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

Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics!!

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

Living HistoryMedal 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 Dr. G's Weekly Hot Topics, On the Desk..., On The Radar, Resources

Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics!!

So much goodness, I had to share! Check out this weeks “HOT Topics”!!

On this coming Super Bowl Sunday history will be made through Autumn Lockwood!! Feb. 12 Philadelphia Eagles assistant performance coach Autumn Lockwood will stand on the sidelines as the first Black woman to coach in the event’s history.


For all my gamers, check out this Humble Gaming Bundle! Humble has created a bundle of games by Black creators as well games featuring Black lead characters. By purchasing this bundle you are helping to support a new generation of game developers and tech talent.

The gaming bundle includes Mafia III and Shadow Man, along with the work of Black developers like Interabang Entertainment’s Jay & Silent Bob: Mall Brawl, Strange Scaffold’s An Airport for Aliens Currently Run By Dogs, and much more. Making a purchase will also help support Gameheads, an organization that “envisions a world where low income youth and youth of color are equipped to thrive and succeed in any field they choose, including the tech and video game industries.” To make a purchase see here!

If you want to know more about how Humble is celebrating Black History Month, check them out on their blog.


Also, in honor of Black History Month-AMC Theaters is doing a $5 Movie Ticket special for select films and participating theaters. Some of the films include:

  • Till (February 3-9)
  • The Woman King (February 17-23)
  • Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (February 24-March 2)

As noted by AMC Theaters, “AMC Theaters is giving moviegoers the opportunity to revisit some of the most recent biographical dramas, military epics, and dramatic action movies created by or starring outstanding Black filmmakers and actors.”The offer begins on Feb. 3 and ends on March 2, with each film being shown in theaters for $5 for one week only.


Need to up your wine game, check out this list of Black-owned Wine Brands that you can purchase online:

  • McBride Sisters Collection: “Break the rules. Drink the wine.”
  • Theopolis Vineyards: “Theopolis Vineyards is a small lot vineyard and hand-crafted winery located in California’s prestigious Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley.”
  • Kai-Simone: “Bringing elegance and sophistication to the rustic Texas Hill Country, Kai-Simone promises a wonderful experience for everyone who visits.”
  • Edelheiss : “By the cultivation of traditional, precious materials, the team at Edelheiss works closely and cooperatively with well respected local winegrowers and suppliers to ensure that it makes the most of its long-term relationships.”
  • Shoe Crazy Wine: “Wines for Your Me Time”
  • Flo: “FLO represents the journey through which we discover those things in life that fulfill us and make each experience a little better; for the love of life, self, happiness, passion, joy…love itself.”
  • P Harrell Wines
  • Brown Estate
  • Ole Orleans Wine: “Ole’ Orleans is a collection of well-balanced wines with a luxurious, delicate, and lingering finish.”
  • Maison Noir Wines
  • Wade Cellars

Publishing Company to offer free Black History e-books!! Haymarket Books will offer 40% off of books centered around the Black Liberation struggle and the following e-books for free to download: “From Black Lives Matter to Black Liberation” by Keeanga Yamahtta, which explores why the Black Lives Matter movement is necessary; “Black Lives Matter at School: An Uprising for Educational Justice,” edited by Jesse Hagopian and Denisha Jones, which details how the Black Lives Matter movement has challenged institutional racism; and “1919” by Eve L. Ewing, a collection of poems depicting the Chicago race riots of 1919.

Image Credit: Haymarket Books

Viola Davis is now a part of the EGOT club!! At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, Davis would secure her status with a Grammy Award for the audiobook recording of her memoir, Finding Me. The exclusive [E]mmy-[G]rammy-[O]scar-[T]ony winner list only has 18 names on it. Viola is the fourth Black artist to accomplish the feat, following in the footsteps of Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, and Jennifer Hudson. Davis’ previous awards are Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2017 for Fences, an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015 for How to Get Away With Murder and two Tonys, one for Featured Actress in a Play in 2001 for King Hedley II and for Lead Actress in a Play in 2010 for Fences.

Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On The Radar

Weekly Trailer Alerts!!

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 Feature Spotlight, On the Desk...

