BlackNews.comis reporting that the U.S Postal Service will honor the late Dr. Maya Angelou with a Forever Stamp.
The U.S Postal Service announced the tribute to the late poet/activist Monday, though the appearance and release date of the stamp has not yet been announced.
The U.S Postal Service honors nearly 20 individuals yearly.
Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan stated:
“Maya Angelou inspired our nation through a life of advocacy and through her many contributions to the written and spoken word. Her wide-ranging achievements as a playwright, poet, memoirist, educator, and advocate for justice and equality enhanced our culture.”
This post was written by Reginald Calhoun, editorial assistant for The Burton Wire. He is a junior Mass Media Arts major at Clark Atlanta University. Follow him on Twitter @IRMarsean.
(l. to r.) Actress Caitlin Gerard, executive producer Michael McDonald, actors Elvis Nolasco, W. Earl Brown, executive producer John Ridley, actors Timothy Hutton and Benito Martinez from ABC's 'American Crime' appear at SCAD Atlanta's aTVfest (Photo Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SCAD Atlanta)
(l. to r.) Actress Caitlin Gerard, executive producer Michael McDonald, actors Elvis Nolasco, W. Earl Brown, executive producer John Ridley, actors Timothy Hutton and Benito Martinez from ABC’s ‘American Crime’ appear at SCAD Atlanta’s aTVfest (Photo Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SCAD Atlanta)
ABC’s unapologetic hour-long series, American Crime, tackles race, class, gender, politics, criminal justice, family and faith. Set in Modesto, CA, the complex drama chronicles the investigation and emotional trauma following the shooting death of a young white married couple, which connects individuals spanning various ethnic origins.
American Crime stems from a lunch meeting between show executive producers John Ridley and Michael J. McDonald in 2013. They discussed hot topics like Trayvon Martin, Jodi Arias and their affinity for the documentary The Central Park Five.
Resigning as ABC’s Senior Vice President of Drama Development to head his production company, Stearns Castle, McDonald had been a fan of Ridley’s commentaries on race. He read Ridley’s Oscar-winning manuscript for 12 Years a Slave, recognizing without reservation that the writer’s insights could capture a realistic portrayal of American society.
“[John] wanted to do something that was timely and important but would push the envelope for network television,” says McDonald via phone. “We were both very interested in not the crimes themselves but what the families were going through.”
Ridley, who was a writer for Martin, Third Watch and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, was seeking to get back into creating television. Prior to screening American Crime’s first two episodes at SCAD Atlanta’s #aTVfest, Ridley spoke about how the show challenged him to interrogate and explore provocative subject matter.
“We really are trying to look at a lot of perspectives and have an emotional honesty in those examinations,” says Ridley with both arms folded across the table. “It’s reflective. Diversity isn’t a notion. We’re a broad culture. That’s what we are.”
In mid-production, both Michael Brown’s murder in Ferguson, MO and Eric Garner being choked by police officers in New York occurred. Ridley is aware that audiences and critics may draw parallels from the storylines. He hopes that people will critique America’s state of affairs.
“We’re not trying to exploit things that are happening,” says an eloquently speaking Ridley, “but we are trying to ask questions, examine certain psychologies that are not different from what is happening in a real space and do it in an intellectual, honest way.”
American Crime was taped in Austin, TX over four-and-a-half-months. The dedicated showrunner worked diligently on-set to foster a highly cooperative tone amongst everyone. He recruited an eclectic group of writers, went after performers who could deliver emotion and even hired numerous female directors.
“I wanted to create an environment where people knew they were gonna be treated with respect,” says Ridley. “When people are working together to accomplish something or a common goal for a common cause, they do better.”
The cast immediately took notice of Ridley’s leadership and ambition. Caitlin Gerard, who plays the drug-addicted Aubrey Taylor, was impressed with the NYU alumnus’ welcoming attitude.
The actress addresses how the writer responsible for films like Undercover Brother, Red Tails, Three Kings and All Is By My Side consistently gave his undivided attention to each individual regardless of role.
“[John] respected the integrity of trying to create an even playing field,” says Gerard. “If he was talking to you, he was talking to you. That kind of environment made everyone want to be their best.”
McDonald, an executive at UPN prior to his ABC tenure, didn’t have a lot of direct contact with Ridley during the development of Ridley’s hip hop-themed series, Platinum. Partnering with Ridley on American Crime allowed McDonald to have a better understanding of television’s creative process.
