👁️ For MeDiA

June 2023

Entertainment

“The Afterparty” season two premiere

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Last night at The Bruin Theater in Los Angeles, Apple TV+ hosted the season two premiere of its broadly acclaimed and global hit murder mystery comedy series, “The Afterparty,” from Academy Award-winning creators Chris Miller and Phil Lord. Premiering globally on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the 10-episode second season of “The Afterparty” will introduce a new mystery, new characters and new episodes told through popular film genres. “The Afterparty” season two will make its global debut with the first two episodes, followed by one new episode every Wednesday through September 6, 2023.

Created by Miller, each episode of “The Afterparty” is a genre-bending comedy that explores a different character’s account of one fateful evening, all told through the lens of popular film genres and unique visuals to match the storyteller’s perspective. Stars Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson and Zoë Chao reprise their roles for season two, which will introduce a new case and an expanded cast of characters played by John Cho, Paul Walter Hauser, Ken Jeong, Anna Konkle, Poppy Liu, Elizabeth Perkins, Jack Whitehall, Zach Woods and Vivian Wu.

In season two, a wedding is ruined when the groom is murdered and every guest is a suspect. Detective Danner (Haddish) returns to help Aniq (Richardson) and Zoë (Chao) solve whodunnit by questioning family members, star-crossed lovers and business partners, and hearing each suspect’s retelling of the weekend, each with their own unique perspective and visual style.

“The Afterparty” is produced for Apple TV+ by TriStar TV and Sony Pictures Television as part of Lord and Miller’s expansive five-year overall television deal. Season two is co-showrun by Miller, and Tony and Emmy-nominated writer, producer and performer Anthony King, and both serve as executive producers. Miller executive produces alongside Lord through the pair’s production banner, Lord Miller. Lord Miller’s SVP of Television Aubrey Lee is a producer on the series.

Genre: Mystery, Comedy

Starring: Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoë Chao, Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods, Paul Walter Hauser, Poppy Liu, Anna Konkle, Jack Whitehall, Vivian Wu, John Cho and Ken Jeong

Directed by: Eric Appel, Ana Valia, Chris Miller, Tamra Davis and Peter Atencio

Written by: Chris Miller and Anthony King

Executive Produced by: Chris Miller, Anthony King and Phil Lord

RELEASE DATE: July 12, 2023

Entertainment

Divorce In The Black’: Meagan Good And Cory Hardrict To Star In Tyler Perry’s Second Film With Amazon Studios

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Tyler Perry’s second Amazon Studios film has been announced with Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict set to star.

The news comes a day after the cast for his first Amazon Studios film, Black, White, & Blue, was announced. Divorce in the Black is the second film via Amazon Studios that will be a part of Perry’s four-film deal.

Divorce in the Black is written, directed and produced by Perry and stars Meagan Good, Cory Hardrict, Joseph Lee Anderson, Taylor Polidore, Shannon Wallace, Richard Lawson and Debbi Morgan.

Entertainment

CALL HER KING (Video)

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BET+ premieres highly anticipated action thriller CALL HER KING, starring Naturi Naughton and Lance Gross, this July! 

BET+ will premiere original feature Call Her King, starring Naturi Naughton (Power Book II: Ghost) and Lance Gross (House of Payne), on July 6.

Directed by Wes Miller (A Day to Die), Call Her King follows Judge Jaeda King (Naughton), who has just sentenced Sean Samuels (Mitchell) to death when the courthouse is hijacked by Samuels’ brother Gabriel, also known as Black Caesar (Gross). The Judge must then rely on her wits, strength, and skill to find a way to end the standoff, save the hostages and fight her way out. 

Jason Mitchell (Mudbound), Johnny Messner (A Day to Die), Nicholas Turturro (NYPD Blue), Tobias Truvillion (First Wives Club), Garrett Hendricks (FBI) and Shiobann Amisial (Bel-Air) also star in the film, the first production falling under Andrew van den Houten and Miller’s newly formed BLacklight Entertainment banner. BLacklight’s mission is providing quality opportunities for people of color and other traditionally disadvantaged people in front of and behind the camera. van den Houten and Miller produced the film for the company. 

Call Her King premieres on BET+ July 6th. 

