Former Obama Aide Michael Blake announces run for mayor of New York City

Michael Blake, a former New York State assemblyman from the Bronx and a veteran of the Obama administration announced on socail media that he would be running to become mayor of New York City. Read his announcement below:

I'm Michael Blake

Son of The Bronx & Son of NYC Public Schools.

Child of Jamaican Immigrants and Child of God.

Family Man. Brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Small Business Owner. Democracy Leader.

Former NY Assembly Member, DNC Vice Chair & White House aide to President Obama.

I Still Believe in Our City, Our Home, Our Dreams, so I'm running for Mayor of New York City.

Join us at https://blakefornyc.com/

Dr. Paul Miller Unveils Transformative New Book: From the Gutter to Greatness

Renowned motivational speaker and personal development coach, Dr. Paul Miller, is proud to announce the release of his latest book, From the Gutter to Greatness: Turning Your Setbacks Into Setups. This inspiring new work offers readers a roadmap to overcome life's challenges and unleash their true potential through actionable steps and self-discipline.

Alongside the book, Dr. Miller introduces a workbook, Moving from Your Gutter to Greatness: 21 Day Challenge, designed to guide readers through daily exercises that turn motivation into tangible change.

"This book isn't just about inspiration; it's about transformation," said Dr. Miller. "Every setback you've experienced can become the foundation for your greatest comeback—if you have the will to act."

From the Gutter to Greatness provides practical tools, real-world strategies, and motivational insights to help individuals redefine their futures. From breaking through limiting beliefs to establishing productive habits, the book empowers readers to take control of their lives.

Dr. Miller is available for speaking engagements, presentations, and media interviews to share the life-changing principles outlined in his book. His dynamic and relatable approach has already impacted audiences nationwide, making him a sought-after keynote speaker for conferences, seminars, and workshops.

From the Gutter to Greatness is now available at online bookstores.

Paperback: https://amzn.to/410GLwi  

Kindle: https://amzn.to/492u8mD

The importance of addressing the U.S. shortage of Black doctors

There's a major effort underway to bring more Black doctors into hospitals and examination rooms nationwide, and that effort is focused on easing the burden of medical school for students at historically Black colleges and universities.

Alicia Graf Mack Appointed Artistic Director of Ailey

The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation today announced that Alicia Graf Mack, widely celebrated for her dance artistry during her years with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and for her leadership as the Dean and Director of the Dance Division of The Juilliard School, has been appointed Artistic Director of AILEY. She becomes the fourth Artistic Director in AILEY’s 66-year history, following Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison (herself a renowned star of the Company), and Robert Battle. Ms. Graf Mack will assume her role with AILEY as of July 1, 2025.

News of Ms. Graf Mack’s appointment follows shortly after the death at age 81 of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, who brought Alicia Graf Mack into Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and championed her work. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2024-25 season, which begins on December 4, celebrates the life and legacy of Ms. Jamison.

Daria L. Wallach, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, said, “Living heritage is central to the artistic achievement of Alvin Ailey, and it is just as integral to AILEY as an organization. As we pass the artistic leadership of AILEY to Alicia Graf Mack, who was introduced to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under Judith Jamison’s direction, performed under the leadership of Robert Battle, and electrified the Company’s audiences around the nation and the world, we honor and celebrate the legacy that goes back to Mr. Ailey himself. We know that this powerful continuity across the generations, combined with Ms. Graf Mack’s outstanding talents as a dance artist, educator, administrator, and communicator, will ensure that both the traditions and the innovation of AILEY remain strong for years to come.”

Anthony A. Lewis, Board member and head of the selection committee, said, “Out of the many gifted and highly qualified candidates we reviewed as part of an extensive search process, Alicia Graf Mack rose to become our clear-cut choice. Her record of success at The Juilliard School, her profound connection with AILEY, and the intangible personal and professional qualities she possesses make her an exceptional leader. We are convinced that she is the Artistic Director for AILEY’s future.”

Alicia Graf Mack said, “It’s the honor of a lifetime to step into this role and continue the legacy of Alvin Ailey—a legacy rooted in celebrating the beauty and resilience of the human spirit. I am committed to preserving the company’s rich heritage while boldly exploring new voices and perspectives that push the boundaries of dance and reflect the world we live in today, and the world we hope to see. I am deeply grateful to AILEY’s Board for placing its trust in me, and am particularly mindful at this moment of the abiding influence of Judith Jamison, who brought me into this extraordinary organization and will forever be an inspiration to me and present in all of us. To all the dancers who have embodied Mr. Ailey’s vision, to Robert Battle, and to the artistic team including the wonderful Matthew Rushing, who have carried AILEY into the present as such a vibrant and indispensable artistic force, I offer my profound thanks. I will give my all to live up to this great responsibility, in service to the Company, our many supporters, our beloved audiences, and the entire AILEY community everywhere.” 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s annual five-week holiday engagement at New York City Center from December 4 through January 5 has been prepared by Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing. This year’s Opening Night Gala, honoring legendary dance educator Jody Gottfried Arnhold, will feature the return of Ronald K. Brown’s Grace on its 25th anniversary, with live music by Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. with composer, visual artist, and GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. The finale of Mr. Ailey's Cry will also be performed, to pay tribute to Judith Jamison, who originated the role and ignited the ballet with her unparalleled grace and power. Celebrating the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, the season will showcase the world premieres of Sacred Songs by Matthew Rushing, Finding Free by Hope Boykin, Many Angels by Lar Lubovitch (his first world premiere for the Company), and Al-Andalus Blues by Jamar Roberts, as well as a new production of Elisa Monte’s Treading and a generous selection of classic repertoire by Alvin Ailey and live music performances.