“[John] constantly challenges the people around him to participate with him,” says McDonald. “He’s the hardest working writer I’ve ever worked with. He doesn’t just write a script and say ‘Here it is.’ He converses with me and the other writers. He’s very collaborative.”
Seated at a roundtable, co-stars Elvis Nolasco, Benito Martinez and W. Earl Brown each elaborated on Ridley’s humility. Martinez, who plays hard working, overprotective single father, Alonzo Gutierrez, met Ridley at rehearsal, also the day after Ridley won his Academy Award.
As Martinez congratulated Ridley, the soft-spoken writer expressed to the New Mexican actor that he’s happy to be employed. “He doesn’t make it about a moment,” says Martinez. “[John] invites you to give your best effort on every single moment and will not back away from that. He has your back.”
Nolasco, who plays Aubrey’s codependent drug-addicted love interest, Carter Nix, previously worked with Ridley on Da Brick, a pilot for HBO. The actor was familiar with Ridley’s vision and nurturing approach to filmmaking.
“The minute you meet [John], he gives you this sense of comfort,” says Nolasco, “and you can immediately know there’s trust there on both sides. He lays everything out for you slowly. You don’t know everything from the beginning.”
American Crime is taking How to Get Away With Murder’s time slot. The cast and crew are confident that the series will spark dialogue around dinner tables and social media. Ridley just hopes viewers will appreciate the show’s top quality production aesthetics and his team’s work ethic.
“Everybody has to up their game in terms of storytelling and visuals,” says Ridley. “When we were putting this together, we had to use all of the tools of cinema. If this show works, it works because of everyone’s capacities.”
The series premiere of American Crime debuts on Thurs., Mar. 5 on ABC at 10:00 p.m. ET.
The post was created by Christopher A. Daniel, pop cultural critic and music editor. He is also contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
Katrina Adams has been named the first Black Chairperson, CEO and President of the USTA.
(Photo: Google)
Katrina Adams has been named the first Black Chairperson, CEO and President of the USTA. (Photo: Google)
Donald Hunt of ESPN is reporting that the USTA made history this past month by hiring Katrina Adams as the first African-American chairman, chief executive officer and president. The nonprofit tennis organization, which promotes and develops tennis for young people, hired Adams, a former professional tennis player, who is also the youngest person ever in the top position.
Hunt writes:
“Adams, 46, understands the sacrifices made for her to reach this level. She previously worked as the first vice president of the USTA in 2013-14. In addition, she was vice president in 2011-12 and from 2005 to 2010 served three straight two-year terms as the director at large. There aren’t many African-Americans in high-profile positions in tennis, but Adams has a chance to put her stamp on the game. Moreover, she knows the USTA inside and out.
‘It’s exciting,’ said Adams, who was appointed to her position in January. ‘I think, for me, it’s more about really going after my goals and trying to make a difference in this sport and in this country.'”
Adams also serves as the executive director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program in New York City. In both roles, Adams is able to reach inner-city kids to get them involved with tennis at an early age. A Chicago native, Adams learned to play tennis while tagging along with her brothers who played at a Boys Club. The rest is history.
Adams played high school tennis and was a scholastic state champion in Illinois her junior and senior years. Hunt reports:
“She [Adams] went on to play some outstanding tennis at Northwestern University. In 1986 and ’87, she carried the Wildcats to the Big Ten championship. In 1986, Adams was presented with the ITA Rookie of the Year, and she received All-American honors. In 1987, Adams was the first African-American doubles champion.
After her college career, Adams played 12 years on the WTA Tour. She attained the No. 67 ranking in singles and No. 8 in doubles. She won 20 double titles on the pro tour.”
Adams is a broadcaster on the Tennis Channel. She works as an analyst for the CBS Sports Network’s first all-female sports show and is a former USTA national coach (1999-2002).
Earl Lloyd was the first Black American to play basketball in the NBA.
(Photo: Google Images)
Earl Lloyd was honored during a ceremony at an Atlanta Hawks game in 2012. (Photo Credit: cbssports.com)
The Huffington Post is reporting that Earl Lloyd, the first black NBA player in history, died in Crossville, Tenn. Lloyd was 86.
Lloyd’s death was announced by West Virginia State University, which he attended before his NBA debut in 1950.
