12-year-old DJ Tillman graduates Excelsior College

12 year old DJ Tillman of Chicago graduated Excelsior College in July! She wants to get her masters in environmental engineering, but will take a couple gap months before pursing that goal.

Georgia county swears in first elected black judge

The first African-American to be elected to any countywide position in Gwinnett County, Georgia, was sworn in as a judge Thursday afternoon.

Ronda Colvin-Leary, a Snellville attorney, won the seat in May. While multiple African-American judges have been appointed to serve on magistrate, juvenile and recorders courts, Colvin-Leary is the first to win an election for state court, the county’s Administrative Office of the Courts confirmed after her election.

Colvin-Leary has been a member of the Georgia bar since 2001, after earning a law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Auburn University. Before her election, she was the solicitor for the city of Winder and ran her own law practice in Lawrenceville for more than a decade.

Gwinnett County State Court handles civil actions, misdemeanors and traffic violations. Colvin-Leary likes the court’s role in the judicial system because it can address more minor legal issues before they escalate, she told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after her election.

“I love State Court because, for me, I like to think that … if you come to State Court we can try to address it before something else major happens and you wind up in Superior Court for a more serious offense,” Colvin-Leary said.

[SOURCE: WPXI]

Carolina Panthers sign Eric Reid although he is suing NFL over National Anthem protest

NFL safety Eric Reid signed with the Carolina Panthers Thursday, in a move that could complicate his suit against the league over his protests during the National anthem.

Reid, who was the first to join Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the National Anthem to protest policy brutality and systemic racism, claims he lost his job with the San Francisco 49ers and was blackballed from the league over his protests.

"We made this decision based on the fact he's a good football player,'' Panthers owner Marty Hurney told ESPN. "He's played at a very high level the last few years. We think he can come in and help us win games.''

Kaepernick, who is more popularly associated with the protests, congratulated Reid on Thursday.

Congrats to my brother @e_reid35, all pro safety who should have been signed the 1st day of free agency, who has signed a football contract.

He was the first person to kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family. and communities in need.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

A tale of two Bill Cosbys in the black community

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

The fact that Bill Cosby has been sentenced to 3 to 10 years for sexual assault has set off a debate in the black community.

There are those who believe that all of the good that he has done outweighs what he was found guilty of, and those on the other side who say that the good doesn't exceed the bad he has done as a sexual predator.

The problem is that it's not that easy. It's rather complicated.

Many of those of those who believe that the bad outweighs the good want us who grew up with Bill Cosby and The Cosby Show to repudiate Cosby and pretend he hasn't helped thousands of black students attend college or at one time presented a positive image of black families when there were none out there.

But there are those who believe the fact that he did help HBCUs and black students should give the former comedian a "get out of jail free" card.

Both sides can be right.

We can at the same time remember the good Cosby has done while at the same time be disappointed and disgusted in his actions as a now convicted sexual predator, which is what I have chosen to do.

A word to both sides in closing.

To those who want to use Bill Cosby as an example of disparities for African Americans in the criminal justice system, stop it. Cosby had millions of dollars to defend himself and lost. Most black people that become entrapped in the system don't have that chance to at least put on a decent defense.

To those on the #MeToo side breaking their arms while patting themselves on the back too much for Bill Cosby being sentenced to prison, stop it. While yes Cosby is being punished for past crimes and his victims get the justice they deserve, getting an 81-year-old legally blind man off the streets is not going to make one woman safer. When the likes of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Jeremy Piven are sentenced to prison, then something is really being accomplished.

Well that's my take on this issue and like I stated earlier, it's complicated.

Anita Hill Says Kavanaugh Accuser Hearing 'Cannot Be Fair'

Twenty-seven years after testifying that then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas sexually harassed her, Anita Hill says she believes the upcoming hearing on an alleged sexual assault by the current nominee, Brett Kavanaugh "cannot be fair and thorough."

As it stands now, the hearing cannot provide the senators "with enough information to reach a reasonable conclusion," Hill tells NPR. Listen to her full interview on NPR's All Things Considered below.

Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison

Bill Cosby was convicted in April of three counts of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and assaulting Constand at his home in 2004, in the first high-profile celebrity criminal trial of the #MeToo era.

Today Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison on Tuesday for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand.

Cosby, 81, faced a maximum of 10 years in prison after prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed to merge the three counts of his conviction into one for sentencing purposes.

In handing down his ruling to Bill Cosby today, Judge O’Neill said no one is above the law. He also referenced how brave Andrea Constand, who Cosby was convicted to sexually assaulting, was through this whole process.

"No one is above the law, and no one should be treated differently or disproportionally," Judge Steven O'Neill said.

Cosby would be sentenced regardless of "who he is or who he was," O'Neill said.

"I have given great weight to the victim impact testimony in this case, and it was powerful," he added.

Bill Cosby’s PR representatives read out statements following the sentencing, decrying a “sex war” and referencing Jesus.

“I believe and think it is important to point out that this has been the most racist and sexist trial in the history of the United States,” said Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s publicist. He claimed that some of those who testified against Cosby were "white women who make money off of accusing black men of being sexual predators.”

Wyatt also tied Cosby's verdict to the accusations leveled against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, claiming both were victims in a "sex war." He did not elaborate.

Wyatt later referenced the persecution of Jesus, saying, Cosby “knows that these are lies. They persecuted Jesus and look what happened. Not saying Mr. Cosby's Jesus, but we know what this country has done to black men for centuries.”

Ebonee Benson, another PR representative, read a statement on behalf of Cosby’s wife, Camille Cosby. Camille was not in court for the sentencing.

Camille’s statement decried “falsified evidence," claiming that Cosby had not been granted his right to a fair trial.

[SOURCE: CNN]

Michelle Obama: Speech At When We All Vote Rally In Las Vegas

Watch former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama speak at the When We All Vote rally at Chaparral High School in Las Vegas about the importance of getting out to vote.

For more information, visit: https://www.whenweallvote.org

Amber Guyer fired by Dallas Police Departmant

The Dallas Police Department has released the following statement on the firing of Amber Guyer, the officer that murdered Botham Jean:

Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall terminated Police Officer Amber Guyger, #10702, during a hearing held September 24, 2018. An Internal Affairs investigation concluded that on September 9, 2018, Officer Guyger, #10702, engaged in adverse conduct when she was arrested for Manslaughter.

Officer Guyger was terminated for her actions. She was hired in November 2013 and was assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division.

Under civil service rules, Officer Guyger has the right to appeal her discipline.”

Michelle Obama officiates wedding

Former first lady, Michelle Obama married Chicago couple Stephanie Rivkin and Joel Sircus Saturday evening at the Theater on the Lake.

Michelle Obama's connection to the newly married couple is Rivkin's mother who is the president of the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, a Chicago charity launched by Penny Pritzker, who served as a commerce secretary in the Obama administration.

One attendee, Tina Newman and shared a video of Obama with the soon-to-be newlyweds at the altar on Instagram. TMZ first published the Instagram story, which has since been deleted. Check out the former first lady officiating the wedding below:

Disney redrawing Princess Tiana after lightening her skin for Wreck-It Ralph 2

Many Disney fans in the black community were outraged last month to find that Princess Tiana’s physical appearance was notably different. The character, who debuted in 2009’s Princess Tiana and the Frog, had a much smaller and thinner nose and skin that was several shades lighter while her previously tight, kinky hair had been smoothed out into looser European curls.

Disney has agreed to redraw their first black princess after outraging fans when they her facial features more eurocentric in the recent trailer and poster for Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2.

Disney has reportedly consulted with Princess Tiana voice over actress Anika Noni Rose and Color of Change, an advocacy group who campaign for racial representation in Hollywood movies, to discuss how best to revise the latest Princess Tiana animation.

