NextTV, Chicago Urban League’s Business and Lifestyle Television Series, Wins Two Emmy Awards
November 20, 2009
NextTV, the Chicago Urban League’s business and lifestyle series, was awarded two Emmy Awards on Saturday, November 7 at the Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards ceremony. In recognition of its outstanding first season, which included a one hour special and thirteen episodes chronicling the economic empowerment work of the Chicago Urban League in a reality-style format, nextTV won Emmys in the following categories:
- Outstanding Achievement for Informational Programs — Single Magazine Program, Program Series, or Segment: NextTV Series: Cheryle R. Jackson, Executive Producer; Tracey Scruggs Yearwood, Supervising Producer; Michelle McKissack, Producer/Reporter; Beverly Price, Producer; Richelle Rogers, Producer; Donna Wilson, Producer; Milana Walter, Producer; Ayana Bush, Producer
- Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence Off Camera: Editing-Non News: Ryan Mayers
‘Precious’ Will Leave Lasting Mark
November 20, 2009
“Everybody’s good at something,” Ms. Rain tells her student, Claireece “Precious” Jones.
And Precious is especially good at transforming dark to light, hate to love and the relentlessly callous landscape of her environment into something bearable.
There is no airbrushing or sugarcoating in Lee Daniels’ second film, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” Grit, fried food and palpable street shots of Harlem during the 1980s pervade the screen. “Precious” is a heavy film, filled with glints of light.
Pictured: Actress Gabourey Sidibe arrives at the AFI FEST 2009 Screening Of Precious: Based On The Novel ‘PUSH’ By Sapphire on November 1, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Star Jones Hosts a News Exclusive on Obesity in Black America
November 20, 2009
African-Americans are killing themselves, slowly, and quietly, little by little, every day and the killer is not likely to grab headlines or to bloody the streets. The murderous weapon is food, and many African-Americans are, quite simply, eating themselves to death. African-Americans are more overweight and obese than any other racial group and at risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
On Sunday, November 15 at 10:00 p.m.* BET News and Star Jones take viewers straight to one of the cities carrying the heaviest burden of this epidemic — Jackson, Mississippi — with a one-hour news special, HEART OF THE CITY: DYING TO EAT IN JACKSON .
Wyclef Jean and Philadelphia 76ers Join for Day of Service at West Philadelphia High School
November 20, 2009
In connection with VILLA’s Big Serve community initiative, the area’s leading fashion retailer teamed up today with The Timberland Company, NBA Cares, The School District of Philadelphia and multiple Grammy Award-winning musician and humanitarian Wyclef Jean for a day of community service and school renovations at West Philadelphia High School. Through this unique partnership, West Philadelphia High students were invited to spend time with Wyclef, and basketball players and coaches from the Philadelphia 76ers in inspirational sessions about leadership, the power of sports to effect positive social change and community activism.
Beyonce is the Big Winner at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards
November 20, 2009
Beyonce was the big winner at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), held at the O2 World in Berlin, Germany tonight. The global music icon walked away with three of the night’s biggest awards — Best Female, Best Song, (”Halo”) and Best Video, (”Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)”). She had been nominated for four EMAs, including Best Live Act. The win for Best Video repeats her win at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held in New York last September 13. Beyonce used the occasion in Berlin to thank her husband, Jay-Z for “putting a ring on it.”
Wyclef Jean to Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights’ Ripple of Hope Award
November 20, 2009
The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights today announced that Bono and Wyclef Jean will receive the organization’s 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award, which will be presented at the Center’s annual dinner on November 18th, recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues.
“As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur,” said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. “Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them.”
Dr. Maya Angelou Honored For Lifetime Achievement by Glamour Magazine
November 18, 2009
Glamour magazine announces its annual Women of the Year tribute with 11 extraordinary and inspirational winners and one special-recognition honoree. Glamour’s honorees have made unprecedented contributions to the worlds of entertainment, business, sports, fashion, science and politics. L’Oreal Paris is the title sponsor of the celebration at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
JAY-Z BP3 Confirms 2010 North American Tour Dates
November 18, 2009
In the midst of his first college tour, promoting his latest #1 album The Blueprint 3 and his recently released video game sensation “DJ Hero: Renegade Edition,” the unstoppable JAY-Z confirms North American tour dates for 2010’s BP3 tour. The second leg of the Live Nation-produced tour will begin on February 22nd in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center with more dates to be announced soon. JAY-Z will be joined by Grammy-nominated rapper Young Jeezy who will open all dates on the tour. Tickets go on sale beginning November 13th at LiveNation.com in select markets.
Soundtrack to the highly anticipated movie “Precious” set to be released
November 18, 2009
Lionsgate Music, the music arm of Lionsgate the leading next generation studio, in association with Matriarch/Geffen Records, will release the official soundtrack for Lee Daniels’ highly anticipated, prize-winning film PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL “PUSH” BY SAPPHIRE. The soundtrack will be available online November 3rd and in stores November 23rd. It was produced by Daniels along with Mary J. Blige, whose new song “I Can See In Color” will be the first single. The track has already garnered raves, with Rolling Stone extolling it as “…a knockout song…expressing the goal of Precious to see the world in color.” Other artists featured on the star-studded soundtrack include Queen Latifah, Mahalia Jackson and Grace Hightower. According to Daniels, these artists were selected because they “resonate not only in Precious’ world, but speak to your soul no matter who you are.”
Black Broadcasting Network Presents, ‘Raising Boys – Tips for Single Moms’
November 18, 2009
Black Broadcasting Network (BBN) will premiere its groundbreaking documentary series “Raising Boys – Tips for Single Moms” at Houston’s Angelika Theater, Thursday, November 5th. The four part opus focuses on the plight of inner-city single mothers and stars Houston-based activist, Deric Muhammad, a product of an urban single parent household himself. The premier starts at 7pm CT.
“I believe that much of the youth violence that has spiraled out of control in America’s major cities can be traced to the lack of guidance from strong fathers,” said Muhammad. “The problems start in the home and spill over into the streets. We think we can help.”
