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The FADER’s “Songs You Need” are the tracks we can’t stop playing. Check back every day for new music and follow along on our Spotify playlist. William Richard Guy grew up in Kansas, where he was plagued by run-ins with the law before marrying at 18 and enlisting in the Vietnam War.

sunk most of the competition. This was 1998, when big movies were not expected to open before the May-to-August summer movie season. The film that dethroned “Titanic,” an expensive, grimdark adaptation of “Lost in Space,” was itself a surprisingly “big” movie for its early April opening weekend.

Angelique Jackson Ready Life founder & CEO Ashley D. Bell announced the creation Ready Entertainment, a new production company dedicated to creating movies and TV shows with strong social justice messages. Bell is a corporate finance attorney and the former White House policy advisor for entrepreneurship & innovation. Dr. Bernice A. King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, is a co-founder of Ready Life and will take an active role in Ready Entertainment. Ready Life is an innovative fintech platform with a suite of financial tools that empower individuals to create and preserve generational wealth. Ready Entertainment follows the company’s mission to close the racial equity gap by helping to provide financial loans and the ability to buy a home to those without credit, empowering African Americans to take back control of their finances and banking institutions.

Tony & Grammy winner Leslie Odom, Jr. will star in a new Broadway production of the classic American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by Ossie Davis. Purlie Victorious will be staged by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, with the production scheduled to begin in late summer 2023 for the 2023-2024 Broadway season.

It’s art!

EXCLUSIVE: Till‘s Jalyn Hall will play another important Black American historical figure after booking a guest-starring role playing the young Martin Luther King Jr in Genius: MLK/X, the upcoming fourth installment in the Disney+/National Geographic anthology series.

CBS has set a date for Byron Allen presents theGrio Awards special where African-American excellence is honored. Co-hosted by Sheryl Underwood from The Talk and Taye Diggs, the two-hour award show will air on Saturday, Nov. 26 starting at 8 p.m. ET.

The inaugural gala for The Grio Awards are set to honor icons, leaders and legends like Tyler Perry, Patti LaBelle, Dave Chappelle and Normal Lear.

EJ Panaligan editor Allen Media Group’s African American-focused news, lifestyle, sports and entertainment platform theGrio has announced the inaugural The Grio Awards. The black-tie event will take place at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 22th with co-hosts comedian Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs. The award show’s inaugural honorees are slated to attend in-person, including: The event will also feature special musical performances by Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, Fantasia and LaBelle. Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director, and DJ Kiss will serve as both DJ and announcer. Additional guests slated to attend include Sheryl Lee Ralph, Judge Christine Perez, Dave Winfield, Judge Lauren Lake, Judge Mabelean Efphram, April Ryan, Natasha Alford, Michael Harriot, Panama Jackson, Nikole Hannah Jones, Ben Chavis and Marla Gibbs.

U2 frontman Bono has opened up about alleged death threats he received in his new, soon-to-be-released memoir, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.In the book, Bono speaks about numerous threats the band received from the IRA, gangsters and some far right groups throughout their career.Bono claims in the book that Gerry Adams, the late, former Sinn Fein leader, said he “stinks” because of their pro-peace stance. “U2’s opposition to paramilitaries (of all kinds) had cost the IRA valuable fundraising in the US,” the book alleges.The musician spoke about the book for the first time yesterday (October 16) at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, and recalled how special branch officers said that /his wife, Ali Stewart, was the more likely target than him.

Democratic strategist Paul Begala slammed "pain-in-the-a--' White liberals on Twitter," claiming that people of color are the real heart of the Democratic Party.  Begala, during a Tuesday appearance on "CNN Tonight," Begala got into a heated back and forth with Forward Party founder Andrew Yang on whether President Biden has the vigor to win re-election in 2024.  Describing himself as a guy who "loves Joe Biden," Begala claimed that the current president would "steamroll" Trump in a second election, as well as any Democrat who may seek to challenge him.  "I spoke before or after Joe Biden half a dozen times," Yang said, referring to the 2020 debates. "And the fact is, when he came off that stage, you know what people were not saying? That guy has the energy, the vigor–" "All of a sudden he developed it," Begala interjected.