Color of Change celebrated the move in a statement, released on Thursday, which said: ‘Disney’s decision to restore Princess Tiana’s image to that of an unapologetically black princess with full lips, dark skin and dark hair in Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 is a victory for Color Of Change members, black children and their parents, and black audiences who want to see the variety of shades, shapes and sizes of black characters accurately represented in the arts.’ Wreck It Ralph 2 - Sneak Peek Play Video Loaded: 0% 0:00Progress: 0% PlayMute Current Time 0:00 / Duration Time 1:00 Fullscreen The statement continued: ‘By redrawing Princess Tiana — Disney’s first and only black princess — in Ralph Breaks the Internet as she was in Princess and the Frog, Disney has shown its commitment to addressing the concerns of Color Of Change members and the black community.’

[SOURCE: METROUK]

It's not a blue wave that's coming in the midterm elections — it's a black wave

But besides the blue wave roiling America, there is a very real black wave. And both political parties need to pay attention.

In one of the most historic election years in memory — besides the year a young U.S. senator from Chicago became the first African-American president and the year a pompous reality TV star and coddled businessman became the 45th — the American political landscape may drastically change.

Democrat Ayanna Pressley could become the first black female elected to Congress from Massachusetts.

Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams could become the first black female governor America has ever had.

Democrat Andrew Gillum could become the first black governor of Florida.

Democrat Ben Jealous could become the first black governor of Maryland by besting a popular Republican opponent. It’s a long shot, but most voters in Maryland are Democrats.

So while much has been made of the blue wave making its way across America, we better pay attention to the black wave.

But besides the blue wave roiling America, there is a very real black wave. And both the Democratic and Republican parties, which have been tone-deaf to the disdain many Americans feel for traditional politics, better wake up.

SOURCE: USA TODAY]

NEWSEUM DISPLAYING SCULPTURE OF ALICE ALLISON DUNNIGAN, FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO COVER THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS

On Sept. 21, a sculpture of Alice Allison Dunnigan, the first African American woman to receive press credentials to cover the White House and Congress, will go on display at the Newseum. The museum will unveil the Dunnigan sculpture in a short ceremony at 1 p.m. at the “Make Some Noise” exhibit on Level 4. Following the unveiling, the Newseum will host a program at 2 p.m. entitled, “Remembering Alice Allison Dunnigan” in the Knight TV Studio. The program will feature Carol Booker, who edited an autobiography of Dunnigan, artist Amanda Matthews, who created the statue and Dunnigan’s granddaughter Soraya Dunnigan Brandon. This program is free with Newseum admission.

Dunnigan, who began her journalism career in Kentucky before moving to Washington, D.C., was a pioneering journalist who rose to the top of her profession despite racist policies that segregated black journalists and sexist attitudes that severely limited opportunities for women in a male-dominated workplace. The life-sized bronze sculpture was created by Kentucky sculptor Amanda Matthews and is being cast at the Prometheus Foundry in Lexington, Ky.

During World War II, Dunnigan moved to Washington, D. C. to work at the War Labor Board. After the war ended, Dunnigan went to work for the Associated Negro Press and became the head of that organization’s Washington Bureau on Jan. 1, 1947, a job she held for 14 years supplying stories to 112 African American newspapers across the United States.

Dunnigan was the first African American woman accredited to report on the White House, covering presidential press conferences. She also became the first African American woman to gain press credentials to report on Congress, the State Department and the Supreme Court. She also made history by being the first African American woman on a presidential tour when she went on the whistle-stop tour with President Truman.

Throughout Dunnigan’s career, she battled the rampant racism and sexism that dominated the mostly white and male professions of journalism and politics. She once famously stated, “Race and sex were twin strikes against me. I’m not sure which was the hardest to break down.”

In 2015, the Newseum hosted a program about Dunnigan, “Inside Media: Alice Dunnigan, Pioneer of the National Black Press.”The program featured Carol McCabe Booker, who edited and annotated a new edition of Dunnigan’s autobiography, “Alone Atop the Hill.”

The sculpture will be on display at the Newseum through Dec. 16, 2018. It will then be taken to Dunnigan’s hometown of Russellville, Ky., and installed on the grounds of the West Kentucky African American Heritage Center as part of a park dedicated to the civil rights movement.

Report: A third of Ben Carson’s appointees have no housing experience

A third of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson’s appointees at the highest levels of the department have no experience with housing policy, according to an analysis by The Washington Post.

