New York Trend NYC: August 15-21, 2019

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THE ALTERNATIVE VOLUMEPERSPECTIVE 26 ISSUE 40

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HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

NAACP Calls for BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR FIREARMS

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

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

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.

majority. She now leads The was a member of the New York Transformative Justice Coalition.

City Council, representing the creating a more just society in this th Arnwine was for 26 years executive 40 council district in Brooklyn, country,” says Black Star News director of the Lawyers’ Committee succeeding her mother, Una S. founder publisher Milton Enough is and enough! th for Civil Rights Under the Law. T. Clarke. In the current 114 Allimadi. “Obviously much work Congress Clarke serves on Inez Barron, honoree, formerly a be done here and At theneeds end oftoFebruary, 2019 the Energy and Commerce State Assembly member, is now around the world.”

Committee, responsible for the U.S. House, with bipartisan a New York City council member The gala starts at 6:00pm with a consumer protection, food support, passed H.R. 8, and aHAD champion of education for OF AUGUST 6, 2019, BEEN cocktail hour to be followed by the AS safety, energy development, publicTHERE our youth. the Bipartisan Background dinner and awards ceremonies. There health, communications, the The Black Star News, which focuses 251 MASS SHOOTINGS IN THE US THIS Checks of 2019 and H.R. by Honoree Imhotep Gary Byrd is willAct be musical entertainment environment, and interstate and on investigative journalism, has radio talk show host YEAR; THAT’S MORE THAN 1a legendary PER DAY. singer Cassandra Douglas 1112 opera the Extend Background international commerce. 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.”

29 people in total. our communities under the entering Congress in 2007, she lives of Action Network), and many others. of The City University of New minority groups — the emerging

INSIDE T HIS ISSUE: IS SUE : INSIDE THIS

PAGE 2 Education FLY BLUE!pg.5 PAGE 2 CENSUS FUNDING REQUESTS NewYorkTrendnyc

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PAGE 8 SERENA TALKS FASHION

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August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

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N AT I O N A L

N A B J H O S T E D B R E AT H I N G W H I L E B L A C K T O W N H A L L

The South Florida chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ-South Florida) recently hosted a Town Hall meeting entitled "Breathing While Black." This public event preceded NABJ's Convention and Career Fair, Aug. 7-11 at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry. The town hall was hosted by NBC 6 Anchor Jawan Strader and was live-streamed on www.nbc6.com during a special edition of “Voices with Jawan Strader.” The event took place on Tuesday, August 6, at Florida Memorial University.

“We think it’s important that we have these inclusive conversations impacting the community, particularly, the black community.”  RUSSELL MOTLEY, President of NABJ-South Florida

“We’re proud supporters of NABJ,” said Larry Olevitch, President and General Manager at NBC 6. “Voices with Jawan Strader gives a platform to South Florida’s diverse community every week, talking about real issues and highlighting true difference makers, so it made perfect sense for us to be partners in bringing this town hall to life.”

Confirmed panelists for the event included FIU Police Captain Delrish Moss, Miami Civilian Investigative Panel’s Rodney Jacobs, Jr., BSO Deputies Association President Jeff Bell, activist Phillip Agnew, Dyma Loving and her attorney Justin Moore.

“We think it’s important that we have these inclusive conversations impacting the community, particularly, the black community,” said Russell Motley, president

CBC Requests Funding Recently, the Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Senator McConnell, Minority Leader Senator Schumer, House Speaker Pelosi, and Minority Leader McCarthy requesting the recent budget deal to provide the Census Bureau with $7.5 billion for the upcoming 2020 Census count.

Current funding levels within the budget deal consist of a lower $2.5 billion cap exemption for the 2020 Census.

for

of NABJ-South Florida. “We appreciate NBC 6 and NBC 6 Voices for guiding this discussion to help work toward solutions.”

Civic and resource organizations will be present at the town hall to offer services and information to attendees. Confirmed participants include; NAMI Miami-Dade,

The Urban League of Broward County, OIC of South Florida, NAACP Miami-Dade, Miami Civilian Investigative Panel, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Trayvon Martin Foundation, Broward State Attorney’s Office and Miami- Dade State Attorney’s Office.

