Holiday Shopping | HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS 2020

It’s the Holiday season — and although 2020 will go down on record as one of most challenging periods in America’s histories we’ve learned how to find joy in unexpected places. 

Here are a few ideas for great Holiday gifts this year.  The companies with an * are African-American owned and operated.

GOOGLE NEST AUDIO 

The new Nest Audio is a simple, soft design with a comfortable price of 

$99.99, it’s one of the best bargains this season. Integrated into the fabric at the top of the speaker are three capacitive touch zones for volume up and down and play/pause, a 75mm (three-inch) woofer, and a 19mm (0.75-inch) tweeter, providing much fuller, clearer sound. https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_audio — A+


reMARKABLE 2 

Looks and feels like writing on paper. The battery lasts two weeks in daily use; three months in standby mode. Palm rejection while writing is seamless. Charges via USB-C, as all things should. Generous return policy. reMarkable 2 isn't meant to take the place of your computer. The device is thin—remarkably so, measuring just 4.7 millimeters. That's more than a millimeter thinner than the iPad Pro. It also weighs less than a pound and features a lovely, paperlike 10.3-inch display. Writing is seamless. Simply scrawl away with its dedicated stylus and your thoughts are recorded digitally, leaving you free to keep writing and never worry about running out of pages. For the holidays the company is currently bundling those two accessories with the reMarkable 2 tablets, Marker stylus ($49), or the Folio ($69) case. https://remarkable.com — A+


* Negris LeBrum is an African American Owned, American runway collection that is a regular participant in NYFW. Designed by Creative Director and Founder, Travis Hamilton, Negris LeBrum was inspired by a love story that began during the 1940s, between a young beautiful French Creole woman and a handsome man. Although their love was forbidden by societal difficulties, these individuals were brought together by a force that was greater than both of them and through fashion, their love story is being told to the world. https://www.negrislebrum.com/ @ negris_lebrum n#negrislebrum #negrisestjoli A+

https://www.ardorbin.com/ *

* Ardor Bin is a luxury candle brand founded by African-American entrepreneur, Latrice Littleton their candles are made with the highest quality of all-natural coconut/soy wax blend, elegantly crafted fragrances, and sustainable wood wicks. Inspired by the redolent scents of nature, Ardor Bin's exquisite line of natural botanical candles are designed to add a touch of warmth and tranquility to any living space. B

Formula 10.0.6

What better way to get us ready for holidays than the smell of peppermint? You’ll find that and other favorite scents and body care essentials in the brand’s line that are perfect for stocking stuffers too. Mix and match to create a self-care gift. As a 4th generation family-owned company, their guiding philosophy at Formula 10.0.6 has remained rock solid: support troublesome skin with products that are gentle yet powerful and harness the benefits of nature’s best ingredients all at an incredible value.

Price: $10.00+ Available at: https://www.formula1006.com/ A

BRITE LITE

Hoping to get organized in the New Year? So are we! Snag one of these oh-so-fun custom neon calendars that are sure to brighten up any space while keeping you organized! Add a pop of color and inspiration and get going on those 2021 goals! You might be surprised to know that neon lighting has come a long way. Brite Lite’s products are all LED and are eco-friendly, cool to the touch, quiet, and use less electricity than that bulky old lamp in the corner of your room right now.

Available at: https://britelitetribe.com/  — A

HORA SKINCARE has relaunched for the holiday with a decorated ornament and inside an exclusive ornament will include their mini combo set; Super Serum + CBD and Overnight Exfoliating Mask + CBD.

The Comfy® OriginalTM Jr. - Kids and adults worldwide are going crazy for The Comfy® Original Jr.TM wearable blanket, a fun-sized version of our famous The Comfy® OriginalTM—the world’s first truly wearable blanket. Best for kids 10 and under, The Comfy® Original Jr., TM comes in just one size and is perfect for any kid-friendly occasion, from lounging at home to long car rides to sleepovers to video games to, yes, even wearing to school! 

Emerging Heroes Masks

Emerging Heroes is produced in New York using a boutique factory and an all-female production staff. The collection is produced in small batches to ensure that each product meets  stringent guidelines to maintain a tight supply chain and a commitment to limiting waste. The factory is dedicated to the artistry of the brand and implements the utmost diligence in executing designs. Careful attention is exercised to make sure every item is constructed to last.  www.EmergingHeroes.com — Instagram.com/emergingheroes . A +

STOCKING STUFFERS 

The ultimate stocking stuffers can be found at Monkey Business, making people happy since 1994. Some of their best-sellers are the Blue Bear family ice packs, Karoto 2 carrot peeler, your garnish will never be the same again (plastic and steel blades), Farfalle shaped silicone for gripping hot handles in the kitchen, CONCHIGLIE

Lemon squeezer, designed for maximum juice, it prevents eye-squirts and also strains the seeds so they don’t get in the food and their PENNELI Garlic peeler. A silicone garlic peeler that peels cloves quickly and easily by rolling them in the oversized penne tube.

Buon appetito! A+ https://www.monkeybusinessusa.com

BOYS SMELL

Founder-invented scents like Cinderose, a union of rose and smoke, and Gardener, a compilation of tomato vine and honeysuckle, wrap traditionally masculine scents in a prettier bouquet. Burn up expectations, release clear intentions. The candles are hand-poured in a reusable glass vessel and hand-labeled in Los Angeles, California. 

