August 02, 2018
By Lauren Poteat
NNPA Newswire
In an effort to improve ties between the African Diaspora and the Black community in America, Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata teamed up with Prince Adah Obekpa, Vanessa Teemsma and Joan McCarthy to make a comedic, yet timely, film titled “The American King: As Told by an African Priestess.”
Obekpa served as an executive producer on the film, while Teemsma and McCarthy assisted as producers.
“There is no better time than now to create a narrative that showcases Africa and Africans in a different light,” said Amata, during a screening of “American King” at the Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage in Northwest, Washington, D.C. “I wanted to make something that would give Americans and, more importantly African Americans, an opportunity to see and understand who they are and why they are who they are…We are all Africans and it’s so important that African Americans, most of all, understand that.”
Using comedy to emphasize the message of strong, cultural appreciation, the film also tackled hard-hitting, social issues including colonialism and poverty—a burden faced by all kinds of people, all over the world.
Akon, the award-winning, Senegalese American music producer, added his star power to the film as the main character, Sebastian. Akon also starred in Amata’s 2012 film “Black November.”
Kenneth Miller, the publisher of the Cleveland Call and Post, collaborated with the NNPA to host the “American King” screening.
After the screening, Miller shared the story about a chance encounter in 2011 with the producers of Amata’s “Black November” during a boxing event promoted by Don King. Miller described watching “Black November” as a life changing experience.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to meet Michael Jordan. I didn’t know Michael Jackson. I don’t know LeBron James. I never met Kobe Bryant, but [Jeta] had something that all of the great ones have,” Miller said. “I told him then that, ‘I am going to be with you for a very long time.’”
Miller later traveled to Nigeria with Amata.
“I felt more at home in Nigeria, a place I spent 11 days of my life, than I felt at home when I came back here to the United States of America,” Miller said. “My goal for the rest of my life is to connect to who I am and what I am…Jeta has allowed for me to be able to pursue that wonderful dream.”
Championing Amata’s filmmaking endeavors, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, shared his thoughts on “The American King” and its overall message.
“The film is a fusion of African and African American flavors, meant to change the way we see each other and the way we relate to one another,” Dr. Chavis said. “I use to live in Angola and I found out that there is no real substitute for getting on a plane or on a boat and actually going over and spending time in Africa.”
Dr. Chavis continued: “The time to embrace one another—the time to embrace Africa—is now and that’s what this film is about.”
“The American King: As Told by an African Priestess,” is set to hit theaters in early 2019.
August 02, 2018
By Associated Press
Octavia Spencer is bringing the story of black haircare mogul Madam C.J. Walker to television.
Netflix said Sunday that Spencer will produce and star in a limited series about the outsized life of Sarah Breedlove, who was known professionally as Walker.
The eight-episode drama is based on the book “On Her Own Ground'' by A'Lelia Bundles and includes basketball star LeBron James as a producer.
Walker became one of America’s first self-made female millionaires by creating and marketing hair products for African Americans at the turn of the 20th century.
Netflix said the series will detail the hostility, rivalries and tumultuous personal life that marked Walker’s life.
Spencer is an Oscar-winning actress whose credits include “The Shape of Water,” “Hidden Figures” and “The Help.”
A release date for “Madam C.J. Walker” was not announced.
August 02, 2018
Aries
MAR 21 - APR 19
Reckless money moves will pave the way to major regret this week in your love life if you're not careful. You might be convinced that the only way to secure your current relationship is by somehow putting your money where your heart is. Don't take this risk. It will only lead to heartbreak ... and possibly financial woes. If your lover has a grand plan about how to hit it big financially that's great -- be his or her cheerleader. Don't, however, be his or her financier. That will be disastrous.
Taurus
APR 20 - MAY 20
It's time to slow your roll, Taurus. It's clear that you're quite frustrated when it comes to career matters this week. In fact, nothing is going the way you want it to and you might be ready to throw a tantrum because of it. The problem is that you'll be full of misdirected anger. Instead of channeling it productively, it'll be very easy to take it out on the person you love the most. The best way to avoid an unnecessary argument with your mate is to be a witness to your behavior this week rather than a participant. Notice when you're about to blow up ... and then don't.
Gemini
MAY 21 - JUN 20
You might feel completely frustrated over the fact that your partner is not being receptive to your beliefs. This could be about a specific situation or something on a broader level, such as religion, philosophy, or a matter that makes you realize your moral compass is not always aligned to your mate's. If you're single, it's possible that you're ready to throw in the towel and stop dating. The people you're meeting are all over the place and don't seem to have a firm handle on their personal values. You're turned off and disenchanted. Hang in there, Gemini, it's only a lesson. It's meant to teach you that if you remain true to yourself, the right person will come your way.
Cancer
JUN 21 - JUL 22
If you're in a relationship, it's possible that you and your partner are at odds concerning finances. That's putting it nicely. The truth is, you may feel as if you're ready to explode like a dormant volcano. You're tired of your mate making irresponsible decisions with money that you later need to fix. This cycle has become tiresome and you're over it. Although something needs to change, you might feel as if your partner is not recognizing this, which will only add to your frustration. Is this a lose-lose situation? Only if you continue to accept it.
