BYRON ALLEN'S ALLEN MEDIA GROUP ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL 'THE GRIO AWARDS'

Allen Media Group's African American-focused news, lifestyle, sports and entertainment platform theGrio (www.thegrio.com) will celebrate icons, leaders and legends at TheGrio Awards, a star-studded, black-tie event at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday, October 22, 2022 with co-hosts comedian Sheryl Underwood and Taye Diggs. The television event will be broadcast on Saturday, November 5, 2022 on broadcast television stations nationwide, theGrio Television Network and other Allen Media Group television and digital platforms.

Attending in person, this year's honorees include: Tyler Perry (theGrio ICON Award), Norman Lear (theGrio Champion Award), Patti LaBelle (theGrio Music Icon Award), Kenan Thompson (theGrio Comedy Icon Award), Ben Crump (theGrio Justice Icon Award), Alena Analeigh McQuarter (theGrio Young Icon Award), Robert F. Smith (theGrio Philanthropy Award), Allyson Felix (theGrio Sports Icon Award), Don Peebles (theGrio Business Icon Award, Queen Latifah (theGrio Television Icon Award), Dave Chappelle (theGrio Cultural Icon Award), and Jennifer Hudson (theGrio Trailblazer Icon Award). The event will also feature special musical performances by Yolanda Adams, Tyrese, Fantasia and Patti LaBelle. Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director, and DJ Kiss will serve as both D.J. and announcer.

"I created theGrio Awards to celebrate and amplify African-American excellence and the incredible champions from other communities who truly support us," said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. "As a child, strong, positive African-American icons such as Berry Gordy, Jr., Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, and Martin Luther King, Jr. helped me see myself differently, and changed the trajectory of my life. Celebrating and amplifying iconic individuals is something we can never do enough of, especially for our children."

TheGrio Awards celebrates excellence in film, music, comedy, television, sports, philanthropy, business, fashion, social justice, environmental justice, education and the cultural icons and innovators, whose many contributions positively impact America. TheGrio Awards pays tribute to, and amplifies, the history makers, change agents and artists who define and influence our world. Allen Media Group and Backhand Productions are co-producing theGrio Awards. Executive Producers include: Byron Allen, Carolyn Folks, Jennifer Lucas, Jeff Atlas, and Michelle Willrich.

Watch the full Deion Sanders 60 Minutes Interview

Deion Sanders, aka Coach Prime, is altering the landscape of sports once again, this time as head football coach at Jackson State University, an HBCU looking to compete with Power Five programs. Watch his full 60 Minutes interview in which he discusses coaching at an HBCU, what he wants to do for HBCUs, and whether he would lead to take a Power 5 coaching job.

Kanye West, to buy Parler platform

Parlement Technologies announced today that it has entered into an agreement in principle to sell Parler, the world's pioneering uncancelable free speech platform, to Ye (formerly known as Kanye West). Ye has become the richest Black man in history through music and apparel and is taking a bold stance against his recent censorship from Big Tech, using his far-reaching talents to further lead the fight to create a truly non-cancelable environment.

"In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves," says Ye.

The proposed acquisition will assure Parler a future role in creating an uncancelable ecosystem where all voices are welcome. Ye can be found on Parler here.

Parlement Technologies CEO George Farmer welcomes Ye as a compatriot in the fight for free speech. "This deal will change the world, and change the way the world thinks about free speech. Ye is making a groundbreaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again. Once again, Ye proves that he is one step ahead of the legacy media narrative. Parlement will be honored to help him achieve his goals."

Under the terms of their agreement in principle, the parties intend to enter into a definitive purchase agreement and expect to close during the fourth quarter of 2022. The terms of the proposed transaction would include ongoing technical support from Parlement and the use of private cloud services via Parlement's private cloud and data center infrastructure.

Barack Obama to campaign for Mandela Barnes in Wisconsin Senate race

Former President Barack Obama is heading to Wisconsin later this month to help boost Senate candidate Mandela Barnes, a Democrat challenging GOP Sen. Ron Johnson, as well Gov. Tony Evers' re-election bid.

The joint event, set for Oct. 29 in Milwaukee, will also promote other Democrats on the November ballot, including Attorney General Josh Kaul and Rep. Gwen Moore. NBC News was first to report the news that Obama would campaign in Wisconsin.

“From restoring access to reproductive health care to defending democracy and Wisconsinites’ right to vote, the stakes couldn’t be higher,” the Wisconsin Democratic Party said in a statement on Friday.

The visit from Obama comes as both Barnes and Evers face tough battles against their Republican opponents. According to the latest polling averages from Real Clear Politics, Barnes trails Johnson by around 3 points while Evers is locked in a dead heat with challenger Tim Michels.

[SOURCE: NBC NEWS]

Barack Obama to campaign for Stacey Abrams and Raphael Warnock in Atlanta

The Georgia Democratic Party announced former President Barack Obama is expected to attend an upcoming campaign event to suppot Stacey Abarms, Raphael Warnock, and other Georgia Democrats in Atlanta.

The event is set to start at 4 p.m. on Oct. 28, according to a a tweet on Twitter. As of yet no official location has been given for the event.

BIG NEWS: @BarackObama is coming to Georgia on October 28 to get out the vote for Georgia Democrats. Click the link below to sign up!https://t.co/PIBb1dbLY8

— Georgia Democrats (@GeorgiaDemocrat) October 15, 2022