Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, the wife of Elijah Cummings has released the following statement on the death of her husband:
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Rep. Elijah Cummings dead at 68
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE ACQUIRES ITEMS FROM THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
On Friday, Oct. 11, ABFF Ventures, LLC., announced that objects, photographs, documents and other memorabilia from The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) archives have been acquired by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. The items will join the museums’ permanent collection and commemorate the ABFF’s rich 24-year history.
The American Black Film Festival (formerly Acapulco Black Film Festival), was first held in June 1997 by its originalfounders, Jeff Friday, Byron E. Lewis and Warrington Hudlin. In 2002, the Festival moved stateside to continue its commitment to community, providing a platform for up-and-coming filmmakers of color and bringing together creatives in appreciation of one another’s work, to challenge, encourage and uplift each other. ABFF is dedicated to recognizing black talent and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent, and continues to be a vehicle to strengthen the black entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration.
Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”), Stephen Caple, Jr. (“Creed II”), Will Packer (“Girls Trip”), Issa Rae (“Insecure”), Omari Hardwick (“Power”) and Kevin Hart (“Night School”), are among the beneficiaries of ABFF’s unique and prestigious talent pipeline programs designed to identify, introduce and showcase artists — including directors, actors, writers and other content creators — to the industry at large.
The museum has selected 10 American Black Film Festival artifacts to join its historical collection:
• Awards: ABFF Wood Trophy/Award designed by fine artist and sculptor Cheryl R. Riley, presented to Bill Duke in 1997 for Distinguished Career Achievement as a Filmmaker
• Documents: 1997 ABFF Program Guide, 1997 ABFF All Access Pass and VIP Pass, “Hav Plenty” VHS video tape (1997)
• Photographs: A collection of six (6) photographs of celebrity attendees by photographer Karl Crutchfield. Celebrities include Bill Duke, Halle Berry and Denzel Washington.
• Objects: Watch, Sterling Silver Necklace, Sterling Silver Bracelet. Items given to VIP attendees at the 1997 Festival. Recipients included: Debbie Allen, Morgan Freemen, Halle Berry and more.
These items were donated by Nicole and Jeff Friday.
“Recognizing the cultural significance and historical import of the long-standing American Black Film Festival, it is thrilling to have objects from ABFF join the museum’s permanent collection. For nearly a quarter century, ABFF has been at the forefront of celebrating the history and cultural value of African American storytelling and image-making, so receiving objects that highlight the vision and creative spirit of ABFF was deeply important,” said Rhea Combs, Supervisory Museum Curator of Photography & Film, Smithsonian, National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“Being a part of the NMAAHC’s prestigious collection of historical artifacts is an amazing honor and significant milestone for the ABFF. It brings a great sense of pride and excitement that ABFF’s legacy is recognized as an important piece of African American history and culture,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures CEO.
The American Black Film Festival has been helmed a “top Festival” by reputable media outlets, including One of the Coolest Festivals in the World by MovieMake Magazine; 10 Best Film Festivals by USA Today; Top 100 Events in Miami by BizBash Magazine and One of the Best Events Around the World by PROHBTD.
ABFF Ventures continues to expand the Festival programming initiatives and will grow its brand year-round to include the About Women Conference, ABFF Global Series (ABFF London debuted September 2019), ABFF Fit (Health and Wellness series) and ABFF Honors (annual awards show honoring Hollywood creatives).
Monday, October 14, 2019
Police officer who shot Atatiana Jefferson charged with murder
The Fort Worth officer who fatally shot 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson in her home this weekend was jailed on a murder charge Monday.
Aaron Dean, 34, was booked Monday evening into the Tarrant County Jail, where his bail was set at $200,000. He had resigned from the Fort Worth Police Department earlier in the day.
Interim Police Chief Ed Kraus said he had intended to fire Dean, who was set to be interviewed Monday morning, but Dean quit first. His record will reflect a dishonorable discharge.
Aretha Franklin 'Amazing Grace' documentary nabs 2 Critic's Choice documentary Awards
Amazing Grace, a documentary about Aretha Franklin recording her gospel album Amazing Grace live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles in 1972 has been nominated for two Critic Choice documentary awards.
The awards honor documentaries released in theaters, on TV and on major digital platforms, as determined by the voting of qualified CCA members.
The film was nominated in the categories for Music Documentary and Archival Documentary.
Amazing Grace is a 2018 concert film directed by Sydney Pollack and later realized by producer Alan Elliott. The film features Aretha Franklin recording her 1972 live album of the same name. It co-stars: James Cleveland, C. L. Franklin, Bernard Purdie, Chuck Rainey, Clara Ward, with cameos by Mick Jagger, Sydney Pollack, and Charlie Watts. The film was produced by Joe Boyd, Franklin, Elliott, Rob Johnson, Spike Lee, Sabrina V. Owens, Angie Seegers, Tirrell D. Whittley, and Joseph Woolf under the banner of Al's Records And Tapes, in association with Time, 40 Acres and a Mule, Rampant, and Sundial Pictures.
PRIME VIDEO--------DVD
3 year-old Kamille McKinney is missing!
An Amber Alert is in effect for a child who is described as being in "extreme danger."
The Birmingham Police and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is asking the public for help in looking for Kamille McKinney who is nicknamed "Cupcake."
Investigators said she is a 3-year-old girl who is three feet tall and weighs 60 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair and was last seen wearing a pink t-shirt with a Minnie Mouse leopard print design, leopard print shorts and yellow, white and blue hair bows.
She was last seen at the Tom Brown Village housing community around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 12.
ALEA troopers said she may have been abducted by a man and a woman "traveling in a dark colored black or blue SUV, possibly an older model Toyota 4 Runner with rims and a tan protruding bumper."
On Sunday, the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District issued a statement on the search, which said in part, "We'd like [Kamille's] family to know that they are in our thoughts and we pray this unimaginable situation will end very soon with the safe return of their little girl."
Anyone who can help find McKinney is asked to either call Birmingham Police at 205-254-0841 or dial 911.
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