Bennett Rink, Executive Director of AILEY, said, “Carrying forward into a new generation the bold vision of our founder, Alvin Ailey, and building upon the major achievements of Judith Jamison and Robert Battle in developing our organization, Alicia Graf Mack will place the unique stamp of her own leadership on AILEY while remaining true to our heritage. Knowing the great respect she has for Mr. Ailey’s legacy and her comprehensive understanding of the multiple artistic, educational, and social roles that the AILEY organization plays in the world, I look forward with the greatest enthusiasm to working with her as AILEY takes its next steps into an exciting future.”

As Artistic Director, Alicia Graf Mack will oversee the artistic program of the entire AILEY organization, which includes Ailey II, The Ailey School, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, and Ailey Extension. Alvin Ailey said, “Dance is for everybody. I believe that dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.” Today, AILEY is one of the world’s leading modern dance companies and a global ambassador of American culture, deftly weaving performance, education, and community programming together to celebrate the human spirit and inspire, enlighten, and unite people of all backgrounds. AILEY is currently partnering with the Whitney Museum of American Art to present Edges of Ailey (through February 9, 2025), the first large-scale exhibition to celebrate the life, creativity, influence, and enduring legacy of Alvin Ailey. For more info, visit www.ailey.org.   

About Alicia Graf Mack
Alicia Graf Mack starred as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2011 to 2014 and now returns to serve as AILEY’s fourth Artistic Director. She comes to AILEY from The Juilliard School, where she has been the Dean and Director of the Dance Division since 2018.

Born in San Jose, California, Alicia Graf Mack grew up in Columbia, Maryland, was offered an apprenticeship at Dance Theatre of Harlem by Arthur Mitchell while in high school, and relocated to New York City at age 17 to join the company. During a hiatus from Dance Theatre of Harlem, she earned a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in history from Columbia University School of General Studies, then rejoined DTH until the company was temporarily disbanded in 2004. She also holds an MA in nonprofit management from Washington University in St. Louis.

In addition to dancing with DTH and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, she has been a principal dancer with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and has danced as a guest performer with Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, Beyoncé, John Legend, Andre 3000, and Alicia Keys. She performed in honor of Carmen de Lavallade at the Kennedy Center Honors 2018 and was also invited to perform in the memorial services of Arthur Mitchell at Riverside Church in New York City and Jessye Norman at the Metropolitan Opera.

In 2007, Smithsonian magazine named her an American Innovator of the Arts and Sciences. She is a recipient of the Columbia University Medal of Excellence, an award given each year to an alumnus who has demonstrated excellence in their field of work, and in 2008 delivered the keynote address to the graduates of Columbia University’s School of General Studies. She is the recipient of the 2023 Dance Magazine Award.

Before assuming leadership of the Dance Division of Juilliard, she co-founded D(n)A Arts Collective, an initiative created with her sister to enrich the lives of young dancers through master classes and intensives, taught as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Houston, and served as a visiting assistant professor at Webster University.

Ms. Graf Mack serves on the Boards of Columbia University School of General Studies and Camille A. Brown and Dancers. In addition, she volunteers her time and talent to the summer intensive of the Art Saves Lives Foundation in St. Maarten. She is the co-producer and host of the podcast Moving Moments, featuring conversations with some of the most celebrated and ground-breaking artists in the field of dance. 

About AILEY
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by US Congressional resolution as a “vital American Cultural Ambassador to the World,” grew from a now-fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance. Forged during a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, the Company was established to uplift the African American experience while transcending boundaries of race, faith, and nationality with its universal humanity. Before his untimely death in 1989, Mr. Ailey named Judith Jamison as his successor, and for 21 years she brought the Company to unprecedented success. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents, promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. In addition to being the principal dance company of New York City Center, where its performances have become a year-end tradition, the Company performs annually at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago; The Fox Theatre in Atlanta; Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA; and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark (where it is the Principal Resident Affiliate), and appears frequently in other major theaters throughout the world during extensive tours. AILEY also includes Ailey II, a second performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School, one of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, which brings dance into the classrooms, communities, and lives of people of all ages; and Ailey Extension, a program offering dance and fitness classes to the general public, which began with the opening of AILEY’s permanent home, The Joan Weill Center for Dance—the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City—at 55th Street at 9th Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit www.ailey.org.

LaTosha Brown a winner in the Human & Civil Rights category for the 4th Annual Anthem Awards

LaTosha Brown, a dynamic force, igniting social change and empowering communities worldwide, has been named a Winner in the Human & Civil Rights: Team & Internal Initiatives category as a "Nonprofit Leader and Disruptor" by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences for the 4th Annual Anthem Awards!

