News Stories

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/07/angela-rye-espys-tech-watch/

*This month, Reflektions, threw a party to promote their live video streaming app.

App founder, Dion Pouncil, held a sit down dinner at the infamous James Goldstein Estate in Beverly Hills to connect top leaders across multiple industries.

The pre Espy’s event labeled “The Syndicate” is described as an exclusive network of leaders across technology, sports, finance and entertainment.

Attendees included political advocate Angela Rye, comedian Torrei Hart and “Teen Mom” star Farrah Abrahams.

“It’s important for the culture because right now we can use some laughs and some light-hearted moments,” shared Rye. “We have a disaster in the White House so anytime we can come together to fellowship, share jokes and create memories is a great thing.”

The night included a cocktail reception followed by a panel discussion with seasoned talent and catered cuisine. NBA Players Delon Wright, Eric Mooreland and Isiah Taylor lead the sports panel conversation. Lo Toney, Dirk Ahlborn, Kobie Fuller and Chris Gray shared their expertise during the tech talk.

“When I was growing up I had AOL dial-up,” joked Rye. “Technology has shifted quite a bit and when you think about the wave of the future…the internet and technology rule the world so [coding courses and tech curriculum in primary school] should no longer be optional but required.”

Reflektions connects creators, viewers and influencers directly to their fans. Users can follow their favorite celebs, watch their videos and create their own video content to share. According to reps, there’s always something new and unexpected for viewers to explore and discover like courses from music to yoga, from web development to photography.

The social media app is only available for iOS (9.0 or later) devices, for more information download the app in the App Store.

The official sponsors for “The Syndicate” are World of Crypto Con, Trussi, Theragun, and Lemond.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/07/j-cole-announces-jaden-smith-earthgang-and-kill-edward-as-special-guests-on-kod-tour/

*LOS ANGELES –  J. Cole has announced actor, rapper, singer and songwriter Jaden Smith will join his highly anticipated North American KOD Tour as support, as well as Dreamville artist Earthgang and rapper Kill Edward. The new acts join previously announced special guest Young Thug for one of the can’t miss tours of the year, kicking off August 9 in Miami, FL.

Produced by Live Nation, the tour will also make stops in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and more, before wrapping in Boston, MA on October 10. See below for full itinerary.

Tickets for the KOD tour are on sale now to the general public at www.dreamville.com and LiveNation.com.

Released via Dreamville with distribution through Roc Nation/Interscope Records, KOD arrived on April 20 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, marking J. Cole’s fifth consecutive #1 on the chart. Along with scoring the biggest streaming week for an album so far in 2018, KOD has earned the third-biggest streaming week for an album in all of chart history.

Cole KOD Tour Dates:

Aug 9 – Miami, FL – AmericanAirlines Arena

Aug 11 – Tampa, FL – Amelia Arena+

Aug 12 – Atlanta, GA – Infinite Energy Center

Aug 14 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center

Aug 15 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center

Aug 17 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center

Aug 18  – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

Aug 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Arena

Aug 22 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl SDSU

Aug 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center

Aug 25 – Los Angeles, CA – Staples Center+

Aug 29 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena*

Sep 2 – Boise, ID – Taco Bell Arena*

Sep 4 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center

Sep 5 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center

Sep 7 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena

Sep 8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Vivint Smart Home Arena

Sep 10 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center

Sept 12 – Little Rock, AR – Verizon Arena

Sep 13 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at The BJCC

Sep 17 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

Sep 18 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center

Sep 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center

Sep 21 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesar’s Arena

Sep 22 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena

Sep 23 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center

Sep 25 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center*

Sep 26 – Hartford, CT – XL Center

Sep 28 – University Park, PA – Bryce Jordan Center

Oct 1 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden

Oct 4 – Toronto – Air Canada Centre

Oct 5 – Montreal – Bell Centre*

Oct 6 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

Oct 8 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena

Oct 10 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

*Jaden Smith not performing

+Earthgang not performing

The fifth studio album from J. Cole, KOD follows his critically acclaimed, platinum-selling 2016 album 4 Your Eyez Only. In the week ending April 26, KOD sold 397k equivalent album units, while its songs amassed 322 million audio streams. That makes J. Cole only the third artist in history to surpass 300 million audio streams in its debut week—an achievement that’s especially remarkable considering that KOD only contains 12 songs.