Twenty-four of the 70 people hired to the top positions at HUD under Carson apparently have no housing policy experience, according to the Post's analysis of their résumés and LinkedIn profiles.

However, 16 of them appear to have worked on Carson’s or President Trump’s 2016 presidential campaigns or maintain close personal connections to their families, the Post reported.

In a statement to The Hill, Caroline Vanvick, a spokeswoman for HUD, wrote that the department's senior appointees "have well over 100 years of housing and mortgage policy experience combined."

Vanvick listed 10 officials who have a background in housing policy, including Deputy Secretary Pam Patenaude, who has led national housing initiatives.

HUD spokesman Raffi Williams in a statement to the Post wrote that hiring people with "varying experiences to government is not unusual" and pointed out the majority of the top appointees do have housing experience.

The Post found that five of those appointees without housing experience received promotions and significant pay increases within their first months on the job. All of the five appointees now make between $98,000 and $155,000 per year and worked on either Carson's or Trump's presidential campaign.

American Oversight, a watchdog organization formed to scrutinize the Trump administration, obtained the documents cited in the Post's analysis through the Freedom of Information Act.

Read more: Report: A third of Ben Carson’s appointees have no housing experience

BET Announces Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign BET GOES PINK

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and the statistics further reveal that African American women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer. According to Susan G. Komen Foundation, African-American women are almost 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women in the U.S. and in some cities, that number is as high as 74 percent*. Today, BET Networks announces its national, multi-platform call-to-action campaign, BET GOES PINK, dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging early detection and initiating dialogue about the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the black community. The Network's integrated approach includes BET Her's first original film "HER ONLY CHOICE", the second annual "BET HER FIGHTS BREAST CANCER" hosted by comedian and talk show host Loni Love, original PSAs and more.


"BET Networks is dedicated to reducing breast cancer health disparities among African American women and ensuring that Black women are included in the conversation about this disease, said Nneka Norville, Director of CORPORATE Social Responsibility, BET Networks. "Although we make a concerted effort in October, breast cancer prevention and education is part of BET's larger year-round commitment to women's empowerment. By leveraging our platforms and content offerings, we are able to educate and empower our audience as they navigate this important aspect of their health."

This year's activations include:

BET HER's FIRST ORIGINAL MOVIE: "HER ONLY CHOICE" PREMIERES, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 at 9 PM ET/PT ON BET HER.

Kicking off BET Her's original movie franchise "Her Only Choice," tells the story of a woman who after years of infertility becomes pregnant only to be diagnosed with a life-altering disease. She must make a choice to either fight for her life or sacrifice her child's. The film stars Denise Boutte, Timon Kyle Durett, Leon Robinson, Tiffany Snow, Tamara Tunie and Vanessa Bell Calloway. Christel Gibson serves as the film's director and Brett Dismuke, Rob Johnson and Nikki Love serve as Executive Producers for SoChi Entertainment.

"BET HER: FIGHTS BREAST CANCER" PREMIERES SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7 AT 7 PM ON BET & BET HER

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, BET Her will premiere the second annual "BET HER FIGHTS: BREAST CANCER" special, hosted by comedian and "The Real" co-host Loni Love. The one-hour special looks to raise awareness, and encourage more people to take action to prevent, diagnose, treat, & end breast cancer.

This year's honorees include Bershan Shaw and Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green. Shaw, a transformational coach, motivational speaker, author, and founder of URAWARRIOR.COM, is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Initially diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, it returned as stage 4 in 2009, she ultimately beat the odds is now nine years' cancer free. Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green, one of the first 100 African American women to earn a Ph.D. in Physics, is a physicist who specializes in targeted cancer therapeutics using nanotechnology and lasers. She founded the Ora Lee Smith Cancer Research Foundation in memory of her aunt, Ora Lee "Auntee" Smith, whose tragic experience with cancer inspired her to develop a cancer treatment without side effects.

The concert will feature inspirational surprise performances and special guests. Last year's performers included Xscape, Keyshia Cole, Sevyn Streeter and Alice Smith. Viewers will have an opportunity to get involved during the program through a dedicated line provided by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which will provide free, professional support services to anyone with breast cancer questions or concerns, including men diagnosed with breast cancer and their families.

