​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:

2020 has definitely brought with it some financial stresses that we did not anticipate.  Many people are struggling financially, particularly some of our friends in the arts.   

Americans for the Arts
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center 
​
Arts Education Partnership
COVID-19 Resources  
Status of Arts Education Provisions in State Reopening Plans
​
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
Coronavirus Resources
State Arts Agencies & Regional Arts Organizations Contacts
​
For Freelance Artists
COVID-19 & Freelance Artists
​
AIGA
Community Resource Hub

Alliance of Artists Communities
Blog post on COVID-19 Preparedness for Residencies

Alternate ROOTS
COVID-19 Resource Page

American Alliance of Museums
Information for the Museum Field

American Association of Community Theatre
COVID-19 Response
Resource Roster

American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
Survey on Impact of COVID-19 on Indian Country Tourism

Art House Convergence
list of resources for art house cinemas and theaters

Artist Relief
Funds for Artists

A.R.T./New York
Resources for Responding to COVID-19 in New York City

Arts Extension Service - UMass Amherst
AES Resource list during COVID-19

ArtsReady
Information During the Impact of the Coronavirus

Artwork Archive
Financial Relief Resources for Artists During COVID-19

Association of Art Museum Directors
Museums and COVID-19

Association of Performing Arts Professionals
Emergency Reposnse Page

Backstage
COVID-19 Resources for Actors, Creators + Performing Artists

Billboard
Coronavirus Resources

Chamber of Commerce
Coronavirus Small Business Issues and Solutions Guide

Center for Cultural Innovation
COVID-19 Resources

CERF+
The Artist’s Safety Net

Chamber Music America
COVID-19 Resources for the Chamber Music Community

Chorus America
Blog Post
On June Conference & Other Registrations

Common Field
COVID-19 Resources for the Artist Organization Field

Creative Capital
Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak

CultureSource
COVID-19 Response Resources

Dance/USA
Resources for Preparing for the Potential Impact of the Coronavirus
Coronavirus and Your Insurance Program
Dance/NYC Coronavirus Dance Relief Fund

Documentary Producers Alliance
COVID-19 Resources

Drama League
COVID-19 Resource List

Dramatists Guild
COVID-19 Resources

Early Music America
COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations

Film Festival Alliance
COVID-19 Pivoting & Planning Calls for Festivals

Grantmakers in the Arts
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Arts Funding

International Association of Blacks in Dance
IABD Emergency Fund

International Documentary Association
Applying for Federal Coronavirus Relief as a Filmmaker

Kickstarter
COVID Artist Resources and Funds

Lawyers for Good Government
Nationwide Small Business Legal Clinic Project

League of American Orchestras
Coroavirus resource page
Webinar: Your Orchestra and COVID-19 Federal Relief (4/1: 1:00pm to 2:30pm EST)

Lifetime Arts
Supporting Creative Aging Programming during COVID-19 Crisis

Mayors’ Institute on City Design
Resources for cities responding to the COVID-19 crisis

MusicCares®
MusicCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

MusicCovidRelief.com
Benefits made available by the CARES Act

NALAC | National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures
Arts Resources & Field Survey

National Alliance for Musical Theatre
COVID-19 Resources

National Art Education Association (NAEA)
Tools for distance learning/preparing for the 2020-21 school year

National Association for Music Education
NAfME COVID-19 Resources & News

National Black Arts
Donate to the Artist Fund
Apply to Artist Project Fund

National Performance Network
Statement and Resources

NDN Collective
COVID-19 grant opportunities for Indigenous organizations and artists

New York Foundation for the Arts
Emergency Resources - includes national level resources

OPERA America
COVID-19 Resource Hub

Poets & Writers
Resources for Writers in the Time of Coronavirus

State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education
Arts Instructional Resources

Sundance Institute
Curated COVID Resources & Emergency Funds

Theater Communications Group
COVID-19: Prepare, Mitigate, Recover

The Recovery Village
Resources for Substance Abuse Treatment During Coronavirus

TYA/USA
TYA Response to COVID-19

University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine
Arts & COVID-19 Response

Western Governors’ Association
Coping with the Realities of COVID-19

WomenArts
Emergency Funds - All Art Forms ​

KEYWORDS
covid-19 resources - resources for artists - film festival alliance - covid 19 resources for arts organizations  - cares act - resources for musicians - filmmakers - resource hub for artists - resource hub for creators - Jermaine Sain - When We Speak TV - covid support for artists - artist relief grants -  help for artists - covid grants for artists​

​Watch and listen to Rickey Smiley's  chat with President Barack Obama about his new book, A Promised Land. 

KEYWORDS
Rickey Smiley - Barack Obama - Barack Obama A Promised Land - books - Rickey Smiley Morning Show - Rickey Smiley interview - president barack obama - Radio host - books by president obama - barack obama interview - Jermaine Sain - When We Speak TV

In the stirring, highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoirs, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency—a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil.

Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office.

