Sunday, November 10, 2019
The Pursuit of Creativity Can Make Algorithms Much Smarter
from Wired https://ift.tt/2XagCZj
via
The 10 Best Laptops for 2019 (And Why We Chose Them)
2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations: Ivory Coast shock Nigeria in Group B opener
Amazon Kindle for Kids Review: Kid Tested, Mother Approved
Roger DaSilva's rediscovered archive reveals 1950s Senegal chic
The black princess who 'took on a white world'
The Kenyan man making leather jackets out of fish skins
U-23 Africa Cup of Nations: Hosts Egypt open with win over Mali as Cameroon and Ghana draw
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter sends open letter to Comcast to protect our civil rights
Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is calling on Comcast to not challenge the Civil Rights Act of 1866, in it’s Supreme Court case involving media mogul, Byron Allen.
In an open letter to Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast, Dr. King lays out the “cataclysmic” consequences of the cable company’s attempts to change America’s original civil rights law.
“We are alarmed at the consequences of a Supreme Court ruling that could have cataclysmic results for people of color, who comprise a large segment of your customers,” Dr. King wrote.
King’s letter comes the same week as Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL), issued a scathing critique of Comcast, and demanded the conglomerate be broken up.
Allen, who is Chairman and CEO of Entertainment Studios, sued Comcast and Charter Communications for 20 billion dollars, alleging racial discrimination in refusing to do business with him.
In pursuing a legal edge against Allen’s claims of racial discrimination, Comcast’s appeal to the Supreme Court rests on changing the essence of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. It would require people to prove race was the sole motivating factor for any discrimination claims, not a partial factor as was used in the past.
“To alter the Act to accommodate discrimination against people based on race would reverse precarious progress in the freedom struggle, which my father was assassinated for leading and which my mother continued to join others in leading until her death,” Dr. King writes.
“Knowing that the Civil Rights Act of 1866 was enacted to prohibit discrimination of any kind when making and enforcing contracts, why is Comcast relentlessly fighting for the right to avoid doing business with a person of color so long as her or his race is one of several factors for such refusal?”
BREAKING: Congressman Bobby Rush calls for break up of Comcast after threats to civil rights
King, who is the CEO of The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, is protective of her parents’ legacies– invoking their names on issues of the utmost importance.
Her two-page letter signals the seriousness of the moment for Black America and America as a whole.
Comcast will argue its case before the Supreme Court, Wednesday, November 13th, utilizing the legal support of President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice.
Read Dr. Bernice King’s entire message to Comcast below:
Editor’s note: theGrio is owned by Entertainment Studios.
The post Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter sends open letter to Comcast to protect our civil rights appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/2K49gku
via
Empathy Is Tearing Us Apart
Quibi Picks Up Donald Sterling Scandal Docuseries From Will Packer
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will Parker’s docuseries on the Donald Sterling scandal has been picked up by Quibi.
Quibi has acquired the documentary series about the events that led to former Los Angeles Clippers owner Sterling losing his NBA franchise after being banned from the league for life. The team was sold to the current owner, ex- Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer, after outrage rose following the racist rant caught on an audio recording.
Blackballed is directed by Michael Jacobs and executive produced by Chris Gary and Ryan Simon; Sam Widdoes and Peter Cambor for District 33; Will Packer and Kelly Smith for Will Packer Media; and James Widdoes.
“The Sterling scandal was so much more than a leaked tape,” Jacobs said in a statement. “This series will offer a first-person retelling of the heightened drama and raw emotion surrounding a pivotal moment in sports history.”
The series follows the five days during the NBA playoffs in April 2014 when players and coaches led an unprecedented movement to hold the league accountable after a racist audio recording of Sterling’s was leaked to the press. Los Angeles Clippers players Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and JJ Redick, as well as Clippers head coach Doc Rivers and various individuals from the worlds of sports, politics, business, and media, explain how they used their influence to help make sure Sterling was ousted.
“This powerful story, which portrays a defining moment in the history of the NBA, shines a spotlight on a cultural divide that has affected our country for decades,” Packer said in a statement. “We are very excited that Blackballed will be available to audiences on Quibi, one of the most innovative entertainment content platforms in the industry.”
Quibi is a short-form mobile video platform headquartered in Los Angeles that was founded in 2018 by Jeffrey Katzenberg and is expected to launch on April 6, 2020. The company has raised $1 billion in funding from 11 investors and all major Hollywood studios, including The Walt Disney Co., NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures, WarnerMedia, Liberty Global, and Alibaba Group.
from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2Q1IGMP
via
Ava DuVernay’s “Cherish the Day” recognized for 50% female crew
Ava DuVernay has been recognized for another incredible milestone. The award-winning filmmaker and Warner Horizon Scripted Television was recently recognized for her new romantic drama series Cherish the Day, achieving full gender parity.
