Barack and Michelle Obama endorse VP Kamala Harris for President

Former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama officially endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday for President of the United States.

Earlier this week, Michelle and I called our friend @KamalaHarris. We told her we think she’ll make a fantastic President of the United States, and that she has our full support. At this critical moment for our country, we’re going to do everything we can to make sure she wins in… pic.twitter.com/0UIS0doIbA

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 26, 2024

MARTHA’S VINEYARD AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF IT’S 22ND YEAR

The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) proudly announces its 22nd annual celebration, taking place from August 2nd to August 10th. This esteemed Oscar-qualifying festival showcases the best of black cinema, featuring independent films, acclaimed documentaries, panel discussions, and exclusive events ESPN returns as the Presenting Sponsor for this unforgettable 9-day celebration.

“We are beyond thrilled to mark 22 years of amplifying the voices and stories of black filmmakers,” said Floyd Rance, founder of Run & Shoot Filmworks and producer and co-founder of the MVAAFF. “From our beginnings in Park Slope, Brooklyn to the beautiful shores of Martha’s Vineyard, we are extremely proud of the financial impact felt by all island business, during the two weeks of the festival, and look forward to another year of celebrating black excellence in film.”  

Brian Lockhart, ESPN SVP of Original Content and ESPN Films states, “We are incredibly honored to be a presenting sponsor of the prestigious Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. This festival stands as a beacon for celebrating diverse voices, showcasing powerful narratives, and fostering meaningful conversations within the community. Being part of this vibrant and influential festival not only aligns with ESPN’s mission of elevating unique and vital perspectives, but also allows us to contribute to its continued success and impact. We look forward to engaging with the festival’s discerning audience and supporting the extraordinary talent showcased here.” 

The MVAAFF is committed to promoting diversity in the film industry, providing a platform for black and brown filmmakers to share their unique perspectives and stories. Over the past 22 years, the festival has grown into a premier event, attracting A-list talent and audiences from around the world.  Featured shorts and Documentaries include Albany Road; Luther: Never Too Much; Rebel Girls and How Do You Remember the Days of Slavery from Harvard Historian, Vincent Brown.  

The festival kicks off on opening night with the powerful new release from A24, “Sing Sing,” starring Academy Award Nominee Colman Domingo. The film tells the inspiring story of Devine G. (Domingo), a man imprisoned at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, for a crime he did not commit, who finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men.  The screening will take place at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center at 8:00pm and will be followed by a discussion with Colman Domingo, producer Monique Walton and Gina Belafonte (President and CEO of Sankofa.org). 

On August 3rd, from 11am – 3pm in the Vineyard Lounge, step into the Magic Iyanu as Lion Forge Entertainment, Cartoon Network, and Max present The Magic of ‘IYANU’: 

an animated series inspired by West African folklore, coming to Cartoon Network and Max in 2025. Follow a young hero’s journey as she discovers her superpowers and races to save Yorubaland from an ancient curse with her newfound friends. Join Lion Forge Entertainment at MVAAFF for family-friendly activities, including an art wall, drum circle, and panel discussion with the series creators. Plus, an EXCLUSIVE REVEAL of scenes from the series and a book signing with Roye Okupe, creator of the original ‘Iyanu: Child of Wonder’ graphic novel.

Warner Bros Television presents “A Color of Conversation” with the incomparable Sheryl Lee Ralph on August 3rd, at 8:00pm.  The Emmy-winning actress and singer will discuss her latest triumph with the award-winning series “Abbott Elementary.”

Foodies and film lovers alike will delight in an exclusive culinary experience on Sunday, August 4th. Celebrity Chef and bestselling author Patrick Neely of the Food Network will join renowned Chef Juan Martinez of the Harbor View Hotel for a first-of-its-kind dinner to celebrate African American cuisine to kick off the festival weekend. The dinner will feature exquisite wines curated by Boston’s own Black Owned Sommelier, TJ Douglas.   

Apple Original Films has partnered with Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival to kick off the official opening festivities taking place at l’etoile restaurant from 10:00pm to 1:00am. A multi-year partner of MVAAFF, Apple’s award-winning, high-quality programming features a diverse range stories that connect with our shared humanity and are available in more than 100 countries on Apple TV+.

Additional screenings, panel discussions and a host of surprises will continue to be updated throughout the festival.  All screenings and events will take place at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC) 100 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. The Festival will also highlight its signature events which include the annual White Party, Director’s Brunch as well as the signatory Bonds of Brotherhood and Women’s C-Suite lunches.  