Hiphop News

Lil Wayne To Be Named a BMI Icon at the 2023 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

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BMI will present the 5x GRAMMY® award-winning superstar rapper, executive and philanthropist Lil Wayne with the BMI Icon Award at the 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on September 6. BMI’s highest honor will recognize Wayne’s illustrious career spanning over 20 years and his incomparable influence on the genre and beyond. The evening will also celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop, paying tribute to its legacy and continued influence on music creators and fans across multiple generations. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, the private event will be held at LIV Nightclub in Miami Beach. 

“As a legend and superstar of Hip-Hop, Lil Wayne is synonymous with the genre. He’s been part of the BMI family since 2002, and we’re proud to name him a BMI Icon in keeping with his reputation as one of the most influential artists of all time,” said Brewton. “We’re also excited to pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with a celebration that reflects the genre’s legacy, which has infiltrated entertainment, fashion, sports and much more.” Brewton continued, “We’re thrilled to be back in Miami for this history-making milestone and to recognize BMI’s songwriters and producers who will usher R&B/Hip-Hop into the next 50 years. It’s going to be a night to remember.”

Throughout the evening, BMI will also salute the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year’s 35 most-performed R&B/Hip-Hop songs in the United States from BMI’s repertoire of more than 20.6 million musical works. The BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter, Producer and Publisher of the Year will also be named during the ceremony. To celebrate this historic event of 50 years of Hip-Hop, the evening will include a special tribute performance featuring hip-hop megastars whose contributions to the genre have made a significant impact throughout the past half-century.

The rap icon, acclaimed author, pro skater, philanthropist, and history-making superstar, Lil Wayne, has cemented his legacy as one of the best-selling artists of all time, tallying sales in excess of 100 million records worldwide with 25 million albums and 90 million digital tracks sold in the United States alone. His discography is highlighted by five career-spanning #1 debuts, including 2008’s 8x platinum, 3x GRAMMY® Award-winning opus Tha Carter III

Tha Carter IV, he released the latest version of the series – Tha Carter V – in 2018. Not only did it clinch #1 on the Billboard 200, but it also achieved the second-largest streaming week for an album in history. It all bulldozed the way for his thirteenth full-length, Funeral, a year later. In 2022, Wayne earned his first Diamond certification from the RIAA with his generational smash hit “Lollipop” feat. Static Major.

Among many milestones, Wayne emerged as the first artist to surpass Elvis Presley with the most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and has logged a staggering 183 entries – the 3rd most of all time. He has garnered 26 BET Awards, 4 Billboard Music Awards, 7 MTV Awards, 4 Soul Train Awards and recently received the Global Impact Award at The Recording Academy Honors Presented by The Black Music Collective. Throughout his years with BMI, Wayne has received 52 BMI Awards as well as being named R&B/Hip Hop Songwriter of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013. He also received College Song of the Year at the BMI London Awards in 2009 for his track “Down.” 

Wayne also owns and operates Young Money Entertainment as CEO, a company that has ignited the careers of Drake and Nicki Minaj, to name a few. The committed philanthropist also founded The One Family Foundation – a charitable group focused on helping underserved youth.

The BMI Icon Award is presented to songwriters, composers or producers who have distinctly and profoundly influenced the music industry, leaving an indelible and unique influence on generations of music makers. As the 2023 honoree, Lil Wayne joins an elite group of music creators who have received BMI’s highest honor. Previous recipients include Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Babyface, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James Brown, Busta Rhymes and more.

Entertainment Red Carpet

BET AWARDS 2023 PHOTOS

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Culture’s biggest night was in full swing at The BET Awards 2023 l. The industry’s most prominent stars were in attendance to honor outstanding achievements in music, film, television, and sports, with the stage set for unforgettable performances and memorable moments.

Check out some Photos from Kingsmen Media Group. Thanks BET for another great show!