The disgraced former Los Angeles city council president said that cutting police funding is a "step" toward ending racism. In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, former Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez backed a proposal to slash police funding for the City of Angels.

Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez is facing calls to step down after leaked audio revealed her making openly racist remarks, including those about a White colleague’s young Black son.  The Los Angeles Times first reported about the audio recording on Sunday of a conversation that happened back in October 2021 between Martinez, Councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León and L.A. County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera while discussing the redrawing of districts.  According to the Times, Martinez criticized another colleague, Councilmember Mike Bonin, who is White, over the parenting of his Black son, who she said he treated like an "accessory."  Martinez remarked on the toddler’s behavior during a Martin Luther King Day parade, saying that the float would have tipped over if she and the other women present didn’t step in to "parent this kid." Councilman Kevin de León, left, and Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez confer at city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct.

Four years ago, after Aretha Franklin passed away at 76, reporter Jen Dize submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to unseal the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s file on the late soul queen. The contents of the 270-page file were finally published late morning in a report by Dize on her investigative journalism substack, Courage News. (Dize had posted what she felt were the most relevant documents hours earlier in a Twitter thread.) They detail a complicated relationship between the Bureau and the legendary singer that found them acting as her harasser, protector, and legal advocate at different points in her life.

A stunning mural of local heroes and global icons at a school in Wigan has left children inspired. Olympian Keely Hodgkinson is the latest to be added to the wall of icons at Platt Bridge Community School following her efforts in the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

US’s first small-screen kiss between a black woman and a white man, Uhura and Captain Kirk (played by William Shatner), in 1968. When Nichols considered leaving Star Trek at the end of the first run, a chance meeting with the civil rights leader Martin Luther King at a fundraising event changed her mind. “He said I had the first non-stereotypical role, I had a role with honour, dignity and intelligence,” she recalled in a 2011 television programme.

Ethan Hawke dropped by “The Late Show” on Tuesday, where he shared his unorthodox idea to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Having starred as Martin Luther King in Selma, British actor David Oyelowo is planning to play another American icon, Sugar Ray Robinson.

Al Roker has paid a touching tribute on Instagram following the death of "broadcast pioneer" Trudy Haynes, who has sadly passed away.MORE: Al Roker gets choked up over son Nick growing upThe Today star shared a series of photos of Trudy from over the years, alongside a touching message.He wrote: "Broadcast pioneer, Trudy Haynes, passed away this week at the age of 95. First black tv weathercaster at @wxyzdetroit and first black reporter at @cbs_philly , Ms.

Sasha Urban editorMartin Luther King III will host a new docuseries produced by Calabasas Film and Media, the company announced Monday.Titled “Protect/Serve,” the series sees King, the oldest child of revered civil right activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., moderate a series of conversations with law enforcement officials, activists, grass-roots organization founders, DAs and other prominent figures. The conversations will focus on the role of police in America and the origins of institutional racism, with a goal of finding solutions to these problems.

Wilson Chapman editorThe Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have negotiated the tentative terms of a new contract for film and television productions. The professional union for animation workers announced the news Friday, almost eight months since negotiations for a contract started.The news comes about 10 months after the three-year contract between the Animation Guild and AMPTP was initially set to expire, July 29, 2021.

At Disney’s Investor Day in December 2020, Nat Geo revealed that season four of its anthology series Genius would focus on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

a nationwide book ban sweeping America’s school districts, primarily fueled by conservatives who are targeting books mostly by and about minorities, especially LGBTQ and Black people.Over the last nine months 1145 books have been removed from school classrooms and libraries in 86 school districts, a PEN America report finds. They cover a wide range, including books about Rosa Parks, Dr.

Google is notifying publishers that they needs to tread carefully when producing content that “exploits, dismisses, or condones” the war in Ukraine.