"BET HER FIGHTS: BREAST CANCER" will tape Thursday, September 20, 2018, at the Riverside EpiCenter in Atlanta, GA. The broadcast will premiere on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. ET/PT on BET & BET Her.

ORIGINAL BET GOES PINK ON AIR, ONLINE AND ON SOCIAL

On Air: For the month of October all of BET Networks' brand bugs will go Pink to bring visual awareness to viewers on all of our platforms.
BET.com: BET Goes Pink's online portal - BET.com/BETGoesPink features articles, video vignettes and resources to ensure our audience is armed with the information needed to stay informed and healthy. For more information on "BET Goes Pink" and resources on breast cancer, please log onto www.bet.com/betgoespink.
BET Social: Follow @BET on Twitter and Instagram for updates and health news. Use the hashtag #BETGoesPink to join the conversation with patients, survivors, friends and family.
*Source: American Cancer Society & Susan G. Komen

ABOUT BET NETWORKS

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA) (NASDAQ: VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel is in nearly 85 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa, France and South Korea. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER (formerly CENTRIC), a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American woman; BET Music Networks - BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET's growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET Networks around the globe.

Harvard black culture awards to honor Colin Kaepernick & David Chappelle

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and comedian Dave Chappelle are among eight people being honored by Harvard University for their contributions to black history and culture, the university announced Thursday.

All eight recipients of the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal will be honored Oct. 11 by the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard.

“The medal honors those who have made significant contributions to African and African-American history and culture, and more broadly, individuals who advocate for intercultural understanding and human rights in an increasingly global and interconnected world,” the Hutchins Center said.

Kaepernick, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, created a firestorm when he began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and social injustice. He has more recently been the centerpiece of an advertising campaign by Nike.

He has donated and helped raise millions of dollars for organizations fighting social injustice, and founded the Know Your Rights Camp.

Chappelle is a writer and producer who has appeared in several movies, hosted his own show on Comedy Central and earned a Grammy and two Emmys.

The other honorees are Kenneth Chenault, chairman and a managing director of General Catalyst; Shirley Ann Jackson, president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Pamela Joyner, founder of Avid Partners, LLC; psychologist and author Florence Ladd; Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative; and artist Kehinde Wiley.

“Emerging from a variety of backgrounds and professions, each represents the quest for knowledge, freedom of expression, and pursuit of truth that are foundational to black history and culture, and that were foundational to Du Bois as a thinker and activist,” said Henry Louis Gates Jr., director of the Hutchins Center.

Michael Jordan donates $2 million for Hurricane Florence relief

Michael Jordan grew up playing high school basketball in Wilmington, North Carolina. So when the former NBA star watched the destruction caused by Hurricane Florence to his hometown and surrounding area, he acted quickly to help.

The six-time NBA champion and Charlotte Hornets owner donated $2 million on Tuesday to assist residents of the Carolinas -- $1 million each to the American Red Cross and the Foundation For The Carolinas' Hurricane Florence Response Fund.

"It just hits home," Jordan told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "I know all of those places: Wilmington, Fayetteville, Myrtle Beach, New Bern, and Wallace, which is where my father is from. So quite naturally it hits home, and I felt like I had to act in a sense that this is my home."

"At the end of the day, it makes you think about the path that you have taken, and where your life has taken you," Jordan said. "And I just feel like, well, maybe if I can help in some sort of way all of the people, and all of the places, that have helped me along the road."

Jordan said it's fulfilling to have the resources to help.

"I have been one of the lucky ones to move on and build an unbelievable career," said Jordan, who played college basketball at North Carolina. "It just makes it a little more special when you can actually help out an area you know very, very well."

"We reached out to try to find as many partners who are willing to sacrifice and give to this cause," Jordan said. "The Red Cross will deal with the immediate food and shelter and the Foundation For The Carolinas will deal more with the long-term assistance. This is not a short-term thing. This is going to be a process, but it is going to take time."