"I am beyond grateful and humbled to be named a Silver Award Winner at the 2024 Anthem Awards," says LaTosha. "This recognition is not just for me, but for the countless Black girls and women whose stories fuel this movement. It reaffirms our collective power and the resilience of our communities. As we continue to push for equity and justice, this award strengthens my resolve to create the space and resources needed for Black women and girls to thrive. Our work is far from over, and I'm more committed than ever to building a future where our voices are heard, our dreams are realized, and our legacies are honored."

As the visionary founder of the Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium (Southern Black Girls), and the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, LaTosha is a thought leader, institution builder and cultural activist who stands at the intersection of social justice, political empowerment, human development, and the arts. Her Anthem designation highlights her impact as a "Nonprofit Leader and Disruptor" in grant-making and increasing power in marginalized and predominantly Black communities.

"The Winners of this year's Anthem Awards are truly inspiring and I am honored to help elevate their impact," said Anthem Awards General Manager, Patricia McLoughlin. "At this moment, there is a lot of uncertainty in our world, but the tireless and extraordinary efforts of the Anthem Awards community provide hope that a better tomorrow is possible. Thank you to everyone doing this work and making an impact."

The 4th Annual Anthem Awards was the most competitive season yet with more than 2,300 entries submitted from 34 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities.

For more information on LaTosha Brown, visit www.LatoshaBrown.com. To follow the impact of her work and influence visit www.SouthernBlackGirls.org and www.BlackVotersMatterFund.org.

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN BLACK GIRLS AND WOMEN'S CONSORTIUM

The Southern Black Girls and Women's Consortium (Southern Black Girls) is a collective of Black women in philanthropy, activism and girls' work, who hold deep roots in movement-building — LaTosha Brown (TruthSpeaks Innovation Foundation), Felecia Lucky (BlackBelt Community Foundation), and Alice Jenkins (Fund for Southern Communities). Established in 2017, Southern Black Girls has become a disruptor in grant-making and is positioned as a catalyst to fundraise and provide greater resources toward underfunded organizations that, intentionally, support and empower Black girls and women in the south. The collective leads alongside a diverse array of grassroots and advocacy partners who are dedicated to the mission and actively engaging in this work across the region. For more information, visit: www.southernblackgirls.org, or follow @SouthernBlackGirls on Facebook and Instagram, and @BlackGirlsDream on X.

ABOUT THE ANTHEM AWARDS

Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we're defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity; Equity & Inclusion; Education; Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. This season's partners include Ms. Magazine, The Female Quotient, Sustainable Brands, NationSwell, and TheFutureParty. The Awards were founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, Glaad, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ. Find The Anthem Awards online at www.anthemawards.com, and follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

CNN Films’ Luther: Never Too Much Special New Year’s Day Premiere at 8pm ET/PT on CNN

CNN Films examines the captivating story of the iconic Luther Vandross as he paves his own course to become one of the most decorated and influential artists of all time in Luther: Never Too Much. From award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter (CNN Films’ John Lewis: Good Trouble) and produced by Raindog Films and Foxxhole Productions for Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing, in association with Trilogy Films, the film will premiere on January 1, 2025 at 8pm ET/PT on CNN.

Luther: Never Too Much chronicles the story of Vandross from his formative years in Harlem, appearing in the Apollo Theater house band and the first episodes of Sesame Street, through his ascendance to become the indisputable master of the love song. Using a wealth of rarely seen archives, Vandross tells his own story along with the voices of his closest friends and musical collaborators including Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick, Valerie Simpson and Roberta Flack. The film unpacks the nuances and ironies of Vandross’ storied career, exploring his personal life, health struggles, and a lifelong desire to be respected and understood.

“It was thrilling to explore Luther’s musical genius while making this film,” said director Dawn Porter. “We combed through hundreds of hours of interviews, concert footage and images to develop this one-of-a-kind portrait.” Porter added “I’m so fortunate to have had the opportunity to tell this story at a time when so much else seems divisive, Luther’s story is joy personified.”

“CNN Films has a successful tradition of celebrating the New Year by showcasing music documentaries, and Dawn Porter has beautifully illuminated the public and private life of Luther Vandross, giving CNN audiences a front row seat to celebrate his extraordinary songbook and enduring legacy,” said Amy Entelis, executive vice president for talent, CNN Originals and creative development, CNN Worldwide.

Directed and executive produced by Dawn Porter, Luther: Never Too Much is produced by Trish D Chetty and Ged Doherty for Raindog Films; Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner for Foxxhole Productions; and Leah Smith for Trilogy Films. Executive producers are Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman for Sony Pictures Television Nonfiction; Tom Mackay and Richard Story for Sony Music Entertainment; Jon Platt and Brian Monaco for Sony Music Publishing; Colin Firth for Raindog Films; and Phil Thornton on behalf of Foxxhole Productions. Sony Music Vision is the distributor.

To celebrate the film premiere, Luther Vandross’ previously unreleased soulful rendition of the Beatles’ “Michelle” is available now. The song will be one of many included on Never Too Much: Greatest Hits, a new compilation of music by Vandross out December 13.

Luther: Never Too Much premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival to a standing ovation and critical acclaim. Giant Pictures released the film theatrically in select cities this fall. The film will also premiere on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Max in 2025.

