Tag: #RepresentationMatters

Posted in Dr. G's Weekly Hot Topics, On The Radar

Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

New Month and a New Set of Hot Topics!! Check them out below :

Living History…Medal of Honor awarded to one of the first Black U.S. Special Forces officers…Nearly 60 years overdue, on March 3rd President Biden awarded retired Army Colonel Paris Davis the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military’s most prestigious decoration, for Davis’ acts of valor as a commander during the Vietnam War. Now 83 years old, retired Army Colonel Davis was one of the first Black officers to lead a U.S. Special Forces team in combat. 

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Course correcting the history of gynecology…In partnership with the “Under-Told Stories” project at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, Alabama artist Michelle Browder is looking to change the historical narrative around the history of gynecology.

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For all my Skateboarders!!… This month the U.S. Postal Service is set to launch its latest collection of artistic stamps celebrating the “Art of the Skateboard.” The image below features the work of four skaters-turned-artists on photographs of skateboards, curated by art director Antonio Alcalá. Crystal Worl (Alaska)-Tlingit/Athabascan heritage with a blue-indigo salmon graphic; William James Taylor Junior (Virginia) concocted a red-and-orange abstract design; Di’Orr Greenwood (Arizona) celebrated her Navajo roots with a bright palette depicting eagle feathers, as well as the sun’s rising and setting tones; and lastly, Federico “MasPaz” Frum (Columbia-born/Washington, D.C.) created a stylistic jaguar. The collection will be available for purchase beginning March 24, 2023.

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Keeping with the theme of Women’s History Month, Marvel just dropped a surprise new TV series on Disney+ MPower about the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s roster of female heroes. The four-part docuseries is now streaming in its entirety on the service. Executive produced by Zoë Saldaña, “the show blends footage from MCU movies and shows with new animation and interviews with Marvel stars to explore some of the franchise’s top stars and their long and complex history.”

The four episodes of MPower are “The Women of Black Panther” (which focuses on Danai Gurira’s Okoye, Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, Florence Kasumba’s Ayo, and Letitia Wright’s Shuri), “Captain Marvel” (which also features Ms. Marvel and Monica Rambeau from the upcoming The Marvels movie), “Scarlet Witch” (which also includes Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness and even Kat Dennings’ Darcy Lewis) and “Gamora” of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (whose story also obviously dovetails with her sister, Nebula, played by Karen Gillan). See the trailer below:

All four episodes of MPower are streaming now on Disney+.

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Painter Spotlight!! Providing a voice for Black maternal mortality and morbidity through art…Chicago-based artist/painter Ashley January shows her vision and past experiences of the above in her solo exhibit, “Human I Mother I Black”! See some of her work below:

(Photo credit Ashley January, left-COVID Shelter in Place With Baby, 2020; top right-Quinn and Ashley Study #2, 2020; top bottom-Crystal and Dylan Study, 2020)

You can also follow her artistic journey here!

Posted in On The Radar

Save The Date!! March 17th…”Pass My Crown: The Woman’s Voice in Hip Hop-Past, Present & Future!!” Event

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

So to jump start Women’s History Month, I wanted to share an event that I will be participating in on March 17th!! Pass My Crown: The Woman’s Voice in Hip Hop-Past, Present & Future!!

This event will be an open discussion/dialogue about women in Hip Hop currently as well as historically. A few of the topics that will be explored include: the subject matter of lyrics, dress, feminism/womanism, culture appropriation (the Black woman aesthetic), the overt and covert misogyny, activism, what’s next for women in Hip Hop, and how a multitude of women’s voices need to be heard.  

It’s gonna be a HOT one!! Check out the details below:

March 17th, 2023 (Doors Open at 6:15 pm)

Virginia Commonwealth University- Academic Commons 1107

1000 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA 23284

If you are in the Richmond area you do not want to miss this event!!

Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On The Radar

Weekly Trailer Alerts!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Another week in the books for 2023, and some trailers to go along with it! Don’t believe me, just check them out below:

Season 2-Your Honor (Streaming on Showtime January 13th)

The Last of Us (Streaming on HBO Max January 15th)

Truth be Told (Streaming on Apple TV+ January 20th)

The 1619 Project (Streaming on Hulu January 26th)

Poker Face (Streaming on Peacock January 26th)

You People (Streaming on Netflix January 27th)

Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On The Radar

A Best Man Reunion-Getting you ready for the Holidays!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

The wait is finally over…we finally get to see the final chapter(s) of “The Best Man” franchise.