2020 CENSUS From Congress

and Georgia,” said Chairwoman Bass. “According to the Fair Count organization, undercounts of Black people in these 26 states and the District of Columbia are estimated to cost $2.9 billion in missed funding

on technology and half of the number of offices from the last decennial census. Additionally, the administration has threatened to include a citizenship question to its questionnaire, which only

result in large undercounts of the Black population, and have unintended consequences for all communities of color, seniors, the incarcerated, and children. Therefore, it is our hope

every year for the next decade. We must hold the Trump administration accountable during the 2020 Census rollout.

The Census Bureau will rely more

promotes fear and stigma in immigrant communities and deters participation. Without proper oversight and funding, the Census Bureau’s 2020 Census count will

that Leadership in both Chambers will set aside political differences to do what is best for the American people.”

On Thursday, July 25, 2019, the Congressional Black Caucus along with Members of the House of Representatives reached a bipartisan budget agreement with Senate leadership and the current Administration to increase discretionary funding limits for 2020 and 2021. This agreement represents a vast improvement over the harmful cuts presented in President’s 2020 budget.

Congresswoman Karen Bass, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement in response: “The 55 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) represent 26 states and the District of Columbia. Of these, the highest expected undercounts for Black populations are projected in California, Texas, Florida, New York,

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August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

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NEWS

First WOMEN

“We’re going to demand change,”

moderator Natalie Gross, Communication Coordinator for Inclusion in Hollywood, opened the Women of Color Disability Summit sponsored by Women of Color Unite and The JTC List Wednesday evening in Hollywood.

Gross was joined by five other women of color with disabilities talking about how to ensure women of color with disabilities are included in the entertainment industry. “Getting a job out here is all about who you know,” Tatiana Lee, Hollywood Inclusionist at RespectAbility, as well as a model and actress with spina bifida who uses a wheelchair, said. “How can I do that if I literally cannot get in the room for networking events?”

Diana Elizabeth Jordan, an actress and director with cerebral palsy, said actors with disabilities need to have access to “rights that gives us equity, not an advantage.”

“An accessible dressing room is not a privilege. An ASL interpreter is not a privilege. A ramp is not a privilege.

These are rights guaranteed to us under the Americans with Disabilities Act.” However, she noted that many actors often do not ask for their rights for fear of being labelled as difficult.

Most of the panelists noted that they do not see themselves represented on screen. “I would love to see people that look like me on TV but you don’t see it,” Stephanie Thomas, a disability fashion styling trailblazer who is a congenital amputee, noted. “I’m not a wheelchair user; I’m not disabled enough.”

Jordan and Lee discussed the issue that an overwhelming majority of characters with disabilities are played by

OF

COLOR Disability Summit Held

actors without disabilities.

“If there was going to be blackface, the NAACP would be all over that,” Jordan noted to nodding in the audience.

“Disability is not a trained skill. It is a life experience.” Lee added, “It would be totally fine for anyone to play someone in a wheelchair if I was able to audition for and play any role.”

She recounted a story when she was picked for a commercial but later was let go when the production team realized she uses a wheelchair. “Production doesn’t want to use you,” she was told.

“They want the shots to be uniform.”

“We don’t have to say the person is disabled,” Andrea Jennings, Founder of Shifting Creative Paradigms who has a TBI and spinal cord injury, added.

Jennings often encourages writers to write a character with a disability but not specifically draw attention to the person’s disability – just show it.

Talking about misconceptions and stereotypes, Gross, who is blind and uses a cane to get around, said, “People ask me who dressed me and I’m like me!”

“People are surprised when you are yourself,” Kaitlyn Yang, visual effects supervisor and founder of Alpha Studios, added. “People are surprised when wheelchair users drive. We do drive. That’s one of the reasons the handicap sticker was made.” “Just because we are not doing one thing, it does not mean we are sitting around not doing anything else,” she added.

“People see us do things that don’t look ‘normal’ and assume we are in distress and immediately come over to help whether we need it or not,” Lee, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, noted. “By you not asking us, you take away our independence to ask for help.

We just need you to move away half the time.”

Thomas talked about living in two words. “When people look at me, immediately, they get that impression on their face – what is she doing up there?” But when they notice her missing digits, she said, “I still get the looks and people do treat you differently.”

All of the panelists talked about being resilient and how their disability gives them the creativity to approach problems in new ways. Yang called the issues that people struggle with on set “is our norm.” For example, shipping a wheelchair is harder than items most production companies need to ship on

a daily basis. “I hear no and I just keep going,” Jordan said.

Ultimately, to achieve inclusion, the panelists argued for a shift in mindset.

“Diversity is getting an invite to the party,” Jennings said. “Inclusion is being offered a seat.”