For more information on the MVAAFF and a complete schedule of screenings and special events, please visit www.mvaaff.com.

About Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival

The MVAAFF, established in 2002, is an OSCAR®-qualifying film festival in the short film category. It is a nine-day event where independent and established African American filmmakers can showcase, screen, and promote emerging feature, documentary, and short films from across the world. The brainchild of the husband-and-wife team, Floyd and Stephanie Rance, the MVAAFF provides a nurturing environment for African American filmmakers to test their creativity while giving sponsors a captive audience to promote their brands among a highly discerning community of people of color.

30 African American Historic Sites Receive $3 Million in Preservation Funding

The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, today announced $3 million in grant funding to protect and preserve 30 sites representing Black history. With more than $140 million raised since its founding in 2017, the Action Fund is the largest resource dedicated to the preservation of African American historic places. 

"The National Grant Program represents the Action Fund's enduring commitment to telling the full American story - one that makes room for Black resilience, creativity, and achievement," said Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. "History is crucial to our nation's understanding of where we've come from, who we are today, and how we envision our future. These grants will support critical preservation efforts to revitalize and sustain tangible links to our shared past that we hope will inspire future generations."

This work would not be possible without the Action Fund's key philanthropic partners who share a commitment to social justice through preservation and education. The Mellon Foundation has been a longstanding supporter of the Action Fund and the National Grant Program, and several of this year's grantees will be receiving the financial resources they need to complete capital projects, build organizational capacity, and more as a result of the Mellon Foundation's contribution of $1.5 million.

"Preserving African American culture is central to preserving and understanding American culture writ large," said Elizabeth Alexander, President of the Mellon Foundation. "This new suite of Action Fund grants will provide crucial financial and strategic support to sites that further illuminate the Black voices and visions that make up our shared American past. We at Mellon are pleased to support this effort to ensure that all of us can continue to learn and experience these essential histories in our public spaces."

In addition to the Mellon Foundation, the Action Fund is grateful for the generous contributions of the Ford Foundation and the Robert D. L. Gardiner Foundation to the National Grant Program.

This year's awardees include the second round of Conserving Black Modernism grants, a program designed to protect and promote the work of African American architects. These sites will receive $1.2 million in preservation funding through the Action Fund with support from the Getty Foundation.

"We're thrilled to support a second iteration of grants for the Conserving Black Modernism program," said Joan Weinstein, director of the Getty Foundation. "This program both expands our understanding of modernist architecture in the United States and celebrates the unique contributions of pioneering African American architects who have long been overlooked."

With amounts ranging from $50K to $150K, this year's Action Fund grants will support preservation efforts across four categories: 

• Building Capital: Supporting the restoration and rehabilitation of cultural assets important to Black history
  
  
• Increasing Organizational Capacity: Providing leadership staff positions within nonprofits stewarding Black heritage sites
  
  
• Project Planning and Development: Funding planning activities tied to the development of preservation plans, feasibility studies, historic site reports, National Register designations, and fundraising
  
  
• Programming and Education: Advancing storytelling through public education, exhibits, and creative interpretation

A site list including details about all of this year's grantees, and a media kit with hi-res photographs, are available here.

About the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund

In November 2017, the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched its African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (AACHAF) to make an important and lasting contribution to the American landscape by preserving sites of Black activism, achievement, and resilience. Since 2017, it has raised over $140 million and supported 304 grantees nationwide. The AACHAF's work is guided by the Founding Executive Director, Brent Leggs, and an esteemed National Advisory Council that includes thought leaders in the arts, academia, business, government, philanthropy, and preservation.

Learn more about the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at www.savingplaces.org/actionfund.

BLACK VOTING RIGHTS HISTORY EXPLORED IN NEWSONE SERIES 'THE BLACK BALLOT'

iONE Digital's NewsOne.com has launched 'The Black Ballot,' a digital series that chronologically provides context and nuance to the Black vote since the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The series highlights the ever-changing political landscape, from the past leading up to the current 2024 presidential election season, race relations and the Supreme Court. The Black Ballot features the voices of prominent and thought-provoking journalists, activists, civil and political leaders and historians including journalist and host of The Don Lemon Show, Don Lemon, author and host of MSNBC's The ReidOut, Joy-Ann Reid, political analyst and co-host of Native Land Podcast, Tiffany D. Cross, peace advocate and CEO of The King Center, Dr. Bernice A. King, American philosopher and political activist, Dr. Cornel West, founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke, and many more.