Best Female Hip Hop Artist Winner
Latto

T.I.

https://youtube.com/shorts/F5D0y9_pCMU?feature=share

DaBaby

Jeezy & Master P

Red

Kid & Play

Chief Keef

Bia

Yo Yo

E-40

Crystal Renee


Jess Hilarious


Soulja

Lil Uzi

Styles P

Big Daddy Kane

Crime Mob

Entertainment

THE ACADEMY TO HONOR ANGELA BASSETT, MEL BROOKS AND CAROL LITTLETON WITH ACADEMY HONORARY AWARDS AND MICHELLE SATTER WITH THE JEAN HERSHOLT HUMANITARIAN AWARD

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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that its Board of Governors voted to present Academy Honorary Awards to Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks and editor Carol Littleton and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to the Sundance Institute’s Michelle Satter.  The four Oscar® statuettes will be presented at the Academy’s 14th Governors Awards event on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

“The Academy’s Board of Governors is thrilled to honor four trailblazers who have transformed the film industry and inspired generations of filmmakers and movie fans,” said Academy President Janet Yang.  “Across her decades-long career, Angela Bassett has continued to deliver transcendent performances that set new standards in acting.  Mel Brooks lights up our hearts with his humor, and his legacy has made a lasting impact on every facet of entertainment.  Carol Littleton’s career in film editing serves as a model for those who come after her.  A pillar of the independent film community, Michelle Satter has played a vital role in the careers of countless filmmakers around the world.”

Bassett’s career has established her as one of the most esteemed actors of her time.  Her breakthrough role as Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do with It” earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.  Her film credits include “Boyz N the Hood,” “Malcolm X,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Music of the Heart,” “Sunshine State,” “Black Panther,” “Mission: Impossible – Fallout,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Soul” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” in which her supporting performance earned her a second Oscar nomination.  Her television credits include “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” “The Rosa Parks Story,” “American Horror Story” and “9-1-1.”

Director, producer, writer and actor Mel Brooks began his career writing comedy routines for Sid Caesar’s television shows and co-created the television series “Get Smart.”  In 1967, he wrote and directed his first film, “The Producers,” which earned him an Oscar for Original Screenplay and which he later adapted into a hit Broadway musical.  His films include “The Twelve Chairs,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Silent Movie,” “High Anxiety,” “History of the World – Part I,” “Spaceballs,” “Life Stinks,” “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and “Dracula: Dead and Loving It.”

Littleton’s career as a film editor spans nearly five decades.  In 1982, she earned an Oscar nomination for Film Editing for her work on “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.”  Her other notable credits include “Body Heat,” “The Big Chill,” “Places in the Heart” and “The Manchurian Candidate.”  She has served as governor of the Academy’s Film Editors Branch, president and vice president of the Motion Picture Editors Guild and on the Board of Directors of American Cinema Editors.

Satter is the founding senior director of the Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs, focused on the cultural impact of supporting independent storytellers.  In her more than 40 years in this role at the nonprofit, she has discovered and fostered the careers of hundreds of notable and award-winning filmmakers, many from underrepresented communities.  She has also led the Sundance Institute’s international initiatives in Asia, Europe, India, Latin America and the Middle East.  She founded and oversees the vision and content of Sundance Collab, a global digital storytelling community and learning platform.

The Honorary Award, an Oscar statuette, is given “to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy.”

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, also an Oscar statuette, is given “to an individual in the motion picture arts and sciences whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.”

The 14th Governors Awards is proudly supported by Rolex, the Exclusive Watch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Entertainment Sports

Apple TV+ Season 2 of “SWAGGER” is Streaming Now!

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“SWAGGER” SEASON 2Starring Isaiah Hill, Quvenzhane Wallis, and O’Shea Jackson, Jr.AVAILABLE NOW ON APPLETV+
A Tribeca Film Festival selection, “Swagger” season two makes its global debut on Apple TV+

Download ‘Swagger’ key art and images at the press site HERE
Loosely inspired by NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s experiences, “Swagger” explores the world of youth basketball, and the players, their families and coaches who walk the fine line between dreams and ambition, and opportunism and corruption. Off the court, the show reveals what it’s like to grow up in America.

In season two, we meet the man-children Jace, Phil, Nick, Musa, Drew and Royale as they are entering their senior year of high school. All but Phil will be attending Cedar Cove Prep; a predominantly white institution where wealthy board members control the entire operation from the hiring of faculty to the enrollment of students. It is a school of power and influence. For all of their academic success, their basketball program has not been competitive until Emory Lawson, the athletic director, managed to acquire the Swagger players. Almost overnight, Cedar Cove’s basketball program becomes elite, attracting the attention of Alonzo Powers from Gladiator Sneakers. Games are attended by top college scouts from the nation and are live-streamed for thousands of fans. With winning comes scrutiny and the players find themselves under a microscope as they vie for a national high school championship. 