For All My ATL Folks! “Our Friend Jean: HBCU Tour” at Clark Atlanta University Art Museum

For my ATL peeps!! This might be something of interest for you!! As part of the HBCU Exhibition Tour, Our Friend Jean is a one-week Pop up Exhibition Featuring 20+ of Jean-Michel Basquiat “Early Works“.

Our Friend, Jean is a sampling of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s earliest works on loan from several collectors who knew him intimately, as friends, collaborators, and lovers. Featuring 20+ artworks including drawings, writings, apparel, mixed media collages, and ephemera. The group of collectors consists of Jane Diaz, Hilary Jaeger, Katie Taylor, Lucy Sante, Al Diaz, and photographer Alexis Adler who also served as a co-curator with Erwin John and Stevenson Dunn, Jr.. Through this exhibition each collector shares uniquely intimate stories of their friend Jean.

The exhibition lends a voice to the unsung collectors of the world, those who offer an artist critical early support out of genuine friendship. It is precisely this type of support that can spring board an artist’s career to unimaginable heights. Friendship is what distinguishes the group of collectors who are lending their works to the “Our Friend, Jean” exhibition.

This exhibition was curated by The Bishop Gallery and supported by the Hennessey, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and The Black Group.

The exhibition is free and will be housed at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum from October 28-November 4.

For more information and to register to attend, see here!!

Posted in Conversations with Beloved & Kindred, On the Desk...

Just In Case You Missed It! Conversations with Beloved & Kindred- Episode Recap

As we close out another season of Conversations with Beloved & Kindred, we wanted to make sure you get a chance to view the latest episode, just in case you missed it!!

For our final feature in examining Blackness and horror we talked about the 2016 film The Girl With All The Gifts!! With this film, we get an opportunity to discuss what it means when you really listen to what children have to say and power that they possess literally and figuratively!

Once again do not just take my word for it check out our commentary and see for yourself!

Another one that will blow your mind!!

Check out the episode below:

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, On the Desk..., Resources

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations- April 2022

Photo by alex ohan on Pexels.com

With Spring comes comes rain, flowers in bloom, warm and light, embracing the sense of freshness that abounds, and a time to begin anew! What better way to do that than with a couple of good reads!!

Check them out below:

  • Take My Hand ~Dolen Perkins-Valdez
  • Bless The Daughter Raised By A Voice In Her Head ~Warsan Shire
  • A Girl is a Body of Water ~Jennifer Nansubuga Maxumbi
  • By The Book ~Jasmine Guillory
  • The Windows of Malabar Hill ~Sujata Massey

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!!

“I began writing about power because I had so little.” ~Octavia E. Butler

Posted in New Trailer Alerts!!, On The Radar

Weekly Trailer Alerts!!

Last week was a doozy and I missed you all next week, but I got you covered! Never fail, check out this weeks new alerts below:

9 Bullets (In theaters April 15th)

Outer Range (Streaming on Prime Video April 15th)

Season 2-Russian Doll (Streaming on Netflix April 20th)

Captive Audience (Streaming on Hulu April 21st)

The Baby (Streaming on HBO Max April 24th)

Season 2-Gentleman Jack (Streaming on HBO Max April 25th)

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, On The Radar

Dr. G’s Monthly Book Recommendations-March 2022

Keeping it short and sweet for you all this month, I want to let the books shine!! This month is in honor of Women’s History Month!! Seven books that will capture a wide range of experiences all written by women!

Check them out below:

  • Black Cake ~Charmaine Wilkerson
  • Carolina Built ~Kianna Alexander
  • The School for Good Mothers ~Jessamine Chan
  • Julián is a Mermaid ~Jessica Love
  • We Are Displaced: My Journey and Stories from Refugee Girls Around the World ~Malala Yousafzai
  • Girl Rising: Changing the World One Girl at a Time ~Tanya Lee Stone
  • Memphis ~Tara M. Stringfellow

And remember you can always go back and check out the previous month’s list and past recommendations in the “Resource” section of the website!!

“Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” 

– Toni Morrison

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

Just In Case You Missed It…

On this past Monday I had an opportunity to share a few of my thoughts on Black History Month and what it means to me with my sister-friend, line sister, and fellow CAU alum Nichelle Wilson and her organization Happy Mama Happy Mini!!

And just in case you might have missed it, you can check it out below:

This was such a fun interview and so glad I got the chance to share a few of my thoughts!!

Enjoy!!