Watch the first episode to take a step back in time and witness the monumental struggles and victories that shaped the Civil Rights Movement and the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, featuring commentary by Joy-Ann Reid, Dr. Bernice A. King, Brittany Packnett Cunningham and Dr. Ben Chavis.

Speaking on the importance of this series, Kirsten West Savali, iONE Digital's VP of Content shared: "The Black Ballot is a series that understands that Black people are neither monolithic, nor interested in propping up a political duopoly that refuses to prioritize the most targeted, marginalized communities among us. Voters must not only be informed about a candidate's politics, their values, and who and what they are willing to fight for and against, but the institutions and systems that shape the landscapes in which we vote."

"iONE Digital is proud to be in community with and pass the microphone to those in our communities doing the work to educate and inform all of us on where we have been, where we are now, and what lies ahead," Savali adds.

Full Series Synopsis: The Black vote has historically and remains to be an important voice in our democracy. NewsOne is highlighting the journey of the black vote via The Black Ballot. This iOne Digital series dives deep into the past 60 years since the passing of the Civil Rights Act that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black leadership has played an integral role in moving progressive legislation that benefits minority and disenfranchised communities. Through conversations and explanations by activists, passionate celebrities, political historians, and influencers, this series explores the lessons we can learn from our past, in order to understand how history continues to repeat itself in our present day. Each episode, in chronological order, explores how each American President's decisions and policies have impacted the short- and long-term trajectory of the conditions of the African American diaspora.

Series special guests:
Dr. Ben Chavis, Jr., Civil Rights Leader, President & CEO of NNPA & Host of The Chavis Chronicles • Lenny McAllister, Republican Political Commentator • Dr. David Johns, Executive Director, CEO, National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) • Tiffany Cross, Journalist & Co-Host of Native Land Podcast,• Samson Styles, Formerly Incarcerated Person, Producer & Journalist • Josiah Bates, Author & Journalist • Tess Owens, Reporter • Angelo Pinto, Esq., Social Justice Attorney & Co-Founder, Until Freedom Organization • Rae Lewis Thornton, Emmy Award-winning AIDS Activist & Author • Reecie Colbert, Host of Reecie Colbert Show • Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Activist & Host of Undistracted Podcast • Paul Glastris, Editor-in-Chief, Washington Monthly • Rep. Segun Adeyina, GA State Representative • Cynthia Morrison- Holland, Prison Reform Advocate •  Kasim Reed, former Mayor of Atlanta • Lisa Rayam, Host of Morning Edition (NPR) •  LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter  • Dr. Cornel West, Independent Presidential Candidate & Political Activist • Prof. Steven F. Lawson, Professor Emeritus of History, Rutgers University • Tamika D. Mallory, Author, Social Justice Leader & Co-Founder of Until Freedom Organization • Joy-Ann Reid, Host of The ReidOut & New York Times bestselling author of Medgar and Myrlie  • Rep. Justin J. Pearson, Tennesse State Representative • Jarret Adams, Esq., Wrongfully Convicted Person & Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Attorney • Derrick Johnson, President of NAACP • Clay Cane, Host of The Clay Cane Show • Tarana Burke, Activist & Founder of the #MeToo Movement • Dr. Bernice A. King, Peace Activist & CEO, The King Center.

NJ Assemblyman Reginald W. Atkins Calls for Policing Reforms After Sonya Massey’s Tragic Death

New Jersey Assemblyman Reginald W. Atkins (D-Union) issued the following statement regarding the tragic death of Sonya Massey in Chicago, emphasizing the urgent need for policing reforms. Body camera footage shows Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Deputy, shooting Massey three times inside her home. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.

“Sonya Massey should be alive today. When she called for help earlier this month, an officer killed her instead of helping her. This all-too-frequent tragedy is robbing our communities of their future and the lives of people who should be here today. We must rethink our approach to policing, hold police accountable for excessive force, and invest in proactive, root-cause prevention strategies.”

“Our thoughts are with the communities whose calls for help are often met with violence. We have much work to do to ensure our justice system lives up to its name. In honor of Sonya’s memory and others, we must achieve meaningful reforms to advance the safety of all communities. We join in commending the swift action of the Illinois Attorney’s Office and call on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.”