​I was passing by my television a few days ago and saw that they were talking about Tyler Perry and TD Jakes but before I could get to the remote to turn up the volume, the story was over.  I went to the internet and found out that Tyler Perry is planning a big expansion in Atlanta.

Most of you already know that Tyler Perry Studios sits on what was once land of Fort McPherson, (a former US Army base in Atlanta).  Well, according to deadline.com, ​Tyler Perry and T.D. Jakes got the go-ahead from local authorities to purchase over 130 acres in Atlanta including a proposed expansion of Tyler Perry Studios for an entertainment district with theaters, retail shops, and restaurants.

THAT IS GREAT NEWS FOR NOT ONLY TYLER PERRY AND TD JAKES BUT ALSO THE BOOMING INDUSTRY IN ATLANTA!!!

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Is it possible that Tyler Perry is bringing back his Why Did I Get Married films?

​​As New Orleans makes its comeback, fall 2021 will deliver nearly a year’s-worth of events in a few short months. At the City's request, FQFI organizers have consolidated festival activities into an action-packed three-days in order allow the city to focus its security and safety resources on the New Orleans Saints home game on Sunday, October 3. 

FQFI has shifted programming in order to maximize the concentrated schedule and present time-honored festival traditions, stages, and performances. The event will bring regional cuisine from more than 50 local restaurants, hundreds of Louisiana musicians on 19 stages, and special events that celebrate New Orleans’ diverse, unique culture. The festival will operate from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, September 30 through Saturday, October 2.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL
WEBSITE: frenchquarterfest.org
FACEBOOK: fqfest
INSTAGRAM: FQFEST
TWITTER: FQfestNOLA

​Black Writers Weekend’s hybrid experience will stream online and take place in the Sweet Auburn District in Atlanta, GA from Thursday, June 10th to Sunday, June 13th, 2021. The festival which is powered by AAMBC Inc has amplified black creative voices for over 13 years through literacy programs and events furthermore contributing to the elevation of Black excellence.

​Celebrating and acknowledging black creators that have paved the way for future authors and filmmakers, has always been the goal for CEO and founder of Black Writers Weekend, Tamika Newhouse. This year she has curated an impactful schedule of events with new talents from publishing and film.

​Amazon KDP will present a creative workshop on reaching more readers on Goodreads. The weekend will feature workshops from Dame Write Originals, In the Cut LA, and talks with artists such as Shanicia Boswell, Erika Bryant, Dwight Buckner, and features dozens of Black writers who will participate in a collective book signing called Lit Crawl at Refugee Coffee and Constellations co-working space.

​After streaming virtually in 2020, Black Writers Weekend returns to its home in Atlanta for this year's 3-day experience. The event will be hosted in the Historic Sweet Auburn District, marking the organization's 13th anniversary and the eighth time celebrated in Atlanta.

​For additional updates on Black Writers Weekend visit blackwritersweekend.com or follow them on social media @blackwritersweekend.

With so many events being cancelled in 2020, it is super exciting to announce that Jazz In The Alley is coming back to Norcross, Georgia this summer!!!!

​Jazz at its best will be taking over Betty Mauldin Park late summer thru early fall from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Local eateries are jazzing things up with some delish chef specials to-go that make it a perfect date night or girl’s night out. During the band breaks, take an easy stroll and check out the deals in our downtown shops! Bring chairs, a cooler (no glass, please) and come chill.

Many events are coming back this year, to include one of our favorite event's, Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show....YEP THAT'S RIGHT!!!!   
This year, the Bronner Bros International Beauty Show, will be held on August 28-30, 2021 at in New Orleans, Louisiana.  So you better get your tickets now at bronnerbros.com

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​In recognition and celebration of Black Music Month, Chicago-based television production company Central City Productions will present the 2021 Black Music Honors in commemoration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated holiday honoring the end of slavery in the United States, which is officially celebrated on June 19th. The evening of celebrations and special moments will be pre-taped at the City Winery in Nashville, Tennessee, and televised in national broadcast syndication starting June 5 to July 4, 2021 and on Saturday, June 19 at 1:00 p.m. EST on Bounce TV.

Emmy® Award-winning talk show host, comedienne and author Loni Love will host the star-studded two-hour special which will honor artists and musicians who have influenced and made significant contributions to American music. 

​The honorees for this year’s Black Music Honors includes multiple Grammy® Award-nominated R&B legend Angie Stone tapped to receive the Soul Music Icon Award, Grammy® Award-nominated singer, songwriter and actor Ginuwine will receive the Urban Music Icon Award, multiple Stellar Award-winning and Grammy® Award-nominated gospel vocalist Marvin Sapp will receive the Gospel Music Icon Award, and Grammy® Award-winning jazz virtuoso, Ramsey Lewis will receive the Legends Award. The National Museum of African American Music will be honored with the Legacy Award.