How many folks have been hanging in since 1999 (raises hand)???!! Well instead of another film we are getting a 8-episode limited series. Set to premiere as a Peacock Original, The Best Man: The Final Chapters will “catch up with Harper, Robyn, Jordan, Lance, Quentin, Shelby, Candace, and Murch as relationships evolve and past grievances resurface in the unpredictable stages of midlife crisis meets midlife renaissance.”

The cast includes Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Harold Perrineau. Malcolm Lee serves as co-showrunner, executive producer, and director of four episodes.

All episodes will premiere on December 22nd.

Check out the trailer below:

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

Featured Upcoming Panel Conversation with Dr. G!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

On November 06, 1992, a group of students stood in protest against an act of racism at Georgia State University. This protest, and the demands that they issued to the university, led to the creation of the department of African-American Studies (now Africana Studies). To honor their courage, as well as those that supported them, we will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the protests during the 2022-2023 academic year.

On November 3rd, I have the pleasure of giving back to one of my alma maters, Georgia State University-Department of Africana Studies. As part of the 30th Anniversary Celebration events, I will be participating in a Freedom School Panel with Alumni professors.

The panel will take place November 3rd at 7pm via Zoom.

To register for the panel and for more information about the entire week of events, check out the following link!!

Posted in On The Radar, Uncategorized

Things To Do This Fall!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Looking for your next adventure, family vacation, or weekend getaway, check out these exhibition and museum openings, art installations, cafes and markets below:

  • Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898-1971 (On view at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures now through April 9th, 2023): An exhibition spotlighting Black artists who shaped American filmmaking from 1898-1971. Some of the things that you will be able to see include one of Louis Armstrong’s trumpets, screenings Oscar Micheaux’s silent films, Lena Horne’s gown from the 1943 Stormy Weather musical, the Nicholas Brothers’ tap dancing shoes, and so much more!!
The Sphere at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in March 2021
  • Representin’ for the Midwest… Carver 47 Food & Wellness Market a casual cafe and market that serves the greater Chicago community through “a well-crafted menu of healthy and soulful offerings.” The cafe and market which reflects upon the life of George Washington Carver also includes a greenhouse bar, art gallery, farm table, and outdoor garden.
  • LEGO is celebrating 90 years of fun and joy with a new installation called, “Fly Away Isles” (The Brotherhood Sister Sol) designed by Harlem community Black and Latinx childred in collaboration with artist Hebru Brantley. Fly Away Isles serves as a dual space of both an art installation and fun play space for children. It’s located at 140 Hamilton Place in Harlem, NY. The installation will remain on display to the public through November 5th, 2022 with a street mural on display through July 2023.
  • Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial (Washington, DC) [Artist: Robert Berks] This is the first statue erected on public land in Washington, DC to honor and African American and woman. The bronze statue was unveiled on the anniversary of her 99th birthday, July 10, 1974. It is located in Lincoln Park (East Capitol Street and 12th Street NE, Washington, DC)
  • Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Statue (Riverfront Esplanade, Daytona Beach, FL) [Master Sculptor Nilda Comas]…This is a bronze replica of the marble one which is housed in Statuary Hall in Washington DC.
  • The Jackie Robinson Museum : “The Jackie Robinson Museum seeks to bring people from all walks together to commune and appreciate each other’s humanity and diverse experiences. We create a forum for debate and discussion, reflecting the ways in which we as a society can make progress by working together to solve difficult social issues and by appreciating how one life can make a difference” (TJRM Mission Statement). The museum will include a series of interactive exhibits, rare artifacts and memorabilia. It is set to open to the public on September 5th.

Happy Travels!! Soak it all up!! Enjoy!!