“It’s not enough to just put us on the list,” Yang added. “Are you actively advocating for diversity and inclusion participants?”

Cheryl Bedford, founder of Women of Color Unites & The JTC List, made a pledge at the end of the panel to do her part in ensuring inclusion of people with disabilities: “I’m only going to sit on a panel unless there is a disabled person also on the panel,” she promised. “We leave no marginalized group behind.”

WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT Names First African-American President

Women in Development (WiD), New York announces 2019-2020 40th Anniversary Year, with first AfricanAmerican 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 sident: Yolanda F. Johnson, President and Founder, YFJ Consulting, LLC  Vice Pre sident of Programs: Lane Richards Peace, Director of Development, James Lenox House/ Carnegie East House  Treasurer : Martha Lauria, Director,

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Gift Administration and Donor Services, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center  Secretary: 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 field."

UPCOMING EVENTS INCLUDE:  Staten Island Yankees Ladies

August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

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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BUSINESS BANGI, Inc. Appoints MATHEW KNOWLES as Chief Marketing Officer

BANGI, Inc. (OTC PINK: BNGI), a

diversified investment vehicle that acquires and leases specialized real estate assets in the cannabis, hemp and CBD industries, today announced the appointment of Mathew Knowles to the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective immediately. Founder of Destiny’s Child, Mathew Knowles, is an author, professor, public speaker, entrepreneur, music executive, artist manager and founder of Music World Entertainment, a 25-year entertainment company with record sales exceeding $450 million worldwide. Knowles was recently featured in an interview with Forbes Magazine.

As the CMO for BANGI, Knowles will be responsible for developing and overseeing the launch of BANGI’s global marketing campaign, including advertising, branding, communications, content, creative services, digital strategies, press events, social media and the web.

“As one of the world’s most successful music and entertainment pioneers, Mathew is a relentlessly innovative and creative marketing leader whose experience will ensure our success in the rapidly-growing and dynamic cannabis industry,” said Dr. Neil Parsan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BANGI, Inc. “Under his leadership, we are looking forward to launching and developing one of the strongest and most trusted brands in the cannabis industry based on our ability to deliver real value to our tenants, partners and shareholders,” concluded Dr. Parsan.

“I have been blessed throughout

my career to work with various artists and companies at defining moments in their histories, which is why the opportunity to lead the marketing program at BANGI was so compelling,” said Knowles. “BANGI has a strong culture and strategic foundation, and I look forward to leveraging my extensive network and experience to building upon the Company's momentum through innovative and breakthrough marketing strategies that are designed to achieve sustainable growth and profitability," concluded Knowles.

BANGI (pronounced bon-ghee), which means "marijuana" or "hemp" in the African dialect Swahili, is a

diversified investment vehicle that acquires and leases specialized real estate assets, such as cannabis farms. The Corporation combines hard asset security and long-term appreciation potential. For more information, visit www.bangistock. com.

This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding the investment offerings and the terms thereof, are forward-

looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as we "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "should", or the negative thereof or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. Investors should not place undue reliance upon forwardlooking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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VOLUME 29 ISSUE 21

August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

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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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August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

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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

August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

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 ACS MAKING STRIDES Kickoff Breakfast

Featured above with Special Guest Speaker, Stacey Sager, are Program Chair, Link Jan Figueria; Health and Human Services Facet Chair, Link Claudia Germain; and Treasurer, Link Melanie Johnson.

Members of the Long Island Chapter of The Links, Incorporated participated in the American Cancer Society’s

“Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Kickoff Breakfast at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. ©2019 New York Lottery

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8/7/19 4:47 PM

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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.

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.”

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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

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 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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EDUCAT ION Students Participate in Hands-On HISTORIC PRESERVATION TRAINING Morgan State University (MSU) students are participating in a program this summer that aims to bring young African American students working toward architecture degrees into historic preservation and related career paths.

Touching History: Preservation in Practice is a program developed jointly by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), the National Park Service (NPS), and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s (NTHP) HOPE Crew designed to raise awareness about the importance of historic preservation and conservation while, at the same time, engaging a new generation of preservation professionals and complete urgent preservation work at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities campuses.

“Touching History gives students the opportunity to grow as a person, grow as a professional, and connect to their shared history and heritage,” said Robert G. Stanton, ACHP expert member and former National Park Service Director. “The historic preservation and conservation fields need young people like these six Morgan State students. This internship could lead them in a new direction for their careers and is giving them an understanding of the importance of telling the whole story of the American experience.”