Retail: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole

Amazon: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole/amazonmusicbuy

Apple: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole/applemusic

Google: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole/googleplay

ITunes: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole/itunes

SoundCloud: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole/soundcloud

Spotify: http://smarturl.it/KODJCole/spotify

Tidal:  http://smarturl.it/KODJCole/tidal

A North Carolina native, J. Cole was the first artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, which released his official debut Cole World: The Sideline Story in 2011. To date, he’s received five Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album (for 2014’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive). Arriving in December 2016, 4 Your Eyez Only debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and gained acclaim from outlets like the New York Times (who praised it as “spartan but sumptuous, emotionally acute but plain-spoken…one of the year’s most finely drawn [albums]”). 4 Your Eyez Only was J. Cole’s first release for Dreamville, the label he launched in 2007. Like all of J. Cole’s first four albums, it’s certified platinum.

Young Thug is a rapper and fashion icon who defies borders. He has close to 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify and his projects are critically acclaimed (4 received scores of 8 or higher on Pitchfork). Thug recently released his mixtape Super Slimy with Future and scored his first Billboard No. 1 on Camila Cabello’s ‘Havana’.

For more about J. Cole:

https://soundcloud.com/j-cole

https://twitter.com/JColeNC

https://www.facebook.com/JColeMusic/

https://www.instagram.com/realcoleworld

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/07/act-like-an-author-think-like-a-business/

*Author, literary agent, educator and publishing guru Joylynn Ross invites authors, publishes and book fans to this year’s inaugural conference “Act Like An Author, Think Like A Business,” sponsored by Path to Publishing.

The event will be held September 20^th – 22^nd 2018 at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and features Diane Rembert, Aletheia Mason, Stephanie Bridges and Lila Holley, among others. Conference topics include E-books, Print & Audio books, Distribution Set-up, Wholesalers, Distributors, Pre-Publication Campaigns, Contracts, Agreements, Taxes, making a living as a writer and more!

Diane Rembert is the founder of Diamond’s Literary World LLC. She hosts a weekly blog talk radio show called Diamond’s Literary World and she’s also a book reviewer and influencer in the literary world. Diane will conduct a FREE session during the conference on Friday, September 21^st from 6-9:00 PM. For details on that specified event click here.

Aleatheia “Memory Maker” Mason will also present at the “Act Like An Author, Think Like A Business” conference.  Aleatheia uses her lens to tell stories and to inspire others to cultivate the gift of communicating through photography. Aleatheia and J & A Photography will present “Get Over Your Selfie.” 

Author Stephanie Bridges, founder of In Spirit Power and Truth Publishing, LLC., is also attending the “Act Like an Author, Think Like a Business” 2018 Conference.  Bridges was awarded a grant to attend the conference and will elaborate on how she went through this process in her presentation titled “Seeking & Securing Individual Artist Grants.” 

Lila Holley will provide a keynote at the “Act Like An Author, Think Like A Business” conference.  Lila’s a US Army veteran who assists women in telling their stories and experiences.  Her award-winning “Camouflaged Sisters” book series is an Amazon bestseller. Lila’s presentation “The Art of Monetizing Literary Collaborations”complements Day 3’s general session.

Of course the anchor of the event is the effervescent Joylynn Ross, who will intersperse each day’s activities with valuable and game changing insights for anyone who is already in or who seeks to enter the world of book publishing. For registration and full conference schedules go to www.pathtopublishing.com. For interviews contact info@pathtopublishing.com. Phone: 725-605-4054.

About Path to Publishing: Path To Publishing helps authors find the right path to publication for their particular literary project, and stay on it. They serve authors of every genre no matter where they are on their literary journey. The Path To Publishing community is not just writers writing books. They are literary architects building literary empires.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/applications-now-open-for-disney-dreamers-academy-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

*LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Applications are being accepted now through Oct. 31, 2018, for the Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine. This annual outside-the-classroom mentoring program is scheduled for March 21-24, 2019, at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida.

The program helps 100 select high school students, ages 13-19, from across the United States jump-start their life goals and pursue their dreams.