Though Lloyd’s entrance into the NBA received little attention, Lloyd along with Sweetwater Clifton and Chuck Cooper, were pioneers for future black NBA players. Lloyd endured racist jeers from spectators in some cities and was subjected to segregation in hotels and restaurants.
Lloyd’s NBA appearance came three years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier for blacks in Major League Baseball.
Lloyd and Jim Tucker became the first two black players on a NBA championship team in 1955, playing for the Syracuse Nationals.
Earl Lloyd basketball card. (Photo Credit: Google Images.)
Lloyd was named head coach of the Detroit Pistons in 1971, becoming the fourth black head coach in NBA history, following Boston’s Bill Russell, Seattle’s Lenny Wilkens and Golden State’s Al Attles.
Lloyd was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 2003 for breaking the NBA racial barrier.
Lloyd said he had never encountered racial animosity from his teammates or opposing players, but he remembered taunts from spectators. Lloyd told The Syracuse Herald American in 1992:
‘Those fans in Indianapolis, they’d yell stuff like, ‘Go back to Africa’. My philosophy was, if they weren’t calling you names, you weren’t doing nothing. If they’re calling you names, you were hurting them.”
Lloyd also recounted how a hotel manager in Baltimore refused to give him a room during a Nationals trip in the early 1950s. Despite the protests of Al Cervi (Lloyd’s coach), he still left the hotel in an effort to avoid trouble.
In the book They Cleared the Lane: The N.B.A.’s Black Pioneers, Cervi is quoted as saying:
“I owe Earl a lot of thanks. He’s an unsung star. Anybody can score. Lloyd was an excellent defensive player. That was No. 1 on my roster.”
Lloyd is survived by his wife, Charlita, sons, Kenneth, Kevin and David and four grandchildren. He was 86.
This post was written by Reginald Calhoun, editorial assistant for The Burton Wire. He is a junior Mass Media Arts major at Clark Atlanta University. Follow him on Twitter @IRMarsean.
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South Africa routed the West Indies in a historic ICC Cricket World Cup match.
(Photo: Google Images)
South Africa routed the West Indies in a historic ICC Cricket World Cup match. (Photo: Google Images)
Caribbean 360 is reporting that West Indies were outplayed in every department by South Africa as they plunged to a heavy 257-run defeat in their fourth Group B game of the ICC Cricket World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia on Friday.
Chasing a massive 409 for victory, West Indies collapsed to 151 all out off 31.1 overs, with leg-spinner Imran Tahir picking up five for 45, to record the joint worst defeat in World Cup history.
The final score was South Africa 408/5 (50) and the West Indies 151/10 (33.1).
Former NBA star Anthony Mason dies at 48.
(Photo: Google Images)
ESPN is reporting that veteran NBA player Anthony Mason, who helped the New York Knicks reach the 1994 NBA Finals, has died at the age of 48. A Knicks spokesperson confirmed Mason’s death to ESPN. The 13-year NBA veteran had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure earlier this month. The author writes:
“Mason was a fan favorite during his five-year tenure with the Knicks. The 6-foot-7 forward teamed with Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and John Starks to help the Knicks win the Eastern Conference in 1994 and reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games.
Mason won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award in 1994-95 as a member of the Knicks. He also played with the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat following his stint with the Knicks.
“Anthony was a multifaceted individual,” his longtime agent Don Cronson told ESPN.com’s Ian O’Connor. “There were many aspects to his personality, and some that people weren’t aware of. In the best sense of the term he was a momma’s boy. From the day I met him he was always thinking of his mom and taking care of her. As rough and tough as he was, Anthony was also a doting father, and I saw that many times.”
Anthony Mason with teammates Patrick Ewing, Charles Oakley and Greg A.
Mason’s sons also issued statements.
‘”First I want to thank all those who offered prayers and well-wishes for my Father, our family really appreciates it,’ his son, Anthony Mason Jr., said Saturday. ‘Overnight, New York City and the world lost a legend, a friend, a brother … but more than anything our father, Anthony Mason. As you all would expect our father — Big Mase — put up an incredible fight, dealing with a severe heart issue. I’m wishing this was something else I was writing, but Pops we’ve got to let you know we love you and know you’ll always be with us.'”
Mason played high school basketball at Springfield Gardens H.S. and college ball at Tennessee State University. He was 48.
Daddy Pope (Joe Morton) and Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) on Scandal (top); Viola Davis as Annalise Keating on HTGAWM.