Everything is going right in the life of Jace Carson and his family. Jenna is renting a house in a residential neighborhood and her cosmetic sales business is booming. Then, a video surfaces that threatens to destroy it all. It is surveillance footage of Coach Warwick, Crystal’s former coach, being beat down in an alley. The attackers are masked but Coach Warwick believes he has found evidence proving the Swagger players were involved. As this speculation reaches the public eye and social media, the bond of brotherhood the players have built is tested. Their once promising futures are in jeopardy.

About “Swagger” Season 2 

Director: Reggie Rock Bythewood

Written by: Reggie Rock Bythewood

Executive Producers: Reggie Bythewood, Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, Francie Calfo, and Joy Kecken

Cast: Isaiah Hill, O’Shea Jackson, Jr., Quvenzhane Wallis, Shinelle Azoroh, Caleel Harris, Solomon Irama, Tristan Mack Wilds, Ozie Nzeribe, James Bingham, Tessa Ferrer, Orlando Jones, Joy Kecken, and Shannon Brown

Entertainment

Missy Covers Essence Plus Will Headline Festival

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Missy ‘Misdemeanor’ Elliott will headline the 2023 Essence Festival when the event returns to the Caesars Supersome from June 29 to July 3.

Essence Fest announced the addition to the music lineup Thursday morning via Twitter.

“The legend that is Missy ‘Misdemeanor’ Elliott will be headlining Essence Festival to help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop!” Essence Fest said in a tweet.

Unlike Midas, the mythical king who prayed for the ability to turn everything he touched to gold, Elliott didn’t have grand plans to shift the hip-hop industry into her own moneymaking enterprise. The Portsmouth, Virginia, native just wanted the might to claw her way, and her mother’s way, out of a life of poverty. Her father, a former Marine, had physically abused her mother. Turns out there was some heartache lurking behind the animated smiles, jazz hands and one-legged hops.  

There are revolutionary hip-hop acts with debuts that came before and after hers, but Elliott holds the distinction of being rap’s first solo female global star. It’s disrespectful to call her work magic, because it’s far from a trick. Her unshakable connection with her audience wasn’t a flash in the pan. Elliott worked for it every time, and never faltered. She made a hot song. Then dropped that album. Then released another single—you remember, right? The songs kept coming, the thermostat remained untouched. The albums? The ones certified by the Recording Industry Association of America, critics, grandmothers, high school badasses, block party DJs, and kids who abide by the street lights? And that’s not even counting the hits she gave other people. Or the waves she started that are still reverberating in the form of fresh faces.  

Six platinum albums, four Grammys, and more than a handful of instantly classic, I-remember-exaaactly-where-I-was-when-I-peeped-that-joint-level music videos later, Elliott is now making history as the first woman in rap to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She says she most definitely didn’t see that achievement in the cards, a gentle reminder that her humility is almost as famous as she is. Can modesty and notability be considered a double helix of her musical DNA?  

As a girl, Melissa Arnette Elliott prayed for acclaim, telling her classmates she’d be famous one day. Elliott also pretended to have conversations with Janet Jackson and Madonna; later, not only would she join them as emblems of feminist freedom, but she would also work on songs with them both. 

Sports

NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan has reached a deal to sell a majority share of the Charlotte Hornets

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Michael Jordan, the owner of the Charlotte Hornets and one of the world’s most storied athletes, has agreed to sell his majority share in the N.B.A. team to a group led by Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, two private equity investors.

The team as a whole was valued at $3 billion given the terms of the agreement, according to a person familiar with its details who was not authorized to discuss them publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Hiphop News

‘BET AWARDS 2023’ UNLEASHES ITS FIRST WAVE OF PERFORMERS

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THE PERFORMERS WILL UNITE OLD AND NEW SCHOOLS WITH A NON-STOP HIP-HOP PARTY!