Six MSU students, Tyriq Charleus, Devin Funderburk, Danasha Kelly, Terry Mayo Jr., Stephanie D.N. Walker, and Zahaira Williams, are working on a preservation and conservation project through this partnership with a HOPE (HandsOn Preservation Experience) Crew team. HOPE Crew is a nationwide initiative connecting hundreds of young people to preservation trades while breathing new life into historic structures across the country. In Baltimore, the team is working on two principal projects: window restoration at Morgan State University’s Memorial Chapel and masonry work at the Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture.

“Investing in our future preservation leaders is one of the most important things the National Park Service can do to further its mission,” said National Park Service acting deputy director for operations David Vela.

“We are dedicated to providing access to real-world experiences for our nation’s youth and young professionals, so that together we can preserve our shared historic

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and cultural resources.”

Prior to their work at MSU, the students worked at the National Park Service’s Western Center for Historic Preservation, located in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Students spent time at the Bar BC Dude Ranch, established in 1912 as a dude ranch using a style called “Dude Ranch Vernacular” and completed the “Guiding Principles for Historic Preservation,” a course on fieldbased historic preservation, documentation, hands-on treatment, and heritage asset maintenance planning.

and culture along with creating opportunities for young people of color in diverse STEM related fields are important parts of our mission as a Foundation,” said Linda Wilson, executive director, Fund II Foundation. “This work will enrich communities for many years to come.”

“There’s no better way to prepare our students for successful careers than to give them hands-on training,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). “This program is a great opportunity for Morgan State students to test their skills, while also providing a crucial service to the University. In the Senate, I

Service,  202.339.1509  stephanie_loeb@nps.gov  Erica Stewart, National Trust for Historic Preservation,  202.207.6795,  estewart@savingplaces.org

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places.

Since the start of the program in 2014, HOPE Crew has trained over 750 youth participants in the preservation trades, recruited 3,500 volunteers to protect places that are significant to their communities, and completed 170 projects. For more information, visit: savingplaces.org | @savingplaces

About the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation  An independent federal agency, the ACHP promotes the economic, educational, environmental, sustainability, and cultural values of historic preservation and advises the President and Congress on national historic preservation policy.

It also influences federal activities, programs, and policies that affect historic and cultural properties.

See www.achp.gov for more information.

“Beyond addressing critical maintenance and preservation needs at Historically Black Colleges and University buildings, we want this HOPE Crew project to make a difference in the lives of future preservation leaders,” said Brent Leggs, executive director of the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. “We’re excited to continue broadening the preservation movement with this partnership that allows African American college students to see first-hand what happens when theory meets practice in preservation trades.”

During their final week, the students will join Stanton on field trips to historic places in the BaltimoreWashington, D.C. area. They also will travel to St. Mary’s College in Maryland to work with former ACHP expert member and professor of anthropology Julia King, who worked with St. Mary’s College to uncover evidence of enslaved people’s quarters on the proposed site for the school’s athletic stadium.

“Supporting initiatives that preserve African American history

will continue working to support programs like this, which give students valuable work experience and promote opportunity at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

As a final task, the students will create a portfolio that will point out the importance of preserving and restoring the historic buildings that are a part of the MSU campus. MSU has 20 structures eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and in 2016, the NTHP designated MSU one of its National Treasures and is partnering with the school to develop a preservation plan.

The Touching History: Preservation in Practice program is funded by the NPS, the National Trust—which receives additional financial support from the Fund II Foundation—and in-kind support from the ACHP. MEDIA CONTACTS:  Lynne Richmond, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation,  202.517.1484 lrichmond@achp.gov  Stephanie Loeb, National Park

August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

About the National Park Service

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-tohome recreational opportunities.

Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

About the Fund II Foundation

Fund II Foundation makes grants to 501 (c)3 public charities in five areas: 1  preserving the cultural richness of the African-American experience; 2  safeguarding human dignity by giving voice to the voiceless and promoting human rights; 3  conserving the environment, promoting the benefits of the great outdoors to people of all ages and backgrounds; 4  affording music education to nourish both talent and the soul; and 5  sustaining the American values of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and innovation. For more information, visit: fund2foundation.org | @Fund2F

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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

AFRICA UMOJA The Spirit

As the Lion King continues to break box office records, another story that celebrates the African continent and its unbreakable spirit is set to arrive in South Florida. AFRICA UMOJA, The Spirit of Togetherness, sponsored

by Aetna and benefiting The Embrace Girls Foundation, Inc., will premiere for a two-week celebration during Black History Month. Opening Tuesday, February 25, 2020 the production will run, at the Miramar Cultural Arts Center, until March 8, 2020.

