Jussie Smollett

Andre De Shields, Michael R. Jackson, & More Among Honorees on Emil Wilbekin's NATIVE SON 101

Native Son - the leading organization championing Black gay and queer men – has unveiled its illustrious, annual year-end Native Son 101 List highlighting Black gay and queer men who made an impact in 2022. Created by Native Son Founder Emil Wilbekin, the 101 List recognizes leaders in the Black gay and queer community who have made significant contributions, achieved culture-making milestones, and those who are using their platforms to break through glass ceilings in their respective roles, professions, and areas of expertise.

B-BOY BLUES THE PLAY to be Presented at Theatre Row

Downtown Urban Arts Festival will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with James Earl Hardy's B-BOY BLUES THE PLAY. Directed by Broadway World Award nominee Christopher Burris, performances will run June 3 - 25 at Theatre Row as the centerpiece of the 2022 Festival.

OWN to Air John Legend Hosted Special REVISITING UNDERGROUND

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will air “Revisiting Underground,” an all-new half-hour special from Sony Pictures Television, immediately following the previously announced January 5 premiere on OWN of the critically acclaimed historical drama “Underground on OWN” at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

ABC Audio Announces End-of-Year Programming

As 2019 comes to an end, ABC Audio announces a wealth of end-of-year programming, including four long-form programs featuring top news stories, interviews and major events from the past year; eight short-form series looking at the year in politics, entertainment, health, sports and more; and a music special, “2019 Rewind: The Biggest Country Hits of the Year,” hosted by country star Morgan Wallen.

RATINGS: NIGHTLINE is Number One in Adults 25-54, 18-49 for the Week of 3/25

ABC News' “Nightline” ranked No. 1 in Adults 25-54 (403,000) and Adults 18-49 (300,000) during the week of March 25, 2019, based on Live + Same Day Data from Nielsen Media Research. “Nightline” beat CBS' “The Late Late Show with James Corden” (328,000 and 227,000, respectively) in Adults 25-54 (+75,000) and Adults 18-49 (+73,000), posting its largest margins in both key Adult demos in 4 weeks—since w/o 2/25/19.

Disney+ Begins Production on HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES

Production is underway in Salt Lake City, Utah, on the highly anticipated, innovative and re-invented 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' for Disney+, The Walt Disney Company's upcoming streaming service. The series is developed and executive produced by Tim Federle ('Ferdinand'), alongside showrunner and executive producer Oliver Goldstick ('Pretty Little Liars,' 'Ugly Betty'). Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush (the original 'High School Musical' trilogy) are also executive producers. Sundance Film Festival-nominated film, television and music video director Tamra Davis ('Empire,' 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend') is directing the first three episodes. The choreographer is Zach Woodlee ('Glee,' 'Dumplin'').

BLACK PANTHER Leads Nominations for the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

The nominees for the 50th NAACP Image Awards were exclusively announced today at the Television Critics Association's (TCA) TV One's joint press conference with Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP and Alfred Liggins, Chairman and CEO of TV One. The winners will be revealed during the Two-Hour LIVE TV special airing on TV One on Saturday, March 30, 2019.

Beyonce, Chadwick Boseman, Ryan Coogler, Regina King, And Lebron James Nominated For NAACP Entertainer Of The Year

Voting opens today for the 50TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS a?" NAACP ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR Award, the winner to be revealed during the two-hour special airing live on TV One, Saturday, March 30, 2019 from the Dolby Theatre.  The five nominees are: Beyoncé, Chadwick Boseman, Ryan Coogler, Regina King, and LeBron James.

Mosaic Youth Theatre Presents THE LARAMIE PROJECT Feb. 22-24

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit's Main Stage Actors tackle the weighty topic of social intolerance in The Laramie Project, a production examining the events leading up to and the aftermath of a young gay man's 1998 murder in Laramie, Wyoming. The show is produced and performed exclusively by members of Mosaic's all-youth theatre and runs at the Mosaic Black Box Theatre from Feb. 22 - 24.

2019 NAACP Chairman's Award To Be Presented To Congresswoman Maxine Waters

The NAACP announced today that Congresswoman Maxine Waters will be honored with the prestigious NAACP Chairman's Award which is bestowed in recognition of individuals who demonstrate exemplary public service and use their distinct platforms to create agents of change. Leon W. Russell, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, will present Congresswoman Waters with the award at the 50th NAACP Image Awards on March 30, 2019 live at 9pm/8c on TV One.

EMPIRE's Jussie Smollett in Hospital after Racial, Homophobic Attack

Jussie Smollett, one of the stars of the FOX series 'Empire,' was hospitalized Tuesday following an assault in Chicago that is described as a possible hate crime, according to Variety.

DROP THE MIC And SNOOP DOGG PRESENTS THE JOKER'S WILD to Return on January 23

Celebrity rap battle series Drop the Mic and classic game show reboot Snoop Dogg Presents The Joker's Wild will return to television on Wednesday, January 23rd at 10:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (ET/PT) respectively, on TNT. Both shows will encore the following night each week on TBS.

MARY POPPINS RETURNS Nominated for 9th Annual Guild of Music Supervisors Awards

The Guild of Music Supervisors unveiled the list of nominees for its 9th annual award show taking place on Wednesday, February 13th at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The event will celebrate the highest achievements in music supervision, recognizing exemplary work in 18 categories representing movies, television, games, advertising and trailers.

Photo Coverage: On the Opening Night Red Carpet For CHOIR BOY

Make a joyful noise! Last night, January 8, Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of Choir Boy, written by Academy Award winner Tarell Alvin McCraney(Moonlight, The Brother/Sister Plays) and directed by Drama Desk Award nominee Trip Cullman, officially opened at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

THE COLOR PURPLE'S Danielle Brooks to Host Season Eleven of AFROPOP

Award-winning actress Danielle Brooks, star of Netflix's blockbuster series Orange Is the New Black, has been named host of the eleventh season of the public television series AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. Brooks will help guide audiences as they journey through AfroPoP's new slate of documentary and short stories on contemporary life, art and culture in the African Diaspora. Season 11 of the series, which highlights diverse issues including social justice, politics, LGBTQ identity, fashion and violence against women, premieres at 8 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 21, on the WORLD Channel, with a new episode airing each Monday through February 18. AfroPoP is produced by Black Public Media (BPM) and co-presented by American Public Television (APT). 

HBO Partners With Ailey To Celebrate Its 60th Anniversary

HBO salutes Ailey at 60 with a social media video series to launch during Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary New York City Center season November 28 - December 30. This tribute video series will introduce new audiences to the Ailey legacy through moving commentary from music, film, and TV stars - Jussie Smollett, Vanessa Williams, Jillian Hervey, and Black Thought - who share how Ailey has inspired their artistry, impacted American culture, and continues to reach people of all ages backgrounds around the globe.

The Trevor Project Hosts Star-Studded TrevorLIVE Los Angeles Gala

The Trevor Project hosted its 2018 TrevorLIVE Los Angeles gala at The Beverly Hilton where it honored Emmy®, Golden Globe® and Peabody® Award-winning screenwriter, producer and director Ryan Murphy and the cast of 'POSE;' Amandla Stenberg; and AT&T. Eugene Lee Yang hosted the event which helped raise over $1.5 million and included performances by Lauren Jauregui, Deborah Cox, and a surprise performance by POSE castmates Billy Porter, Mj Rodriguez, and Our Lady J. Additional attendees included Brad Goreski, Cameron Esposito, Cary Deuber, Charlayne Woodard, Cobie Smulders, Dan Levy, Dominique Jackson, Dyllon Burnside, Emma Roberts, Hailie Sahar, Gia Gunn, Indya Moore, James Van Der Beek, Jason Collins, Jussie Smollett, LeeAnne Locken, Mara Wilson, Madame LaQueer, Miles McKenna, Morgan McMichaels, Nico Santos, Ongina, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Steven Canals, Kylie Sonique Love, and Ty Dolla $ign.

Ailey's 60th Anniversary Opening Night Gala Benefit Launches Five-Week Holiday Engagement At New York City Center

Last night, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary holiday season at New York City Center kicked off with a star-studded Opening Night Gala Benefit performance and party led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, with iconic film stars Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson as honorary chairs. Prudential Financial received the Ailey Legacy Honor for their generous support and commitment to Ailey, especially its education and community programs. The award was presented by Battle and Christopher Taylor, an alumnus of the inaugural AileyCamp Newark (2011) and a current scholarship student at The Ailey School, and accepted by Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Impact at Prudential Financial.

An Intimate Conversation and Performance by Estelle at The GRAMMY Museum 12/3

To celebrate the release of her latest album Lovers Rock, the GRAMMY Museum will welcome multi platinum GRAMMY Award-winning UK singer, songwriter, actress, and humanitarian Estelle to the Clive Davis Theater for an intimate conversation and performance moderated by GRAMMY Museum Artistic Director Scott Goldman, Monday December 3rd at 7:30pm. (tickets at link below)

Alvin Ailey Announces 60th Anniversary Opening Night Gala

As a centerpiece to its yearlong Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration and a kickoff to its five-week holiday season, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will host a star-studded gala benefit on Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm, complete with a performance for the ages at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The Honorary Chairs for the evening are screen icons Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson. Bassett, a Golden Globe Award winner, stars in the hit television series 9-1-1, and was most recently featured in the 2018 blockbusters Black Panther and Mission: Impossible - Fallout. Tyson - known for a myriad of roles across television and film, including Roots, Fried Green Tomatoes, and most recently How to Get Away With Murder - has received three Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and on November 18th will make history as the first black woman to receive an Honorary Academy Award.