Tag: wine

Posted in Black Joy, Celebration, Dr. G's Weekly Hot Topics, Feature Spotlight, On The Radar

Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Let’s jump right into it this week, 2024 Times 100 list honoree and Golden Globe winning actress Taraji P. Henson just dropped her debut children’s book. Her book, “You Can Be A Good Friend (No Matter What!) was released on June 18th and tells a story that “shows kids the great things that can happen when we approach others and ourselves with empathy, patience, and love.” It’s the perfect story for classroom story time, bedtime reading, easing those back-to-school jitters, promoting friendship over bullying, and embracing the importance of standing in one’s own uniqueness. You can find her latest book anywhere books are sold

Need a refresher on Season 1 of the Onyx Collective/Hulu legal drama Reasonable Doubt ? Check out this 1-minute breakdown featuring the show’s lead, Emayatzy Corinealdi:

Season 2 premieres on Hulu on August 22, with episodes dropping every Thursday. And while you wait you can stream the first season now.

Looking for a new wine to jumpstart your summer?? As we celebrated another Juneteenth on last week, Mother New York (of Mother Design) launched Auntie Whine, a limited-edition wine that honors all the aunties and their signature dance moves. “Named for how aunties whine their hips at family gatherings, this wine captures the essence of these joyful moments.” It’s the perfect blend of cocoa butter notes and a smooth, silk bonnet-like mouthfeel just right for your next BBQ! In addition to the wine it comes with a sweet, soulful Spotify playlist of songs!!

In some more good TV news, STARZ is dropping the “Down in the Valley” premiere a WEEK early!! Aww shucks, you know who is a happy camper…that would be ME!! It is set to drop on this Friday June 28th at midnight/ET on STARZ. Hosted and executive produced by Nicco Annan, who is best known as Uncle Clifford in STARZ’s critically acclaimed tv show “P-Valley,” the six-episode half-hour docuseries follows Annan as he explores the people, sensuality, music, culture and stories of the South. “The series confronts uncomfortable truths, challenges societal norms, and advocates for a more inclusive and enlightened future.” Check out the trailer below:

This Jeopardy! host for 37 years is being honored with a Forever Stamp…Who is Alex Trebek? The well-known hostess who passed away in 2020 from pancreatic cancer is getting his own stamp!! Each stamp will read “This naturalized U.S. citizen hosted the quiz show ‘Jeopardy!’ for 37 seasons.” And underneath upside down, you can find the answer: “Who is Alex Trebek?” The new stamp will become available on July 22nd.

For all my foodies, check out these Black-owned restaurants in the Fort-Worth area of Texas:

Nana’s Kitchen

Dough Boy Donuts

Black Coffee

Smoke-A-Holics Barbecue

Reggae Jerk Hut

And to close us out we got Four Features blazing this week’s Tiny Desk Concert-Black Music Month, a nice mix of gospel, soul, r&b, country, hip hop and pop!! Yes to ALL of this, check them out below:

Flo Milli

Kierra Sheard

Meshell Ndegeocello

Brittney Spencer

Posted in #30DaysofBlackJoy Series, Celebration, Feature Spotlight

#30DaysofBlackJoy…Day 13-Highlighting Black Podcasts!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

At one time they were called “audioblogs” now they are simply just podcasts. Think of the radio with a ton of channels. These digital episodic programs can take you into many spaces, whether you need a laugh, some motivation, to catch up on the news, learn about different cultures, or try to solve a true-crime mystery. Podcasts have definitely become a part of my regular routine. I find myself listening to podcasts in a variety of situations whether it is on a road trip, passing time on the treadmill, sitting out on the beach, or lounging in my apartment. They entertain, inform, and bring joy! When you factor in Blackness, podcasts have become a unique media space for Black folks to feel represented.

With popular media outlets struggling to diversify their content, Black creators are using podcasts to tell and share their own stories. Many of these creators are adding to the Black experience, while redefining what representation means for the listeners who tune in. As noted by Nancy Marshall in a January 2023 Forbes article, the key to success with podcasting is to “figure out your “superpower”—whatever it may be—and share your expertise with your listeners.” Black creators are definitely tapping into their superpower to manifest and distribute some amazing content.

Thus, today’s #BlackJoy Moment is about spotlighting a few Black podcasts that are hitting the mark in a major way!!

Photo by Jean Balzan on Pexels.com

Check them out below:

  • The Stoop: The Stoop podcast digs into stories that are not always shared out in the open. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba start conversations and provide professionally-reported stories about what it means to be Black and how we talk about blackness.
  • Truth’s Table: “Midwives of culture for grace and truth.” Welcome to Truth’s Table with Christina Edmondson, and Ekemini Uwan. We are Black Christian women who love truth and seek it out wherever it leads us. We will share our perspectives on race, politics, gender, current events, and pop culture that are filtered through our Christian faith. So pull up a chair and have a seat at the table with us. 
  • The Read: Join bloggers Kid Fury and Crissle for their weekly podcast covering hip-hop and pop culture’s most trying stars. Throwing shade and spilling tea with a flippant and humorous attitude, no star is safe from Fury and Crissle unless their name is Beyoncé. (Or Blue Ivy.) As transplants to New York City (Kid Fury from Miami and Crissle from Oklahoma City), The Read also serves as an on-air therapy session for two friends trying to adjust to life (and rats) in the big city.
  • The Right Time with Bomani Jones: Bomani Jones weighs in on sports, pop culture, social topics and more, with your comments on Mondays, friends of the show on Wednesdays and Domonique Foxworth on Fridays.
  • Decoding 40: Decoding 40 is a hilarious podcast series by three unapologetic Black men who delve into and decipher the intricate thoughts and issues of today’s mature men. Join Vincent, Alaric, and Leon for an inside look into the unfiltered minds of men, with a drink in hand, of course! This podcast is not for the easily offended but is sure to have you laughing until it hurts. Consider this your TRIGGER warning. If you’re looking for a Black men’s podcast that fearlessly explores complex topics, Decoding 40 is the one for you.
  • Truth Be Told: We’re the friend you call after a long day. The one who gets it. Through soul-nourishing conversations, host Tonya Mosley explores Black liberation with some of the greatest thinkers of our time. 
  • Wine & Hip Hop: CRU LUV Wine’s founder Jermaine Stone talks to hip-hop personalities and wine professionals to find the perfect match between music and wine in an informative, entertaining, and organic way. On each episode guests choose a song or bottle of wine, Jermaine selects a pairing, and they discuss their choices on the show.
  • We Talk Back: Hosted by two unapologetically black women with an opinion who talk back, TamBam and AJ are helping women maneuver through the Sea of Men! “We Talk Back” podcast is here to guide femininity to its ultimate greatness. We Talk Back podcast is giving their listeners the raw and unfiltered comedic gift of repartee. With thought-provoking conversations about sex, relationships, and money with a dash of danger and glitter. TamBam & AJ will also help listeners seeking non-professional guidance, as these ladies deliver advice and their personal thoughts on topics.
  • Jemele Hill is Unbothered: Emmy Award-winning journalist and Webby Award winner Jemele Hill shares her unbothered, nuanced opinions on news, pop culture, politics, and sports. She also conducts intimate interviews with some of the biggest names and most thought-provoking contributors to culture, music, and entertainment.
  • Still Processing: Wesley Morris and J Wortham are working it out in this weekly show about culture in the broadest sense. That means television, film, books, music — but also the culture of work, dating, the internet and how those all fit together.
Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com

You can find any of these podcasts on Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud, Apple podcast, or wherever you tune in!

See you all tomorrow!!

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

Dr. G’s Weekly Hot Topics!!

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

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.