Showing posts with label African American Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African American Media. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

New Black Owned Streaming Platform 'BLKFAM' Launches

BLKFAM, the first and only Black-owned, Black-focused family streaming platform, launched 02/26/2024. BLKFAM entertains, educates, and celebrates Black American family-friendly content, sharing authentic, inclusive stories incorporating radical diversity, equity, inclusion and empowerment, with compelling original series, animation, syndicated shows, documentaries and more. Founded by digital media veteran Larry Adams, the ad-supported, free streaming service launches with equity partner Whoopi Goldberg.

BLKFAM fills a major gap in the streaming market: Recent Nielsen data reveals that despite being the demographic that consumes the most media and TV, Black audiences still feel misrepresented or underrepresented in mainstream media. The report reveals that Black Americans are more likely than the general population to access three or more streaming services: Black audiences are underserved consumers, despite over indexing for using free streaming services compared to the total market. BLKFAM addresses this underserved market by bringing family-friendly, data-backed unbiased content to streaming.

BLKFAM launches with an extensive content library including over 20 syndicated series, 1000+ hours of new animation titles, dozens of new animated characters of color and diverse gender experiences, and hundreds of hours of original music driven content. Ten new original live action and animated series are in development to premiere on the platform throughout the year. BLKFAM's content spans investigative journalism and news, fitness and wellness series, Black history, childrens' and adult animation, sitcoms and reality shows, and music programs – all through the lens of the Black experience.

"Black culture and content is so often stereotyped, siloed or written off – so I wanted to create a platform where my kids and I can be entertained without having to face those same daily biases," says Larry Adams, Founder and CEO of BLKFAM. "By curating authentic content – proven through data and AI – primarily from Black storytellers, we've built a service reflecting true inclusion and diversity, where Black parents and children especially can feel holistically represented."

EGOT winner, business mogul and Black icon Whoopi Goldberg has signed on as Equity Partner alongside Tom Leonardis, President of Whoop, Inc., and will be steering the creative development of various programming exclusive to the platform. Whoopi says, "I am honored to partner with BLKFAM to assist in the creative direction of curated diverse content – for Black culture to be brought to broader audiences."

BLKFAM has partnered with The Africa Channel to bring content amplifying stories from the global Black diaspora to the new platform. Additional content partners include PLAYWATCH KIDS and ATTN:, who are developing educational, fun and empowering shows in animation and documentary styles that center on ethnic and culturally diverse characters, including Gabby Galactic, Marvelous Light, Black History Beats, Kembe and many more. "We are extremely excited to be partnering with BLKFAM – we feel this is a historic moment for families across the globe," says Jimmy Jenkins, owner at Playwatch, Inc. "Ultimately this platform will impact our children, and our childrens' children."

Beginning today, BLKFAM is available on iOS, Android, Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, Samsung Smart TVs, Vizio, and LG.

To learn more, visit https://www.blkfam.tv/.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Byron Allen's theGrio Launches Inaugural "The Grio Heroes;" Nomination Submissions for Everyday Heroes Starting March 1

Allen Media Group’s news/entertainment media platform theGrio proudly announces the launch and an official call for nominations for the inaugural theGrio Heroes initiative, starting March 1, 2023 via the platform’s website. TheGrio Heroes are about the everyday heroes in our world dedicated to the community and the culture. Some have been working unheralded for years and others are emerging. They all share a determination to make a significant impact on our communities and humanity. TheGrio Heroes have demonstrated outstanding goodwill and achievements for the benefit and welfare of our communities, leading by example through service and finding solutions with compassion, dedication, and determination.

“We are excited to bring theGrio Heroes initiative for public participation as we continue to elevate the theGrio brand globally,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of theGrio parent company, Allen Media Group. “TheGrio is about amplifying and celebrating excellence every day and everywhere.”

“Black people are central to the fabric of American culture,” said Geraldine Moriba, SVP, News, Entertainment and Empowerment, theGrio. “We are honoring people who uplift, support and build the Black community by moving us forward.”

Anyone is encouraged to nominate single individuals of African-American descent whose accomplishments occurred or continued after December 1, 2021. More information about theGrio Heroes, including descriptions of categories and frequently asked questions can be found here.

Submissions will be accepted through May 1, 2023, theGrio Heroes finalists and winner will be selected by the community as they will tell us about the heroes in their community who impact and change lives daily. These individuals share a determination to make a significant impact on our communities, and humanity as a whole.

Keeping in mind community impact, innovation and influence, an editorial committee at theGrio will conduct the first round of evaluations and choose a select number of nominees to move forward to the next round. Leading independent industry experts including Karen Boykin-Towns, NAACP National Board of Directors; Candice C. Jones, President & CEO of Public Welfare Foundation; Cameo George, Executive Producer, American Experience, PBS; Jade Magnus Ogunnaike, Vice President of Corporate Power, Color of Change; Irving Washington, Senior Fellow, Health Disinformation, Kaiser Family Foundation and Blair C. Smith, Senior Director for Center for Financial Markets, Milken Institute will then judge as they conduct another assessment to identify the top 20 names. Then the general public will vote online on picking the top 10 finalists. From there, the person with the most votes will be announced this summer and named as the inaugural theGrio Hero for 2023.

Monday, May 10, 2021

Erica Loewe: New White House Director of African American Media

Erica Loewe, has joined President Biden’s all-female communications team as the new director of African American Media for the White House.