Currently carried in over 300 retail locations worldwide, with 16 original scents, votive sets, and 4 Unmentionables styles. Boy Smells for everyone. A+ https://boysmells.com/pages/about

TownBamboo is dedicated to offering premium bamboo products that pay homage to the beautiful bamboo forests of Damyang in South Korea. They believe in sustainability and the preservation of the beautiful forest. Constantly changing their fragrances and keeping things produced in small batches, this is one of the best candles on the market, today. A+

https://www.townbamboo.com/collections/all-products

NBC Fall Scheduling 2020-21 Season

NBC_fall2020.jpg

NBC ENTERS THE 2020-21 SEASON WITH UNPRECEDENTED STABILITY ACROSS ITS SCHEDULE, FEATURING HIT DRAMAS,  BELOVED COMEDIES AND POWERHOUSE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMING 

Christopher Meloni Reprises Role of Elliot Stabler in New Series “Law & Order: Organized Crime”

Gwen Stefani Returns to “The Voice” Alongside Coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Blake Shelton and Host Carson Daly for Cycle 19

NBC Commits to Funding an Additional Diverse Writer for All 20/21 Scripted Series

 

MONDAY: Returning Coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani and Host Carson Daly Reunite for Perennial Juggernaut “The Voice,” Followed by the Fall Return of Hit Mystery Drama “Manifest” at 10 P.M.

 

TUESDAY: Dynamic Tuesday Lineup Stays Strong With “The Voice” Setting the Stage for the Fifth Season of TV’s #1 Drama “This Is Us,” Leading Into Timeslot Winner “New Amsterdam” at 10 P.M.

 

WEDNESDAY: Following Another Total Viewers Win, the Windy City Block Returns to Conquer Wednesday Nights Starting With “Chicago Med” at 8 P.M., Followed by Wednesday’s Most-Watched Series “Chicago Fire” and Concluding with “Chicago P.D.”

 

THURSDAY: Fan Favorite Comedies “Superstore” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” Anchor Thursday Nights; Drama Starts at 9 P.M. as “Law & Order: SVU” Marks its Record 22nd Season, Leading into the Much-Anticipated Return of Det. Stabler in the All-New “Law & Order: Organized Crime”

 

FRIDAY: “The Blacklist” Returns for its Eighth Season at 8 P.M. Followed by Two Hours of Friday’s #1 Newsmagazine, “Dateline NBC”

 

SUNDAY: #1 Primetime Television Show for a Record Nine Consecutive Years, “NBC Sunday Night Football” Will Broadcast 19 Games Throughout the NFL Season

 

MIDSEASON/SUMMER: Momentum Continues with Huge New and Returning Series, Including Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s “Mr. Mayor,” Starring Ted Danson and Holly Hunter; “Kenan,” starring Kenan Thompson; and “Young Rock” from Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan and Producer/Star Dwayne Johnson; Fan Favorites “Good Girls” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” Return; Uproarious Hit “Ellen’s Game of Games” Is Set to Continue the Fun; Jimmy Fallon Rocks Into Primetime as Host of Musical Game Show “That’s My Jam”; the Stars Align with “True Story,” hosted by Ed Helms and Randall Park, and Game Show “Small Fortune” brings big prizes to primetime.

 

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — June 16, 2020 — Heading into the 2020-21 season, NBC unveils a fall lineup capitalizing on strong incumbency and momentum following a number of multi-year pickups for stalwart shows, including “New Amsterdam,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago P.D.” “Law & Order: SVU” and “This Is Us.” Featuring gripping dramas that include “Manifest,” fan-favorite comedies “Superstore” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and unrivaled alternative programming, including the return of coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani and host Carson Daly on “The Voice,” the network’s fall schedule sees 16 returning shows, and one new drama with “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” 

 

“Thanks to the ingenuity of our creative teams and our partner studios, NBC has assembled a remarkably stable schedule at a time when stability is called for,” said Paul Telegdy, Chairman, NBC Entertainment. “With the reopening of the Universal lot for select productions this week, we are confident that our schedule will premiere intact later this fall. We design shows for longevity and this schedule remains a powerful propulsive force for shows to start here and carry on entertaining across generations.”

 

Telegdy continued, “Our brand has always championed positive programming, and the events of this year have allowed us the time to take pause, examine our business with a new lens and take some immediate action. Since many of our writers’ rooms have not yet opened, we are taking this opportunity to offer all of this season’s showrunners the chance to enrich their team with an additional diverse writer at any level. It is not the solution by any means, but it is something we can do right now to take a positive step.”

 

The network will continue to work with NBCUniversal and studio partners on a long-term plan to increase diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our business. In the meantime, NBC will work to increase the overall percentage of diverse talent in this year’s writers’ rooms by funding an additional writer for every scripted show in the 20/21 season. For the third consecutive year, each returning show will also participate in the network’s Female Forward, Emerging Director Program or Alternative Directors Program, all of which provide opportunities for women and ethnically diverse directors in the scripted and unscripted space. While production guidelines due to COVID-19 may impact the programs slightly, the intent of all the above programs remains to provide participants with an in-season episode to direct. 

 

The fall schedule launches a new spin-off with “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” The drama features Christopher Meloni reprising his beloved “Law & Order: SVU” role as Elliot Stabler, who returns to the NYPD to battle organized crime after a devastating personal loss. However, the city and police department have changed dramatically in the decade he’s been away, and he must adapt to a criminal justice system in the midst of its own moment of reckoning. Throughout the series, we will follow Stabler’s journey to find absolution and rebuild his life, while leading a new elite task force that is taking apart the city’s most powerful criminal syndicates one by one. 

 

The pace doesn’t slow as the season continues with several high-profile debuts pairing with huge returning hits to keep the network’s year-round momentum in full swing. Star-studded comedy premieres include “Kenan,” starring Kenan Thompson as a recently widowed host of Atlanta’s #2 morning show who struggles to balance his job and his young daughters; Tina Fey & Robert Carlock’s “Mr. Mayor” stars Ted Danson as a wealthy businessman who runs for mayor of Los Angeles for all the wrong reasons; and producer and star Dwayne Johnson is set for “Young Rock” from Nahnatchka Khan (“Fresh Off the Boat”), in a series focusing on and inspired by the formative years of the global superstar. Fans will rejoice at the return of two favorite series as Jane Levy and the gang are back for season two of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” and the ladies of “Good Girls” are set for season four. NBC ordered 12 scripted pilots in its last development cycle, with decisions yet to be made due to delayed production schedules.

 

Both returning alternative hits and new series will also arrive to conquer midseason, led by the fourth season of the Ellen DeGeneres smash “Ellen’s Game of Games.” Joining Ellen in primetime as a master of ceremonies is Jimmy Fallon, who will executive produce and host “That’s My Jam,” a new comedy variety event series inspired by the wildly popular, celebrity-fueled musical segments made famous on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The laughs continue with “True Story,” starring Ed Helms and Randall Park as hosts of a hybrid alternative-scripted series in which everyday Americans sit down to share their most extraordinary and unbelievably true stories for the first time. In the case of “Small Fortune,” big series can certainly come in small packages, especially in this game show where teams of friends and family take on tiny games to win huge money.

 

NBC tied for #1 for the 2019-20 September-to-May primetime season in the key adult 18-49 demographic excluding sports, and is #1 outright in scripted programming. The network’s schedule is led by television’s #1 series, “NBC Sunday Night Football”; the #1 scripted series in 18-49, “This Is Us”; television’s perennial #1 most-watched summer series, “America’s Got Talent”; and Wednesday’s “Chicago” dramas, all three of which rank among the top 10 dramas on television in 18-49 and total viewers.

 

Returning shows for the 2020-21 schedule include “The Blacklist,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med,” “Chicago P.D.,” “Dateline NBC,” “Ellen’s Game of Games,”  “Good Girls,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Making It,” “Manifest,” “NBC Sunday Night Football,” “New Amsterdam,” “Superstore,” “This Is Us,” “The Voice” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.”

 

Additional previously announced new series include “Kenan,” “Mr. Mayor,” “Small Fortune,” “That’s My Jam” “Transplant,” “True Story,” “Who Do You Think You Are?,” and “Young Rock.”

 

For photos and additional show information, go to http://www.nbcumv.com/

 

NBC FALL SCHEDULE 2020*

(New programs in UPPER CASE; all times ET)

 

*Indicates new episodes available on Peacock

 

MONDAY

8-10 P.M. — The Voice

10-11 P.M. — Manifest*

 

TUESDAY

8-9 P.M. — The Voice

9-10 P.M. — This Is Us*

10-11 P.M.  — New Amsterdam*

 

WEDNESDAY

8-9 P.M. — Chicago Med*

9-10 P.M. — Chicago Fire*

10-11 P.M. — Chicago P.D.*

 

THURSDAY

8-8:30 P.M. — Superstore*

8:30-9 P.M. — Brooklyn Nine-Nine

9-10 P.M.  — Law & Order: SVU*

10-11 P.M. — LAW & ORDER: ORGANIZED CRIME*

 

FRIDAY

8-9 P.M. – The Blacklist*

9-11 P.M — Dateline NBC*

 

SATURDAY

8-10 P.M. — Dateline Saturday Night Mystery*

10-11 P.M. – Saturday Night Live* (encores)

 

SUNDAY

7-8:20 P.M. — Football Night in America

8:20-11 P.M. — NBC Sunday Night Football

Marvel Studios’ “Black Widow” New Featurette

Check out a brand-new featurette that dives into the legacy of Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow since her introduction on the big screen 10 years ago in “Iron Man 2.” In Marvel Studios’ action-packed spy thriller “Black Widow,” Natasha confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. The film opens in U.S. theaters on May 1, 2020.

BLACK WIDOW

MARVEL STUDIOS

Website and Mobile site:  https://www.marvel.com/movies/black-widow

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/marvelstudios

Follow us on Twitter:   www.twitter.com/marvelstudios

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/marvelstudios 

Genre:  Action-Adventure

U.S. Release date:  May 1, 2020

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, William Hurt and O-T Fagbenle

Director: Cate Shortland

Producer: Kevin Feige

Executive Producers: Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Nigel Gostelow and Scarlett Johansson

Screenplay by: Jac Schaeffer, Ned Benson and Eric Pearson




Celebrate Halloween with 'Werewolf Ninja Philosopher', playing at Maysles Cinema, NYC

Check the Official Trailer below:

Werewolf Ninja Philosopher, an art verité, film noir, independent comedy film by Sujewa Ekanayake opens at the Maysles Cinema tonight at 7 pm. The film runs for a week, Oct 25-31, until Halloween, playing at 7 pm every night. There will be post screening Q&A with the cast and filmmaker, an opportunity to meet them in-person, followed by costume parties and special prizes for the best dressed and biggest fans. This is your chance to celebrate your Halloween week with the Werewolf and the team. Tickets on sale now!

Learn more at
http://www.werewolfninjaphilosopher.com/

You can support the film further, by donating at the indiegogo campaign below

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/werewolf-ninja-philosopher-distribution

Source: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/werewol...

Parkland Parent Fred Guttenberg Issues Dad Challenge. #OrangeWaveInNovember

PARKLAND, Florida—Today, Fred Guttenberg, a Parkland father and NoRA member whose daughter Jaime was tragically killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, is issuing a challenge to dad’s around the upcoming Father’s Day. The #OrangeWaveInNovember Dads Challenge encourages fathers to show their support for sensible reform to reduce preventable gun violence.

“Father’s Day is the perfect time for dads to get involved in this movement in a big way,” said Guttenberg. “I’m challenging all fathers to post a video or photo to social media of them doing something unique with the color orange, and to challenge ten other dads to do the same.” Orange was Jaime Guttenberg’s favorite color, and became the symbol of the gun violence prevention movement after it was worn to honor Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teen who was killed by preventable gun violence in 2013.

