Ruth E. Carter becomes First Black woman to win multiple Oscars

Ruth E. Carter made history again at the 95th Academy Awards. The costume designer behind the “Black Panther” films became the first Black woman to win two Oscars.

Carter took home best costume design Sunday night at the 95th Academy Awards for the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Carter also won in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.

In her acceptance speech, Carter thanked the film’s director Ryan Coogler and asked if “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman could look after her mother, Mabel Carter, who she said died “this past week.” Boseman died in 2020 of cancer at 43.

“This is for my mother. She was 101,” Carter said. “This film prepared me for this moment. Chadwick, please take care of mom.”

Carter then paid tribute to her mother backstage.

“I had a great relationship with her in her final years. The same relationship I always had with her. I was her ride-or-die. I was her road dog. I was her sidekick,” she said. “I know she’s proud of me. I know that she wanted this for me as much as I wanted it for myself.”

In her career, Carter has been behind-the-scenes in some of Hollywood’s biggest films. She’s received Oscar nominations for her work in Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” and Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad” and received praise for her period ensembles in other projects such as Lee Daniels’ “The Butler,” Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” and the reboot of “ROOTS.” She’s created costumes for Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy and even Jerry Seinfeld for the “Seinfeld” pilot.

[SOURCE: NBC]

27th Annual American Black Film Festival to be held in Miami Beach

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced the 27th annual event will be held in Miami Beach June 14-18, followed by a virtual segment streaming on ABFF PLAY June 19-25, 2023. 

Filmmakers compete for Jury Awards in the narrative features category — including Best Narrative Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay and the coveted John Singleton Award for Best First Feature — and for Best Documentary, Best Web Series and the prestigious HBO Short Film Award.

The ABFF is a premier venue for Black storytellers and celebration of Black culture. The festival presents a wide range of independent films, studio and network screenings, and series of panels and networking events. ABFF continues to spotlight talent both in front of and behind the camera supporting a number of talent discovery programs, providing a platform for emerging artists.

ABFF sponsors and partners to date are City of Miami Beach, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Presenting), and UPS (Premier).

For more information about ABFF, visit www.abff.com. Follow on Twitter (1) AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (@ABFF) / Twitter on ABFF (#BlackOwned) (@americanblackfilmfestival) • Instagram photos and videos Instagram and (2) American Black Film Festival | Facebook on Facebook.

CREED III passes $100 million at the boxoffice

After 10 days in release the Micheal B. Jordan directed movie, CREED III has made over $100 million at the boxoffice.

After an opening at #1 last weekend with boxoffice of $58.3 million CREED III grossed another $27.1 this weekend to bring it's running total to $101 million.

The movie will soon outgross both CREED ($109 Million) and CREED 2 ($115 Million) to become the top film in the franchise which is an achievement for the third film in any series not mafe by Marvel Studios.

CREED III is projected to gross $150 Million total.

CREED III stars Jonathan Majors, Michael B. Jordan, and Tessa Thompson. The film was directed by Michael B. Jordan from a screenplay by Keenan Coogler, Zach Baylin, based on a story from Ryan Coogler.

CREED III is playing in theaters now.

NAACP Statement on DOJ Louisville Police Report

Following the release of a Department of Justice report finding a pattern of unconstitutional behavior by routinely using excessive force within the Louisville Metro Police Department, and the announcement of an investigation into the Memphis Police Department, NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson released this statement:

"While Congress continues to fail our country with police reform, at least the Department of Justice is taking their jobs seriously. Today marks a meaningful step toward police accountability and — should Congress now decide to step up — police reform. The findings from their investigation into the Louisville Police Department provide clear evidence for what we've already known - we are dealing with a rotten tree, not a few bad apples. The NAACP applauds Attorney General Merrick Garland and the dedicated officials at the Department of Justice for continuing their pursuit of justice, and will remain committed to following the newly launched investigation into the Memphis Police Department. Congress should take a page from their book, do their jobs, and pass the legislation necessary to save innocent lives."

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FINDS CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Following a comprehensive investigation, the Justice Department announced that the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government (Louisville Metro) engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The Department also announced that it has entered into an agreement in principle with Louisville Metro and LMPD, which have committed to resolving the department’s findings through a court-enforceable consent decree with an independent monitor, rather than contested litigation.