Loewe previously served as Deputy Communications Director to House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters.

On May 25, 2021 Loewe announced her new position via email:

“Yesterday was my last day in the House Majority Whip’s office. Though it is difficult to leave my extremely talented Hill colleagues, I will not be going very far,” Loewe said. “Today, I begin a new role as the Director of African American Media to President Biden at the White House.”

Loewe also said that it had been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Deputy Communications Director to House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn and Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters, particularly during this historic period.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

New Black Anime Website Launches

Over the past decade, anime has become a sweeping sensation in the United States, especially in the African American community. This has sparked a desire for more black anime characters to be seen and for their stories to be told in the visually captivating art style that originated in Japan. Answering the call is Black Streak Entertainment. Their new website blackstreakanime.com puts the studio’s African American anime centric comics, manga, and merchandise on display for the world to indulge.

“We are answering the internet’s growing desire to see more black anime characters and black comics,” says Terry L Raimey, CEO and Co-Founder of Black Streak Entertainment. “We have been anime fans for decades, so it’s wonderful that we can tell stories from our African American perspectives using this amazing art style.”

“As a black manga artist, it’s important for me to present both black female anime characters and black male anime characters in ways that have never been seen before,” says Justin Raimey, President and Co-Founder of Black Streak Entertainment. “This means being creative and stepping outside the box that black manga characters and black superheroes are usually placed in.”

Black Streak Entertainment’s diverse black anime properties include The Legend of Tsakanin, an action adventure fantasy comic inspired by West African mythology; Black Quest, a medieval fantasy themed side-scrolling beat ‘em up video game; Dusty Dirty Days, a comedy manga starring two dust bunny sisters turned landlords in a shady neighborhood occupied by insect residents; and Fiji Random, a comedy manga about a teenage game addicted slacker and her wacky high school misadventures.

Learn more about Black Streak Entertainment at https://blackstreakanime.com/. A portion of every sale will be donated to African American youth organizations.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Black Celebrities, Athletes and Politicians Must Respect the Black Press

By Rosetta Miller-Perry, The Tennessee Tribune

Throughout history, the Black Press has been the best friend that Black celebrities, athletes and politicians have ever had. The Black Press often covers Black public figures from the very start of their careers, before they’re “discovered” by the mainstream media, all the way through to their ascension to star or leadership status. Before they became household names, had hit records, secured multi-million dollar contracts or became leaders in the United States Congress, it was the Black Press that was always there for their press conferences and events, often giving them extensive coverage when the mainstream media might only give them a brief mention in the B-section of their newspapers or 15 seconds at the end of an evening news segment.

When the mainstream media finally “discovers” these same Black celebrities, athletes and politicians and they attain a certain degree of fame and success, suddenly, they think it’s okay to snub the Black Press. Now they don't have time to give interviews to Black newspapers or magazines; there's no time to make the visits to Black radio stations, where they once made regular appearances; their (usually) White public relations and management staffers guard their time and appearances carefully, and shun Black-owned media.

This is a disgrace, because when things go bad and these Black celebrities want to get “their” side of the story out, the first place these folks run to is the Black Press. If there is a story about political corruption, infidelity or other alleged crimes involving a Black public figure, the mainstream media's attitude is usually “guilty until proven innocent.” It's the Black Press that usually takes the “innocent until proven guilty” approach, urging fairness and caution, telling readers, listeners and viewers to wait until all the evidence is in, frequently reminding folks of all the great things that their favorite hero did in the past.

The Black Press remains the advocate for Black celebrities, athletes and politicians, even now, despite the fact that so many of them seem oblivious to our existence. That is why, increasingly, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade group that represents over 200 Black-owned media companies, that reach more than 20 million readers in print and online every week, is reminding these Black public figures that Black newspapers are their champions and defenders 24/7, and that we have backed them in good times and bad. While the classic case of a Black superstar, who ran away from the Black Press for years and then returned at the eleventh hour, remains O.J. Simpson, it is instructive to see how mainstream media is covering the NFL in the wake of Donald Trump’s garbage claims that the players are somehow "disrespecting the flag and the military" if they kneel during the playing of the national anthem, a claim that was and continues to be absolute nonsense.

The Black Press backed Colin Kaepernick's protest against oppression and police brutality from the beginning, and continues to do so. The Black Press supports Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Michael Bennett and other players who have responded positively in the wake of criticism. Black newspapers have printed the entire Star-Spangled Banner, including its verses supporting slavery including its verses supporting slavery, while many mainstream publications have bought into the Trump idiocy. When conservative newspapers and publications attacked ESPN commentator Jemele Hill for her tweets about Trump, it was the Black Press that offered unqualified support. We've been there through decades of attacks on Black leaders, and we remain vigilant to the constant character assassination and innuendos lodged against Black public figures at the local, state and national levels.

What the Black Press wants from Black celebrities, athletes and politicians is respect, fairness, transparency and the same access provided to mainstream media outlets. Don't just advertise in The New York Times or The Washington Post; also do business with NNPA member publications; continue to make appearances at Black radio stations; order subscriptions to Black publications, in print and online. Our subscriptions and advertising rates are more reasonable than those of the big corporate newspapers, and despite what some advertising firms say, we’re more trusted in the Black community than “general” market publications.

It’s time for the Black celebrities, athletes and politicians who say they value entrepreneurship and economic empowerment to do business with the Black Press.