The anthology’s production crew will consist of over 50 percent women and 18 will serve as department heads, according to The Futon Critic.
This news is proof that representation matters.
— Ava DuVernay slams Academy for disqualifying Nigerian Oscar submission ‘Lionheart’
Cherish The Day is created and executive produced by Duvernay and will be airing on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The series, which will premiere in Winter 2020, will focus on a couple’s relationship, with each episode focusing on a “single day.” Cherish The Day will focus particular moments that touch on the importance of valuing the people that we love in our lives. Winfrey, along with Paul Garnes and Tanya Hamilton will serve as executive producers.
“Ava continues to break down barriers as a trailblazer,” Oprah Winfrey said, according to the site. “Achieving a production crew of over 50% women is an incredible accomplishment and we are so proud that Ava has a space at OWN to provide opportunity for new voices and faces in the entertainment industry.”
Women were hired to fill various roles such as directing, writing, casting, hair, makeup, editing, set decoration, transportation, stunts and many other roles, according to the site.
— Oprah Winfrey joins fight to save Rodney Reed’s life
“Ava DuVernay has been a groundbreaking leader in the entertainment industry,” Peter Roth, Susan Rovner and Brett Paul, said from said Warner Bros. Television. “By achieving gender parity on her first chapter of ‘Cherish the Day’ she continues to provide invaluable opportunities for new creative talent. It’s this kind of conviction and commitment to inclusion that will have a long-lasting and positive effect on our industry and beyond.”
Cherish the Day is added to the other long list of noteworthy projects Duvernay has been involved in such as Selma, Netflx’s When They See Us and OWN’s Queen Sugar.
The post Ava DuVernay’s “Cherish the Day” recognized for 50% female crew appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/36OUFmR
via
Omoyele Sowore: Anger over detention of Nigerian journalist
Octavia Spencer to be honored with Producers Guild Visionary Award
Actress and producer, Octavia Spencer will be honored with the Visionary Award at the Producers Guild Awards ceremony in 2020.
The awards show, which is set to take place on Jan. 18, will honor the star for her work “behind-the-camera” and being among the producers, who create “inspiring, uplifting stories that add unique value to society and culture” according to AP News.
Did you know that Spencer produced the Oscar-award-winning film Green Book, she also produced the film, Ma, which was released this year and her first starring role.
Witness an all-new Alternate Ending in #MAmovie
Starring Oscar winner Octavia Spencer
On Digital 8/20, Blu-ray & DVD 9/3https://t.co/c6Sk886vPt @blumhouse pic.twitter.com/utYAe1tfVv— #MAmovie (@MAmovie) July 16, 2019
“As both an actor and as a producer, Octavia has provided her keen vision to an array of poignant stories across drama, comedy and everything in between,” Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher, PGA presidents said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “She understands how to harness the power of filmmaking to inspire audiences everywhere with stories that showcase undeniable human truths and emotion.”
— Octavia Spencer credits this Hollywood A-lister for inspiring her to get healthier for ‘Ma’ role
Spencer has also starred in other notable film roles such as The Help, for which she won an Oscar for best supporting actress; Hidden Figures (2016) and Fruitvale Station (2013);
Here’s to the women who continue to help us reach new heights. #WomenInScience pic.twitter.com/OYQaYCbhqs
— Hidden Figures (@HiddenFigures) February 11, 2019
Spencer joins previous Visionary Award recipients Kenya Barris; Ava DuVernay; Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner’s Plan B Entertainment; Chris Meledandri; Laura Ziskin; and Jeff Skoll.
Octavia Spencer will receive the Producers Guild’s visionary award https://t.co/A5R7h4BVl3
— Variety (@Variety) November 8, 2019
Spencer added: “It is an honor to receive the PGA Visionary Award. From the very beginning of my career in entertainment, I have been guided by my dream to create an impact through storytelling. This is an incredible highlight for me, and I extend my deepest thanks to the PGA for this award.”
— '12 Years a Slave' lands on Producers Guild of America shortlist
Spencer, who will next be seen on Apple TV+’s Truth Be Told series, executive produced the most recent best picture winner, Green Book, which this year also received the PGA Awards’ Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Picture.