The 6th Annual Black Music Honors is being sponsored by AT&T, State Farm and GM. 
 
For more information on Black Music Honors, please visit www.blackmusichonors.com and connect on social media @blackmusichonors.

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​The Smollett sibling duo returns to CLEO TV’s hit series LIVING BY DESIGN WITH JAKE AND JAZZ to continue to create revitalizing home makeovers and celebrate the renovation completion with tasty bites. Premiering Saturday, May 1, at 9 p.m. ET/8C, Season 2 will follow the vivacious Smollett siblings as they recreate family recipes while transforming homes into desirable living spaces.

​The talented team will add their own unique blend of style and expertise to bring stunning and aesthetically pleasing homes to life. With Jake’s craftsmanship of carpentry and Jazz’s keen eye for modern trends, they will embark on a journey to convert any small space on a frugal budget.

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​The City of Atlanta - Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) invites local metro Atlanta artists to submit proposals for two new public art installations supported by the office's Public Art Program.

Sculptors interested in participating can submit pre-existing, three-dimensional (3D) sculptures for consideration in our Temporary Art Program. The selected artwork will reside in Hardy Ivy Park, a location in downtown Atlanta, for up to two years and contribute to downtown Atlanta's cultural amenities. 

The selected artist will be awarded an honorarium not to exceed $3,000 paid over the two-year period while retaining ownership of the artwork.

An art selection committee will assist the Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs' Public Art Program in the selection process.
The deadline to submit a sculpture proposal is Friday, April 30, 2021, at 5 PM EDT.
​

Submission Requirements
For consideration, submit the following:

• Two to Three high-resolution images (minimum of 300 dpi) of previous outdoor art projects.
• Two high-resolution images (minimum of 300 dpi) sharing no more than two proposals of pre-existing sculptures. 
  • The artwork must be available immediately upon selection and acceptance.
• A one-page document with images of your artwork providing information identifying the title, year created, materials used, and location for each artwork. (Word document preferred) 
• A resume with your artist bio, contact information, and home address. (Word document preferred) 
• home address showing that you live in one of the metro counties surrounding Atlanta; these counties include Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, and Henry.

For full details, click the button below to download the complete Request for Proposal (RFP).

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​The Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) powered by AIDS Healthcare Foundation, announced today the partnership with iN-Hale Entertainment and All Tea No, Shade Productions in support of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on February 7, 2021 with the theme of “Stigma Gotta Go.”
​“Stigma and shame are 2 parallel social ills that continue to fester in communities of color all across this country and play a role in the increasing number of new HIV diagnosis among Black Americans” stated Imara Canady, Chair, Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC). “It is our hope that through sharing this powerful production that we continue the critical work that BLACC has been doing for close to a decade in breaking down the mis-conceptions, lack of awareness and ignorance around a myriad of issues that feed into stigma, and further divide us as a community. We truly build community by each of us showing up fully as who we are, and each of us respecting the diversity that exists within our community.” According to the Centers for Disease Controls (CDC), African Americans make up close to 14% of the U.S. population, but close to 50% of new HIV diagnosis.
 
The partnership presents the filmed dramatic reading and special virtual event on Monday, February 8 AT 5:00PM PST / 8:00PM EST of George Matthew Johnson’s Amazon Best-Book of the Year 2020 and critically-acclaimed novel, All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto, recently optioned by Gabrielle Union and Sony TV for television. The short film, which is directed, adapted and produced by Nathan Hale Williams is a filmed dramatic reading of three chapters of the book performed by Jenifer Lewis (“Black-ish”), Dyllón Burnside (“Pose”), Bernard David Jones (“The Mayor”) and Thomas Hobson (“Sherman’s Showcase”). The three-part virtual event will feature live performances, a virtual art installation curated by African American contemporary art dealer/curator, Rodney LoveJones and music featuring Black artists. The evening will conclude with a roundtable discussion moderated by Tai Beauchamp with the goal of moving out the fear that creates stigma and replace it with love through the event while also having a sobering discussion that needs to be had.  
 
For more information on the virtual event, please CLICK HERE .

​All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto is the bestselling and award-winning debut book by George Matthew Johnson - an award winning non-binary writer, author and activist living in New York City. Johnson's memoir-manifesto, explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, “Nanny” (played by Lewis), to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys. Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing appeals directly to young adults. The book was selected as one of 2020’s best by Kirkus, Amazon and Goodreads. Johnson identified as he/him when the book was written.  

BET pays tribute to those that continue to stand up, speak out, create, and lead the culture through sports, politics, music, film, TV, social media, business, advocacy, and activism....and they call it The BET 100 of 2020.

Some of the top innovators on the list include:

Click Below To View Each List: