Source: Jon Kopaloff / Getty Channing Dungey Named Vice President Of Original Content At Netflix Outgoing ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey has a new gig. After already spreading her black girl magic to ABC, Dungey’s moving on to Netflix as Vice President of Original Content. The executive who became the first African-American to lead entertainment programming at a major broadcast network announced back in November that she was leaving. Deadline now reports that Dungey’s senior leadership role at Netflix was newly created for her and means she’ll report to Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content. She and Holland will set strategy for Netflix’s original series and will oversee a large and key portion of the slate, reports the site. The news also means that Dungey will work with some of Netflix’s top writer-producers as Shonda Rhimes, Kenya Barris and Forever POTUS/FLOTUS with their Higher Ground Productions. If you can remember, Dungey’s the one who pulled the plug on “Roseanne” after the star’s racist rant. Source: Jon Kopaloff / Getty Shine black girl, shine! Congrats Channing!
Source: Morgan Lieberman / Getty Some boomin’ #BlackGirlMagic… The Hollywood Reporter Features “Black Women Who Brunch” Lena Waithe’s collective of black female writers in Hollywood is being positively profiled. Black Women Who Brunch was started by Waithe, writer Nkechi Okoro Carroll of the CW’s ““All American” and Erika Johnson of OWN’s “Queen Sugar” in 2014. The entertainment networking group is comprised of nearly 80 members who meet monthly for potlucks. 62 of said members recently gathered to discuss navigating the rampant racism and sexism in Hollywood and the results were glorious. The ladies told The Hollywood Reporter about the inequality they face… “We have such little room for error. We have to be exceptional. Those writers who always move up despite being ‘just OK?’ None of them are Black women. If a White male staff writer is bad, it’ll never keep those in power from hiring another White guy. I’ve heard people say that they ‘tried’ to hire diverse, but the Black writer they hired didn’t work out, so they never hired a Black person again. Incredible.”—Marquita Robinson, co-producer on “Glow” Britt Matt, executive story editor, A.P. Bio (NBC) Before anyone even reads your material, you’re often already placed in a box or categorized based on your race and gender. Some showrunners won’t read you unless they’re looking for a writer that fits your demographic. Pilar Golden, story editor, God Friended Me (CBS) In most rooms, there is only one of “us,” either male or female. When there is only one slot, you, along with every writer of color at every agency or unsigned, are vying for that. and also about how this group’s practice of kinship over competition has helped them thrive. According to the ladies BWWB has helped them book gigs, managers and agents and provided them a sisterhood. Cynthia Adarkwa, staff writer, In the Vault (Complex Networks) Trying to traverse this unique career can at times be such a s***storm. With these women, I’m able to air frustrations and talk strategy in a safe and judgment-free zone. I’ve bothered Erika Johnson quite a few times about career moves (sorry girl, but also thank you so much). It’s been priceless and keeps me going on the hardest days. Kibuka Many of its members were responsible for helping to facilitate much of my incremental progress toward finally becoming a TV staff writer, such as guiding me in my management/agency search, helping with targeted prep for showrunner meetings and, most important, being an empathetic body of solace and strength when navigating the highs and lows of the creative process. Stacey Evans Morgan, consulting producer, Family Time (Bounce TV) Iron sharpens iron, and when we come together to break bread, it’s comforting to know that there is a fellow sister scribe who has your back. The job information shared is also amazing, as one member may have the inside scoop on a staffing opportunity, and the ability to put in a good word with a showrunner on your behalf. It’s great to see black women kinship being promoted especially in such an epic way. The “Black Women Who Brunch” feature was The Hollywood Reporter’s biggest shoot EVER. Read the full story here.
Debbie Allen, Misty Copeland, And More Honored During World AIDS Day Source: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for AHF / Getty Friday night, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) hosted Keeping The Promise – One Million Lives In Care: Celebrating Icons of Dance. The event was held in partnership with legendary choreographer/dancer and filmmaker, Debbie Allen, at the historic Apollo Theater in New York City. Special guests included Award Winning Entertainers: Phylicia Rashad , Norm Nixon, Misty Copeland , Jennifer Holliday, Melba Moore, George Faison, Gordon Chambers, Lillias White, Notable Choreographer: Louis Johnson, Dance Theater Of Harlem’s Robert Garland, Emil Wilbekin, Kevin Powell, and AHF President, Michael Weinstein. The evening featured performances by the Syncopated Ladies, Philadanco, Ailey II, the Dance Theater Of Harlem and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. In addition to saluting the pioneers of dance, AHF recognized Debbie Allen with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding service in the fight against HIV/AIDS. See more event photos by hitting the flip!
Source: Jim Spellman / Getty Beyoncé Pulls Ivy Park From Topshop Amid Scandals Beyoncé now owns her company Ivy Park in full, after buying it back from Topshop and owner Philip Green. Mrs. Knowles-Carter has officially bought back Ivy Park–the fitness brand she helped launched approximately two years ago–from British billionaire Philip Green. The 66-year-old tycoon owns fashion giant Topshop and he is currently facing some pretty serious allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, and racism . Ivy Park released a statement about their decision to take full ownership of the brand, saying, “After discussions of almost a year, [Beyoncé’s] Parkwood has acquired 100 percent of the Ivy Park brand.” Topshop, whose parent company the Arcadia Group reportedly owned half of Ivy Park prior to Bey’s buy-back, will fulfill any existing orders for the brand. Moving forward, fans can continue to purchase Ivy Park clothing on the label’s own website , but as of now, it’s unclear whether or not Beyoncé will shop her brand around to other retailers for another partnership. Though the Financial Times was the first to report the deal, no financial information was released regarding the deal. Do you think Bey did the right thing?