Her other credits include acting roles in The Help, for which she won an Oscar for best supporting actress; Hidden Figures; The Shape of Water; Fruitvale Station; Ma; and a recurring guest role on CBS’ sitcom Mom. Spencer also executive produced Ma and served as a co-executive producer on Fruitvale Station.
“Octavia is a dynamic producer and performer who over her career, has proven herself to exemplify the spirit of this award,” said PGA Awards executive producer Suzanne Todd. “Her ascent in the industry has been commensurate with her talent, and her next chapters will prove again how adept she is at injecting her compassion and integrity into the stories she tells and the characters she embodies.”
The 31st annual Producers Guild Awards will take place Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The post Octavia Spencer to be honored with Producers Guild Visionary Award appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/2K54VNQ
via
Murder suspect has been charged in Clark Atlanta University student case
One of the suspects tied to the death of Clark Atlanta University student, Alexis Crawford, has been charged with murder and is currently booked in Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, her roommate’s boyfriend, Barron Brantley.
Police say 21-year-old Barron Brantley is one of the individuals responsible for Crawford’s death after her body was found in a park in DeKalb County after being missing for more than a week, according to 11alive.
CNN reports Brantley is also in jail for three probation violations and “hindering person making emergency telephone call,” according to Fulton County Jail.
— Charles Barkley donates $1M to Clark Atlanta University
The report also states that Crawford filed a police report before she was went missing stating that she had experienced unwanted advances from Brantley, according to authorities.
Suspects in the death of #CAU senior #AlexisCrawford Jordyn Jones and Barron Brantley. She reported them 3 days before she went missing and was found dead today in a Dekalb park. 😢😢 #RIP 💔 BE CAREFUL WHO YOU ROOM WITH & CONSIDER “friend” ESPECIALLY COLLEGE STUDENTS! pic.twitter.com/xf59Vi8juU
— ebonee🧝🏾♀️👽👾🧚🏾♀️ (@EboneeReshay) November 8, 2019
The post Murder suspect has been charged in Clark Atlanta University student case appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/2pVGs6Y
via
Obafemi Martins: Nigeria star not contemplating retirement yet
John Legend attends Miami hearing that officially permits felons the right to vote
Singer John Legend on Friday attended a special hearing in Miami-Dade county that restored the voting rights for former 18 felons under the state’s Amendment 4.
The amendment, which was approved last November to overturn a 150-year-old law, allows more than 1.2 million Floridians with felony records the right to vote again, according to The Miami Herald.
The famed singer told reporters he attended the special ceremony because it was a “celebration” and he was happy to witness the ex-felons regain their right to vote.
“It’s so beautiful to see,” Legend told reporters, according to WFLA. “So many people take it for granted, this right to vote. When you lose it, it makes you realize how important it is.”
— John Legend’s update of ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ slammed as ‘absurd’
“It just shows you how important democracy is, how precious democracy is,” he added. “It’s important for all of us to be included in that.”
Hundreds of Miami residence were crowded outside of the courthouse to see Legend show his support.
Singer John Legend arrives at Miami-Dade criminal court for special docket to waive court fees, so convicted felons can have their right to vote restored pic.twitter.com/FzkxDUHXWN
— David Ovalle (@DavidOvalle305) November 8, 2019
Friday’s court hearing was attended by a host of Miami-Dade leaders who helped establish the program, including State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle and Public Defender Carlos Martinez. The presiding judge: Circuit Judge Nushin Sayfie, who was instrumental in pushing for the program.
“This is a good day,” Sayfie told the courtroom. “It’s a day we celebrate democracy.”
— Trina and Trick Daddy hitting the airwaves with new Miami morning radio show
The Grammy winner held a fundraiser Thursday night for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which is mounting a statewide effort to help former prisoners obtain the right to vote.
One by one, the former felons came before Circuit Judge Nushin Sayfie for brief hearings to ensure they are qualified to regain the right to vote. One of them was Andre Williams, 63, who had an aggravated assault conviction on his record.
“I’m happy. Very, very happy,” he said. “It’s what I fought for, forever.”
Carlos Martinez, the Miami-Dade public defender, said people seeking restoration of voting rights can apply through the FRRC website and most would not need to come to court. If they do owe fines or restitution, Martinez said there are ways to settle those debts.
“We are all working with them to see those amounts are paid,” he said.
Desmond Meade, president of FRRC, said the organization is planning a bus tour to raise awareness through all 67 Florida counties.
“We want to encourage everyone to participate in our democracy, because that’s what makes us vibrant,” Meade said. “There is hope. There is a pathway forward. We are hoping to replicate this throughout the state.”