W. Paul Coates Awarded the 2024 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community

The National Book Foundation, presenter of the National Book Awards, announced W. Paul Coates, publisher, community activist, and founder of Black Classic Press and BCP Digital Printing as the recipient of the 2024 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, which will be presented at the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner on Wednesday, November 20. Since 1978, Black Classic Press (BCP) has published remarkable, and often out of print, works by and about people of the Black diaspora. A lifelong advocate for celebrating the life of Black writers and bolstering their literary legacies, Coates will be presented with the Literarian Award by author and recipient of the 2020 DCAL Medal Walter Mosley.

Born in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1946, Coates enlisted in the US Army and served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. Upon his return, Coates moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he began volunteering with the Black Panther Party’s community breakfast program and additional community programs that provided access to healthcare, clothing, and housing assistance. After leading the local chapter for several years, he established the George Jackson Prison Movement—a prison literacy program to provide incarcerated readers access to progressive Afrocentric literature. The movement led to the opening of The Black Book bookstore in Coates’s basement, which evolved into the Black Classic Press and later inspired the development of BCP Digital Printing. As founder and publisher of Black Classic Press, Coates has published original works by Yosef Ben-Jochannan, John Henrik Clarke, John G. Jackson, Walter Mosley, and many others, in addition to reissuing titles by Amiri Baraka, Edward Blyden, Amy Jacques Garvey, Larry Neal, J. A. Rogers, Bobby Seale, Carter Woodson, and W. E. B. Du Bois, among many other notable works.

“As a librarian, publisher, and community activist, W. Paul Coates has been instrumental in preserving the legacy of remarkable writers and elevating works that have shaped our personal and collective understanding of the Black experience within the borders of the United States and around the globe,” said Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation. “Coates has demonstrated for more than 40 years the importance of reading the past and nourishing the creative imagination of present and future writers of the Black diaspora. We are honored to celebrate his extraordinary career with the 2024 Literarian Award.”

Coates earned his bachelor’s degree in Community Development and Education from the Homestead-Montebello Center of Antioch University, now known as Sojourner-Douglass College, in Baltimore, Maryland, and his master’s in Library Science from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1980–1991, Coates served as the African American Studies manuscript and reference librarian at Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, where he oversaw the curation of out-of-print Black literature. A former member of the Black Panther Party, Coates was instrumental in the establishment of the Black Panther Archives at Howard University. He returned to Sojourner-Douglass College as an adjunct instructor of African American Studies, and co-edited Black Bibliophiles and Collectors: Preservers of Black History alongside Elinor Des Verney Sinnette. In 2018, he was the inaugural recipient of the Dorothy Porter Wesley Award from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and in 2020 he was presented with the Lord Nose Award by the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses. Coates is a founding member and chair of the National Association of Black Book Publishers, and was a member of the National Book Foundation’s Board of Directors from 1997-2005.

Coates is the 20th recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, which is given to an individual or organization for a lifetime of achievement in expanding the audience for books and reading. Past recipients include Dr. Maya Angelou, Terry Gross, Kyle Zimmer, the literary organization Cave Canem, Doron Weber, Oren J. Teicher, Carolyn Reidy, Nancy Pearl, Tracie D. Hall, and most recently, Paul Yamazaki. Nominations for the Literarian Award are made by former National Book Award Winners, Finalists, and judges, and other writers and literary professionals from around the country. Final selections are made by the National Book Foundation’s Board of Directors. Recipients of the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community receive $10,000 and a solid brass medal.

The 75th National Book Awards will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The in-person Ceremony & Benefit Dinner, which will be broadcast live for readers everywhere, will include the presentation of the Foundation’s two lifetime achievement awards and the 2024 National Book Award Winners in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. For more information about the 75th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Dinner and to register for the broadcast, please visit nationalbook.org/awards.

US Magistrate Judge Embry Kidd Confirmed to 11th Circuit Court of Appeals

The U.S. Senate confirmed federal magistrate judge Embry Kidd to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on Monday.

Kidd was confirmed on a 49-45 vote and will be President Joe Biden’s second appointee to the federal appeals court that covers Alabama, Florida and Georgia.

Before becoming a U.S. magistrate judge in 2019, Kidd was a federal prosecutor in Florida and an associate at Williams & Connolly. After graduating from Yale Law School in 2008, Kidd clerked for Fourth Circuit Judge Roger Gregory.

[SOURCE: law.com]

House Democrats re-elect Hakeem Jeffries as House minority leader

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Tuesday was re-elected by House Democrats to lead the minority party amid a Republican sweep in both Senate and House chambers along with the White House.

Jeffries, D-N.Y. will serve as minority leader in the 119th Congress to start in January.

Leader Jeffries posted the following on social media:

Honored to be re-elected as House Democratic Leader for the upcoming Congress.

We will never give up the fight for the people.

— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) November 19, 2024

Congressional Black Caucus Holds Ceremonial Swearing-in for U.S. Representative Erica Lee Carter

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued a statement following the ceremonial swearing-in of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee's daughter Rep. Erica Lee Carter (TX-18):

“The CBC was proud to welcome U.S. Representative Erica Lee Carter to our ranks to continue the legacy of her mother, and our beloved friend and colleague, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. An advocate for children and community empowerment, Rep. Lee Carter joins our caucus with extensive experience in federal, state, and local government, and the nonprofit sector. We are confident that Rep. Lee Carter will serve the people of Texas and our nation honorably for the remainder of the 118th Congress and beyond.”

