black history
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South Carolina School Celebrates Black History Month By Having 5th Graders Pick Cotton to 'Slavery Songs'… No, Really.
Imagine dropping your 5th grader off at school for the Black History Month field trip that they won’t stop talking about, only to turn your TV on afterward and see your child on the local news picking cotton. Because according to Fox 46, that’s exactly what happened to Rock Hill, S.C. resident Jessica Blanchard. “I’m…
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Kadir Nelson Puts Iconic Moments in Black History on Canvas
Renowned artist Kadir Nelson paints to reflect the strength and spirituality of black history to remind black people of their own beauty, divinity and inner hero. His work has been featured in many prominent institutions, including the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the U.S House of Representatives and museums around the…
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This Is Winning: The Grammys Song of the Year and Record of the Year Had Never Been Claimed By Rap—Until ‘This Is America’
Rap had some big moments at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, which is a huge feat given the ceremony’s history with the genre. I’m still on a high after witnessing the highly lovable Cardi B accept a history-making award, making her the first solo woman artist to win Best Rap Album. It only took 30…
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Young Money: 14-Year-Old Marsai Martin Inks First-Look Deal with Universal
Black History Month may be off to a bizarrely shitty start (Virginia blackface, fashionista blackface, and “black bastards”, oh my!), but Marsai Martin is swooping in to save the day with her young winning ways. The 14-year-old actress and executive producer has just inked an overall deal with Universal Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter.…
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'She's Small Like Me': First Look at Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman
As film is a visual medium, it makes sense that buzz heightens once the audience gets a peek at movie stills, photo shoots or other behind-the-scenes photos connected to a film. Such is the case with Harriet, an upcoming biographical drama from Focus Features, chronicling the story of Harriet Tubman, who helped free hundreds of…
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Black Myself: Rhiannon Giddens Forms Supergroup ‘Our Native Daughters’ and Reclaims the Soul of Country Music
Four women. In 1966, Nina Simone famously sang the strikingly diverse yet intersecting narratives of four fictional-but-unforgettable black women. Now, four women who could be considered Simone’s spiritual daughters—award-winning musician and composer Rhiannon Giddens, acclaimed neo-folk singer-songwriter Amythyst Kiah, classical and folk artist Leyla McCalla (formerly of Giddens’ Grammy-winning band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops), and…
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Julie Dash to Direct Angela Davis Biopic, Iconic Activist Will Be Involved in Production
Criminally underrated and mother of black film, Julie Dash is tackling a much-needed biopic. As the Daughters of the Dust helmer told Shadow & Act at Sundance, she’ll be directing a biopic about Dr. Angela Davis. Filming is set to begin in June. The biopic will come from Lionsgate, with Brian Tucker confirmed as the screenwriter…
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First Look: Don Cornelius Tells Gladys Knight About His ‘Not Whitewashed, Not Toned-Down’ Vision in American Soul
Get ready for more love, peace and souuuuul in your life, because BET’s latest dramatic vehicle, American Soul, is coming. From BET’s press release: American Soul is the story about the struggle to make the dream of Soul Train come true. Set in the early 70’s, filled with music, dance, fashion and glamour, this is…
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Civil Rights Institute Cancels Gala Honoring Angela Davis After Outcry From Jewish Community
One of the nation’s most prominent civil rights museums has reneged on its plans to celebrate one of America’s most outspoken freedom fighters, igniting a national controversy after seemingly genuflecting to grumbles from the area’s Jewish community. On Jan. 4, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute released a weirdly nonspecific statement canceling its plans to bestow…