Today, BET announces an unprecedented slate of performers taking the stage at BET Awards2023, airing LIVE on BET on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 8 PM ET/ PT. Starting from the beginning, Culture’s Biggest Night will be a non-stop hip-hop party celebrating 50 years of the genre throughout the LIVE telecast. From West Coast to East Coast, Trap to Bounce, Afro Beats, and Dance Hall, the culture’s finest are set to deliver a full range of Hip Hop favorites, including 69 Boyz, Big Daddy Kane, Chief Keef, DJ Unk,E-40, Fast Life Yungstaz & Easton (F.L.Y.), Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Kid ‘N Play, MC Lyte, Percy “Master P” Miller, Remy Ma, Soulja Boy, TheSugarhill Gang, Trick Daddy, Trina, Tyga, Uncle Luke, Warren G, Ying Yang Twins, and Yo-Yo. Also joining the party are BET Awards 2023nominees Coco Jones and GloRilla, plus hitmakers Doechii and Lil Uzi Vert, with more performers soon to be announced.

“We have an incredible lineup of performers who will take us on a musical journey, covering Hip Hop spanning every decade, style, and region. From music to dance and fashion, we are digging through every crate as we celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop and its diversity, evolution, and global impact,” said Connie Orlando, BET EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. “This wall-to-wall party will reverberate with the amazing energy and passion these artists bring to the stage and the culture. Prepare for an unforgettable night of reunions and surprises as we celebrate Hip Hop’s rich history, enduring legacy, and promising future.”

BET Awards has been the #1 cable award show among all adults 18-49 for the last two consecutive years and is the #1 cable award show among Black adults 18-49 for the 21st consecutive year (CY02-CY22). BET Awards is the ultimate platform to showcase the best, brightest, and most beautiful aspects of the Black experience – honoring the present and future of Black music, creativity, and sportsmanship, by celebrating the culture and being a driving force for social change.

Entertainment

JOY RIDE | Watch the New Trailer!

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From the producers of Neighbors and the co-screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians, JOY RIDE stars Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu. The hilarious and unapologetically explicit story of identity and self-discovery centers on four unlikely friends who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime international adventure. When Audrey’s (Ashley Park) business trip to Asia goes sideways, she enlists the aid of Lolo (Sherry Cola), her irreverent, childhood best friend who also happens to be a hot mess; Kat (Stephanie Hsu), her college friend turned Chinese soap star; and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), Lolo’s eccentric cousin. Their no-holds-barred, epic experience becomes a journey of bonding, friendship, belonging, and wild debauchery that reveals the universal truth of what it means to know and love who you are.

Also starring Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians), Desmond Chiam (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Alexander Hodge (Insecure), and Chris Pang (Crazy Rich Asians).

Lionsgate presents, a Point Grey / Red Mysterious Hippo production.

Entertainment

“Ariel” animated series inspired by Halle Bailey’s ‘Little Mermaid’ character

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Deadline announced the colossal company gave the green light for Disney Junior to release “Ariel,” an animated series for preschoolers based on The Little Mermaid. A photo for the new television program shows the adventurous princess smiling as she floats in the sea beside her trusty fish friend Flounder. The cartoon’s angle will revolve around her early years and feature familiar faces such as Sebastian, Ursula, and more. Executives are eyeing a 2024 release date.

Entertainment

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

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Paramount Pictures has released a new trailer for “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” teasing Tom Cruise’s seventh, and likely penultimate, mission as IMF agent Ethan Hunt. 

In addition to Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Henry Czerny, Vanessa Kirby and Frederick Schmidt reprise their roles from previous “Mission: Impossible” films. “Part One” also stars series newcomers Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Cary Elwes, Rob Delaney, Indira Varma, Shea Whigham, Mark Gatiss, Esai Morales and Charles Parnell.


Entertainment

THEY CLONED TYRONE | Official Trailer

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A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio (Boyega, Foxx, and Paris) onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy must caper.


Release Date: Friday, July 21, 2023

Director: Juel Taylor

Written By: Tony Rettenmaier and Juel Taylor

Producers: Charles D. King, Stephen “Dr.” Love, Tony Rettenmaier, Juel Taylor, Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner

Executive Producers: Mark R. Wright, Kim Roth, Jack Murray, Dana Sano, Monte Lipman