ADCOLOR Announces Winners of the 18th Annual ADCOLOR Awards

ADCOLOR, the premier organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting diversity in the creative industries, unveiled the winners of its 18th Annual ADCOLOR Awards at its awards show held in Los Angeles, California at the J.W. Marriott Los Angeles LA Live. The prestigious event marked the culmination of ADCOLOR 2024, which also included the ADCOLOR Conference and the organization's two talent programs, ADCOLOR FUTURES and ADCOLOR LEADERS.

Winners for the 2024 awards spanned a variety of industries and professional levels, from newcomers to entrepreneurs to executives. The companies represented included Microsoft, Wieden+Kennedy New York, Landor and more. A full list of winners can be found below.

At this year's ceremony, Founder and Chairwoman of The Garcia Companies Dany Garcia was honored with the prestigious ADCOLOR | ADWEEK Beacon Award, which recognizes individuals who use their platform to break barriers and create opportunities for underrepresented communities in the creative industries. Dany was celebrated for her incredible work across entertainment, sports, fashion, and lifestyle and for her unwavering commitment to inclusion.

Other notable guests included the honorees of the organization's ADCOLOR in Music category, which recognizes those who champion diversity, equity and inclusion in the music industry. This year's ADCOLOR in Music | Corporate recipient was 88rising, accepted by the company's Chief Revenue Officer, Michael Chuthakieo. Actress, producer, artist and entrepreneur Queen Latifah received the first-ever ADCOLOR in Music | Icon award for her trailblazing career in music. GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter Shaboozey was awarded with the fourth annual ADCOLOR in Music | Artist of the Year award, following previous honorees of H.E.R., Robert Glasper and D-Nice.

Other 2024 honorees represented a diverse array of prominent companies, including MAKERS, Parkwood Entertainment, Taco Bell, Translation and more.

"Those honored tonight exemplify our mission of 'Rise Up, Reach Back' by using their platforms to inspire, uplift, and create pathways for the next generation of changemakers," said ADCOLOR Founder and President Tiffany R. Warren. "They know what it means to be 'Off Mute' and to keep pushing for equity even when there is resistance. We're proud to give them the recognition they so richly earned through their efforts to speak up and speak out for the communities they represent."

Since 2007, the ADCOLOR Awards have celebrated the achievements of diverse communities across the creative industries. This year's winners were selected by a panel of more than 60 judges from a variety of industries, roles and backgrounds. Honorees in non-competitive categories were chosen by ADCOLOR's esteemed Board of Directors and respective partners.

The full list of 2024 ADCOLOR honorees and winners is below:

2024 ADCOLOR WINNERS

• CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
  The Campaign of the Year pushes boundaries and promotes conversation by highlighting the lives and stories of historically excluded groups. The campaign of the year can run on any platform (linear, print, digital, social, etc.), in any format.
  WINNER: 
  Campaign: "Translators"
  Client: U.S Bank
  Agency: McCann Detroit
  
  
• ADCOLOR IN TECH
  The ADCOLOR in Tech Award recipient is a champion of diversity and inclusion in the tech industries, from digital platforms to programmers to educators to product innovators. By pushing boundaries and creating positive change, they set the stage for future generations to take the opportunities they develop even further.
  WINNER:  Nandita Gupta: Accessibility Product Manager, Microsoft Corporation
  
  
• ADCOLOR INFLUENCER
  The ADCOLOR Influencer builds community and creates change through their creative content on social media platforms. By promoting inclusivity and accessibility on their personal platform, they use innovative means of digital influence that leads to real-life change.
  WINNER: Gabby Beckford: Creator & Founder, Packs Light
  
  
• CHANGE AGENT
  The ADCOLOR Change Agent uses their skill and power to enhance corporate culture, and create a more equitable and inclusive environment for everyone connected to it. They call attention to the talents and potential of others around them, putting plans into action that exceed the scope of their professional role.
  WINNER: Sonia Bisono: Broadcast Traffic Director, Wieden+Kennedy New York
  
  
• DEI EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
  The ADCOLOR DEI Executive of the Year not only inspires, facilitates and implements progressive change at their own company or organization, their innovation and determination influences the ways others integrate DEI into business models and corporate cultures.
  WINNER: Judith Harrison: Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Weber Shandwick
  
  
• INNOVATOR
  The ADCOLOR Innovator embodies progress and imagination. They stand out among their peers as a game changer when it comes to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. A pioneer in their goals and their strategies, they create breakthrough opportunities for people and organizations.
  WINNER: Lachi Music: Recording Artist and Founder/CEO, RAMPD
  
  
• MOST VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP (MVP)
  The ADCOLOR Most Valuable Partnership (MVP) occurs between people and companies that work together to provide exceptional, highly effective DE&I solutions that impact organizations and industries. The two partners can be agencies, marketers, entertainment and media companies, brands, individuals, non-profits or diverse suppliers with NMSDC or WBENC certification that team up for a short- or long-term project that furthers diversity and inclusion.
  WINNER: Canadian Down Syndrome Society &  FCB Canada
  
  
• RISING STAR
  The ADCOLOR Rising Star is an up-and-comer in the creative industries with less than seven years of experience who is under the age of 30. Their brilliance, determination and shining personality makes them stand out as a leader. In their short time of rising up, they are already reaching back.
  WINNER: Ivan Delgado: Designer, Landor
  
  
• ROCKSTAR
  The ADCOLOR Rockstar reveals their brilliance as a visionary leader, through their professional role or their efforts outside it. They have a track record filled with successes, and the potential to accomplish much more. Landing between the Rising Star and the Legend, this individual rocks their own singular path as they encourage others to shine.
  WINNER: Chloë Davies: Founder & CEO, It Takes A Village Collective (ITAV)

2024 ADCOLOR HONOREES

• ADCOLOR | ADWEEK BEACON
  The ADWEEK | ADCOLOR Beacon award celebrates an executive and/or media creative who is helping to transform and move the culture forward, specifically with regards to diversity and inclusivity, by rising up while reaching back.
  HONOREE: Dany Garcia: Founder and Chairwoman, The Garcia Companies
  
  
• ADCOLOR | ONE CLUB CREATIVES
  The ADCOLOR | One Club Creative Award is given to a professional in a creative field from a historically excluded community who has demonstrated extraordinary talent and achievement within the media, creative, digital and traditional advertising disciplines. This honor is presented by The One Club for Creativity.
  HONOREE: Ashley Henderson:  Founder and CEO, Legend Twenty Two
  HONOREE: Jason Campbell: Chief Creative Officer, Translation
  
  
• ADCOLOR IN MUSIC
  The ADCOLOR in Music Award recipient is an artist, creative, executive or technician who champions diversity, equity & inclusion in the music industry. Whether a bold-faced name or a player behind the scenes, they use their voice and power onstage and off to fight for change that reaches beyond the world of music.
  CORPORATE HONOREE: 88Rising
  - Accepted by Michael Chuthakieo: Chief Revenue Officer, 88Rising
  ICON HONOREE: Queen Latifah: Actress, Producer, Artist and Entrepreneur
  ARTIST OF THE YEAR HONOREE: Shaboozey: GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter
  
  
• ADVOCATE
  The ADCOLOR Advocate is an LGBTQ+ a professional in the creative industries who increases awareness of issues that affect members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Their efforts to create progress within the creative industries reverberate into the culture at large.
  HONOREE: Brian Anthony Moreland: President, B More Now Productions
  HONOREE: Geena Rocero: Author, Director, Founder, Street Pageant Productions
  HONOREE: Adrienne Hayes: VP of Global Marketing, Google
  
  
• CATALYST
  The ADCOLOR Catalyst uses their platform to serve as the voice of a cause or community, educating and inspiring current and future generations of advertising, marketing, media, PR and entertainment professionals.
  HONOREE: DIVE Studios
  - Accepted by Eric Nam: Co-Founder & Artist, DIVE Studios
  - Accepted by Brian Nam: Co-Founder / CEO, DIVE Studios
  HONOREE: MAKERS
  - Accepted by Alicin Williamson: Diversity and Culture Officer, Yahoo!; President, MAKERS
  - Accepted by Ja'Nay Hawkins: Chief Partnerships Officer, MAKERS
  HONOREE: Monica Ramirez: Founder & President, Justice for Migrant Women
  
  
• LEGEND
  The ADCOLOR Legend is a seasoned industry veteran, a trailblazer who has pushed boundaries leading to positive and long-lasting change. By opening doors for others – and showing them how to turn around and build their own entryways – they have developed a template for future change makers to elevate the opportunities they have created.
  HONOREE: Carla Serrano: Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe
  HONOREE: Sean Tresvant: Chief Executive Officer, Taco Bell
  HONOREE: Justina Omokhua: Senior Vice President, Parkwood Entertainment
  
  
• LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
  The ADCOLOR Lifetime Achievement Award goes to an industry icon whose longtime professional and personal successes exemplify ADCOLOR's mission of Rising Up and Reaching Back.
  HONOREE: Judy Jackson: President, JLC Ventures
  HONOREE: Sandra Sims-Williams: Chief Business Inclusion, Impact & Belonging Officer, Nielsen
  HONOREE: General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. & Sr.: America's First Two Black Generals
  - Accepted by Doug Melville: Author, "Invisible Generals"; CEO, JodieAI
  
  
• Mr. & Ms. ADCOLOR
  Mr./Ms./Mx. ADCOLOR are two individuals selected annually who not only carry out the ADCOLOR mission, but can stand in as ambassadors to the ADCOLOR organization. Through their service to the industry and to ADCOLOR, they demonstrate and showcase what it means to truly Rise Up and Reach Back.
  Mr. ADCOLOR: Sean Choi: Owner, The Culture Whisperer LLC; Adjunct Professor, Parsons University
  Ms. ADCOLOR: Mimi Minoz: Global Creative Producer, Wieden+Kennedy 

ABOUT ADCOLOR
ADCOLOR® is a not-for-profit 501(c) (6) organization whose mission is to celebrate and champion diversity in the creative industries. Our process is twofold. First, we help individuals and organizations RISE UP, letting their accomplishments and ideas shine. Then we teach these new leaders and would-be-mentors how to REACH BACK and find others who deserve to be noticed and promoted. Our goal is to create a community of diverse professionals who are here to support and uplift one another. Learn more by visiting www.adcolor.org.