Disney Dreamers Academy turns the entire magical setting of Walt Disney World into a vibrant classroom. Students participate in a series of sessions and workshops designed to help them imagine bright futures, make exciting discoveries and learn how to put their goals into action. Disney Dreamers engage in a wide variety of experiences at Walt Disney World while working side by side with celebrities, community and industry leaders and Disney cast members.

For more than a decade, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired young people from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in hands-on, immersive career seminars in a wide range of disciplines found at Walt Disney World. Participants learn how to improve their communication skills, what it means to be a leader and networking strategies, among other skills. They are also inspired by celebrity speakers and other special guests who share their stories and provide insights on how to achieve their life goals.

The second decade of Disney Dreamers Academy is focused on challenging young people to relentlessly pursue their dreams through the “Be 100” campaign. This promotional push is inspired by the powerful impact Disney Dreamers Academy has made on graduates, who have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more. Some have started their own public relations firms, while others have worked with national political leaders.

Applicants must answer essay questions about their personal journeys and dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. A parent or guardian accompanies each student on the trip.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/celebrating-the-culture-and-legacy-of-central-avenue-jazz-festival/

*Los Angeles – The 23^rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival was held on a hot weekend, Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29, 2018. The event was held on Central Avenue between King Boulevard to the north and Vernon Avenue to the South, from 11:00am-7pm, both days.

Back in the day, Central Avenue was the hub of jazz in Los Angeles. Many of the legendary icons of jazz performed on Central Avenue in it’s heyday.

The 23^rd Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival consisted of audience members who were fortunate to have experienced the amazing energy of Central Avenue. Thanks to Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren D. Price Jr., The New 9^th, along with the Coalition for Responsible Community, the festival allowed attendees to re imagine and celebrate the culture and legacy of Central Avenue.

The festival consisted of seasoned jazz musicians as well as rising jazz performers who is keeping the flame of jazz alive and moving forward. Entertainment was held on four energetic stages, the Etta James Stage, Tito Puente Stage, inside the lobby of the Dunbar Hotel and the Jazz Improv Stage.

The LAUSD Beyond the Bell All-City Jazz Big Band got the show underway with an amazing set of jazz standards. Salute to the youth for showcasing their talents on the Main stage.

Vocalist, Pianist Betty Bryant was next to grace the Etta James Stage. The band consisted of Betty Bryant-vocals/piano, Richard Simon-bass, Robert Kyle-sax and Kenny Elliott on drums. The group was on point with their set of jazz and blues which was fun and entertaining. Their set featured the tunes “He May be Your Man, But He Comes to See Me Sometimes,” “I Remember You,” “St. Louis Blues,” “Exactly Like You,” “Catfish Man,” and “I Got Rhythm.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/detroit-black-doll-show-largest-of-its-kind-scheduled-for-nov-10/

*Detroit, MI — Sandy’s Land LLC is an entertainment service where the mission is to “Party with a Purpose” and it will be celebrating its 7th Detroit Doll Show with a unique program geared toward the entire family on Saturday, November 10, 2018 from 11am to 6:30pm at the DoubleTree By Hilton, 5801 Southfield FWY, Detroit MI 48228 (near Ford Road).

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/the-los-angeles-nollywood-awards-has-an-international-flair/

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/a-special-evening-with-the-legendary-dionne-warwick-eur-exclusive-watch/

*”Walk On By,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” “A House Is Not a Home” and many more songs have been the backdrop to a lot of folks’ lives either when they first debuted on the radio or when they have been sampled for newer tracks.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/blackkklansman-clips-and-conversation-with-spike-lee-at-marthas-vineyard-film-festival/

*Every August, Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts hosts the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. Now in it’s 16^th year, this brain child of Floyd and Stephanie Rance, co-owners of Run & Shoot Filmworks, brings some of the biggest names in films, not Black films, but FILMS … to the island.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/music-industry-quarterly-urban-network-digital-presents-the-business-of-music-conference/

*Music Industry Quarterly Magazine (MIQ) & Urban Network Digital —two of the music community’s leading trade organizations – are proud to present the 5^th Annual Business of Music Conference 2018. The 3-day event is scheduled for September 13-15, 2018, and returns to the Los Angeles area at the Westin Hotel Airport: 5400 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045. It promises to be a weekend of Music, Culture, and Conversation.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/performers-clash-at-this-years-long-beach-jazz-festival/

*In today’s music industry, having talent isn’t enough and at the 31st Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival is proof of that fact.  With well over 10,000 in attendance over the three-day event, festival producer Kimberly Benoit and her staff, has put together a quality event that the whole family can enjoy.  