Leo
JUL 23 - AUG 22
If you're feeling frustrated about a lack of progress in your relationship, you might be at a loss over what to do this week. The truth is, you aren't in a position to do much of anything right now, and this really aggravates you. You might be ready to define who you are as a couple and want to make a stronger commitment, while your partner is simply not on the same page yet. He or she loves you but might think you need to take more time to build a solid foundation together. Do your best to be patient.
Virgo
AUG 23 - SEP 22
There doesn't seem to be much love in your life this week, Virgo. That's not to say you don't have a special someone in your world and heart. In fact, you might be in a solid relationship. It's just that love doesn't appear to be your focus. In fact, you might be heavily distracted with a work situation that seems to be untenable at the moment. You and someone you work with might be at an impasse when it comes to how to deal with a certain situation. This has become all-consuming, leaving you with little to no energy left for romance.
Libra
SEP 23 - OCT 22
You might be dealing with someone who is hot and cold towards you this week, which you won't like one bit. If you're dating someone or in a relationship, your lover might even tease you in some way. He or she may flirt with you or make sexual innuendos that get you all hot and bothered, only to leave you high and dry and extremely frustrated. Another possibility is that you and your partner very much want to get together, but life is getting into the way of your sex life. Ugh. The bright side? It's temporary.
Scorpio
OCT 23 - NOV 21
You and your partner are not in a happy place this week regarding your domestic world. It might be due to a certain amount of chaos that neither one of you can control. For example, one of your relatives or one of your children might be dealing with an unexpected situation that has turned into a mess you and your mate need to clean up. Another possibility is that you are just not experiencing peace with your current living situation for one reason or another. It is taking a toll on your romantic life. Address it.
Sagittarius
NOV 22 - DEC 21
Something is a mess right now in your love life, but you can't seem to do much about it. You might feel completely exasperated, almost as if you're in a hopeless situation with nowhere to go. You may even try your best to think your way to a viable solution, but no matter where your mind takes you, the outcome appears to be a dead end. This is only adding to your aggravation. Be careful about saying something volatile to your partner out of frustration. You'll only regret your words later ... and will makes things worse.
Capricorn
DEC 22 - JAN 19
Your current romantic situation might be taking a toll on your confidence this week. You might have a certain level of excitement and action happening in your love life but zero consistency at the same time. Someone might be in and out of your life, leaving you wondering where you stand. You might not even be sure just how much this person is into you. Don't allow your love life to become a circus act. It's not serving you well in any way. You're not a puppet and you're not a clown -- you're a total catch. Act like it.
Aquarius
JAN 20 - FEB 18
It's possible that you're going to throw a tantrum this week that gets you absolutely nowhere. You aren't getting what you want these days in your life, especially as it relates to you and your romantic world. Knowing that the universe has pressed the pause button and stalled the progress you want to see has been frustrating to say the least. This week, you are going to try to rebel and make something happen -- but it won't. Hang in there. You'll see forward movement again. Eventually.
Pisces
FEB 19 - MAR 20
Your mind is filled with volatile thoughts and an overall sense of unrest concerning your current love life scenario. There is something that hasn't been quite right, and if you're being honest with yourself, you might have been trying to convince yourself otherwise for far too long. It's possible that you will call yourself out on this behavior and attempt to have a conversation with your lover this week about what you're unhappy about. It might not lead to any productive change, but at least you'll get things off your chest.
July 26, 2018
By Faith Petrie
LAWT Intern
Ellene V. Miles will join Sony’s Motion Picture Group’s marketing team in the “newly created role” of SVP Intersectional Marketing, said a staff-wide memo by Andre Caraco, co-president of domestic marketing.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Miles “will take up the new post on Aug. 13, [and] will report to Andre Caraco, co-president of domestic marketing, and Paul Martin, who heads Sony’s corporate diversity and inclusion office.”
In the memo, it was said that Mile’s role will be a “broad, 360-degree diversity-based marketing strategies that will inform all facets of our film campaigns including publicity, creative, digital, media, research, and promotions.”
Miles has almost two decades of experience in the field of marketing and most recently, she was the vice president of Terry Hines and Associates’ targeted marketing division, the MRKT, and principal and founder of EV Miles Media, a specialized media relations agency.
She has worked on projects at the DuVernay Agency including “Girlfriends,” “Dreamgirls” and “Collateral.”
An email sent by Tiaka Hurst, Full Bloom Marketing president, including an article by Deadline and attached was the written message, “LETS ALL SAY CONGRATS TO ELLENE!!!! @SoundHer22.”
On Wednesday, Miles posted on her personal Instagram account @evmilesmedia, a screenshot of The Hollywood Reporter article and was met with over 120 comments of congratulations.
User @dawnchelle_ said, “Congrats !!! You’ve worked hard and are now reaping the benefits ! I’m so happy for you!”