For All My Richmond Folks!!
Check me out this Thursday as I take part in this week’s VCU AFAM Community Lecture!! During this lecture, I will discuss what Afrofuturism is, how it centers Black stories, and how it evolves in response to the contemporary cultural moment.
It’s all going down Thursday, October 9th, 6-7pm, at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch, in the Gellman Room. Hope to see you there!!
Did you miss last week’s Meet VCU Authors? Well, guess what, you are in luck!! You can check out my talk from last week on my new Audible, “From the Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture”!
Last week’s talk was truly an amazing experience. I LOVE when I get to geek out about things that I not only have a professional relationship with, but that I also LOVE!!
Thank you to those who tuned in and to all the future listeners!!
And don’t forget, if you want to listen to the whole series, check it out here!!
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+.
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”!!
The series, which can be found on Audible and The Great Courses, explores:
Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that seeks to explore and transform the experience of the African diaspora. Stretching across multiple art forms and genres, the movement taps into the limitless potential of creativity and the imagination to envision Black liberation through stories, music, architecture, fashion, music, and so much more.
In the six lessons of From The Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture, Grace D. Gipson of Virginia Commonwealth University will trace the history of the movement and introduce you to the writers, artists, and creators who are revisiting the past as they build a new vision for the future. From the work of pioneering Black writers like W. E. B. DuBois to the blockbuster Black Panther films and beyond, you’ll see how Afrofuturism is an ongoing cultural project that grows stronger and more multifaceted with each new generation of Afrofuturist creators.
A movement of both reclamation and innovation, Afrofuturism offers unique perspectives that will only continue to grow and evolve, challenging us to rethink the way we engage with history, pop culture, and our conception of the future. By fostering creative visions that push boundaries and shatter stereotypes, the Afrofuturist movement brings new, diverse narratives to life that are transforming our pop culture landscape in revolutionary ways.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
As we continue our celebration of Black Music Month, I wanted to share some additional ways you can celebrate:
And just like last week, let’s see what is in store with our Tiny Desk Concerts this week….
CeCe Winans
Stanley Clarke
Beenie Man
Check out this upcoming Summertime Talk!!
For all my Norfolk, Suffolk, 757 (and even Richmond) folks, come check me out as I talk with my friend and colleague Dr. Kaniqua Robinson about Blackness and Horror in the films “Sinners,” “The Blackening,” and “Woman In The Yard” 🎥 !!
Definitely gonna be a fun-filled time!!
Check out the details on the flyer below!!
If you need a refresher, check out the trailers below:
Sinners
Woman in the Yard
The Blackening
Alright ya’ll, it’s the month of June, halfway through 2025!! Let’s see what is in store for us in film and television. Check out this week’s trailers below:
Season 3-The Gilded Age (Streaming on HBO Max June 22nd)
Ironheart (Streaming on Disney+ June 24th)
Smoke (Streaming on Apple TV+ June 27th)
Head of State (Streaming on Prime Video July 2nd)
The Old Guard 2 (Streaming on Netflix July 2nd)
Season 2-Gen V (Streaming on Prime Video September 17th)
Here we are, June 1st, 2025…we are officially halfway through the year.
Now I know I have been absent, but I am getting back on track. 2025 has already been a whirlwind of a year, and it is only going to get better. Much of my time has been occupied with writing, as I am literally in the last stages, more like moments, of submitting my book manuscript. This has truly been a journey that I could never even imagine. The fact that I am so close to the finish line has me nervous and excited! Nervous because this project has been a part of my life for over 14 years. Excited because the project will be shared with the world! It’s amazing what happens to your mind and spirit when you step away, but still dive into the work that you love. When it is all said and done there has been a lot of moving and shaking, and I can’t wait to share with you all!
So, as we enter the month of June, let’s check out some highlights of what we can look forward to over the next 30 days…
In addition to checking in with you all, I just wanted to let you know that I will be getting back into the swing of things, sharing my book recommendations, travel stories, pop culture news, film and tv trailers, and other exciting commentary.
I’m back!! So stay tuned!!
Now I know it has been quite a few months since I have posted… life has been life-ing!! 2025 has been moving and shaking, and I cannot wait to share more with you!! However, I could not this chance pass me by to share a recent article in which I was interviewed about the smashing cinematic hit, “Sinners”!
Shout out to the AMAZING Michael Paul Williams for his invitation to share some of my thoughts, I truly enjoyed the movie!!
While these are just a few snapshots of my thoughts, let me just say that Ryan Coogler is a GENIUS!! I have seen the movie twice already and will probably catch it again!!
Run, tell your friends to check it out, and then make sure you go with them too :-)!!
Black Future Feminist 