Fathers are encouraged to take to social media to show their commitmentment to vote for stronger gun safety in the November midterm elections. Dad’s are asked to be creative with their posts, whether that’s taking their #OrangeWaveInNovember sign out on their boat this weekend or by simply showing support at their father’s day barbecue.

The #OrangeWaveInNovember challenge is focused on driving fathers and their friends and family to the polls this November in an effort to elect politicians who are in favor of gun safety reform initiatives.

Actor and activist Alyssa Milano, who co-founded the NoRA initiative following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, agrees. “Dads are a crucial part of shifting the narrative surrounding the gun culture,” she said. “We need fathers to help fight against preventable gun violence.”

The #OrangeWaveInNovember Dads Challenge kicks off June 15th. Fathers can find the #OrangeWaveInNovember poster and more information at www.OrangeRibbonsForJaime.org.

About NoRA

Founded in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in Parkland, Florida, the NoRA initiative is a diverse coalition of actors, activists, writers, celebrities, survivors of gun violence, and policy experts devoted to ending the influence of NRA money in the American political system. More information is available at www.NoRANow.org.

BLOCKCHAIN STREAMING PLATFORM BINGE TAKES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO MACON BLAIR’S DARK COMEDY “THE SHITHEADS”

Slate Entertainment Group (SEG) has acquired worldwide distribution rights to Macon Blair’s The Shitheads starring Luke Wilson and Ron Funches, for its blockchain video on demand platform BINGE. Danny McBride, David Gordon Green and Jody Hill’s Rough House Pictures, Alex Orr (“Atlanta”), and filmscience will produce alongside Jeremy Saulnier, Blair’s Bonneville Films and XYZ Films.  SEG is fully financing the darkly comedic road movie with production to commence at the beginning of 2019.

Although a global streaming platform, SEG is committed to supporting the theatrical experience and will give selected films on the Binge platform theatrical windows.

Written and to be directed by Blair, The Shitheads, based on a story by Blair and Orr, follows a pair of deeply unqualified bozos who’ve been hired to transport a troubled teenage millionaire to rehab. While mayhem and general shenanigans do in fact ensue, it has not been confirmed at this time whether or not important life lessons are also learned. 

“I’ve been carrying this movie in my head for years now which probably accounts for my pronounced physical deterioration,” Blair says, “So I am very delighted to have the opportunity to get it out of my brain and into the world with the help of these collaborators I admire so much. It’s dynamite to be working with SEG, who’ve been so supportive and enthused about the movie. I’m grateful to be a part of their new platform, a place I think indie film is really going to flourish.”

“We have a deep respect for Macon’s work.  It’s an honor for us to work with such a talented individual and launch The Shitheads on BINGE” said SEG Co-Founder and CEO Michael Moyal.  “Our platform aims to tell great stories and collaborate with unique and talented filmmakers.  We’re excited for the journey ahead as we continue to build the Binge library.”

XYZ Films, an SEG strategic partner, will oversee production on behalf of SEG and brokered the deal with CAA Media Finance, which also packaged and arranged financing for the film.

Blair previously collaborated with filmscience and XYZ on his directorial debut, the Netflix Original I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, which won the 2017 Sundance Grand Jury Prize. He has been developing The Shitheads with Fake Wood Wallpaper Films’ Orr since the two worked together on 2013’s Blue Ruin.

Blair, Wilson, Funches and Rough House Pictures are represented by CAA. Orr is represented by UTA.

At Cannes this year, SEG recently acquired worldwide distribution rights to the much-anticipated cryptocurrency documentary Beyond Bitcoin, directed by Jake Witzenfeld. In addition to The Shitheads, SEG is building out a slate of original content and acquisitions across film and series.

 

# # #

ABOUT ROUGH HOUSE PICTURES

Rough House Pictures was created as a joint venture between David Gordon Green, Jody Hill and Danny McBride. Following its success with the hit comedy series “Eastbound and Down”, which ran for four seasons on HBO, Rough House has gone on to establish itself as a hub for bold voices in both comedy and drama. Rough House has produced films like Manglehorn, Joe, Flower, The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter & Arizona, as well as television shows like FX’s “Chozen”, HBO’s “Vice Principals” and TBS’s animated series, “Tarantula”.

ABOUT FILMSCIENCE

filmscience has produced numerous features that have been nominated for six Independent Spirit Awards and screened at festivals around the world, including Cannes, Toronto, Sundance and Venice. These films include Kelly Reichardt’s Certain Women, Meek’s Cutoff and Wendy and Lucy, Joe Swanberg’s Hannah Takes the Stairs, Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room and Blue Ruin and Macon Blair's I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore. A number of projects by emerging and established independent filmmakers are currently in development and production, including Saulnier's Hold the Dark and Ritesh Batra's Photograph.

 

 

ABOUT SLATE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (SEG)

 

Slate Entertainment Group (SEG) is a highly-skilled amalgamation of entertainment, business, and technical expertise. SEG has developed a multi-layer entertainment ecosystem powered by blockchain technology and driven by cryptocurrency designed for mainstream adoption. SEG has a mission to disrupt the entertainment industry using a blend of technology and integrity through a series of blockchain platforms. BINGE, is a blockchain video on demand platform; SLATIX, a blockchain electronic ticketing application; and SLATE, a blockchain entertainment utility protocol.   

The company is led by Co-Founder and CEO Michael Moyal and Co-Founders Marino Kulas and Cody Hackman. Respected industry banners such as XYZ Films, as well as senior film executives originating from leading companies such as eOne, serve on the company’s Business Development and Advisory Board.

For more information on the Slate Ecosystem, visit: www.slate.io

Watch “Scoundrels,” an exciting, brand-new SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY featurette!

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!!!

IT’S STAR WARS TIME! 

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo befriends his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and meets the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

The film stars Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, and Paul Bettany.