Co-Executive Producers: James Lopez, Poppy Hanks

Cast: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, David Alan Grier, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tamberla Perry, Eric Robinson Jr. with Kiefer Sutherland and Jamie Foxx

https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001W6riJGzIP22eXIEGlqB2NyGYmiMmVTVrg3MbCISWmBKbYcX9cMKE0y-xK4TNNHEXmtnlJHt717vu7cgCULY44J7CG_fgJajS4wQmPEnwWL81jPCkem3kSVP_MqZCyzadgpDGaKZVE9HMJhhJaxXRv2wLDV54gdIq0qNyOkL4mMA=&c=VkdmEEIoKsP_67xerCNWTaaTg44N2Jm-A9xWMhf1QZmzvKD_4TRgww==&ch=zFjy0c0-MUUxasUxJJ931E43ySkO-ub1lWEXT95OAKsshkYux9jmmg==

Entertainment

“Bounce TV to Premiere ‘Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White’ on Juneteenth”

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When someone has lived ninety-two summers you’d hope that their life has touched people around them. You’d believe that they’ve seen some amazing and historical events. You’d probably also believe that, hopefully, they’ve made the world a little better and that they deserve their flowers for it. All of those things are true for one person, Mrs. Xernona Clayton.

Bounce TV, the popular broadcast and multi-platform entertainment network serving African Americans, will mark Juneteenth this year with the premiere of an exclusive new documentary, “Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White”. Mrs. Clayton is one of the most phenomenal civil rights icons and African American pioneers who single-handedly changed the world in ways most of people are blind to.

Mrs. Clayton holds the honor of being the first African American woman to ever hold several positions, titles and accolades in a world and industry dominated by mostly White men.

“Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White” will spotlight the person who over her incredible career became the first Black woman in the South to have her own TV show, helped write the blueprint to desegregate hospitals in the South and even convinced a KKK Grand Dragon to renounce his position as well as the organization. This powerful, and influential, woman is shown, for the first time, like the world has never seen her before. Through the eyes of those who love her, support her and those who are living their dreams because she dared to follow hers.

“Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White” includes insights from Ambassador Andrew Young, Martin Luther King III, Pamela Poitier, and broadcasting legends Tom Johnson and Pat Mitchell. Senator Raphael Warnock, NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, actor and rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris and other influential personalities also discuss their experiences with Ms. Clayton. The film is produced and directed by Emmy and Peabody award-winning director and producer Nancy Saslow and her Mishpookah Entertainment Group and executive produced by David Hudson. 

Be sure to tune in to  “Xernona Clayton: A Life in Black and White” on Monday, June 19 on Bounce TV at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT.

LoVetta Jenkins

The Chatty Passenger

written for Kingsmen Media

Entertainment

DRAKE LEADS WITH SEVEN “BET AWARDS” 2023 NOMINATIONS, AND GLORILLA FOLLOWS WITH SIX

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Today, BET announces “BET Awards” 2023nominees, with Drake leading the nominations, scoring seven. This year’s nominees reflect abundant creative expression and Black excellence across music, television, film, and sports. “BET Awards” 2023 will air LIVE on BET on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at 8 PM ET/ 5 PM PT. Culture’s Biggest Night will celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop throughout the LIVE telecast on BET. “BET Awards” 2023 nominations were selected by the BET Voting Academy, comprised of an esteemed group of entertainment professionals and influencers in music, media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and creative arts.

Drake claims the top spot at “BET Awards” 2023with seven nominations. Drake’s nominations include ‘Best Male Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Best Male R&B/Pop Artist,’ ‘Best Group’ with 21 Savage, ‘Best Collaboration’ with Future and Tems (“Wait for U”),‘Album of the Year,’ for Her Loss with 21 Savage, and ‘Viewer’s Choice Award,’ for Jimmy Cook with 21 Savage, and his feature on Wait For You with Future and Tems.

In October of last year, GloRilla was named a BET Amplified Artist. She gave an electrifying performance at the “BET Hip Hop Awards,” where she won Best Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist of the Year. Today, Gloria Hallelujah Woods, known professionally as GloRilla, has six nominations, including ‘Best Female Hip Hop Artist,’ ‘Best New Artist,’ ‘Album of the Year’ for Anyways, Life’s Great, ‘Video Of The Year’ for Tomorrow 2 with Cardi B, and ‘Best Collaboration’ for her features with HItkidd (“F.N.F. Let’s Go”) and Cardi B(“Tomorrow 2”).