Jordan Moreau Showtime has released the first trailer for the upcoming anthology series, “The First Lady,” which follows presidential couples throughout American history.The former U.S. presidents, first ladies, their families and colleagues will be played by a company of A-list stars. The Obamas, Fords and Roosevelts are among those portrayed on the series.Viola Davis will play Michelle Obama opposite O.T.

the union announced Wednesday night.While actual vote numbers have not been made public, according to the union, voter turnout was 67%, with 89% voting yes. The so-called ‘Black Book’ agreement will cover “Drivers, Dispatchers, Animal Trainers/Handlers, Wranglers, Mechanics, Auto Service and now DOT Administrators, with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP),” the union said.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterNational Geographic announced a slate of more than a dozen upcoming original programs Monday, all of which are produced by the brand but will debut exclusively on Disney Plus — not on the Nat Geo cable channel. But despite the shift, Nat Geo content president Courteney Monroe promised that it’s not a sign that the Disney-owned brand has completely moved away from linear content.“I realize that all of my announcements today were for Disney Plus originals, but that in no way diminishes our focus and investment in National Geographic programming for the linear channel,” Monroe told reporters Monday during Nat Geo’s virtual presentation at the Television Critics Association winter press tour.

Syl Johnson was a soul and blues singer and guitarist known for songs including “Different Strokes,” “Is it Because I’m Black,” and “Take Me to the River.”Johnson grew up in a musical family that included his brother, blues guitarist Jimmy Johnson (1928–2022). In his early career, he played with blues legends including Junior Wells (1934–1998) and Howlin’ Wolf (1910–1976). Johnson began his own recording career in the late 1950s, and he began charting singles in 1967 with “Come on Sock it to Me” and “Different Strokes.” A top-15 R&B hit, “Different Strokes” became one of the most heavily sampled songs, heard in tracks by artists including Public Enemy and the Wu-Tang Clan.

When daylight comes and he wants to go home, Harry Belafonte, has a sweet family of four to return to. The  ‘King of Calypso’, 94, has four children, two with ex-wife Marguerite Byrd and two with second ex-wife Julie Robinson. Harry is currently married to his third wife, Pamela Frank. Each of Harry’s grown children has made their own path in life, all while staying close with their dad. Meet each of his four kids below.

Trisha Yearwood has raised more than $36,000 for the #BettyWhiteChallenge on what would have been the late comedian's 100th birthday. Trisha joined forces with Dottie's Yard Fund which distributes funds to animal charities across the country, and talkshoplive, the leading live streaming online network, and matched donations up to $10,000 to bring in tens of thousands for charity in Betty's name.MORE: Betty White's greatest quotes to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday"Who doesn't love Betty White? We all do.

Martin Luther King Jr., the NBA enlisted the help of Dwyane Wade, a former player. The two delivered an inspiring TV spot that hopes to inspire young people to follow and live out MLK’s legacy. Vanessa Bryant’s daughters are tiny pros on the slopes: ‘This is where Gigi and Nani learned’Vanessa Bryant won’t stop fighting for justice after deputy trainee showed photos of Kobe Bryant’s body at a barThe spot, titled “Imagine” is voiced by Dwyane Wade and is made up of footage of himself intercut with videos of Martin Luther King giving speeches and walking in alongide nonviolent protestors in the Civil Rights Movement marches.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry wanted to set an example on a special day. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex provided meals for volunteers and staff organizing Monday’s events at The King Center in Atlanta, a spokesperson for the couple told People magazine.The couple also received support from the late minister and activist's daughter, Dr.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry showed their support for The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, commonly known as The King Center, on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

Editors note: On the commemoration of what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 93rd birthday, multi-platform company Macro founder Charles D. King today takes a big picture look at an American icon and his influence in a guest column for Deadline.

NEW YORK -- Steve Schapiro, a prize-winning photographer whose indelible images ranged from the March on Washington to the set of “The Godfather” and other films, has died at age 87.Schapiro died Saturday at his home in Chicago, according to spokesperson Heidi Schaeffer. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer.A New York City native who studied under the World War II photographer W.

“Scream,” the fifth film in what is a revival of Wes Craven’s iconic horror franchise, made $3.5 million on Thursday night in box office preview screenings from approximately 3,000 screens beginning at 7:00 p.m. It opens on 3,661 domestic locations this weekend. “Scream” in just the second weekend of 2022 has a shot over its 4-day Martin Luther King Day holiday weekend to dethrone “Spider-Man: No Way Home” as the No.