Posted in Celebration, Dr. G's Pop Culture Corner (PCC), Dr. G's Weekly Hot Topics, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Dr. G’s Pop Culture Corner

For all my travel buddies and those imagining their next adventure, check out Tracee Ellis Ross in her new Roku Channel series Solo Traveling.

In the first three episodes, Ross takes us to Morocco, Mexico, and Spain, and sightseeing is not all we see. She’s giving viewers a masterclass in rituals, reflection, and, yes, what to do when a TSA agent finds your hidden vibrator in your luggage. So don’t wait, check it out now!!


The hardest-working man in showbiz, Samuel L. Jackson, is at it again with a spinoff of the Paramount+ series “Tulsa King,” titled “NOLA King,” which has officially been greenlit.

“‘NOLA King’ follows Russell Lee Washington Jr. (Jackson) who, after befriending Dwight Manfredi (Sylvester Stallone) during a ten-year stint in federal prison, is sent to Tulsa by New York’s Renzetti crime family to take Dwight out once and for all. Inspired by what Dwight created in Tulsa and impressed with the possibilities of second chances, Washington returns to New Orleans, the home he abandoned forty-years ago, to rekindle his relationship with his family, friends, and to take control of the city he left behind. In so doing, he incurs the wrath of his former employers in New York, and makes himself vulnerable to old NOLA foes, both criminal and cop.”

Season 3 of “Tulsa King” is slated to premiere in September on Paramount+, with “NOLA King” reportedly planning to begin shooting in early 2026.


“Mural Mural on the wall, whose the fairest of them all”…Well, that would be the iconic Josephine Baker, who was just recently memorialized on a Paris wall. The unveiling of the mural took place on July 19th as part of the street art festival, “Paris Colors Ourq.” The mural comes from urban artist Franck Duval, known as FKDL, who tells the Associated Press’ Nicolas Garriga that his work focuses on “bringing women back into the urban landscape.”

On the mural, you can see a quote from one of Baker’s songs written in a bold Gothic font in French: “I have two loves: my country and Paris.” According to FKDL, the mural of Baker, is meant to symbolize freedom and resistance, and is among several painted in recent days in the neighborhood and organized by the association Paris Colors Ourq. He further notes, “Josephine Baker has always been, for me, a somewhat iconic figure of that era. Both wild and free-spirited, but also deeply connected to music, musicals, and dance…She was an extraordinary character, an incredible woman.”


Look out world…History has been made!! Five-time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo is now a part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame legacy as the “First Black African Musician.” This recognition celebrates her four-decade career, marked by her unique blend of West African music with funk, jazz, and R&B, and her global advocacy work. The 64-year-old from Benin was hailed as Africa’s “premier diva” during a press conference for the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.


Aww, shucks, one of my favorite television series is coming back!!! The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is returning for a third season with more laughs, guests, and meaningful storytelling. Evolving in multiple ways, this new season, Penny Proud and her friends are navigating the middle school chaos, but to push the envelope further, they’re going global. The international adventures and sharp social commentary will feature guest appearances from stars such as Janelle James, Sanaa Lathan, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Chance the Rapper. In addition, returning cast members include Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, JoMarie Payton, Cedric the Entertainer, and Karen Malina White. We will also see how music plays a significant role this season, with 10 new original songs composed by Grammy winner Roccstar and longtime series composer Kurt Farquhar.

Oh, and as a bonus, before it even premieres, it has already been renewed for a fourth season. I like the sound of that kind of news!! Season 3 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder premieres Tuesday, August 6th, on Disney+.

Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Weekly Trailer Alerts!!

Boy, do I have some trailer goodies for you today!! I’m looking forward to sharing with you the latest film and television releases. And I must say this week is definitely on FIRE!! See for your self!! Check out this week’s trailers below:

Butterfly (Streaming on Prime Video August 13th)

Highest 2 Lowest (In theaters August 22nd & Apple TV+ September 5th)

NCIS: Tony & Ziva (Streaming on Paramount+ September 4th)

Tron: Ares (In theaters October 10th)

Good Fortune (In theaters October 17th)

Mortal Kombat II (In theaters October 24th)

After The Hunt (In theaters October 2025)

Predator: Badlands (In theaters November 7th)

Posted in Holiday Celebration!!, On The Radar

It’s Leo Season!!

Aww shucks….the best time of the year has arrived…LEO SEASON!! From July 22nd to August 22nd, it’s on and popping!!

Photo by Gary Whyte on Pexels.com

Definitely one of my favorite times of the year for numerous reasons:

  • James Baldwin’s Birthday … August 2nd
  • National Friendship Day …August 3rd
  • My Grandma’s Birthday ... August 8th
  • Hip Hop Day … August 11th
  • My Birthday and National Rum Day … August 16th

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Feature Spotlight, On The Radar

Check out Dr. G at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia!!

On Saturday, in conjunction with the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, I will participate in a panel discussion on the significance and importance of the Black Press.

From street corners to kitchen tables, Black-owned newspapers and media outlets have long been a lifeline for truth, resistance, and community in Virginia. This panel brings together journalists, historians, and cultural leaders to honor the enduring power of the Black press—from the bold reporting of The Richmond Planet to today’s digital storytellers reclaiming narrative power in the face of ongoing erasure. Together, we’ll explore the vital role Black media has played in documenting lynchings, exposing injustice, celebrating triumphs, and preserving Black history when mainstream outlets would not. Drawing on the legacy of figures like John Mitchell Jr. and echoing the words of thinkers like Phyl Garland and W.E.B. Du Bois, this conversation will trace the arc of Black media’s impact—from folklore and griots to journalism and social media.

I look forward to seeing all who can attend!

Free to attend. You can register here!!

Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On the Desk..., On The Radar

Weekly Trailer Alerts!!

We are halfway through July, and the television and film train is full steam ahead! Summer is upon us and there is much to dive into!! Check out this week’s new trailers below:

Untamed (Streaming on Netflix July 17th)

Billy Joel: And So It Goes (Streaming on HBO Max July 18th and 25th)

Chief of War (Streaming on Apple TV+ August 1st)

Weapons (In theaters August 8th)

Season 2-Gen V (Streaming on Prime Video September 17th)

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (In theaters November 14th)

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Celebration, Feature Spotlight, On the Desk..., Resources

The Day is Here…Dr. G is on Audible!!

Happy Monday!! I am SUPER excited to finally share….I’m officially on @audible !! When this opportunity came across my email inbox, I literally had to re-read the message several times to make sure I was not tripping!! Seeing it all come together is a process I will never forget! Grateful and Thankful!!

A dream come true!! Bucket list item checked off!! Let me just say this: researching, writing, and the actual recording were no joke, but I am sooooo glad I did it!! This was such an amazing opportunity to create and write a six-episode series titled, “From the Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture”!!

When it is all said and done, Afrofuturism is a cultural and social movement that continues to evolve and transform the landscape of pop culture!!

Such an awesome experience!! #DrGChronicles #PopCultureScholar #Afrofuturism #CreativeScholarship

I hope you enjoy!! Let me know what you think!!

Check it out here and share with your friends!!

Posted in Black Joy, Dr. G's Travels

Dr. G’s #ChinaTakeover- Nanjing Road

#BrightLightsBigCity…. Enjoying an evening in the city of Shanghai!!

It’s amazing how you can live in one place, go to another, and it feels like a mirror image…with just more people. In comparison to Beijing, Shanghai is definitely much more metropolitan. I was glad to see both places, because both offer something very unique and different.

Endless stores and shopping

This part of town (Nanjing Road) literally reminds me of a playful New York Times Square!! #Shanghai #DrGsChinaTakeover

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Celebration, Dr. G's Travels

Dr. G’s #ChinaTakeover- Tea Time in Beijing

#TeaTimeAnyone…. Nothing like a refreshing and relaxing tea tasting!

As the national drink of the country, what better way to partake in this authentic experience!

Learning and Tasting…

Got a chance to taste a variety of teas ranging from oolong, green tea, jasmine, black tea, and a fruit tea!!

Some more tea goodness…

All very delicious and good for you!! #DrGsChinaTakeover #WorldTraveler #Globetrotter

Posted in Dr. G's Pop Culture Corner

Dr. G’s Pop Culture Corner (PCC)

Well, folks, I’m back with a few pop culture nuggets! Nothing like sharing some exciting news and updates. This week we have a range of topics including BASL representation, Black hair care, comic book teaser alerts, and Adidas footwear.

Photo by Igor Sanches on Pexels.com

Check this week’s news below:

Making HUGE moves for the BASL community…Right on time for its July 4th release on Max, fans of the acclaimed film Sinners will be able to watch it two ways: by 1) streaming the exact theatrically released version, and 2) choosing Sinners in Black American Sign Language (BASL).

According to Warner Bros., this is the first time a streaming service has interpreted a film into BASL. According to Max, the release of Sinners in BASL marks “a major step forward in accessibility, representation and visibility in streaming. Interpreted by Nakia Smith, she is “an influential voice in the Black Deaf community, who delivers a powerful interpretation with cultural depth and linguistic richness that aligns with the film’s themes and historical timeline.”


Nothing like the perfect cocktail for your hair…Just in time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the popular “Girlfriends” show, Tracee Ellis Ross is turning mixology into hairology through her PATTERN hair care line. Described by Ross in a press release, “Hair cocktailing is a common practice in our community—we layer curl gels, creams, oils and more to create a personalized formula that works best for our own hair.” As noted in Essence, with almost six years on the market, PATTERN’s very first commercial gives air to a wash day ritual Black women almost instinctively do. 


The products include a Styling Cream and a Strong Hold Gel, which can be used to shape a bouffant afro, as well as the Curl Gel and Leave-In Conditioner to define coils. Lastly, there is the Curl Mousse for definition and shine.


It looks like we may see DC’s first Black Female Superhero, Nubia, on a television or film screen near you in the near future. While waiting on news about Batman in The Brave and the Bold and the DCU’s plans for Wonder Woman, an interviewer (Pay or Wait) slyly asked famed director James Gunn about the addition of two other characters, Nubia and Static Shock. As one of DC’s most significant but underused characters (sometimes connected to Wonder Woman), Gunn explains “I am very aware of Nubia. And yes, we are very much talking about that, and I want to have all sorts of people represented in the DCU and, yeah, you might be very happy in the not too distant future.”  Although a release date has not been set, I look forward to seeing what happens with the character on the big screen.

DC Comics Nubia & the Amazons #1 (October 2021), art by Alitha Martinez & Laura Martin

In more comic news, from Marvel Animation, viewers get a sneak peek into another part of Wakanda in the 4-part series, Eyes of Wakanda.

Eyes of Wakanda is a “new action-adventure series that  follows the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history. In this globe-trotting adventure, the heroes must carry-out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story.”

The series casts a stellar, dynamic voice cast including Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint,  Anika Noni Rose , and Isaac Robinson-Smith. It will be the first series of Phase Six of the MCU.

See the teaser trailer below, set to stream on Disney Plus August 27th:


Looks like Samuel L. Jackson is making his mark in the shoe game, as he lends his voice to a new Adidas Originals Superstar Campaign. The campaign is set to honor the timeless silhouettes of Adidas through storytelling. This teaser marks the first installment in a multipart campaign featuring a cross-generational roster of creatives. In a statement from the brand, “When icons wear icons, culture moves.” For a brief history of the Adidas Original Superstar shoe, see here.