Ron Howard directs “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” and Kathleen Kennedy, Allison Shearmur and Simon Emanuel are the producers. Lawrence Kasdan, Jason McGatlin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller serve as executive producers. Jonathan Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screenplay.

Website and Mobile site: http://www.starwars.com/films/solo
Like us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/starwarsmovies
Follow us on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/starwars
Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/starwarsmovies

Watch this behind-the-scenes look at Solo: A Star Wars Story and see the film in theaters TONIGHT.

Official Teaser Trailer for Hulu Original Drama Series "Shut Eye" Season 2

Check out the official teaser trailer for Hulu's upcoming second season of Shut Eye starring Jeffrey Donovan, KaDee Strickland, Isabella Rossellini and Angus Sampson. All episodes premiere Wednesday, Dec. 6 only on Hulu. Thank you!

TEASER TRAILER:

Things are not as they seem. Stream all episodes of Shut Eye Season 2 December 6, only on Hulu. Like Shut Eye on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/ShutEyeonHulu/ Follow Shut Eye on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ShutEyeOnHulu Follow Shut Eye on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/ShutEyeOnHulu Subscribe to our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/hulu SHUT EYE takes a darkly comedic look at the world of Los Angeles storefront psychics and the organized crime syndicate that runs them.

SYNOPSIS: With their future uncertain, Charlie (Donovan) and Linda (Strickland) now more than ever need to completely trust one another, but that’s never been easy for these two unrelenting con-artists. The Marks family faces similar uncertainty as their home has quite literally been taken from them. This season everyone struggles to find their true “home.”

Shut Eye stars Jeffrey Donovan, KaDee Strickland, Isabella Rossellini, Susan Misner, Angus Sampson, David Zayas, Dylan Schmid and Havana Guppy.

Shut Eye is executive produced by Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein, and showrunner John Shiban. Created by and executive produced by Les Bohem. Shut Eye is produced by TriStar Television.

PACIFIC RIM UPRISING, new trailer debuts at #NYCC

PACIFIC RIM UPRISING – In Theaters March 23, 2018

#JoinTheUprising #PacificRimUprising

The globe-spanning conflict between otherworldly monsters of mass destruction and the human-piloted super-machines built to vanquish them was only a prelude to the all-out assault on humanity in Pacific Rim Uprising.

John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) stars as the rebellious Jake Pentecost, a once-promising Jaeger pilot whose legendary father gave his life to secure humanity’s victory against the monstrous “Kaiju.”  Jake has since abandoned his training only to become caught up in a criminal underworld.  But when an even more unstoppable threat is unleashed to tear through our cities and bring the world to its knees, he is given one last chance to live up to his father’s legacy by his estranged sister, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi)—who is leading a brave new generation of pilots that have grown up in the shadow of war.  As they seek justice for the fallen, their only hope is to unite together in a global uprising against the forces of extinction.

Jake is joined by gifted rival pilot Lambert (The Fate of the Furious’ Scott Eastwood) and 15-year-old Jaeger hacker Amara (newcomer Cailee Spaeny), as the heroes of the PPDC become the only family he has left.  Rising up to become the most powerful defense force to ever walk the earth, they will set course for a spectacular all-new adventure on a towering scale.

Pacific Rim Uprising is directed by Steven S. DeKnight (Netflix’s Daredevil, STARZ’s Spartacus) and also stars Jing Tian, Burn Gorman, Adria Arjona and Charlie Day. 

Genre: 3D Epic Adventure  
Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Jing Tian, Cailee Spaeny, Rinko Kikuchi, Burn Gorman, Adria Arjona and Charlie Day
Directed by: Steven S. DeKnight
Screenplay by: Emily Carmichael & Kira Snyder and Steven S. DeKnight and T.S. Nowlin
Story by: Steven S. DeKnight and T.S. Nowlin
Based on the Characters Created by: Travis Beacham
Produced by: Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Jon Jashni, Cale Boyter, Guillermo del Toro, John Boyega, Femi Oguns
Executive Producer: Eric McLeod

Pacific Rim Uprising - In Theaters March 23 Official Trailer - http://www.pacificrimmovie.com The globe-spanning conflict between otherworldly monsters of mass destruction and the human-piloted super-machines built to vanquish them was only a prelude to the all-out assault on humanity in Pacific Rim Uprising.

Sheryl Crow's Tribute to Tom Petty

Sheryl Crow opened her performance at the espnW Women + Sports Summit last night with a tribute to Tom Petty, saying “If It Makes You Happy” was inspired by the way he played. Link to video: http://www.espn.com/espnw/video/20900853/ 

Highlights from Sheryl's interview with Cari Champion are below as well. 

On a digital detox:

Now that I have kids and think about what they’ll remember about me, I don’t want them to remember me with my face in my phone. I made an agreement with myself that I would deter the feeling of needing to be somewhere else. I put my phone on silent and only check it once an hour. It has been really liberating for me.

My newest album Be Myself is about how it must be hard to grow up with a gadget that tells you what you need to look like and what you need to do to have followers. I don’t want people to be a follower. I want them to be able to say, 'I love being who I am and I love that you are being who you are.'

On Michael Jackson:

You don’t know how hard it is to invent something that doesn’t exist. To watch Michael Jackson defying gravity, I could see the divinity in him. When he stepped out on stage, there was something that changed the molecules in the room. When you see Mia Hamm or Serena Williams and you see the odds of that and what goes into it, it propels all of us to be the best that we can be.

On redefining her life:

After I found out I had breast cancer, it made me redefine and refine my life. I want to encourage everybody to quiet your brain, even if it is just for five minutes a day, so that you are able to tap into the divine and what is for you. As women, we are so good at taking care of everybody that we put ourselves at the bottom. I learned how to say ‘no.’ I started listening to myself and prioritizing.