Dr. Jerry Wallace to serve as next president of WVU Potomac State College

An experienced servant leader and higher education administrator with ties to the Mountain State has been named the next president of West Virginia University Potomac State College.

Dr. Jerry Wallace, president of Danville Community College in Danville, Virginia, will begin his term as PSC president on Dec. 1.

“I am excited to welcome Jerry Wallace to West Virginia University,” President Gordon Gee said. “He brings with him a unique blend of experience and leadership that will position WVU Potomac State College to grow and better serve students and communities across the Mountain State.”

Wallace has led Danville Community College since 2022. During his tenure, the college has experienced six consecutive semesters of enrollment growth, increased community engagement activities and launched multiple workforce training programs.

Previously, Wallace served as the Nebraska Central Community College Hastings Campus president, leading programs to develop employee-community volunteer programs and an apprenticeship program to provide community members and employers an alternative workforce solution.

“We feel very fortunate to have Dr. Jerry Wallace joining WVU to lead Potomac State College,” said Paul Kreider, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “He is a proven, recognized leader among community college administrators and a passionate community supporter as well. His commitment to building meaningful campus-community connections and improving the student and employee experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow.”

In addition to his roles as a campus president, Wallace served the New River Community and Technical College in Beckley as dean of Workforce, Technical and Community Education from 2017-19. Before that, he was a resident director at WVU Institute of Technology.

“It’s an honor to join WVU Potomac State College and engage with faculty, staff and students,” Wallace said. “I’m excited to be selected to lead PSC and have the opportunity to bring my family back to West Virginia. The PSC culture of a tight-knit learning environment and student-centric programs continues to provide students access to success.”

In 2023, Wallace was named one of the Top 100 People to Meet by Virginia Business Magazine and received the Young Professionals PACE award from the Danville-Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, Wallace traveled to New York to receive the 2024 Rising Star Award from the Rural Community College Alliance.

Wallace holds a doctoral degree in leadership and management, a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science. He also completed a second master’s degree, earning his MBA in human resource management with a minor in marketing.

Kreider will end his term as interim campus president at PSC, effective Dec. 1, and will continue to serve WVU as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs in a full-time capacity.

Chester Higgins work part of Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now at Metropolitan Museum

Photographer Chester Higgins a friend of African American Reports will have two of his works displayed at an exhibition, Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876-Now at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.

Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now examines how Black artists and other cultural figures have engaged with ancient Egypt through visual art, sculpture, literature, music, scholarship, religion, politics, and performance. In a multisensory exploration of nearly 150 years of artistic and cultural production—from the 19th century to the Harlem Renaissance to the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s to the present day—the exhibition includes nearly 200 works of art in a wide range of media.

Higgins told African American Reports that the exhibition ‘Flight Into Egypt’ embraces our agency of sacred heritage and examines the history of African people before slavery and Genesis. It’s an awesome starting point to consider our amazing sojourn and uniqueness as a people.

He also suggested that those who attend check out the catalog and a copy of his book ‘Sacred Nile' as a gift worthy of ourselves.

Higgins’s work has been the subject of many international exhibitions, and is held in notable collections, such as The Museum of Modern Art, New York; Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco; Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Richmond, and The Brooklyn Museum of Art. Higgins lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

The exhibtion runs November 17, 2024–February 17, 2025. The location is at The Met Fifth Avenue, The Tisch Galleries, Gallery 899 Floor 2.

The estate of Malcolm X Files Lawsuit Against the DOJ, FBI, CIA, and NYPD on Behalf of Malcolm X

The estate of Malcolm X has filed a lawsuit against the United States Government, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the New York Police Department. The lawsuit alleges these entities played a significant role in the events leading to Malcolm X’s assassination and engaged in a decades-long cover-up to shield their involvement from the public.

According to the complaint, U.S. government agencies and the NYPD were aware of serious, credible threats to Malcolm X’s life and failed to intervene, allowing the tragic assassination to take place on February 21, 1965. It asserts that these entities, under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover, then-head of the FBI, went beyond mere allegedly illegal surveillance of Malcolm X, actively conspiring to reduce his protection and leaving him vulnerable to an attack they knew was imminent.

For decades, these agencies viewed Black activism as a threat to national security, resulting in the unchecked targeting of prominent leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Marcus Garvey. This lawsuit seeks accountability for the systemic negligence and intentional actions that deprived Malcolm X’s family and the world of his life and legacy.

According to the lawsuit, the FBI and CIA collaborated with undercover agents within the Nation of Islam. Despite knowing the gravity of the threats, the FBI failed to protect Malcolm X, instead actively compromising his safety by arresting his security team days before his assassination, removing security officers from the ballroom where he was killed, and not approving permits allowing him to purchase a firearm.