Blankets, lawn chairs, a cot, and tents lined both sides and stretched around the Rainbow Lagoon as the sun mad tracks across the sky.

Benoit’s Health and Wellness Pavilion contained shaded seating, multiple food vendors including classic caterers Shabazz Foods, and newcomer the Grill.  Speakers covered everything from cooking to healing your relationships.

Source : https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/lanfa-partners-with-miracle-theatre-to-present-film-awards-show/

*Nestled in Downtown Inglewood, California on South Market Street is the Miracle Theatre, a cute and quaint venue that has only been in business for less than three years, but between the visionary owner (Owen Smith) and the acoustics, it has the potential to become a go-to establishment for concerts, plays and movie screenings in the LA area.  That leads us to tell you about the latest event held at the Miracle Theatre: The Los Angeles Nollywood Film Awards (LANFA), the brainchild of filmmaker King Bassey, who hails from Akwa lbom, Nigeria.

The black tie evening with an international flair began with a red carpet event, in which EURweb.com’s headman Lee Bailey and yours truly were a part of, in addition to celebrities that included Gloria Hendry, the first African-American Bond girl (“Live and Let Die”) and veteran actor Mel Novak, who was reunited with Gloria Hendry, his “Black Belt Jones” co-star.

The show was co-hosted by Motown Maurice (Snake Outta Compton) and Oge ILoghalu.   I will have to admit I was a bit thrown off when the show began with a mariachi band, who performed not one, but three songs.  I was not expecting a mariachi band at an event showcasing films made in Africa. I had to remind myself that an international theme was in play and that various countries were being represented, not just Africa.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/bruno-mars-24k-magic-world-tour-finds-replacements-for-cardi-b/

*Bruno Mars has announced that special guests Boyz II Men, Charlie Wilson, Ciara, and Ella Mai will join upcoming U.S. dates as part of Mars’ 24K Magic World Tour this fall.

Mars, who is currently nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for his TV special “24K Magic: Live At The Apollo,” recently announced that his international outing will close with a trio of homecoming performances in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The three dates at Aloha Stadium are a record-breaker for the venue, with no other artist in its history to have booked that number of successive dates.

Produced by Live Nation, Bruno Mars’ 24K Magic World Tour has traveled the globe since 2017, and will have made over 135 stops across North America, Latin America, Europe, and the U.K once wrapped this November. The massively successful outing by the multiple-GRAMMY Award winner has sold out stadiums and arenas around the world, and was credited with selling 1 million tickets in a single day.

The 24K Magic World Tour celebrates Mars’ multiple GRAMMY Award-winning, 2x RIAA Platinum-certified album, 24K Magic (http://smarturl.it/24kmagic), released in November 2016 via Atlantic Records. The 24K Magic World Tour has been Mars’ first full-length tour since his hugely successful Moonshine Jungle World Tour in 2013, an international blockbuster that sold 2 million tickets worldwide across 155 sold-out dates.

Source : https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/celebrating-25-years-of-the-little-miss-african-american-scholarship-pageant/

*When it comes to scholarship, merit and beauty little Black girls have taken it to a new level. This past weekend EURweb associate Rocky Harris got the chance to chat with judges, contestants and more at the 25^th Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant.

On Aug. 12, folks came to the Nate Holden Theatre in Los Angeles to watch their daughters, nieces and sisters compete for the chance to take home first prize. According to LittleMissAfricanAmerican.org, for the past 25 years, dozens of girls between the ages of 6-12 years of age have participated in this program. Hundreds of scholarships have been awarded, and lasting memories have been created for these young Academic and intellectual princesses.

While some of them come from strong supportive families, the majority of them come from under-served, single parent homes. The pageant provides an early introduction to the arts and training in public speaking, while promoting individual creativity and stimulating a heightened cultural understanding.

