As an artist who just won his fourth Grammy last night and has taken home nearly 200 awards throughout his prolific rap career, Drake offered an unexpectedly different view on the significance of such awards during his acceptance speech. When “God’s Plan” is announced as the winner for Best Rap Song, Drake is the only […]
Often praised for exceeding expectations in drama and comedy films, Octavia Spencer’s role as a psychopath in Universal Pictures’ upcoming horror film Ma serves as new territory for the Oscar-winning actress. When a group of underage friends approach Sue Ann (Octavia Spencer) to help them purchase alcohol at their local corner store, the lonely Sue […]
Medium’s Nevertheless podcast, which is now approaching the end of its second season, celebrates various women who are revolutionizing teaching and learning through technology. As part of their podcast episode discussing essential role models in STEM, Nevertheless commissioned female illustrators from across the globe to design posters of eight women innovators in STEM, and […]
Carolyn Evans, a professional Black history storyteller and actress, is bridging the gap between generations by continuing the tradition of storytelling. Growing up in New York, Evans discovered her love for storytelling as a young girl, when she would entertain her family with songs, stories, and dancing. As a young adult, she was granted opportunities […]
Tomi Adeyemi’s celebrated young adult novel Children of Blood and Bone will soon be adapted into an action fantasy film by Fox 2000 and director Rick Famuyiwa, THR reports. Children of Blood and Bone is Famuyiwa’s first fantasy movie. The Nigerian-American filmmaker is generally known for directing comedy and romance films, including Dope, The Wood, […]
Due to the Oscars completely overshadowing the awards season, I was clueless that an awards ceremony dedicated to independent filmmakers even existed. In fact, I desperately wanted to pitch this exact idea to whoever would listen. Oftentimes, The Academy chooses films that fit their agenda, and overlooks the filmmakers who are perhaps telling the most […]
In our latest episode of the JARO Original Podcast, Indianapolis-based filmmaker Kimberly Stephens spoke with Tomeka Winborne about her journey in the film industry. Stephens, who recently had her national acting and directing debut with the True First documentary series, weighs in on the challenges of being a filmmaker, future projects, and what makes […]
Premiering this month, the former First Lady is set to headline an original YouTube special called “BookTube.” During the program, Michelle Obama will discuss her memoir Becoming with a panel of education-based YouTubers including Franchesca Ramsey, Ariel Bissett, and Jouelzy. The discussion will be moderated by The Fault in our Stars author John Green. “BookTube” […]
During ESSENCE’s annual Black Women in Hollywood event, photographer Michael Rowe captured stunning portraits of powerful and inspiring Black women who are making history today, including Ava DuVernay, Dewanda Wise, Angela Bassett, Jenifer Lewis, and more. With “The Power of Our Presence: Art & Activism” being the event’s theme this year, portraits were taken of […]
For more than 30 years, TED Talks have granted a global audience with the opportunity to listen to a wide range of culturally diverse speakers discuss a multitude of “ideas worth spreading.” In our current digital age, we now have the ability to watch these conferences instantly, bringing these inspirational talks to our living […]