A Promised Land is extraordinarily intimate and introspective—the story of one man’s bet with history, the faith of a community organizer tested on the world stage. Obama is candid about the balancing act of running for office as a Black American, bearing the expectations of a generation buoyed by messages of “hope and change,” and meeting the moral challenges of high-stakes decision-making. He is frank about the forces that opposed him at home and abroad, open about how living in the White House affected his wife and daughters, and unafraid to reveal self-doubt and disappointment. Yet he never wavers from his belief that inside the great, ongoing American experiment, progress is always possible.

This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day.

Click here to see all Amazon Cyber Monday Deals

KEYWORDS
​amazon cyber monday 2020 - cyber monday - cyber monday deals - cyber monday 2020 walmart - top 2020 cyber monday deals - amazon deals - amazon store - how to create an amazon store - Jermaine Sain -  When We Speak TV

​Please show you support by purchasing, posting it online, tagging When We Speak TV​ on all social media, and letting us know what you think!!  

Bella Rose, of Bella Rose Passion, shares her inspirational story of becoming a business owner with When We Speak TV.  Because of her hard work and dedication, her products can be found in stores like Macy's and Walmart.  

​In time for the holidays, our friend (..AND PREVIOUS WHEN WE SPEAK TV GUEST),
Chandra Currelley, releases "My Favorite Things" .

Oprah is encouraging everyone to support black owned businesses all year-round with Oprah's 2020 Favorite Things.

​There are some fascinating gifts for everyone in your life.  You can even read Oprah's review of each product.

KEYWORDS
Oprah -  My Favorite Things -  Oprah's Favorite Things - Ellen's Favorite Things 2020 - supporting black owned small businesses - black owned businesses - oprah's favorite things 2021 - oprah's favorite things 2020 amazon - Oprah's favorite things 2020 full list - Uncle Nearest - The Terrace TV - Perfecting Your Presence by Derrick Rutledge Complete Eyelash Kit - Jermaine Sain - When We Speak TV - Hydroponic Mason Jar Garden Set Trios​ - The Mirror Workout

We are so excited to share with you thought our friend and When We Speak TV guest, Kelli Ferrell (owner of Nana's Chicken & Waffles) , is on a new food series on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).

Please show your support by purchasing, posting it online, tagging When We Speak TV on all social media, and letting us know what you think!!  

​In time for the holidays, our friend (..AND PREVIOUS WHEN WE SPEAK TV GUEST),
Chandra Currelley, releases "My Favorite Things" .

​Tyler Perry Studios hosted its #TPSGiving food giveaway drive-up event where volunteers in protective equipment were handing out the non-perishable food items and gift cards to people in need. 

This year’s ELEVATE Art Festival examines arts and culture through the lens of our changed reality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have experienced racial unrest, economic recession, isolation due to social distancing, and a divisive political climate. The festival theme is Equity, Activism, Engagement, and through our programs we seek to provide hope, inspiration, and food for your soul. Join this year’s free virtual programs from Sunday, October 4 through Saturday, October 10.  It’ll be streaming live via Facebook, YouTube and website. Check elevateatlart.com for details.  Below is the music lineup.

This year’s ELEVATE Art Festival examines arts and culture through the lens of our changed reality due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial unrest, economic recession, and a divisive political climate. Dance performances being presented are dazzling, dreamlike, and defiant. They provide insight into issues that we, and our communities, are dealing with including inequity, food insecurity, and isolation, but also seek to inspire hope, resilience, and activism as we move forward. Join this year’s virtual programming from Sunday, October 4 through Saturday, October 10.

NEWS SOURCE:  Hatchett PR

​The City of Atlanta - Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs will bring its annual ELEVATE public art festival to Atlanta’s historic West End neighborhood from Sunday, October 4 to Saturday, October 10, 2020. This year’s festival events will be virtual. 

​• Musical performances by Kebbi Williams and The Wolf Pack, The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra, Gritz and Jelly Butter, Tony Hightower, and Julie Dexter. 
​• Mural installations honoring civil rights leader Reverend James Orange and Black women activists from the West End community. 
• An online and in person voter registration event at the West End MARTA station. 
• A conversation with New York Times best-selling authors Pearl Cleage and Tayari Jones, who frequently feature Atlanta’s West End community in their work.  
• The opening of Hammonds House Museum’s exhibition Elements of A Revolution. 
• A conversation between the executive directors of Atlanta Contemporary and Les Abattoirs/Toulouse to discuss challenges of promoting art during COVID-19, issues of gender equality and racism in their field. Since 1974 Atlanta and Toulouse have been Sister Cities. 
• A screening of the stirring new documentary, “John Lewis: Good Trouble,” an intimate account of the legendary U.S. Representative’s life, legacy, and more than 60 years of extraordinary activism. 
• An Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance of Lazarus created by acclaimed hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris. The ballet connects the past and the present in a powerful work that addresses racial inequities America faced when Mr. Ailey founded his dance company in 1958 and still faces today.
• Renowned artist Carrie Mae Weems, in collaboration with SCAD, will launch RESIST COVID/TAKE 6, a public art initiative raising critical heath awareness about COVID-19 and the ways racial inequities have manifested in the pandemic.