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 Dr. G's Pop Culture Corner (PCC), Feature Spotlight, On the Desk...

Sharing Some Animation Goodies!!-Dr. G’s Pop Culture Corner (PCC)

Good People! Good People!!

So it is nothing like having good friends who keep you posted on new goodies that are dropping within the pop culture arena! While preparing for our weekly writing session, my colleague and friend Michael Hall shared with me a new Disney+ animated anthology series that dropped last week called Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire! Immediately I did a quick Google search and to my delight, I was hooked! Premiering on July 5th Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is a new series that blends elements of Africanfuturism, Afrofuturism, cyberpunk, sci-fi, and fantasy to tell 10 inclusive stories of African histories and cultures.

“This is Africa as you’ve never seen it before.” Advanced technology, spirits, aliens, and time travel…SIGN ME UP!!

Produced by Triggerfish Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, executive produced by Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Rise of the Guardians) with Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston as supervising producers, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is what Ramsey describes as a series with “recognizable genres and recognizable aspects of contemporary culture, but they’re wrapped in African culture.” You got my attention! Plus the representation of the African diaspora is in full effect, with stories from such countries as South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe…GAME CHANGER!!

With a cast that includes Florence Kasumba (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Civil War, Wonder Woman, “Emerald City”), Kehinde Bankole (“Desperate Housewives Africa”, Blood Sisters), Nasty C (“Blood & Water”), Mo Ismail (“Star Trek Beyond”, ) and a plethora of up-and-coming African talent, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is definitely gonna change the game of how we tell animated stories!!

Now while I have not watched the series as of yet, I am already convinced this is legit greatness right here!! Just going off the trailer, the diverse representation, vibrant animation still shots, the voice cast, and the series direction, I’m willing to put my money on it sight unseen!

Photo Credit: Disney

This is totally in my personal and professional wheelhouse!! I am loving that more diverse African stories are being told and shared!! Cause trust me that content has and is there, the whole world just needs to see it!!

And just in case you need a little more convincing see the trailer below:

I am totally hyped about this series and siked that ALL episodes are available to watch!

I know what I will be binging on tonight!!

Hit me up in the comments and let me know what you think!!

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Dr. G's Pop Culture Corner (PCC), On the Desk...

Dr. G’s Pop Culture Corner (PCC)

I just love when a new series effortlessly draws you so that you gotta come back for more! I know it’s early but I’m hooked! Check out below for more of my thoughts on The CW’s “Naomi”…

And don’t forget if you have something in mind that you would like for me to “share my 2 cents” make sure to sound off in the comments!!

Episode #2: “Unidentified Flying Object”* (directed by DeMane Davis)

*Friendly reminder the new episodes of “Naomi” debut Tuesdays at 9 pm/ET on The CW and if you miss it you can catch it the next day via The CW app.