The bright red bus features images of former felons, one carrying a sign that reads, “When a debt is paid, it’s paid.” It also has the slogan, “Our vote, our voice, our time” on the side.
Under the amendment, people who have been convicted of sex crimes or murder can not apply to get their voting rights restored.
The post John Legend attends Miami hearing that officially permits felons the right to vote appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/32uJ7Sj
via
O.J. Simpson files defamation lawsuit against Las Vegas casino
O.J. Simpson on Thursday filed a lawsuit against a Las Vegas hotel-casino for defamation after employees informed news site, TMZ, that the former pro football player was kicked out for being “belligerent” in November 2017.
Employees of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas told the outlet that Simpson was acting “drunk, disruptive and unruly” which led him to be banned, according to USA Today.
Simpson sued the corporate owner of the hotel-casino, Nevada Property 1 LLC. The complaint states that he and two of his friends received a notice from a security guard after eating at the STK Las Vegas and visiting the Clique bar after, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The notice stated that Simpson could not return to the property, although Simpson revealed that he was never provided a reason. The lawsuit revealed that he had been to The Cosmopolitan many times.
Simpson, who was described as a “well-known public figure” who “has experienced various legal problems” in the suit denied being “belligerent,” breaking glass or damaging property.
“To date, the Cosmopolitan has never issued any public rationale or reasoning for trespassing Simpson from the property, other than claiming it was ‘private’ property the night of the issuance of the trespass notice,” according to the complaint.
— Legal settlement over Las Vegas shooting worth up to $800M
Simpson’s attorney, Malcolm LaVergne claims that his reputation was “damaged by the allegations” which lead him to take a drug and alcohol test by his parole officer
The next day, Simpson completed a drug and alcohol test for his parole officer. The Nevada Department of Parole and Probation later found that Simpson had not violated any terms of his probation and “determined that the Cosmopolitan’s assertions against Simpson were false,” according to the complaint.
Thursday’s complaint alleged that The Cosmopolitan fabricated the story of Simpson becoming belligerent to keep him off the property and to “paint Simpson in a false light by defaming and embarrassing him.”
— Laverne Cox becomes the first trans woman on the cover of Cosmopolitan
According to the complaint filed Thursday, Simpson seeks at least $30,000 and undetermined punitive damages and attorney’s fees. Simpson, on parole in Nevada for a 2008 conviction for armed robbery and assault with a weapon.
The post O.J. Simpson files defamation lawsuit against Las Vegas casino appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/2p6Kh92
via
'Terminator: Dark Fate' Didn't Need an Exploding Airplane
Kanye West Flirts With a Presidential Bid, Tells Black People Not to Vote Democrat
Kanye West seems to be up to his usual antics. During an appearance at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival on Thursday, the 42-year-old hip-hop superstar revealed that he is considering running for president in 2024 and plans to legally change his name to “Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West.” But it didn’t end there. He also encouraged black Americans to stop voting for Democrats.
“When I run for president in 2024 — What y’all laughing at?” West said during a panel discussion as the crowd burst into laughter, according to CBS News. The mega-producer went on to clarify that he doesn’t plan to actually “run” for president. Instead, he said, “I’m going to walk.” West, who first revealed his aspirations for the White House while delivering a rambling acceptance speech at the 2015 MTV Awards, went on to dismiss critics who call him “crazy.” “What they’re saying is Kanye’s crazy — one and three African Americans are in jail and all the celebrities are in jail also because they can’t say nothing because they’re so scared,” he added.
During the 40-minute session, the avid Trump supporter advised black Americans: “Own your power. Your power is not to just vote Democrat for the rest of our lives. That’s not the power,” reports Page Six. He added, “The power is when I talk to my lawyer … I put on my trench coat and said, ‘We’re moving these factories to America, and that’s how it’s going to be’ — and it’s lovely.”
West’s support for the right wing is a far cry from his former left-leaning political views. Back in 2014, he stressed the importance of voting in the midterm elections and for Democrats in a series of tweets. “I’m supporting the Democratic tickets in these midterms,” he posted. The outspoken rapper also boasted about meeting with then-President Barack Obama with his wife, Kim Kardashian West.
Yeezy, however, took a hard right turn in 2018 when he shared pictures of himself sporting President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” hat on Twitter. Since then, he has continued to voice support for Trump, who he described as a father figure who makes him feel like “superman” during an in-person meeting with the Commander-in-Chief at the White House.
from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2NxEUZZ
via