21 Savage and Lizzo earned the third-highest number of nods, with five nominations each. Beyoncé, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Ice Spice, and SZA follow with four nominations each. Cardi B, Coco Jones, FLO, Future, Jack Harlow, Kendrick Lamar, Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin, and Tems are tied with three nominations each.

Culture’s biggest night, “BET Awards,” has been the #1 cable award show among all adults 18-49 for the last two consecutive years and is the #1 cable award show among Black adults 18-49 for the 21st consecutive year (CY02-CY22). “BET Awards” is the ultimate platform to showcase the best, brightest, and most beautiful aspects of the Black experience – honoring the present and future of Black music, creativity, and sportsmanship, by celebrating the culture and being a driving force for social change.

Voting for “BET Awards” 2023 Viewer’s Choice Award begins June 8, 2023, and ends June 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM PT/ 9:30 PM ET. Cast your vote here: https://www.bet.com/viewerschoice23

BET.com/bet-awards is the official site for “BET Awards” 2023 and will have all the latest news and updates about this year’s show. Follow us @ BET and @BETAWARDS.

Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, will oversee and Executive Produce the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy to Co-Executive Produce for BET. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as Executive Producers.

Entertainment

Call Her King – Starring Naturi Naughton Premieres on BET+ This July

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Starring: Naturi Naughton, Lance Gross, Jason Mitchell, Johnny Messner, Nicholas Turturro, Tobias Truvillion, Garrett Hendricks, Shiobann Amisial.

BET+ premieres highly anticipated action thriller CALL HER KING, starring Naturi Naughton and Lance Gross, this July!



BET+ will premiere original feature Call Her King, starring Naturi Naughton (Power Book II: Ghost) and Lance Gross (House of Payne), on July 6.
Directed by Wes Miller (A Day to Die), Call Her King follows Judge Jaeda King (Naughton), who has just sentenced Sean Samuels (Mitchell) to death when the courthouse is hijacked by Samuels’ brother Gabriel, also known as Black Caesar (Gross). The Judge must then rely on her wits, strength, and skill to find a way to end the standoff, save the hostages and fight her way out.




Jason Mitchell (Mudbound), Johnny Messner (A Day to Die), Nicholas Turturro (NYPD Blue), Tobias Truvillion (First Wives Club), Garrett Hendricks (FBI) and Shiobann Amisial (Bel-Air) also star in the film, the first production falling under Andrew van den Houten and Miller’s newly formed BLacklight Entertainment banner. BLacklight’s mission is providing quality opportunities for people of color and other traditionally disadvantaged people in front of and behind the camera. van den Houten and Miller produced the film for the company.

Call Her King premieres on BET+ July 6th.

On Bet+ July 6

Entertainment

SHOOTING STARS THE STORY OF LEBRON JAMES AND HIS RISE TO FAME WITH HELP FROM CLOSE FRIENDS

Sylvester

Many of us have long-life friends that turn into family. Based on the book by LeBron James and the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Friday Night Lights, Buzz Bissinger, Shooting Stars is the inspiring origin story of a basketball superhero, revealing how LeBron James and his childhood friends become the #1 high school team in the country, launching James’s breathtaking career as a four-time NBA Champion, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Fun fact: Lebron’s path to stardom included a Catholic High School and a loving mom that wanted him to succeed.

LeBron James attends as Universal Pictures present the Premiere of Shooting Stars at the Regency Village Theatre on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA (photo: Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages)

The inspiring origin story of a basketball superhero reveals how LeBron James and his childhood friends became the No. 1 high school team in the country, launching James’ breathtaking career as a four-time NBA Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Chris Robinson and Wood Harris attend as Universal Pictures present the Premiere of Shooting Stars at the Regency Village Theatre on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, CA (photo: Benjamin Shmikler/ABImages)

Starring: Marquis “Mookie” Cook, Wood Harris, Caleb McLaughlin, Khalil Everage, Avery S. Willis, Jr., Sterling “Scoot” Henderson, Dermot Mulroney, Natalie Paul, Diane Howard, Algee Smith, Katlyn Nichol
Director: Chris Robinson
Executive Producer: Gretel Twombly
Producers: Rachel Winter, p.g.a., Spencer Beighley p.g.a, LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Terence Winter
Screenplay by: Frank E. Flowers and Tony Rettenmaier & Juel Taylor, based on the book by LeBron James & Buzz Bissinger

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