READ THIS: LEBRON JAMES JR. WILL PLAY FOR CROSSROADS IN L.A. – SHAREEF O’NEAL TO ENROLL AT UCLA

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/faith-evans-stevie-j-bobby-brown-letoya-luckett-rickey-smiley-more-at-black-music-honors-2018/

*NASHVILLE, TN — The 2018 Black Music Honors recognized the legacy of Aretha Franklin during the award show taping on Thursday, August 16. Hosted by 2017 Marconi Award Winner Rickey Smiley and singer/actress LeToya Luckett, the annual two-hour television special honors artists and musicians who have influenced and made significant contributions to American music. This year’s honorees were Bobby Brown, Faith Evans, Bebe & Cece Winans, Whodini, Stephanie Mills and Dallas Austin.

The night included performances by Bell Biv Devoe, Next, Jade Novah, Kierra Sheard, Tasha Page-Lockhart, V. Bozeman, Demetria McKinney, DJ Mell Starr, Sammie, Donnie McClurkin, Sammie, Yo-Yo, Koryn Hawthorne, Rhyon Brown, Raheem DeVaughn, Regina Belle, Paris Bennett, Syleena Johnson, Angela Winbush, Jonathan McReynolds, Monie Love, Ruben Studdard and Doug E. Fresh. Additional VIP’s in attendance included Shiggy, Kyla Jade, Stevie J and more.Proceeds from the 2018 Black Music Honors will benefit the 2019 opening of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville. NMAAM’s mission is to educate the world, preserve the legacy, and celebrate the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack. Event sponsors include AT&T, McDonald’s, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, Chevrolet and State Farm as title sponsor.

The annual two-hour television special taping will broadcast in national syndication from Sept. 8-30, 2018 and will air on Bounce TV Sept. 28, 2018. Click here to see syndication airdates.

For more information on Black Music Honors visit www.blackmusichonors.com. Connect with Black Music Honors on social media @blackmusichonors, #BMH2018 and #BlackMusicMatters.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/eur-review-ronnie-laws-and-tom-browne-a-magical-combination-at-a-miracle-theater/

*On Saturday, August 18, The Miracle Theater on South Market Street in Inglewood was the site for a concert billed as, “An Evening of Jazz and Soul,” which featured Eloise Laws, Ronnie Laws and Tom Browne, with special guest Yakira Ketchens.  The theater was the perfect comfortable and intimate setting for the event co-promoted by Chuck Dennis, who I would like to thank for the hook-up.  Between him and Owen Smith, the owner, folks were well taken care of, especially in the VIP Section, which offered champagne and food.

Before the evening officially got started, there was non-stop Aretha Franklin music playing, in honor of the Queen of Soul.  A few people danced in the aisle.  It was an appropriate way to get the evening started, especially since first up was Los Angeles KJLH Radio personality Roland Bynum, the MC for the evening, who mentioned Aretha was part of his family and asked for a moment of silence.

Yakira Ketchens, who was the opening act, provided most of the vocals for the artists.   She has a nice voice and began her set doing a pretty fair job of Denise Williams’ “Free.”   She is also a percussionist and performed Sheila E’s, “Glamorous Life.”  In my best Randy Jackson (American Idol) voice, “It was just alright for me.”  She was not awful, just not on Sheila E’s level.

*Los Angeles, CA. — The Five Heartbeats fans nationwide will get a chance to crowd theatres once more on Monday, August 27 2018 for a one night only event for Robert Townsend’s Making of The Five Heartbeats!  In the early 90s, actor, comedian, writer and director, Robert Townsend, went against every obstacle in Hollywood, relying on his faith, street smarts, and tenacity to bring his passion project, 1991’s “The Five Heartbeats,” to big screens. 

The story of the rise and fall of an African American vocal group in the 1960s, the musical drama is the subject of Townsend’s new documentary, “Making The Five Heartbeats.” On Monday, August 27, 2018, Fathom Events will present the theatrical release of Robert Townsend’s “Making The Five Heartbeats” documentary in nearly 500 select AMC movie theaters nationwide for one day only at 7 p.m. local time, through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change). In addition to the documentary, attendees will view an exclusive welcome from Townsend.

