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Sanya Richards-Ross Co-Hosts 'Central Ave'
Eurweb.com
Television personality Julissa Bermudez and former Olympic track star Sanya Richards-Ross are making history as the first women of color to co-host an entertainment magazine series. The duo is serving up the latest in pop culture on “Central Ave,” a multicultural Atlanta-based entertainment magazine from Lionsgate’s Debmar-MercuryDebmar-Mercury and super-producer Will Packer.
Mary J. Blige Documentary Currently in Production
Deadline.com
Oscar-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth (Freeheld) is currently in production on an untitled documentary about two-time Oscar nominee and nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige. The documentary will center around Blige’s past struggles while also following her on a special concert tour to perform “My Life”, for the first time ever.
Questlove to Direct 'Black Woodstock' Documentary
Thewrap.com
Ahmir Thompson, better known as Questlove, is set to make his feature directorial debut on the documentary film “Black Woodstock” about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The film’s producers Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein announced Monday that the film has begun production.
Kendrick Lamar to Headline Music Festival
Hypebeast.com
The Netherlands’ leading hip-hop festival WOO HAH! has unveiled the first names from its 2020 line-up, with Kendrick Lamar confirmed as the weekend’s first headliner. Joining Kendrick Lamar — who back in April signed a long-term deal with BMI — will be A$AP Ferg and rising British rapper Aitch.
Lizzo Gives First Live Performance in Dolby Atmos
Hollywoodreporter.com
Lil' Rel Debuts His HBO Comedy Special
eurweb.com
Chicago comedian Lil Rel Lowery, who grew to fame with his breakout role in Jordan Peel’s Get Out, is continuing his star streak with his new HBO comedy special “Lil Rel Howery: Live in Crenshaw.” Even though he has had much success in movies he was still yearning to reach his ultimate goal, a comedy special on HBO.
Jennifer Lopez to Receive Award for Role in Hustlers
Hollywoodreporter.com
Deon Cole to Host the American Black Film Festival
Deadline.com
The fourth annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors will bring together the cast and crew of HBO’s critically acclaimed series, The Wire, for a celebration and presentation of this year’s Classic Television Award. In addition, Black-ish/ Grown-ish star and comedian Deon Cole will host the awards ceremony on February 23.
Regina Hall Comes to Amazon Studios in New Drama
Deadline.com
Regina Hall has set her latest project with Amazon Studios. The actress will serve as executive producer as well as star in Master, an occult drama. The film follows two African American women at a predominantly white college in Massachusetts who start to experience haunting activities ingrained in the history of the school.
Spike Lee Set to Direct 'Prince of Cats'
Complex.com
Spike Lee will direct the film 'Prince of Cats', an adaptation of the graphic novel written and illustrated by Ron Wimberly. Prince of Cats is described as a hip-hop take on William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet set in 1980’s Brooklyn. Lee will work with Wimberly on retooling the script, which was written by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds.
'Atlantics' Examines Haunting Life in Senegal
Reuters.com
Courtney B. Vance Named President of SAG-AFTRA
Variety.com
The Sag-Aftra Foundation has tapped actor Courtney B. Vance as its new president. The Emmy winner succeeds outgoing president JoBeth Williams, as the charitable arm of the actors’ union seeks to expand awareness and funding for programs that benefit its 160,000 members across the country.
Issa Rae Finds Love in the Drama The Photograph
Oprahmag.com
Pharrell Williams Pays Tribute to Clarence Avant
Hollywoodreporter.com
Queen Latifah Coming to CBS in "Equalizer" Reboot
Variety.com
Queen Latifah is set to star in a potential reboot of the TV series “The Equalizer” at CBS. The new series has received a pilot production commitment at the broadcaster. It is described as a reimagining of the classic series in which Queen Latifah portrays an enigmatic figure who uses her extensive skills to help others.
Naomie Harris Carries the Weight in Black and Blue
ew.com
There aren’t many shades of gray in Black and Blue; hardly any shades at all, really. But as an instrument of blunt-force thrills and social messaging, Deon Taylor’s rogue-cop drama still manages to land more visceral hits than other recent films that have tried and failed to do the same.
Dave Chappelle Accepts Prize for American Humor
Yahoo.com
On Sunday, Dave Chappelle accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in his hometown of Washington D.C. The accolade is considered by many to be among the highest comedy honors, with previous recipients including the likes of Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin.
Sequel to 'Johnson Family Vacation' in the Works
TheSource.com
A sequel to the 2004 comedy, Johnson’s Family Vacation, starring Cedric the Entertainer, is reportedly in the works.
The legendary comedian will reprise his role as Nate Johnson, the patriarch of the Johnsons, who takes his family on a cross-country road trip for a family reunion. Cedric will also serve as a producer.
Omar Epps Talks New Horror Film 'Trick'
Vibe.com
This Halloween, Epps returns to the slasher film subgenre in Trick, the first installment in a new horror franchise from director Patrick Lussier. Epps plays Mike Denver, a small-town detective fighting to stop a serial killer terrorizing the community every year — even though Denver already shot and killed him.
Music Icons Nominated for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Black America Web
The late musical icons, Whitney Houston and the Notorious B.I.G., are among 16 acts nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2020 class. The 35th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on May 2, 2020, at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, Ohio.
Zoe Kravitz to Play Catwoman in New Batman Movie
Variety.com
“Big Little Lies” star Zoe Kravitz has been tapped to play Catwoman, the antiheroine and sometime love interest of the Caped Crusader, in Matt Reeves’ upcoming “The Batman.” Kravitz will star opposite Robert Pattinson as Batman. Pre-production on the Warner Bros.-DC Comics pic is expected to start this summer.
Lil Kim to Receive 'I Am Hip Hop' Award
eurweb.com
This year’s BET Hip Hop Awards will honor the queen bee Lil Kim, with the 'I Am Hip Hop' award. The October 8 ceremony will take place at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, with performances by Rick Ross, T-Pain, Chance The Rapper, Megan Thee Stallion, Rapsody, Lil Jon, YBN Cordae, Anderson, Paak, DaBaby, Kamillion, and Tom G.
Cynthia Erivo Cast as Aretha Franklin in 'Genius'
Variety.com
National Geographic has found its Aretha Franklin for its upcoming season of “Genius” about the Queen of Soul: Cynthia Erivo has been cast in the title role. The upcoming season, titled “Genius: Aretha,” will be the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted limited series centered on the life of titular Grammy Award winner and musical icon.
Tyler Perry Celebrates New Studio Opening
Essence.com
The stars were out Saturday, October 5, 2019, when Tyler Perry invited hundreds of A-list celebrities to celebrate the grand opening of his studios in Atlanta. The director, screenwriter, producer and playwright made history as the only Black man to own a major movie studio in the U.S. The studio holds 12 sound stages for productions.
Coleman Domingo Directs His Own Play
Philadelphia Inquirer
Actor Colman Domingo recently went from acting alongside Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in Denzel Washington's production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom to directing his own stage play Dot. The play is about a West Philly family of grown children reckoning with their mom, who is living with Alzheimer’s.