Image via The Breakfast Club/iHeart Media/YouTube Yung Miami Of City Girls On The Breakfast Club Yung Miami of the City Girls was in attendance on the world’s most dangerous morning show, The Breakfast Club, today and she spoke about a variety of topics including her incarcerated partner, JT, the rise of Miami in hip-hop, how she linked up with Drake and being Team Cardi! Lots to unpack, press play below and get into it. It’s gonna be on and poppin’ when JT touch down out the bing. These chicks are READY.
SplashNews.com Rihanna Previews New Music Rihanna is finally back in the studio, according to her Instagram story. The makeup maven has taken a break from snatching our coins with her Fenty products and is finally giving fans the new music they’ve been asking for. However, in true bad gal fashion, Rih kept us wanting more. She posted a video of herself jamming out in a studio in Paris. But the gag is, she muted the audio, so we have no idea what R9 is about to sound like. Rihanna posted an Instagram story dancing and singing to music in a recording studio #R9 pic.twitter.com/3Boj7m4FRO — Rihanna News (@TeamOfRihanna) November 9, 2018 At this point, we’ll take a muted video in hopes that new music soon come.
Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2018 Runway Highlights The Victoria’s Secret fashion show returned to its home in NYC this year, and placed more models of color on the stage than ever before. Young hot runway strutters like Duckie Thot, Winnie Harlow , Jourdana Phillips and more strapped on their wings and slapped on the lace to show out for the lingerie brand. Take a look: Duckie Thot Jasmine Tookes Winnie Harlow Gorgeous! Hit the flip for much much more from these magnificently melanated models parading in panties and wings for VS. Whose look was your favorite?? Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria’s Secret/Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Timur Emek/FilmMagic
Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale in American Son. Photo by Peter Cunningham Kerry Washington Tackles Implicit Bias, Classism & Biracial Identity In “American Son” She became a household name as political fixer Olivia Pope in “Scandal.” But Kerry Washington shows off an entirely different dimension of her acting chops in the new play “American Son,” which opened this month at the Booth Theater in NYC. Washington stuns in a vulnerable, visceral performance as Kendra, a mother and Harvard-educated psychologist who ends up in a Florida police station searching for her missing teenage son. Instead of finding answers, she’s met with stonewalling from the police and has to confront the state of her relationship with her estranged white husband (Steven Pasquale), and the fact that her seemingly successful life isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale in American Son. Photo by Peter Cunningham Directed by Kenny Leon, the 88-minute one-act play’s superb dialogue tackles issues like the divide between the black community and police, the erosion of families, biracial identity and classism. BOSSIP recently attended a performance, and Washington delivered a nuanced portrayal of the tragic Kendra – a capturing both strength and frailty as her character hurtles through a night that changes her life forever. Even her appearance, gaunt, frazzled and on edge, speaks to her character’s unraveling in front of the audience. The Bottom Line: We think that “American Son” will come home a winner come Tony Awards season time. “American Son” is on Broadway from now through Jan. 27th at the Booth Theatre.
Universal Pictures And Illumination Host Long Beach Screening Of The Grinch (Photo Credit: Arnold Turner.) To celebrate the upcoming release of the latest rendition of Dr. Seuss’ THE GRINCH, Universal Pictures and Illumination held a special screening on Saturday, November 3 at the Cinemark at the Pike Theater in Long Beach. Prior to the start of the film, media personality Karen Civil introduced the film and the film’s narrator Pharrell Williams came up to share a few words! For their eighth, fully animated feature, Illumination, and Universal Pictures present The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism. See more photos from the cute pop up screening below!
Jessica McGowan/Getty Images Oprah Campaigns For Stacey Abrams In Georgia Oprah sent a strong message out to Georgians today; “Vote for Stacey Abrams!” The mogul was in Marietta, Georgia today to campaign for the candidate vying to become America’s first black female governor. While there she told attendees who came out in DROVES, that she was there on her volition after scouring for Stacey’s number. She also added that she wasn’t paid for the appearance. “I wasn’t asked, I just called Stacy up three days ago. Yes. I didn’t even know her. I am an independent woman. I have earned the right to do exactly what I want to do. I’ve earned the right to do what I want to do when I want to do it. I’ve earned the right to think for myself and vote for myself,” she added. “Nobody paid for me to come. Nobody even asked for me to come here. I paid for myself and I approved this message.” She also shunned people considering not voting and told a story about Otis Moss Sr. who walked 18 miles to vote in an election but was told he was too late to cast a ballot. He never got a chance to vote before he passed. “When I go to the polls and I cast my ballot, I cast it for a man I never knew. I cast it for Otis Moss Sr., who walked 18 miles one day just for the chance to vote,” said Oprah.” When I go to the polls, I cast the vote for my grandmother who died in 1963 before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and never had a chance to vote.” “For anybody here who has an ancestor who didn’t have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote wherever you are in this state or this country, you are dishonoring your family,’ she said. “Honor your legacy and honor your right to citizenship in this, which is the greatest country in the world!” Atlanta’s Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms was also in attendance in support of Abrams. Magic happens when we use our voices to support leaders who share our values. It was an honor to join @Oprah in support of GA’s next governor, @StaceyAbrams ! Three HBCU graduates. Three women leaders. I don’t know how it gets more magical than this! #thelastweekend #Vote pic.twitter.com/tybReMYynd — Keisha Lance Bottoms (@KeishaBottoms) November 1, 2018 After the rally, Oprah went canvassing door to door. What would YOU do if Oprah showed up at your doorstep???