“All children should have access to opportunities that will help them thrive academically and socially.

The Embrace Girls Foundation fills this need in underserved and low-income communities, ensuring that the students they serve are exposed to important and meaningful academic, wellness and enrichment programs,” said Richard Weiss, Aetna’s market president in Florida. “Aetna is proud to support this organization, while building on our longstanding commitment to celebrate black history.”

Conceived by Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni and produced

by Joe Theron, Africa Umoja was developed to educate a new generation of South Africans about their rich heritage and the power of unity (Umoja is the Swahili word for unity) by showcasing the glory days of South African music and dance, that persisted even during the country’s hardships. However, the show has become much more than either of its founders could ever have imagined, dazzling audiences and receiving standing ovations and breathtaking reviews in more than 50 countries across the globe over the last two decades.

Fueled by history, the cast of 33 young adults are arguably South Africa’s most versatile and dynamic singers, dancers and drummers, drawn from the myriad of cultures that compose their rural worlds. The production will feature traditional love songs, lullabies, and internationally acclaimed choreography that narrates in passionate song and dance the moving tale of love and community that helped Black South Africans triumph during some of their country’s stormiest passages.

Audiences will experience life in

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townships through authentic tribal dancing, joyous gospel singing, explosive drumming and heartfelt performances in an exciting tribute to South Africa and the Zulu heritage. Africa Umoja also celebrates South Africa’s freedom and democracy through a tribute to Nelson Mandela. The production includes the song “Long Road to Freedom,” which was written in Mandela’s honor and performed to visuals of Mandela in jail on Robin Island and his release from Poslmor Prison in 1990. In addition, there is a jaw-dropping tribute to America’s civil rights legend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Africa Umoja carries the audience on a musical journey right up to “Kwaito,” the equivalent of American hip-hop in culture, fashion and expression that is the dynamic club climate of South Africa today.

The authentic pride spilling off the stage is utterly irresistible and a refreshing change to the norm of manufactured performances. Africa Umoja is a pulsating celebration of Black History from then until now, telling a story that every family anywhere can embrace.

The Miramar Cultural Arts Center is located at 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, Florida 33025. Multiple performances are

of

Togetherness

scheduled as follows:  Evening performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 7:00 P.M.;  Matinee performances are Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 P.M.;  Group Performances Booked at www.embracegirlpower.org include:  Educational Student performances @ 10:00 AM designated days;  Senior performances @ 10:00 AM designated days.  Weekends from 11am – 3pm the Miramar Cultural Arts Center will be transformed into the Africa Umoja Family Fun Village featuring free master classes, backstage tours, food, accessories, art vendors, and family friendly games and activities.

All seats are reserved. Tickets are VIP Opening Night Gala: $100, $75 and $50; Weekday Nights: $60, $50, $25; Weekend Nights: $75, $65, $40; Educational Student Days: $15; Senior Days: $15.

For ticket information call the Miramar Cultural Arts Box Office at 954-602-4500 or visit www. miramarculturalartscenter. org, www.embracegirlpower. org or www.ticketmaster.com.

Founded in 2001 in Miami, Florida The Embrace Girls Foundation,

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Inc., is committed to providing academic, social, cultural and life skills enrichment to at risk elementary and middle school age girls and providing a place where they learn to be healthy, confident and ambitious young ladies who strive for academic excellence and service before self www. embracegirlpower.org.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, serves an estimated 38 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, parttime and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, governmentsponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, visit www.aetna.com and explore how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

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THE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET BLAZER DRIVING HBCU TALENT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT

TYLA BARNES

SHARON JOY WASHINGTON

MIANA MASSEY

TEDARIUS ABRAMS

EMANI NICHOLS

ELAE C. HILL

DTU FELLOW 2019

DTU FELLOW 2019

DTU FELLOW 2019

DTU FELLOW 2019

DTU FELLOW 2019

DTU FELLOW 2019

Follow these DTU Journalism Fellows through their summer internships.

See the stories they’ve uncovered at nnpa.org/chevydtu. @ChevroletDTU

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August 15, 2019 - August 21, 2019

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