Posted in Dr. G's Weekly Hot Topics

Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!! Got a new addition to the site for you all!! Everyday I find myself learning the latest trends in fashion, getting the latest news in media, uncovering the next great memoir, new restaurant openings, and where I should be traveling to next. It’s also necessary that I share this news as I am a huge proponent of showcasing the joys and achievements of what is happening in the world especially as it pertains to Black and Brown folks!! So I figured, why not share these with you and share in the wealth…I’m calling it Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics!!

Each week, much like the trailer alerts, I will share some of the top news stories with you! Without further ado, let’s see what is on the docket this week!

  • Black Brewers are changing the Washington, DC landscape of craft beer!! To date DC has three Black-owned breweries, making up 20% of the city’s total of 15 (Sankofa Beer Company [2018], Soul Mega [2018], and Urban Garden Brewing [2021]). Along with these breweries making their mark, DC Black beer fans can also bridge the brewery gap and build community through the Black Brew Movement. Our nation’s capital is shaping up to be another prime location for Black owned breweries. DC is truly taking a leading role with other Black-owned breweries in such places as Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and neighboring state Maryland. Who says representation does not matter in the beer game?!
Urban Garden’s flagship brand “Chamomile”
  • For all my travelers near and far, there is a new Black-owned travel bottle company, “Ries Beauty“!! Looking for a refillable, TSA-friendly bottle that will not leak all over suitcase, ruining your good clothes…Ries Beauty is the product for you!! Founded by a Black-woman Megan Graham, who was once the beauty market director at Vogue, Graham has created the first reusable travel bottle and has partnered with Sephora to launch the product. As told to WWD by Graham, “Ries is built for women and people in the way that we truly travel. Historically the bottles in the beauty industry have been build on single-use, cheap, inexpensive virgin plastics—they’re not built for the functionality that Ries provides.” Ries is available now on Ries-Ries.com and Sephora.com

Now these are some things we ought to be talking about and sharing with the masses!! And make sure you stay tuned next week for more Hot Topics!!

Posted in Feature Spotlight, On the Desk..., On The Radar

The real-life ‘Dora Milaje’ coming to the Big Screen in the historical epic, “The Woman King”

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Have you ever just looked at an image or a still shot of something and became overwhelmingly excited and stunned at the same time?? Well those are my exact emotions when I saw the image below:

Photo Credit: TriStar Pictures

Power…Strength…Fierceness…Beauty…Action…Simply Speechless

For even more of the above emotions check out the Empire Exclusive picture, see here!!

The image above is from the upcoming film, “The Woman King.” It is inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey (now known as present-day Benin), which was one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its story follows Nanisca (Viola Davis), General of the all-female military unit (for additional context the women who inspired Black Panther’s Dora Milaje), and Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), an ambitious recruit, who as a team “fought enemies who violated their honor, enslaved their people, and threatened to destroy everything they’ve lived for.”

Davis debuted the trailer for the film at this year’s CinemaCon in April.

Hook … Line … and Sinker … I’m sold!! To see Viola Davis in a “kick-ass” role (literally and figuratively), as well as see the history of a group of Black women warriors unfold on the Hollywood screen is music to my ears! Now that is “Representation Matters” in action!!

“The Woman King” was co-written by Dana Stevens and Gina Prince Bythewood who also serves as the director. The film is also produced under Viola Davis and her husband Julius Tennon’s company, JuVee Productions (along with . Not only is the film on point behind the camera but it also includes a dynamic cast, which includes Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega. According to Prince-Bythewood, “we were intentional of creating an ensemble of the dopest actors of this moment from all over the diaspora.” AND the musical score will be coming from the legendary Terence Blanchard. I’m already on the edge of my seat waiting for this one to hit theaters!!

“The Woman King” is set to be exclusively in theaters on September 16, 2022.

Posted in A Professor's Thoughts..., Feature Spotlight

Featured Panel Discussion with Dr. G!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

On this past Tuesday morning, I got to sit down again and talk with my friends over at Let It Be Known w/Stacy Brown and Black Press USA TV discussing the topics of “Black Women’s hair,” “Respectability Politics vs. Defending Black Women,” and the recent #TheSlap incident!!

Lot’s of great commentary and perspectives were shared!

Tune in below:

And let me make sure I give a shout out to my fellow panelist Carrington York (a School of Journalism graduating senior at Howard University)!!