(Photos: ABC)
Daddy Pope (Joe Morton) and Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) on Scandal (top); Viola Davis as Annalise Keating on HTGAWM. (Photos: ABC)
Writing for his blog Phillbranch.com, writer and Howard University lecturer Phill Branch has penned a blog post entitled, “Shondaland Black Moment Wish List.” In the post, Branch compiles a list of things he would love to see on television mogul Shonda Rhimes’ breakaway ABC hit shows Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder (HTGAWM). What drove him to create this list?
When Shonda Rhimes had Papa Pope tell Olivia that she had to be “twice as good as ‘them’ to get half of what ‘they’ have,” and the seminal moment in television history when Annalise (whose Mama named her Annie Mae) took off her wig and make-up in a nearly perfect moment in television history.
Check out Branch’s article in its entirety below:
When Shonda Rhimes had Papa Pope tell Olivia that she had to be “twice as good as ‘them’ to get half of what ‘they’ have,” I wanted to stand and start a slow-clap. That moment was both very real and very black. I loved it. I was pretty certain that I wouldn’t see anything that authentic on TV again anytime soon, but then Annalise snatched off her wig on How to Get Away With Murder.
Time stopped.
When I came to, I realized that I had apparently been rewinding that scene in some sort of cultural-overload induced trance for 20 minutes. The next day, I went in to teach my Freshman Comp class at Howard and threw out the syllabus. I knew my students needed me to help them process their wig-snatch emotions. One student eloquently summed it all up, “It was the blackest thing I’ve ever seen on TV.”
I was pretty certain that Shonda was done giving us black history moments this season, but then Cicely Tyson popped up out of nowhere, grabbed a comb and got up in Viola/Annalise/Anna Mae’s “kitchen.” The sight of Annalise sitting betwixt her mama’s knees, while I listened to the crackling sound of ungreased black hair was more than I could handle. I was overwhelmed with the realization that despite the growing numbers of black people on screen, very few moments artfully and realistically capture cultural nuances. It got me to thinking. Now that Shonda has snatched wigs, combed kitchens and shown the speech that almost err’ black parent gives their child, what’s coming next?
My ShondaLand Black Moment Wish List:
1. Step Practice
It doesn’t have to be a major part of the plot, but I need Annalise or Olivia to be at step practice when a client calls with an emergency. Their phones would ring, because, well, they never turn them off. They’d step out of practice to take the call, “Sorry sorors.” Hell, it can even be the young lady who’s a law student on HTGAWM, whose character’s name I’ve yet to remember. You KNOW what she pledged
2. Go to Macy’s
Let’s be clear. Neither Olivia or Annalise would regularly (ever) shop at Macy’s, but keeping it 100, they have family and friends. Sure they make a considerable amount of money now, but they’re both only one generation removed from a “One Day Sale.” Let one of them begrudgingly buy a cousin a Nine West bag.
3. Watch Melissa Harris Perry
Olivia and Annalise work in law and politics, are black, and own televisions. No brainer.
4. Refuse to eat office potluck
As a kid, I wasn’t allowed to eat at new friends’ houses, because “you don’t know if they’re clean.” I was NEVER allowed to at someone’s house who had cats, because “they be up on everything.” Am I alone? No? I didn’t think so. You know Annalise, back when she was Anna Mae, wasn’t eating all over at people’s houses. I’d like to see her politely decline to eat somebody’s homemade lasagna with a “You can’t be eating everybody’s food.”
5. Do “The Wobble”
Last fall I attended my class reunion at Hampton. We packed the local convention center for a party with about 800 people who range from soccer moms, lawyers, TV network executives, surgeons, professors, elected officials, etc. They eat kale, summer in Martha’s Vineyard, are on boards for renowned organizations, drink fine wine, but you know what they did when The Wobble came on? They wobbled. If Shonda has Olivia do The Wobble, black America will collectively throw their shoes at their TVs. – and then get up and wobble.
Bonus: I’d fully expect one of Shonda’s shows to automatically win the NAACP Image Award for Best Drama if she has one of her characters utter, “Black don’t crack.”
What’s on your Shondaland Black Moment Wish List? Share with us @TheBurtonWire.
Check out more of Phill Branch’s work on Phillbranch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PhillBranch.
The Jacksons reunite and perform a medley on 'Motown 25' (Photo Credit: West Grand Media)
The Jacksons reunite and perform a medley on ‘Motown 25’ (Photo Credit: West Grand Media)
For the first time since its original telecast, the commemorative variety show, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, is airing on PBS as part of the public access station’s Black History Month programming. The festive special celebrated the Detroit-based record company’s ability to transform both American popular music and culture.
