Jay-Z and Roc Nation co-produce a film about Angela Davis
By Florence Anthony
Best Actress Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis carried one of her signature puppy purses to the 2013 Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on February 4. Sources say Qubenzhane’s mother took the 9 year-old actress over to meet fellow nominee, Denzel Washington. He initially asked her: “What’s your name? Are you up for an Oscar?” She replied: “Yes, Best Actress,” and, Denzel asked her for what. When she told him, he reportedly exclaimed: “Ohhhhh! Your hair was all wild.” So, then, he asked her: “How’s all this been for you? Do you miss school?” She replied: “Not really.” After posing for some photos together, Denzel said: “Well, very nice to meet you.”
Kerry Washington had a huge night at the NAACP Image Awards on February 1. “Scandal” was named Best TV Drama and Kerry won Best Actress in a Drama Series, not to mention Best Supporting Actress in a movie for Django Unchained, and a special award for Public Service. Yours Truly was chauffeured around in a Chevrolet Traverse. Chevrolet was one of the sponsors for the 44th NAACP Image Awards, which aired live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
According to reports, Robert T. Ironside is mounting a comeback. NBC has given a pilot order to a reboot of the 1967 detective drama “Ironside” to star Blair Underwood. The new “Ironside,” centers on a tough, sexy and acerbic police detective played by Blair relegated to a wheelchair after a shooting who is hardly limited by his disability as he pushes and prods his hand-picked team to solve the most difficult cases in the city.
Codeblack Films, a Lionsgate company, has acquired the theatrical rights to the political-crime-drama-documentary about social activism icon Angela Davis. Through Codeblack Films’ partnership with AMC Theatres, “Free Angela and all Political Prisoners” presented by BET Networks will release exclusively at AMC locations in select markets on April 5. “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” is a film created, written and directed by Shola Lynch. Produced by Carole Lambert, Shola Lynch, Carine Ruszniewski and Sidra Smith. Executive Producers Overbrook Entertainment and Roc Nation. Says Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter: “Shola Lynch has crafted an intricate and compelling film about Angela Davis. Roc Nation is honored to be part of a creative collective that can present such a riveting story.”
Fitzgerald Miller, President of the One Hundred Black Men, Inc of New York City, announced the honorees for the 33rd Annual Benefit Gala, which will be held on Thursday, February 21 at the New York Marriott Marquis. This year’s gala celebrating One Hundred Black Men, Inc’s 50th anniversary, honors The Hon. David N. Dinkins, The Hon. H. Carl McCall, Kevin Newell, Executive V.P. and Global Chief Brand Officer, McDonald’s Corporation, Vivian Pickard, President GM Foundation, General Motors Corp and James Reynolds, Jr., Chairman & CEO, Loop Capital Markets.
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TreVante has announced he is taking to the road to highlight the epidemic of violence amongst our teens and the pressures young people are confronted with. TreVante has teamed his efforts with Empowering Success Today, Inc., a non-profit organization encouraging teens to “SHOUT OUT” against teen dating violence.
Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto exchanged vows on April 27 at Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida, in front of 500 guests. The well-wishers at the Bear's Club included Tiger Woods, Patrick Ewing, Spike Lee, Ahmad Rashad, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoc and Scottie Pippen...
Lauryn Hill just bought herself a couple of weeks of freedom. The songstress was to be sentenced for prison time on April 22 after pleading guilty to not filing tax returns for 2005-2007. However, the sentencing was moved to May 6 to give Lauryn time to repay a portion of her $968,000 tax debt.
"Real Husbands of Hollywood" star Kevin Hart was pulled over on the 101 Freeway driving a black Mercedes Benz and after being able to pass sobriety tests, was arrested by the California Highway Patrol at around 4:30 in the morning on April 14.
After more than two years in a Pennsylvania federal prison, Wesley Snipes was released on April 2 and transferred to a community corrections program in New York. He will be completely free on July 19. Sylvester Stallone has already reportedly offered Wesley a role in his new "Expendables" sequel.
Mekhi Phifer married his girlfriend Reshelet Barnes on March 30 at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. The couple exchanged vows on an outdoor terrace in front of 100 friends and family. Mekhi's son walked down the aisle with a Chihuahua, while the groom dressed in a white suit...