The estate’s lawsuit includes the following allegations:

• The NYPD and federal agencies were aware of imminent threats but failed to safeguard Malcolm X’s life.
• The NYPD and federal agencies removed security personnel from the ballroom, reducing his protection.
• Federal and local agencies allegedly encouraged the assassination and directly facilitated conditions that made it possible.
• Federal agents, including undercover operatives, were in the ballroom during the assassination and took no steps to intervene.
• After the assassination, a coordinated effort was made to conceal the involvement of these agencies, preventing the Shabazz family from seeking justice in court.

“This cover-up spanned decades, blocking the Shabazz family’s access to the truth and their right to pursue justice,” said Attorney Ben Crump. “We are making history by standing here to confront those wrongs and seeking accountability in the courts.”

The lawsuit details nine causes of action, which include excessive use of force against Malcolm X, deliberate creation of danger, failure to protect, and the denial of access to the courts for Malcolm’s family. It also charges the defendants with conspiracy, fraudulent concealment, and wrongful death.

 

US Olympic Hero Michael Johnson Launches GRAND SLAM TRACK

US Olympic Hero Michael Johnson Launches GRAND SLAM TRACK™, a Revolutionary Track League to Elevate the Sport’s Global Footprint

Grand Slam Track will center around fan-focused storytelling and promotion of track’s biggest stars, with competition to begin in 2025

Los Angeles, CA - Four-time US Olympic Champion Michael Johnson officially launched Grand Slam Track™, the new global home of professional track competition. This new league will usher in a new era of professional track for the global fanbase of 2.5 billion people worldwide and provide undiscovered opportunities for fan engagement, sponsorship, and elite competition for racers.

The league will host four annual Slams during the spring and summer season in four global cities. The inaugural Slam will take place in April 2025, followed by three more Slams over the summer months. Los Angeles will serve as the global home for Grand Slam Track, and host one of the Slam events. There will be one further Slam that will take place in the United States, and two in international locations. The other host cities will be announced and celebrated in their respective local markets later this summer.

“I am delighted to finally unveil Grand Slam Track to the millions of track fans around the world,” said Michael Johnson, the league’s founder who will serve as Commissioner. “We are excited to launch this new platform for the planet’s greatest racers in this sport we all love. Our team has worked tirelessly to design and build a product that will be loved by fans and provide opportunities for our racers that they truly deserve. We’re revolutionizing the track landscape, allowing our sport to remain at the forefront of the sporting world year round, and pushing our superstar racers to break new ground in their personal storytelling, competitive success, and marketability. Grand Slam Track is going to take our sport to new heights, and we want you to come along for the ride.”

Each year, 48 athletes will be named to the league as GST Racers. These racers are selected by the Grand Slam Track Racing Committee based on a combination of factors to include the fastest and best racers in each race group, with a focus on fierce rivalries and thrilling competitive racing. GST Racers commit to racing in all four Slams per year. They will receive an annual base compensation for racing in each Slam and are eligible for full prize money. These GST Racers will receive annual contracts, access to the GST content and data services team, inclusion in the league collective, group licensing and new revenue opportunities, plus access to world class athlete support services throughout the season. GST racers are compensated under contract to race and promote the league and receive additional marketing and branding support.

The remaining 48 racers will be known as GST Challengers and will be paid a set appearance fee to compete at individual Slams. GST Challengers are chosen by the Grand Slam Track Racing Committee based on a combination of factors including recent performances, and the most intriguing athletes and matchups.

Racers and Challengers will be assigned to compete in one of the following categories, and will all race in two events during each Slam: short sprints (100m/200m), short hurdles (100H or 110H/100m), long sprints (200m/400m), long hurdles (400H/400m), short distance (800m/1500m), or long distance (3000m/5000m). All competitors’ final placement score will be determined by their combined finishing order between the two races. In the event of a tie across the two events, it will be the athlete who had the quickest combined time across the two races who will be deemed the winner. The winner of each Slam group will take home $100,000 in prize money, and the 8th place competitor will earn $10,000. Grand Slam Track will have a total of $12.6m of prize money that will be awarded across the slams each year in addition to the base compensation and appearance fees paid to racers.

The focus of Grand Slam Track is on head to head competition, not winning times. There will be no rabbits or pacing lights. Each Slam is equally as important as any other, will have its own prize purse, and will be independently scored, with points and previous finishes not carrying over to the following Slams. All racers will compete twice over the three-day event, and all Slam events will meet World Athletics regulations, with achieved marks being eligible for rankings and standards.

Racers will compete in their own sponsored kits, without traditional hip numbers or bibs. Racers and Challengers are encouraged to work with their sponsors to create customized kits, in their own desired style. Grand Slam Track has no affiliation or sponsorship agreement with any shoe company; all shoe companies are considered to be important stakeholders and partners in the promotion of our racers.

Grand Slam Track has secured more than $30 million in financial commitments from investors and strategic partners for the launch of the league. Winners Alliance, a global, athlete-centric commercial solution and Johnson’s operating partner, was the lead investor in the first fundraising close for the new venture. The investment in the league will aid in Johnson’s ultimate goal: to develop better engagement with fans by promoting track and field’s biggest stars and reaching new audiences with unique, innovative storytelling. Ticket sales information will be released in due course. For further information, please follow @GrandSlamTrack on all social media platforms, and visit grandslamtrack.com.