Initially airing on NBC on May 16, 1983, the 173-minute, Emmy-winning program was a culmination of memorable live performances and video retrospectives that honored the vision of pioneering entrepreneur, Berry Gordy, Jr. The boxer-turned-songwriter created one of the most iconic and recognizable brands in the history of American business.
Under Gordy’s direction, Motown was an undeniable force in music, creating an immeasurable amount of stars out of black entertainers. The label’s musical groups and performers dressed eloquently, danced in unison and sang songs about love and heartbreak in a time when the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the British Invasion and psychedelic rock each affected a nation constantly going through transition.
Hosted by late comedian Richard Pryor, Motown 25 features medleys of memorable hits performed by The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross, The Temptations and The Four Tops.
There were many unforgettable moments. The program was the first time on network television that megastar Michael Jackson ever performed the Moonwalk, which earned an Emmy nomination. Marvin Gaye performed an emotionally-charged version of “What’s Going On?” The Supremes (minus deceased member Florence Ballard) reunited for a performance of “Someday We’ll Be Together.”
Smokey Robinson performed a duet with pop/rock singer Linda Ronstadt. British new wave artist Adam Ant and Puerto Rican singer/guitarist Jose Feliciano also paid tribute to the label credited for spawning “the Sound of Young America.”
Other distinguished Motown alumni who graced the stage include Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, The Commodores, Lionel Richie and Junior Walker. Another segment of Motown 25 acknowledged songwriters such as the late Norman Whitfield, Harvey Fuqua and Holland-Dozier-Holland.
Motown 25 is an extravaganza that is both historic and entertaining. It’s by far one of the most important music-based programs to ever air on national television. Share your favorite Motown 25 moments on Twitter @TheBurtonWire or @Journalistorian.
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever airs on PBS beginning Sat., Feb. 28. Check local listings for time.
This post was created by Christopher A. Daniel, pop cultural critic and music editor. He is also contributing writer for Urban Lux Magazine and Blues & Soul Magazine. Follow Christopher @Journalistorian on Twitter.
Academy award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o's Calving Klein dress for the 2015 Oscars has been stolen.
(Photo: Google Images)
Academy award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o’s Calving Klein dress for the 2015 Oscars has been stolen. (Photo: Google Images)
The blogosphere is buzzing with news that Academy award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o’s highly touted 2015 Oscar gown has been stolen from a hotel. The Calvin Klein gown made entirely of pearls (6,000) and valued at $150,000 US was taken from the London Hotel West Hollywood in Los Angeles. Raakhee Mirchandani and Ethan Sacks of the New York Daily News write:
“The crime is the grandest of larcenies: Nyongo’s dress, a Calvin Klein number embroidered with 6,000 white pearls, was the talk of the red carpet at Sunday’s awards ceremony.
A source told the News that the actress had a large entourage, including makeup and hair stylists, fitters and friends, that had access to five or six keycards to the room.
Nyong’o tried to file a police report immediately, but couldn’t since the dress is on loan and property of Calvin Klein, the source added.”
Considering that the dress is a one-of-a-kind creation and 36.6 million people watched the NBC telecast of the awards show, not to mention the online and legacy publications and other broadcast programs showcasing the gown, the Burton Wire staff is wondering where the thieves plan to unload it?
Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant is under fire for an alleged video of a domestic violence incident.
(Photo: Google Images)
Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant is under fire for an alleged video of a domestic violence incident. (Photo: Google Images)
Kevin O’Brien of the Seattle Sun-Times is reporting that an alleged video of Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant engaging in “Ray Rice-worthy” behavior is set to be released today or tomorrow. O’Brien says that the alleged video has caused Bryant’s contract negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys to completely stall. O’Brien writes about the alleged video:
“That’s according to Terez Owens, who are claiming that a “source” has informed them the “incriminating video of Dallas Cowboys superstar receiver Dez Bryant is being released today or tomorrow.”
They say the video is so bad it’s “five times worse than the Ray Rice video and that his “football career is in jeopardy.”
The Cowboys continue to claim that no such video exists but if the rumors are true and the video gets released to the public, it could have a seismic impact on the NFL.”
Bryant went on an inexplicable Twitter rant yesterday.
