named after his daughter, is available to pre-order now.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-nGr9ePpSF/
article by Blue Telusma via thegrio.com

"Brown Girls Do Ballet" Draws Attention to Dance’s Need for Diversity

By goodblacknews on November 25, 2015
Photo From Brown Girls Do Ballet Instagram via Alex Ray Studios
Photo From Brown Girls Do Ballet Instagram via Alex Ray Studios 

The organization Brown Girls Do Ballet is drawing attention to ballet’s need for diversity through beautiful Instagram posts.

According to their website, the organization is “dedicated to promoting diversity in ballet programs through various media platforms, training resources, and an exclusive network in the world of ballet.”
Co-founders TaKiyah Wallace and Brittani Marie created the group in 2013 after Wallace noticed a lack of diversity among her young daughter’s ballet classes.
“We realized the missing link to diversifying ballet was a resource that spoke to their identity. We wanted to convey a message of acceptance, vision, and possibility,” the founders told BuzzFeed.
The duo wanted to show young dancers of color that there are dancers out there that look like them, so they began their Instagram page.
One of their Instagram videos of students dancing en pointe to Disclosure and Sam Smith’s “Omen” recently went viral. Check it out below:


article by Carrie Healey via thegrio.com

John Legend's Scripted Drama "Underground" Releases First-Look Trailer (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on November 24, 2015

https://youtu.be/BPsEaX_OQUA
WGN America just released a chilling first-look teaser for Underground, the upcoming original scripted series scheduled to debut early next year.  The drama takes center stage as plantation slaves band together in the fight of their lives for their families, their future … and most importantly, their freedom.

Hailing from Sony Pictures Television and Tribune Studios, Underground  was filmed in Baton Rouge, LA. John Legend and his production company are in charge of the score and soundtrack for Underground.

Legend most recently won an Oscar alongside rapper Common for Best Original Song “Glory” from Selma.
Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Jussie Smollett, Christopher Meloni, Aldis Hodge, Adina Porter, Alano Miller, and Mykelti Williamson round out the cast for the series.
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article via thegrio.com

EBONY Unveils Powerful December Cover With Harry Belafonte, Jesse Williams, and Zendaya

By goodblacknews on November 23, 2015

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Fresh off its provocative, internet breaking Cosby Show cover, the folks over at EBONY are at it again.
Celebrating the magazine’s 70th anniversary, editor-in-chief Kierna Mayo and company just unveiled the cover for the December issue, which asks readers to #StandForSomething.
The image features actor and civil rights legend Harry Belafonte flanked by the next generation of socially conscious celebs, Grey’s Anatomy’s Jesse Williams and Disney’s Zendaya Coleman.
So far, people are loving the look of latest issue. Ava DuVernay called it “epic” and Michaela Angela David said it helps understand the heritage of the social justice movement.
article via clutchmagonline.com

Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard to Host Fox Holiday Special Featuring Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx and John Legend

By goodblacknews on November 23, 2015
Empire Season 2 premiere
COURTESY OF CHUCK HODES/FOX

Fox’s “Empire” may be headed on its midseason break after a couple of more episodes, but the network hopes to keep its Wednesday timeslot warm by slotting a holiday music and variety special hosted by the show’s Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard.
The network announced Monday that “Taraji and Terrence’s White Hot Holidays,” featuring a special duet by Henson and Howard and modern performances of classic holiday songs, has been set for Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 9. Among the entertainment superstars scheduled as guests and musical performers are Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Jamie Foxx.
“Empire” is broadcast television’s No. 1 series this fall in adults 18-49, averaging a 6.8` rating in the demo and 16.7 million viewers overall in Nielsen’s “live plus-3” estimates. The show is scheduled to exit the airwaves after its Dec. 2 midseason finale, and won’t return until March 30.
“White Hot Holidays” is produced by Casey Patterson Entertainment, Don Mischer Productions, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard and Vincent Cirrincione.
article by Rick Kissell via Variety.com

"Drumline" Helmer Charles Stone to Direct Comedy "Ain’t No Half Steppin"

By goodblacknews on November 22, 2015
charles stone
Director Charles Stone (photo via deadline.com)
Drumline helmer Charles Stone has boarded Broad Green Pictures’s Ain’t No Half Steppin, an upbeat comedy from screenwriter Chuck Hayward (Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life). Matt Alvarez (Straight Outta Compton, Ride Along), Lena Waithe (Master of None, Dear White People) and Benjamin Cory Jones (Hand of God) are producing. Alvarez recently joined Broad Green’s development and production team in an exclusive pact.
Broad Green PicturesAin’t No Half Steppin follows an ambitious black sorority girl who, in order to get admitted to the law school of her dreams, agrees to cross culture lines and teach the exclusive art of black Greek stepping to a band of wild, Kardashian-obsessed white sorority girls whose charter is about to be revoked.
“I just skimmed the surface of black Greek life in Drumline,” Stone said in a statement. “Ain’t No Half Steppin gives me a chance to delve deep into the art of competitive stepping. Chuck and the producing team have put together a brilliant, smart comedy, which audaciously explores the dynamics and identity politics within black and white sororities.”
Released in 2002, Drumline starred Nick Cannon as a hot high school drummer who blazes into the university big leagues. It grossed $56.4M at the domestic B.O. off a $20M estimated budget and spawned a 2014 VH1 sequel, Drumline: A New Beat.
article by by Anthony D’Alessandro via deadline.com

HBO to Debut Jordan Davis Documentary "3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets" on November 23

By goodblacknews on November 21, 2015

3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets
“I remember the first day we brought Jordan home from the hospital a miracle child. For nine months, I fought to give this special child life. I remember asking God to keep him safe and out of harm’s way. I have said many prayers that he would be highly favored before God and man. I asked God that he would give him wisdom to navigate a world filled with uncertainty and danger.” – Lucia McBath
On November 23rd of 2012, Michael Dunn approached a red Dodge Durango and fired 10 shots at four black teenage boys. Their music too loud, skin too dark, and voices too opinionated. That same night, Jordan Davis drew his last breath and Lucia McBath lost her firstborn child. Now, just three years later, HBO will air 3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets, an in-depth documentary chronicling the details of the murder of Davis.
Award-winning director and cinematographer Marc Silver debuted the film at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact. Now, HBO is providing a larger platform for the project, opening a door for further exploration into America’s current state of cultural turmoil. The film captures testimonies from the Michael Dunn trial, and moments of conquest as Lucia McBeth and Ron Davis fight to gain justice for black children nationally in the name of their departed son.
Children are scared, people are angry and the Black community is in constant mourning. The band-aid placed over the wound of racism has been ripped away. Now is the time for America to properly address the errors of it’s past — as it is clear that time will not heal racial inequality. Often times the actions of the offender are glorified while the life of the victim goes forgotten. This film stands as a catalyst for discussion, giving a voice to the grieving families of slain children around the country.
Take the time to tune in to HBO when 3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets airs on television on November 23rd at 9:00pm EST.  Check out the trailer below:

article by Chasidy Billups via saintheron.com