Sell outs are expected.  Tickets for “Making The Five Heartbeats” can be purchased online at www.fathomevents.com and participating theater box offices. 

Townsend’s documentary chronicles his inspiring journey to present a new image of black people in cinema. A love letter to the movie’s fans, as well as a master-class on filmmaking, “Making The Five Heartbeats” is told through behind-the-scenes footage and personal stories with the five stars of the film (Townsend, Michael Wright, Harry J Lennix, Leon Robinson, Tico Wells), plus co-writer Keenen Ivory Wayans, and the film’s bad guy you love to hate, “Big Red” (Hawthorne James).

“For all those fans that have seen the movie more than once, for those that ask me when I’ll will revisit ‘The Five Heartbeats’ with a sequel, for those that love the R&B/soul groups that changed the musical landscape of America, and to all that want to dive deeper into this movie’s creation, this documentary is for you,” Townsend said. “I’m humbled by your ongoing love for ‘The Five Heartbeats’ and proud to be bringing you ‘Making The Five Heartbeats.’” 

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/robert-townsends-new-documentary-the-making-of-the-five-heartbeats/

*Atlanta – The Bronze Lens SuperStars Luncheon, an annual fete in Atlanta, is known for announcing firsts. Friday (08-24-18) was no exception when Connie Orlando, EVP Head of Programming at BET Networks promoted the rebranding of Centrix to BETher, the first 24/7 channel devoted to programming made for and by women of color. The announcement was fitting for the venue as the SuperStars Luncheon, a highlight of the Bronze Lens Film Festival, celebrates achievements of Black women in front of and behind the camera lens.

This was BET Networks first year as a sponsor of the Bronze Lens Film Festival signature luncheon event where three awards were presented. Tina Lifford, Aunt Vi on the hit series “Queen Sugar” airing on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, accepted the Visionary Superstar award to a standing ovation. Ms. Lifford’s work as a motivational speaker, gifted playwright, and killer scenes from “Queen Sugar” were showcased to the packed house.

Ayoka Chenzira, Ph.D., accepted the Catalyst SuperStar award for her pioneering work in independent cinema. Her work in interactive digital media production, in which she was the first Black woman to earn at Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology, mesmerized the room. Ms. Chenzira is now Chair of the Department of Art & Visual culture at Spelman College. To her delight, she noted that many of her former students had films entered in the festival.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/08/9th-annual-bronze-lens-film-festival-superstars-luncheon-promotes-rebranding-of-centrix-to-bether/

*The Black Women’s Expo descended upon the city of Atlanta earlier this month, drawing thousands of people for it’s 24th annual event – part of a three-city tour that started in Chicago in April and culminated in Dallas on August 26. The event, which spanned over three days (Aug. 10-12), featured a wide array of uplifting and empowering educational sessions, lectures, panel discussions, corporate displays and entertainment.

This year’s theme was “She Matters,” and numerous celebrities and community leaders were in attendance, including Emmy Award winning actress Regina King (Seven Seconds, American Crime) who served as the keynote speaker,  Lamman Rucker (Greanleaf),  Angela Robinson (The Haves and the Have Nots), Dr. Heavenly Kines (Married to Medicine), Kim Fields and Cynthia Bailey (Housewives of Atlanta). R&B crooner Ginuwine serenaded the ladies during a concert to close out the weekend, performing nostalgic hits such as “Pony,” “Differences” and “In Those Jeans.”

“It is a really special thing when you have an opportunity for your artistry to meet your philanthropy,” said Regina King, referencing her role in Netflix’s Seven Seconds, which tackles racism and police brutality among other issues. “The things that go on in our community are stories that we can’t stop talking about. I feel very lucky that I get to be an artist that gets the opportunity to keep the conversation going.”

The Black Women’s Expo was started by founder Merry Green of MGPG events in 1994. Initially held in Chicago every year, Green has decided to expand the expo to Atlanta and Dallas.  As one of the nation’s premier events catering to African American women and their families, the Black Women’s Expo will celebrate a quarter century of empowering its community in 2019. For more information, check out www.theblackwomensexpo.com. And of course, see the video above for an inside look into the expo weekend in Atlanta!