Songs for Screens: Dillon Francis on Remixing ‘The Coconut Nut’ to Help Malibu Rum Benefit Black-Owned Businesses (EXCLUSIVE)

PHOENIX -- A renewed focus on social justice in the wake of police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd has seen sales soar at Black-owned bookstores around the country as customers seek out knowledge from their own communities. The stores have always served as a community space for Black people to gather and educate themselves and their communities about their culture and history.

Celia Shatzman editorOver the last few months, as awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement has grown even more, people have been throwing their support and dollars behind Black-owned businesses. This recent revolution has opened eyes to the challenges that people face because of their race.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorHBO’s “Lovecraft Country” has already made history for its entirely online orchestral score, co-composed by Laura Karpman and Raphael Saadiq.But for noted musical multitasker Saadiq – with a resume that includes a Grammy (and 15 nominations), a 2018 Oscar nom, nine studio albums (five as a solo act, four with previous group Tony! Toni! Toné!) and countless hits as a writer/producer for artists like D’Angelo, Solange, Mary J.

Michelle Obama gave a powerful speech during the first night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention and all eyes were on the necklace she was wearing!

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorNot many companies can say they won an Academy Award with their first film. But Lion Forge Animation’s Carl Reed and David Steward II, who formed the U.S.’s only Black-owned animation studio last year to address a lack of representation in the genre, took home the hardware in February for the studio’s involvement in animated short “Hair Love.” Reed, a former animator, is president of the company and chief creative officer of St.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLike many people, John Sebastian, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee for his years as a founding member and vocalist for The Lovin’ Spoonful, was getting ready to write off 2020 as a wash.After abruptly canceling a planned solo tour in March due to the pandemic, “I was looking down the barrel of no work — ever,” Sebastian says on the phone from his home in upstate New York.

Erica Mena is celebrating a black-owned business and she’s wishing this online store which she says it’s her favorite a happy anniversary. Check out her message below.

George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and too many others. It's the right time to support these business owners by shopping Black-owned whenever possible. Of course there are plenty of Black-owned companies in the fashion and beauty industries.

coronavirus pandemic.

Black Pound Day happens on the first Saturday of every month in a bid to encourage spending in Black-owned businesses and grow the Black economy and Black communities – so we enlisted the help of Afro Leads (@afro_leads) to curate a list of places to support. Afro Leads is an Instagram page where followers can find daily posts about UK Black business and culture.

Andrew Hampp An Ol’ Dirty Bastard cover and a kazoo parade featuring Big Freedia were the two most-awarded pieces of music at the 2020 AMP Awards, which were held virtually on Thursday (July 30.)The seventh annual gathering from the Association of Music Producers (AMP) recognized excellence in use of licensed and original music in advertising, led by Smirnoff’s “Infamous Since 1864” campaign, which features a cinematic cover of ODB’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” Wave Studios was awarded for both

Taylor Swift’s Folklore merchandise — but she’s quickly making the necessary changes!On Saturday, July 25, founder of The Folklore — an online agency selling “high-end contemporary African designer fashion to customers around the world” — Amira Rasool, criticized the hitmaker for using her brand’s logo. “Wait hold up.

Taylor Swift‘s Folklore album garnered plenty of attention late last week when the singer gave fans less than 24 hours notice before unveiling the 16-track project!

Sandra Bullock gathered pals including fellow actresses Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Paulson and Holland Taylor to mark her 56th birthday with a socially-distanced bash on Sunday.

Sandra Bullock ushered in another year on Earth surrounded by absolute love! The stunning Oscar-winning actress turned 56 on July 26 and spent the day hanging out with some of her famous gal pals, many of whom fans will surely recognize. Amongst the group of accomplished, powerful Hollywood women was Jennifer Aniston, who shared the below photo to her own Instagram story.

Sandra Bullock turned 56 on Sunday and to celebrate several of her celebrity pals enjoyed a socially distant hang sesh. Jennifer Aniston posted a sweet snap from the event to her Instagram Story. «Celebrating our girl properly distanced with so much love,» she captioned the pic.