[SOURCE: ESPN]

Sixers promote VP of basketball ops Elton Brand to General Manager

The Philadelphia 76ers hired Elton Brand as general manager on Tuesday, completing a meteoric rise in the franchise's front office, league sources told ESPN.

Brand made a strong impression on ownership and coach Brett Brown in the interview process, beating out several more-experienced candidates inside and outside the Sixers organization, sources said. Ultimately, ownership believed Brand had sold them on vision, preparedness and the ability to grow into the role at a crucial time for the organization.

Brand, 39, had been recently promoted to executive vice president of basketball operations after serving the past year as GM of the Sixers' G League affiliate in Delaware.

After retiring as a player in 2016, he spent two years in the organization before this elevation to oversee the front office.

Among those considered for the vacant GM role were Utah Jazz assistant GM Justin Zanik, Houston Rockets vice president Gersson Rosas and assistant Golden State Warriors GM Larry Harris.

The team also talked to internal candidates, including assistant GM Ned Cohen and senior VP of player personnel Marc Eversley.

Brand replaces Brown, who had been the interim GM since Bryan Colangelo resigned in June after his wife admitted to operating Twitter accounts that criticized team members and propped up her husband.

[SOURCE: ESPN]

OWN ANNOUNCES FOURTH SEASON RENEWAL OF “GREENLEAF”

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has renewed for a fourth season its hit megachurch drama series “Greenleaf” from Lionsgate, award-winning writer/executive producer Craig Wright, and executive producers Clement Virgo, Kriss Turner Towner, and Oprah Winfrey. The series stars Merle Dandridge as Grace Greenleaf, Lynn Whitfield as Lady Mae Greenleaf, and Keith David as Bishop Greenleaf. Season three guest stars include the legendary Patti LaBelle as Maxine Patterson, Iyanla Vanzant appearing as herself, and Beau Bridges as Bob Whitmore.

The announcement comes as the acclaimed drama (Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT) delivered a season high in its Wednesday time period (9/12) with more than 2.3 million viewers (up +8% vs. year ago L+3) and a 1.90 rating in the network’s key women 25-54 demo (+7% vs. year ago L+3). It was also the #1 telecast of the night for African American viewers across all of broadcast and cable. Year to date, OWN boasts five of the top 20 original scripted series on ad-supported cable among W25-54, more than any other network.

“‘Greenleaf’ is a cornerstone of our scripted programming slate and pulls in millions of viewers each week with its unique storylines and powerful characters,” said Erik Logan, president, OWN. “We are very proud of this show, the incredible cast, producers and crew, and can’t wait for more twists and turns from the Greenleaf family in season four.”

About “Greenleaf”

(Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT)

In tonight’s all-new episode, the Bishop (Keith David) and Lady Mae (Lynn Whitfield) make alternate plans after Clara (Donna Biscoe) denies them the check for the IRS bill. Grace (Merle Dandridge) tends to Sophia (Desiree Ross) when a medical emergency sends her daughter to the hospital.

In season three of “Greenleaf,” all the turbulent forces that Grace’s (Merle Dandridge) return to Memphis unleashed threaten to destroy not just the church her family built, but the family itself. Fallout from last season's shocking revelation of Bishop’s (Keith David) infidelities with Lady Mae’s (Lynn Whitfield) sister, as well as reverberations from his current dalliance with that insidious Jezebel, Rochelle Cross (LeToya Luckett) lead to all-out war in the Greenleaf home, setting the Bishop and Lady Mae on a collision course that, unless God or Grace intervenes, can only end one way: divorce. In the wake of the marital mayhem, Lady Mae rushes to reconnect with Maxine Patterson (Patti LaBelle), an old friend and now a world-famous Christian motivational speaker, in an attempt to reclaim her forsaken call to preach and thus do what no First Lady has done before — survive as the sole head pastor of a megachurch after a major rift between its founding couple. Grace, meanwhile, works undercover in the company of Rochelle, hoping to discover Rochelle's motives and true identity before the Bishop is swept away on a raging river of vanity and desire. Across town at Triumph, Jacob (Lamman Rucker) and Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne) try not to make the same mistakes Bishop and Lady Mae made as they work to build their own evangelical empire and manage parenting their teenage daughter Zora (Lovie Simone), but the roots of sin delve deep and old habits die hard. Sophia’s (Desiree Ross) faith is tested when an unforeseen medical issue arises; Charity (Deborah Joy Winans) struggles to make peace with Kevin (Tye White) and find her place in the world; and Grace works to keep an abused woman from death row for the crime of defending her own life. Meanwhile, Darius (Rick Fox) finds himself in conflict due to being entangled in an increasingly strained relationship with Grace.

