A.V. Rockwell, director of A Thousand and One, was honored with the Breakthrough Director Award at the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards, live from Cipriani Wall Street on Monday night.
AIR was honored with the Visionary Icon & Creator Tribute by The Gotham Film & Media Institute, at the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards, live from Cipriani Wall Street on Monday night.
On Saturday, Nov. 11. the 2023 ESSENCE Girls United Disruptor Summit returned to Atlanta, offering a vibrant celebration of the diverse facets of the black experience. With the support of Coca-Cola and McDonald’s, attendees of all ages gathered for a day filled with panels, beauty, and music.
Throughout the lively event, trays of complimentary McDonald’s French Fries circulated the venue while guests engaged in various activities including photo-booths, crafting flower crowns, and more.
Essence Ventures President & CEO Caroline Wanga kicked off the event with her ‘Disrupt or Be Disrupted’ panel. A thought-provoking episode of the podcast ‘If Not for My Girls’ featured comedian and actress Pretty Vee, rapper BIA, and singer-songwriter Muni Long discussing walking in one’s purpose and aspiring for more.
Girls United Co-Founders Rechelle and Sophia Dennis joined sisters Jordyn and Jodie Wood for a heartfelt conversation on the joys of sisterhood and how they’ve learned eachother. Despite their age gaps, the sisters displayed a genuine closeness that made the panel feel more like a relaxed chat between life-long friends.
Jordyn and Jodie Woods, despite their undeniable impact across social media, have solidified themselves as more than just influencers. Jodie has emerged as an inspiration for the new Gen Z, while Jordyn has continued to establish her brand with her newly launched clothing line, Woods by Jordyn.
Notable personalities such as Aliyah’s Interlude, Yung BBQ, TM Twins, Karma Bridges, Anisa Brenee, and DJ Tootz were also in attendance.
The summit offered diverse interactive experiences, from speed mentorship sessions to a beauty makeover station. In front of a massive photo wall featuring the season 5 cast of ‘If Not for My Girls’—BIA, Muni Long, and Pretty Vee—attendees enjoyed Coca-Cola mocktails at a mocktail bar and explored a Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar photo activation.
Guests personalized airbrushed tote bags and pouches and indulged in some light shopping at the Soko Marketplace, featuring a range of products from jewelry to haircare.
The day concluded with an electrifying performance by Mariah The Scientist, singing her hit songs, including the fan-favorite “Spread Thin.”
NEW YORK, NY – On Thursday evening, in the Gramercy Park neighborhood at The Players, WORDTheatre celebrated their 20th anniversary with short stories and musical performances.
When I think of summertime, the first thing that comes to my mind is concerts and what tickets I can score before they’re all sold out. Thankfully, AfroPunk Fest is the best end of summer music festival to see all of your favorite artists, one last time before the sun sets early and the weather turns chilly. This years line up is a collection of fierce, unapologetically black artists featuring Brooklyn native Joey Badass, Harlems princess Teyana Taylor, Rapper/Producer Flying Lotus, Vince Staples, Baby Tate, the absolutely Iconic Durand Bernarr and more.
Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman-Maday have burst into the podcasting scene with a bang, bringing their delightful chemistry and unfiltered conversations to “The Best Podcast Ever.” As the title suggests, this show aims to redefine the podcast experience by injecting a thrilling element of chance into each episode.
In an exclusive interview with The Knockturnal, the captivating Raven-Symoné and the talented Miranda Pearman-Maday provided insight into their highly anticipated podcast, “The Best Podcast Ever.” The dynamic duo’s new show promises a unique twist in the traditional podcast format, offering listeners an exciting and unpredictable experience.
The concept of “The Best Podcast Ever” centers around a spinning wheel, determining each episode’s conversation topic. Drawing inspiration from their former YouTube channel, “Tea Time,” where they would discuss a chosen word, the hosts decided to elevate the idea further by embracing chance and randomness. Raven and Miranda explained, “The idea was to make it random, and we spin a wheel, and there’s a random word that pops out, and then we go ham on that word.” This spontaneity adds an element of unpredictability to their conversations, making each episode a delightful surprise for both hosts and listeners.
Raven-Symoné, known for her illustrious career in the entertainment industry, expressed her wife’s passion for podcasts and meaningful dialogues as the driving force behind their foray into podcasting. For both hosts, authenticity, and freedom of expression are paramount. Podcasting, as Raven-Symoné noted, allows them to be their authentic selves, liberated from any restrictions imposed by traditional media.
“The Best Podcast Ever” doesn’t just boast captivating hosts; it also features an impressive lineup of celebrity guests. Demi Lovato, Jojo Siwa, Adrian Bailon, Howie Mandel, Megan Trainor, Daryl Sabra, and Kiki Palmer are notable names who have graced the show. The element of chance on the spinning wheel provides levels in the playing field, offering guests and hosts an opportunity for unscripted and candid discussions, free from the typical interview format.