How she feels at age 55:

I don’t like watching myself, and part of it is because I don’t love aging. I still feel super young and as excited and on fire about music and life as I ever have. I feel more connected to who I am than I ever have in life. If compassion isn’t the basis of everything you do in your life, then you’re short-changing yourself and others.

Her advice to women: 

Don’t base your life on what you think it is supposed to be. Maybe the adventure or challenge is not to tell the story at all. Maybe there is infinite possibility and something bigger than what your brain can picture.

KEVIN EASTMAN AND ROBERT RODRIGUEZ COLLABORATE ON COVER OF DRAWING BLOOD COMIC BOOK - SUPPORT THEM ON KICKSTARTER!

Hip hip hooray!

El Rey Network Founder Robert Rodriguez is advancing is legacy, teaming up with the legendary creator of Mutant Ninja Turtles, Kevin Eastman. The two mavericks collaborated on the cover of Drawing Blood, a totally fictional true story about the comic book industry. Bringing the images to life is Ben Bishop who created the layouts inspired by Rodriguez El Mariachi movie poster, Eastman penciled the work and Rodriguez is inking this cover. This marks the second comic book cover collaboration for Eastman and Rodriguez, whose first passion was drawing cartoons before he started focusing on filmmaking.

Always a trail blazer this unique collaboration is a Variant Cover for Eastmans brand new Drawing Blood project which is in its final week as a Kickstarter campaign:

www.DrawingBloodComic.com.

Described as a dark-comic look inside the life of a famous cartoonist on the skids: the story behind the stories from the co-creator of the TMNT, it features Shane Books Bookman and his stellar success after creating the Radically Rearrange Ronin Ragdolls global franchise. The Rodriguez and Eastman collaboration was just unveiled and is available as a
special pledge level in the KS campaign or can be added to any current pledge. The
campaign concludes on August 31

About Kevin Eastman:

Born in Portland, Maine Kevin Eastman began drawing at a very young age copying
childrens books and reading comics. Inspired by master comic storyteller Jack Kirby,
and later by self-publishing creators Richard Corben, Vaughn Bode, and Dave Sim, all
of his early work focused more on Science Fiction influences than traditional Superhero
style comics.

In 1982, while trying to sell some of his illustrations to local fanzines, he met Peter Laird
in Northampton, Massachusetts and the partnership studio; Mirage Studios was formed.
Less than a year later in the middle of a late night jam session, Eastman doodled a new
character he dubbed a Ninja Turtle to make Laird laughseveral sketches and a final
drawing of four characters later Eastman and Lairds Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles had
officially entered the universe! Self published in May of 1984 the first issue sold out of its
3000 copies overnight and quickly became a fan favorite. Catching the eye of
Merchandising Agents and Hollywood Producers, Eastman and Laird maintained full
control of their creations while guiding them through Toy Licensing, TV Series
adaptation, as well as Feature Film exploitation, and by 1989 the TMNTs were number
one in all three categories.  Kevin even enjoyed a small role in the TMNT movie as a
garbage collector in a fun dark alley scene.

Thanks to THE BEST FANS ON THE ENTIRE PLANET! according to Eastman, after 30
plus amazing years the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles STILL continue to find their way
into the hearts and imaginations of kids, large and small.


In between TMNT projects, Eastman found time to establish the Words and Pictures
Museum of Cartoon Art, created an artist friendly publishing company, Tundra
Publishing where projects like The Crow From Hell and American Splendor first
flourished, as well as purchased the world renowned Heavy Metal Magazine.
Currently spending most of his creative time working on a new TMNT series with IDW
Publishing and publishing Heavy Metal, Eastman resides in San Diego with wife
Courtney, son Shane, and a few insane Dachshunds.

www.KevinEastmanStudios.com

About Robert Rodriguez:

Robert Rodriguez is a film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and
musician and founder and Chairman of El Rey Network, the genre-busting English-
language cable network. His first feature film, El Mariachi, was made for $7,000 and
won the Audience Award at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival. It became the lowest
budget movie ever released by a major studio and Rodriguez went on to write, produce,
direct and edit numerous successful films including Desperado, From Dusk Till
Dawn, The Faculty, the Spy Kids franchise, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Frank Millers
Sin City franchise Grindhouse and Machete.


In 2012, Rodriguez created El Rey Network, a 24-hour English language television
network. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network launched in 2014
and is now in 40 million homes. El Rey's action-packed slate is anchored by signature
series including the original drama, "From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series" based on the film by Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino and the one-on- one interview program hosted by
Rodriguez, & El Rey Network Presents: The DirectoR';s Chair. El Rey Network's lineup also showcases a wide range of iconic feature films and TV series including genre, cult
classics, action and horror/sci-fi. Rodriguez resides in Austin, Texas.

SUBURBICON - TRAILER & FIRST LOOK IMAGES

Paramount Pictures has just released two images from the upcoming George Clooney-directed crime-comedy SUBURBICON, which hits theaters wide on October 27, 2017. The mystery-thriller stars Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Issac and the young Noah Jupe.

The studio unveiled the first look images of Matt Damon as Gardner Lodge and Julianne Moore as Margaret as well as Noah Jupe as Nicky, from the movie originally based on the script written by the Coen brothers about a peaceful, suburban community that experience a disturbing reality and must navigate the town’s darkest issues.

Suburbicon is a peaceful, idyllic suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns…the perfect place to raise a family, and in the summer of 1959, the Lodge family is doing just that. But the tranquil surface masks a disturbing reality, as husband and father Gardner Lodge (Matt Damon) must navigate the town’s dark underbelly of betrayal, deceit, and violence. This is a tale of very flawed people making very bad choices. This is Suburbicon.

SUBURBICON - Official Trailer Directed by George Clooney Starring: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Noah Jupe and Oscar Issac Suburbicon is a peaceful, idyllic suburban community with affordable homes and manicured lawns...the perfect place to raise a family, and in the summer of 1959, the Lodge family is doing just that.

