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Justice Through Music joins band Op-Critical for song “Prop 8” to support marriage equality

Justice Through Music, www.jtmp.org, a national non profit that works with famous bands to bring attention to important social issues, teamed up the band Op-Critical in a music video called “Prop 8” to oppose the California referendum that was used to overturn the state’s gay marriage law. The video, shown above, looks at the struggle for marriage equality through the lens of past struggles for women’s rights, civil rights and voting rights.

2010 Pan African Film and Arts Festival announces filmmaker awards

The Jury, Audience, Festival, and other special award-winners of the 2010 PAN AFRICAN FILM & FESTIVAL (PAFF) were announced tonight at the Festival’s Awards Ceremony hosted by actress CCH Pounder (Avatar) at the Culver Plaza Theatres (9919 Washington Blvd. Los Angeles). The Kenyan narrative FROM A WHISPER won for Best Narrative Feature. A three-way tie was announced for the Audience Favorite Narrative Award for films SOUL DIASPORA, A STING IN A TALE, and SPEED-DATING. The documentary on the L.A. Black Panthers 41ST & CENTRAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE L.A. BLACK PANTHERS won the Audience Favorite Documentary Award.

Crazy Art: New documentary profiles three artists with schizophrenia

“Crazy Art,” a new documentary profiling three artists with schizophrenia, has just premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The DVD of the informative and moving 58-minute film goes on sale in March.

Seeking 365 senior love stories

The Ehlers Group, the award-winning strategic marketing and communications company, is seeking 365 Senior Love Stories. The company, which specializes in marketing programs for senior housing communities, kicks off its quest for 365 Senior Love Stories on Valentine’s Day, for a book being compiled by authors Janis Ehlers and Kerry Green.

The King Arts Complex presents African Art Tradition and Influence: Woodrow Nash Sculptor

The King Arts Complex is proud to present African Art Tradition & Influence: Woodrow Nash Sculptor, Thursday, February 11, 2010 through Wednesday, March 26, 2010. African Art Tradition & Influence will showcase traditional African Art from the Keith Neal African Art Gallery. This exhibition will feature life-size bronze statues from Benin and wood sculptures from different African cultures that relates to clan ancestry.

Pan African Film and Arts Festival announces 2010 Night of Tribute honorees

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), America’s largest and most prestigious Black film and arts festival, has announced Emmy award-winning actor Glynn Turman (“Cooley High,” “The Wire”) as the 2010 PAFF Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. Taking place Friday, February 12 (7 p.m.) at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center (4718 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles), the PAFF Night of Tribute is a star-studded red carpet affair that is televised on The Africa Channel (www.theafricachannel.com) and shown nationally and internationally throughout Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe. Other distinguished honorees include: Pioneer Award recipient film director F. Gary Gray (“The Italian Job,” “A Man Apart”); Beah Richards Award recipient actress Tatyana Ali (“The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Love That Girl”); Canada Lee Award recipient actor Nate Parker (“The Secret Life of Bees,” “The Great Debaters,” “Blood Done Sign My Name”); Nigerian filmmaker and founder of the influential African Academy of Motion Pictures Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima, recipient of the PAFF/African Channel Visionary Award; and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Community Service Award recipient. This year’s Night of Tribute will be hosted by the PAFF 2010 Celebrity Host actress CCH Pounder.

Pan African Film and Arts Festival announces 2010 lineup

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), America’s largest and most prestigious international Black film and arts festival has announced its 2010 lineup of films selected to be screened for its Best Documentary Feature, Best Documentary Short, Best Narrative Short, Best Narrative Feature, and Best First Feature film competitions. In total, 135 films were selected representing 36 countries, including 40 in competition, 64 feature length films, and 12 films at the Festival will be world premieres. The PAFF filmmaker awards will be announced on Feb. 17 at the Closing Night Presentation (7 p.m.).

Can you go to church online?

The Joy of Jesus is an on-line church that offers its members the Word of god and prayers for the world. So many people spend their waking time on-line. Why not worship on-line?

Ky-Mani, Bob Marley’s 10th child, pens controversial memoir ‘Dear Dad’

Son of the Legendary Bob Marley, Ky-Mani pens his personal, controversial memoir, Dear Dad: “Where’s The Family In Our Family, Today?” The Story the Marley Family Apparently Doesn’t Want You to Know. Available now on Amazon and in book stores to coincide with Bob Marley’s 65th birthday February 6, 2010.

ARISE Magazine headlines top African designers at New York Fashion Week

Leading global African-themed style and cultural magazine ARISE selected top African designers Black Coffee (www.blackcoffee.co.za), Loin Cloth and Ashes (www.loinclothandashes.com) along with Deola Sagoe (www.deolasagoedesign.com) to showcase Fall/Winter 2010 designs during the publication’s AFRICAN COLLECTIVE PART III Mercedes Benz Fashion Week runway presentation.

25 years later “We Are The World” for Haiti earthquake victims

On January 28, 1985, a day after the American Music Awards, stars gathered in Jim Henson studios under the direction Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie to record “We Are The World.” The goal was to raise money and awareness about hunger in Africa. Proceeds were donated to the newly formed charity, at the time, USA for Africa (www.usaforafrica.org). To date, over $63 million dollars have been raised from this original recording co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.

Black culture goes front and center with the launch of BlackTV247.com

BTV247, Inc., the leading digital media company focused exclusively on Black culture, today announced the launch of www.blacktv247.com, the single largest internet destination exclusively focused on Black-inspired programming.

The Oprah Winfrey Network picks up “Family Affair” at Sundance Film Festival (video)

OWN: THE OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK has acquired the rights to FAMILY AFFAIR, an independent feature length documentary film written and produced by Chico David Colvard. FAMILY AFFAIR, an intensely personal documentary that examines Mr. Colvard’s compelling family history, garnered great attention at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it had its world premiere.

EXCLUSIVE: Win FREE “I Believe” necklace from Payless ShoeSource and Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship for African American youth

In 2009, Payless ShoeSource and the National Urban League forged a partnership to raise funds for the Inspiring Possibilities Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund provides scholarships in $2500 increments to African American students attending college/universities nationwide. Now, in its second year, through the month of February 2010, Payless customers may visit their 800 stores as well as go online (www.payless.com/store) to purchase an inspirational “I Believe” necklace for the nominal cost of $4. I have partnered with Payless ShoeSource to offer a promotion in the spirit of Black History Month and their ongoing commitment to support higher education for minorities. Below are the guidelines to win a FREE “I Believe” necklace.

Tyler Perry touring for first time in 5 years with “Madea’s Big Happy Family”

I’ve been reading Tyler Perry’s journal entries (he calls them”Email Messages from Tyler”) on his website www.tylerperry.com/_Messages, particularly the ones since Maxine’s passing, and it seems like hitting the stage was just what he needed to get back into life. “Madea’s Big Happy Family” kicked off on January 4, 2010 in El Paso, TX and concludes May 9, 2010 in Detroit, MI.