ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, a graduate of Winston-Salem University in North Carolina, is creating a new docuseries that will focus heavily on the history and importance of America’s HCBUs. The show is being produced with director Elaine Oliver, the director and
Review by Brian Lowry “The Chair” lays out an interesting exercise by examining generational divides through the prism of a college English department and the first woman of color leading it, played by Sandra Oh. Yet an exceptional cast mostly outshines the
By Leah Asmelash Since rising to fame with her inauguration poem, Amanda Gorman has stayed busy — appearing on the cover of magazines and preparing to drop her debut poetry collection. Now, the former National Youth Poet Laureate is giving back, with
Analysis By John Blake The “Yes We Can!” bumper sticker that seemed to be plastered on every passing car. The “fired up, ready to go!” chant that once rocked arenas. And, of course, those iconic photos of Black, White, and brown people
Review by Brian Lowry Earnest to a fault, “Respect” spells out a handsome tribute to Aretha Franklin, with Jennifer Hudson and her peerless singing pipes as its formidable anchor. Yet this biography never fully sparks to life, as the Queen of Soul
By Lisa Respers France, Jennifer Hudson has Aretha Franklin to thank, in part, for her career. Hudson first came to fame in 2004 as a finalist on “American Idol.” She auditioned for the reality singing competition with Franklin’s song, “Share Your Love
By Lisa Respers France Chucky Thompson, a producer for Bad Boy who worked with some of the biggest names in hip hop and R & B including Notorious B.I.G., Nas and Mary J. Blige has died. He was 53. His publicist, Tamar
By Kay Jones, Gregory Lemos and Susannah Cullinane Rising cases of Covid-19 in Louisiana have led to the cancellation of the New Orleans Jazz Fest for the second year running, organizers announced Sunday. Louisiana broke its own record for Covid-19 related hospitalizations
By Jeff Zeleny and Veronica Stracqualursi Former President Barack Obama has dramatically scaled back his planned 60th birthday party on Martha’s Vineyard this weekend due to concerns about the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19, according to a spokeswoman. The birthday bash for the former President
Review by Brian Lowry Timed to the former president’s 60th birthday, “Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union” seeks to be the definitive document on Barack Obama’s life and presidency, and at five-plus hours over three nights, mostly succeeds in that
By Toyin Owoseje Dolly Parton has revealed that she invested her royalties from Whitney Houston‘s cover of “I Will Always Love You” into a Black community in Nashville. The Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and actress wrote and performed the song in 1973 as