“Greenleaf” is produced for OWN by Lionsgate in association with Harpo Films and Pine City.  Executive producers are Oprah Winfrey, Craig Wright (“Lost,” “Six Feet Under”), Clement Virgo (“The Book of Negroes”), and Kriss Turner Towner (“The Romanoffs,” “Black Monday”).

 Viewers can catch up on the show’s complete first and second seasons on Netflix. For photography and additional show information please visit Greenleaf Press Web  and http://www.greenleafown.tv/.

 About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand and the magnetism of the channel.  OWN is a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today's most innovative storytellers. OWN’s original scripted series include popular dramas “Queen Sugar,” “Greenleaf,” “Love Is__,” “The Have and Have Nots, “If Loving You is Wrong,” hit sitcom “The Paynes,” and upcoming drama series “David Makes Man” from Academy Award-winner Tarell Alvin McCraney and “Ambitions” from box office hit-maker Will Packer. OWN’s Saturday night unscripted programming lineup includes “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” “Book of John Gray,” “Black Love,” “Mind Your Business with Mahisha” and the recently announced dating series “Ready to Love.” OWN connects with its audience wherever they are, inspiring conversation among a global community of like-minded viewers on social media and beyond.  Launched on January 1, 2011, OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery, Inc.  The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.  Access OWN anytime, anywhere on  WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs.  For more information, please visit www.oprah.com/own and https://press.discovery.com/us/own/.

About Lionsgate:

The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global content leader whose films, television series, digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences around the world.  In addition to its filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, video games, esports and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate’s content initiatives are backed by a nearly 17,000-title film and television library and delivered through a global sales and distribution infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company’s worldwide consumer base. 

Jenifer Lewis shows support for Kaepernick and Nike on Emmy's red carpet

Blackish star Jenifer Lewis made a statement on the 2018 Emmys red carpet with a show of support for Colin Kaepernick.

Wearing a Nike sweatshirt with a bedazzled swoosh across the chest, black leggings and black and white shoes, the Black-ish star sported the athletic look ahead of the 70th primetime Emmy awards to stand in solidarity with Kaepernick. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, whose kneeling protests against racial injustice during the national anthem before football games sparked a social movement last year, became the face of Nike’s new “Just Do It” campaign in September.

“I am wearing Nike to applaud them for supporting Colin Kaepernick and his protest against racial injustice and police brutality,” Lewis told Variety on the Emmys red carpet.

Lewis said she had thought about what she could do that would be a meaningful contribution. “I’ll wear Nike,” she said. “I’ll wear Nike to say thank you. Thank you for leading the resistance. We need more corporate America to stand up also.”

Cory Booker & Kamala Harris on Christine Blasey Ford coming forward with Kavanaugh sexual assault allegations

U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), both of whom are members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statements on Christine Blasey Ford coming forward with Kavanaugh sexual assault allegations:

Sen. Cory Booker

“The allegations contained in the Washington Post report about Judge Brett Kavanaugh are serious, credible, and deeply troubling. At a bare minimum, this week’s scheduled committee vote on Judge Kavanaugh’s lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court must be postponed until this matter is fully and thoroughly investigated. “It takes enormous courage to come forward publicly as Ms. Ford has. The Senate owes it to her and every survivor of sexual trauma to listen to her story and gather all of the facts before moving forward with this nomination.”

Sen. Kamala Harris

Christine Blasey Ford courageously stepped forward to tell her story — it is a credible and serious allegation. The Senate has a constitutional responsibility to scrutinize SCOTUS nominees. A vote on Kavanaugh’s nomination must be delayed until there is a thorough investigation.