ABC News Plans Two Primetime Specials to Honor Black History Month

Disney’s Onyx Collective and ABC News have jointly acquired Aftershock, which picked up the Sundance Film Festival’s U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Impact for Change upon its debut there last month. The latest from directors Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee will stream as an original film from Onyx Collective on Hulu in the U.S., on Star+ in Latin America, and on Disney+ in all other territories.

Lewis Lee told Sharon Waxman at TheWrap’s Sundance Studio how she first became aware of the disproportionate numbers of preventable deaths of Black mothers and babies.“Way back in 2007, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services asked me to be the spokesperson for their infant mortality awareness raising campaign called ‘A Healthy Baby Begins With You,’” she said.

Angelique Jackson Filmmakers Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee’s Sundance award-winning documentary “Aftershock” has been acquired by Disney’s Onyx Collective and ABC News.News of the joint acquisition comes after the feature won the U.S. Documentary special jury award for impact for change at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where it made its debut as an official selection last month.

WASHINGTON -- The six Black members of President Joe Biden's Cabinet on Thursday celebrated Black History Month by discussing their roles, some of which are historic firsts.Actor Taraji P. Henson and athletes Sloane Stephens and Nneka Ogwumike also took part in a separate discussion on the importance of mental health and wellness among Blacks.Cedric Richmond, a former congressman who also is Black and is a top adviser to the president, moderated a conversation about Black leadership with the Cabinet members who advise Biden on everything from the military to foreign affairs to the economy.Michael Regan, the first Black man to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, said during the livestreamed event that Black leadership is “extremely important.”“Diverse leadership is extremely important because this is a democracy and, in order for a democracy to work, its leadership should reflect the people that it represents,” he said.Other participants included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first Black person in the post; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge; U.S.

Tilane Jones Guest ColumnistFor me, Black History Month is best illustrated by my 92-year-old grandmother Ella Queen Johnson’s recall of our family stories. She shares these stories knowing that the wider world lacks a true and full recognition of the African American family legacy. For most of her long life, she has known that she should not look for depth and dimension in film and television as it relates to families like ours.

Tony Dokoupil is a much-loved co-anchor on CBS Mornings and has had an incredible career to date.MORE: Tony Dokoupil talks exciting new role and working with Gayle King and Nate BurlesonBut while chatting exclusively to HELLO!, the TV star revealed that there is one job he hasn't done yet, that he would very much like to do before he retires – and that's working alongside his wife, journalist and author Katy Tur."Someday. Before we all retire.

Ariana DeBose I’ve always had difficulty understanding where I fit in Black History Month. What do I represent? What communities do I belong to? And are they reflected in the narrative of the celebration? I think about the many unsung Black women who’ve paved the way throughout history, like Pauli Murray who spoke up for civil rights and the rights of Black queer women specifically.

Tony Dokoupil has had an incredible career reporting on the news around the world, and the nature of his work is forever changing.MORE: Gayle King looks incredible in iconic yellow dress as she marks anniversary on CBS MorningsMost recently, he began anchoring a new half-hour weekly series called The Uplift, which has gone down a treat with viewers.The Uplift – part of CBS News – focuses on inspiring stories – the more uplifting the better, and Tony has been enjoying every moment of it so far.VIDEO: Watch Tony Dokoupil get excited about the Super Bowl live on CBS Mornings Chatting to HELLO!, he said: "I see the Uplift as possibly changing the way people see the world – by reminding them that, amid all the heartache, good things happen to good people and thank goodness that hasn’t changed.RELATED: Gayle King stuns in figure-hugging dress - and it costs less than $35"In that respect, the Uplift is news that stays news. It's eternal." Tony Dokoupil is now hosting the positive news show The Uplift He added: "I hope the Uplift is the chief national broadcast of a breakaway country I'll call Hopelandia.

Morgan Stevens, an actor best known for his role as the teacher David Reardon in the television series "Fame" and his recurring role on popular 1990s series "Melrose Place," died Jan. 26 of heart disease at his home in Hollywood, according to the L.A. Coroner’s office.

Phat Tuesdays: The Era of Hip Hop Comedy” (Feb. 4 on Prime Video)A documentary that tells the story of an all-black night, created by Guy Torry, and held at The Comedy Store in LA from 1995-2005. Interviews include Anthony Anderson, Tiffany Haddish, Steve Harvey, Regina King and Nick Cannon — who recount performing on The Comedy Store stage or who were in the audience.“Howard High” (Feb.

Michelle Obama is sharing stories of individuals who are making a difference in communities across the country. She shared a black and white photo by Chicago based photographer Antonio Dickey and wrote, “This is a month of celebration—a time to not only reflect on the heroes in our history books, but to honor the Black people who are quietly working every day to improve and enrich our communities right here and now.” “Today, I’m starting with Antonio Dickey,” she continued.The photo Michelle shared was taken by Dickey when she spoke with students at a school resource event in 1991. “Back then, I was just Michelle Robinson, an assistant to Mayor Daley at City Hall,” she wrote.

She knows what she’s talking about! Viola Davis is well-versed in the entertainment industry, so Us Weekly will take her recommendations anytime. But the fact that February is Black History Month makes her latest list even more special.

Trayvon Martin in Florida also get attention.The post-George Floyd onset of racial reckoning and the subsequent backlash have coincided with the growth of streaming and its voracious need for content, a two-fold incentive for TV to pay heed to the sweep and nuance of Black experience.With broadcast networks and cable channels trying to keep pace with flush streaming services, there’s an impressive field of documentaries, profiles and more ahead. Among the highlights (all times are Eastern):—“One Thousand Years of Slavery,” Smithsonian Channel, Feb. 7-28.

Nicki Minaj just hit the market as a $70,000-a-month rental. The 87th-story spread, at 15 Hudson Yards, is a combo of two units.

Ciara ended up leaving her fans believing that she was pregnant on Tuesday when the Level Up singer shared a photo of herself with a blossoming baby bump.PHOTOS: Inside Ciara's sprawling $6.7m Seattle home she shares with husband Russell WilsonThe mom-of-three was marking Black History Month when she sharing the photo, which also showed her with an unbelievable afro hairstyle. She looked so stylish in a gorgeous barely-there crop top and a stunning array of golden necklaces.

ABC has suspended Whoopi Goldberg from talkshow The View for two weeks over her "wrong and hurtful" Holocaust comments.The 66 year old Ghost actress said that the horrific genocide of European Jewish people during World War II was "not about race". Between 1941 and 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators systematically murdered six million Jews – around two-thirds of Europe's Jewish population. While she's since apologised for the remarks, ABC News president Kim Godwin has decided to ban her from The View for the next two weeks.

Today marks the start of Black History Month, with the broadcast and cable networks and streamers planning a slew of TV series, movies, news programming, documentaries, specials and more to roll out over the course of February to celebrate, educate and entertain.

The biggest stars in Hollywood are all together in one big new issue of British Vogue.