In their debut episode, aptly titled “Welcome to the Best Podcast Ever,” the hosts introduce themselves to listeners, offering a glimpse into their joyful married life. The show’s unique format sets the stage for candid discussions that traverse unexpected territories. Listeners are treated to amusing anecdotes about living with Lindsay Lohan, ideal troubles, and the perplexing concept of dressing like a horse at Erewhon. The excitement builds as the show begins its journey, with Raven and Miranda at the helm, steering through the unpredictable landscape of conversational chance.
In their second episode, “The Best First Guest Ever,” the hosts pull out all the stops, welcoming the multi-talented superstar Demi Lovato to their podcast. Demi engages in an unfiltered and candid conversation, giving insights into her views on healthy relationships and sharing endearing stories about her boyfriend, Jutes. Listeners are taken on a rollercoaster of emotions as they explore Demi’s journey and discover her secrets to staying calm and level-headed. Moreover, the episode culminates in an entertaining game where Demi competes for a 5-in-1 blender, leaving audiences anticipating the next guest’s adventures.
Continuing the streak of intriguing guests, Raven and Miranda sit with the captivating Keke Palmer in the third episode, “An Hour with Keke Palmer.” Once again, the spinning wheel reigns supreme, guiding the conversation through exciting and thought-provoking topics. Keke opens up about her journey of self-discovery, discussing her sexuality with honesty and vulnerability. The episode takes an intriguing turn as Keke shares her beliefs in the supernatural, including her experiences with ghosts. Raven’s unique possession of Miss Cleo’s belongings adds an entertaining twist to the conversation, and Keke competes for a ceramic, mouse-shaped succulent pot in a fun game segment.
As “The Best Podcast Ever” gains momentum, it is a refreshing addition to the podcasting landscape. Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman-Maday’s unique approach to conversations and their remarkable guest lineup captivate audiences and leave them eagerly anticipating what the spinning wheel will unveil in each episode.
Join Raven and Miranda on this exhilarating journey by tuning in to “The Best Podcast Ever.” Expect candid discussions, heartfelt moments, and laughter as the wheel of chance steers the show into uncharted territories. With each episode, the hosts promise to deliver an unforgettable experience that will keep listeners returning for more.
Episodes of “The Best Podcast Ever” are available now, and fans can’t wait to see what surprises the next spin of the wheel will bring. So, buckle up and get ready for a thrilling ride with Raven-Symoné and Miranda Pearman-Maday, as they redefine the art of podcasting with their refreshing and entertaining show.
Prepare to be charmed, amused, and inspired by “The Best Podcast Ever” as the dynamic hosts spin their way into your hearts and leave you eager for more. Remember to catch their first episode now, and stay tuned for thrilling surprises in each subsequent episode!
On Thursday July 20th, 2023 I made my way to the iconic St. Marks street, to where all the trendy grunge and classic NYC street style originated. Private Policy has been a brand to watch for quite some time, and they’re finally having their moment to shine. Grunge is an aesthetic you can run from or embrace, as it pushed the limits of fashion. Grunge incorporates a lot of distressed details, heavy jewelry, mesh, and the ability to create what you want out of statement pieces you may have. Private Policy as brand stands for inclusivity, bold personality and full fierce expressiveness of their consumers who wear their clothing. That is why, with this new release, it expands even more of their chic and spunky collection.
Co founder and designer Siying Qu
I had the pleasure of speaking with Siying Qu, Co founder and designer of Private Policy. She informed me that their newest collaboration is with Fun City Tattoo. They are the oldest tattoo shop in New York City, they have seen all the NYC icons and legends walk through their door and created a strong community and culture, which is what Private Policy also stands for, which is what makes this collaboration so special. It is a collaboration of two edgy and authentic brands coming together to bring the culture back mainstream in NYC. “We wanted to do something classic, black and white, and feature the designs by the artists, Diego, and have a Y2K but classic New York grunge moment. Our clothes incorporates a lot of utilitarian style, hardware, harnesses, and both of our vibes align perfectly” Siying Qu says. “The photo shoot we had was NYC themed, we brought it back old school New York with the basketball jerseys and that authentic downtown vibe in the park with the dresses and give it a real chill feel to it.”
Fun City had an amazing time with this collaboration because it incorporated a tribute to the original owner of Fun City Jonathan Shaw who is known for pushing the limits of fashion and ever further. Above is the collection and collaboration with tattoo artist and designer Diego on Private Policy’s clothing. The collection is up and available for sale, along side Private Policies previous runway collections and sample sale items. The pop up was such a fun event, the moment you walked in, you were greeted with a complimentary White Claw with mouth watering flavors, a carnival game where you can win a prize, and the stunning collection in the back. The collection was so soft grunge, edgy and unique. I wanted the whole collection to be my walk in closet.
Here are more pictures from the event:
Congratulations to Private Policy and Fun City for a beautiful pop up and evening, I am looking forward to what more they both have in store.
NEW YORK, NY – There are three people who have been single handedly responsible for capturing the harrowing experience in Mariupol in the early days of its siege in February 2022: Associated Press journalists Mstyslav Chernov and his team, Evgeniy Maloletka and Vasilisa Stepanenko.
Rock and roll is known to be many things: inspiring, provocative, and above all else entertaining.
The Cinema Center Event Programming Runs Opening Weekend of June 10th through June 18th, 2023.