Follow Suburbicon online for more updates!
Facebook: @SuburbiconMovie
Twitter: @SuburbiconMovie
Instagram: @SuburbiconMovie
#Suburbicon

THE LEGO® NINJAGO® MOVIE - Poster & Trailer!

A new animated adventure in Warner Bros. Pictures’ LEGO® franchise, “The LEGO NINJAGO® Movie” stars Dave Franco, Justin Theroux, Michael Peña, Fred Armisen, Kumail Nanjiani, Abbi Jacobson, Zach Woods, Olivia Munn, and the legendary Jackie Chan. 

In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power of Spinjitzu. 

Jackie Chan (“Kung Fu Panda,” The Karate Kid”) stars as Master Wu; Justin Theroux (“Megamind 2,” “The Leftovers”) is Garmadon; Dave Franco (“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”) plays Lloyd; and Olivia Munn (“X-Men: Apocalypse”) is Lloyd’s mom, Koko. Making up the secret ninja crew, Michael Peña (“Ant-Man,” “The Martian”) is Kai; Fred Armisen (“The Jim Gaffigan Show,” “SNL”) voices Cole; Kumail Nanjiani (“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”) is Jay; Abbi Jacobson (“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising”) plays Nya; and Zach Woods (“Silicon Valley”) voices Zane. 

“The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” will be directed by Charlie Bean, Paul Fisher and Bob Logan. The screenplay is by Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Jared Stern & John Whittington, story by Hilary Winston & Bob Logan & Paul Fisher & William Wheeler & Tom Wheeler and Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman, based on LEGO Construction Toys. 

“The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” is produced by Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who previously collaborated on the worldwide box-office phenomenon “The LEGO Movie,” along with Maryann Garger (“Flushed Away”) and Chris McKay (“The LEGO Batman Movie”). The executive producers are Seth Grahame-Smith, Jill Wilfert, and Keith Malone, with John Powers Middleton serving as co-producer. 

The LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE - Official Trailer Please subscribe, like & follow MyNewYorkEye here, FB & Twitter for more, and check us out on www.mynewyorkeye.com

The film is slated to open on September 22, 2017, in both 3D and 2D formats. 

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Animation Group, in association with LEGO System A/S, a Lin Pictures/Lord Miller/Vertigo Entertainment Production, “The LEGO NINJAGO Movie” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. 

#LEGONINJAGOMovie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LEGONINJAGOMovie/ 
Twitter (@ninjagomovie): https://twitter.com/NINJAGOmovie 
Instagram (@legoninjagomovie): https://www.instagram.com/LEGONINJAGOMovie/

 

FIRST LOOK AT TEASER TRAILER AND TEASER POSTER FOR DISNEY’S A WRINKLE IN TIME

Take a look at the teaser trailer and teaser poster for Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” which just debuted moments ago at the D23 EXPO in Anaheim, thrilling the thousands of Disney fans in attendance. The film, which is an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and ultimately, the triumph of love.

Directed by Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Jennifer Lee based upon the beloved novel by Madeleine L’Engle, “A Wrinkle in Time” is produced by Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand with Doug Merrifield serving as executive producer. The film stars: Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michael Peňa, Levi Miller, Deric McCabe, André Holland, Rowan Blanchard with Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine and introduces Storm Reid.

Watch the teaser trailer for Disney's A Wrinkle In Time. A Wrinkle In Time opens in US theatres March 9, 2018. The film, which is an epic adventure based on Madeleine L'Engle's timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and ultimately, the triumph of love.

“A Wrinkle in Time” hits theaters on March 9, 2018!

Like us on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/WrinkleinTimeMovie/

Follow us
Twitter:                       https://twitter.com/WrinkleinTime
Instagram:                   https://www.instagram/wrinkleintime/
Hashtag:                      #WrinkleinTime

Sissy Spacek & Jane Levy Join Hulu's Castle Rock

Today, Hulu announced that Sissy Spacek and Jane Levy have joined the cast of upcoming Hulu original drama series Castle Rock. Please see below for relevant casting information. 

  • Sissy Spacek (Carrie) has been cast in Hulu’s upcoming original drama series Castle Rock.
  • Spacek will play Ruth Deaver, estranged adoptive mother of Henry (Andre Holland), a retired professor whose fading memories may hold a key to Castle Rock's unsettling past.

  • Jane Levy (Suburgatory, Don’t Breathe) has been cast in Hulu’s upcoming original drama series Castle Rock.

    Levy will play Jackie, the death-obsessed, self-appointed historian of Castle Rock. 

  • A psychological-horror series set in the Stephen King multiverse, Castle Rock combines the mythological scale and intimate character storytelling of King’s best-loved works, weaving an epic saga of darkness and light, played out on a few square miles of Maine woodland.
  • Sam Shaw & Dustin Thomason developed the project for television and serve as executive producers along with J.J. Abrams, Ben Stephenson and Liz Glotzer.
  • Castle Rock is from Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Hulk Hogan + Gawker + Freedom of the Press = New Netflix Trailer - "Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press"

Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press is directed and executive produced by Brian Knappenberger; produced by Luminant Media and SubLA; in association with The Filmmaker Fund and Field of Vision.

Background:

When the online tabloid Gawker posted a surreptitiously filmed sex tape of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, it ignited a high stakes legal battle that pit privacy rights against the first amendment. The staggering verdict bankrupted Gawker and its founder Nick Denton, but also exposed a shadowy figure behind the scenes -- Silicon Valley venture capitalist Peter Thiel. Nine years earlier Gawker had outed Thiel on its site and the furious billionaire had been waiting for his chance to destroy them.

The Florida trial happened against the backdrop of a contentious election. Thiel’s battle with Gawker, along with Sheldon Adelson’s secretive purchase of the Las Vegas Review–Journal and President Trump’s treatment of journalists, portend a sinister trend threatening a free press and has brought to light a potential threat to democracy. Are the very wealthy thwarting the First Amendment to silence critics? In an age of extreme inequality, how vulnerable is a free press that has lost most of its traditional sources of income? Perhaps most frightening, what could a billionaire with the executive branch at his command do to those who have angered him?

Check out the new trailer for the upcoming Netflix original documentary Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press, launching globally June 23.

Journalists are trained to look for stories behind the stories. The reporters investigating the Hulk Hogan sex tape and the sale of the Las Vegas Journal-Review, however, found something unprecedented: billionaires covertly using their fortunes to silence the media.

#FERDINAND | NEW Trailer, Poster and Images!

Built to fight. Born to love.

20th Century Fox has released a new trailer and poster for FERDINAND! Inspired by the beloved book "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, FERDINAND tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.

FERDINAND

Animation, in 3D

Release:  December 15, 2017

Directed by: Carlos Saldanha

Cast: John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs, Gabriel Iglesias, Bobby Cannavale, David Tennant, Anthony Anderson, Flula Borg, Sally Phillips, Boris Kodjoe, Jerrod Carmichael, Raúl Esparza, Karla Martínez, Miguel Ángel Silvestre.

SYNOPSIS

FERDINAND tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can't judge a bull by its cover.

From Blue Sky Studios and Carlos Saldanha, the director of "Rio" and inspired by the beloved book "The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, "Ferdinand" is a heartwarming animated comedy adventure with an all-star cast that includes John Cena, Kate McKinnon, Gina Rodriguez, Anthony Anderson and many more.

FERDINAND tells the story of a giant bull with a big heart. After being mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure. Set in Spain, Ferdinand proves you can't judge a bull by its cover.

FERDINAND Official Channels

SITE: FerdinandMovie.com
FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/FerdinandMovie
TWITTER: www.Twitter.com/FerdinandMovie
INSTAGRAM: www.Instagram.com/FerdinandMovie
#Ferdinand

Watch Jennifer Hudson perform "Dreamgirls" hit songs at NBC's Upfront

Last week, Jennifer Hudson was announced as a new coach for Season 13 of The Voice returning in the fall. Jennifer Hudson is set to join Miley Cyrus, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton in the red chairs next season.

At NBCUniversal's Upfront on Monday, May 15, the Grammy Award-winning artist opened the presentation with a special, surprise performance medley of "One Night Only" and "I'm Telling You I'm Not Going" from the 2006 film "Dreamgirls," which earned her an Academy Award. This is a behind-the-scenes look at her rehearsal for the performance.

http://www.nbc.com/partner/widget-page?videoid=3519461

The 13th season will begin this fall.

Official show site: http://www.nbc.com/TheVoice.

Please follow THE VOICE on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/NBCTheVoice and on Twitter at @NBCTheVoice and #TheVoice.

SHONDA RHIMES, JOY REID, SYBRINA FULTON AND MORE ON ESSENCE'S "100 WOKE WOMEN" MAY COVER!

ESSENCE’S MAY ISSUE UNVEILS FIRST-EVER WOKE 100 LIST

FEATURING NATION’S TOP SOCIAL INFLUENCERS AND ACTIVISTS

Director/Producer Ava DuVernay and #BlackLivesMatter Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors to Also Receive “Woke Awards” at Annual Festival in New Orleans

New York, NY (April 17, 2017)—Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) Essence unveils its first-ever Woke100 list in the May 2017 issue. The list honors the top 100 women activists and social influencers from around the country—introducing a sisterhood at the forefront of activism across the political, social and creative spectrum. The Woke 100 will also come to life during this year's Essence Festival ® presented by Coca-Cola ® , which will officially be themed “Woke Wonderland.”

The issue features one cover spotlighting 12 of the women using their various platforms to battle injustice and infractions to civil rights, dignity and basic humanity: writer/producer Shonda Rhimes; veteran journalist Joy-Ann Reid; Women’s March co-chairs Tamika Mallory, Linda Sarsour and Carmen Perez; Women’s March organizer Janaye Ingram; political commentator Angela Rye; Circle of Mothers founder Sybrina Fulton; author/blogger Luvvie Ajayi; social activist April Reign; #BlackLivesMatter cofounder Opal Tometi; and educator/activist Brittany Packnett.

For the full cover story: www.essence.com/entertainment/100-woke- women-may- 2017-issue

For the full Woke 100 list: www.essence.com/woke100

The Essence Festival, taking place June 30–July 2, 2017, in New Orleans, Louisiana, will serve as the culmination of the brand’s celebration of change agents who are vigilant in creating and inspiring equality and a more inclusive and tolerant nation. Free and open to the public, the Festival’s Empowerment Experience Stage—held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center—will host conversations and keynote addresses that put the invaluable voice of Black women at the forefront and will feature influencers from the Woke 100 list, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Luvvie Ajayi, April Reign, Tamika Mallory and more.

“We are beyond proud to announce our first ever Woke 100 list and to summon a circle of women who are shaping the narrative of today’s social and political climate,” said Essence editor-in- chief Vanessa De Luca. “As we kick off the conversation of modern activism in our May issue, the 2017 Essence Festival’s ‘Woke Wonderland’ theme will act as the intersection of passion and purpose—bridging the gap between this generation’s most prominent voices in leadership and those who’ve laid the groundwork before them.”

In addition to the Empowerment Stage’s previously announced keynote speakers and program topics, Ava DuVernay and Patrisse Cullors will receive official Woke Awards for their commitment to advancing representation and raising community issues in their fields. Following the awards ceremony, asha bandele will moderate a panel discussion with DuVernay and Cullors.

The May issue of Essence goes on sale on Friday, April 21.