Source: Johnny Louis/WENN.com / WENN A Black woman who once worked as a staffer on Donald Trump ‘s presidential campaign has dropped a major bombshell. Alva Johnson claims that in 2016, President Trump tried to kiss her at a Florida rally. The Washington Post exclusively reports: In interviews and in the lawsuit, Alva Johnson said Trump grabbed her hand and leaned in to kiss her on the lips as he exited an RV outside the rally in Tampa on Aug. 24, 2016. Johnson said she turned her head and the unwanted kiss landed on the side of her mouth. In a statement, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders dismissed Johnson’s allegation as “absurd on its face.” “This never happened and is directly contradicted by multiple highly credible eye witness accounts,” she wrote. Two Trump supporters that Johnson identified as witnesses — a campaign official and Pam Bondi, then the Florida attorney general — denied seeing the alleged kiss in interviews with The Post. Johnson said that from the onset, Trump inappropriately sized her up via her physical attributes during their first meeting. Read the rest of the Post’s report on Alva Johnson here . — Photo: WENN
Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty It’s that time of year again when the post-Oscar buzz either has you on a big high, or it has you highly pissed off. Sadly, when it comes to representation for Black people, the latter usually happens more than the former. At this year’s Oscars, however, there were some notable wins for Black people. Black Panther swept some important technical awards with Ruth E. Carter winning for Best Costume Design and Hannah Beachler winning for Best Production Design, making them the first Black women to win in either category. Regina King also won Best Supporting Actress for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk while Mahershala Ali snagged the gold statue for his supporting role in Green Book. Add a Best Adapted Screenplay win for Spike Lee , and Black people are winning, right?! Meh. When time came around for the Best Picture announcement, many people were surprised or just plain outraged when Green Book took home the gold. A lot of folks took their pain out on Twitter in the most hilarious way. But before we get to that, if you haven’t seen or heard of Green Book, the movie based on real characters has developed quite a notorious reputation. Although Mahershala’s performance in the movie was praised, the flick centers around Bronx-bred racist Tony Lip (played by Viggo Mortensen), who serves as the tour driver for acclaimed musician Dr. Don Shirley (played by Ali). The movie explores race relations on a very shallow level, with Lip being portrayed as a White savior who defends Shirley from Southern White racists and introduces him to things like fried chicken and Little Richard …as if Shirley, a Black musician, couldn’t have possibly had fried chicken or heard of Little Richard. Regardless if certain scenes were true or not, the movie painted Lip as a regular working-class White man who just happened to have some prejudices. More importantly, we should sympathize with him because he’s supposedly less racist than the Southern racist caricatures that we’re all-too familiar with in movies. Many people slammed this one-note approach to race relations with shows like Late Night with Seth Meyers and Desus & Mero making parodies of the movie. The family members of the real-life Dr. Shirley also dragged the film with Shirley’s younger brother Maurice Shirley labeling the movie a “symphony of lies,” according to Shadow and Act . The title of the movie wasn’t even appropriate. The real-life Green Book, “The Negro Motorist Green Book” published by postal worker Victor Hugo Green in 1938, listed priceless info of safe eating establishments and lodging for Black people in the Jim Crow South. The Green Book movie barely covered this important info aside from a scene when Lip was handed a copy of the Green Book by a recording label executive. All of these issues made Green Book ‘s Best Picture win feel like another smack in the face to Black stories. When competing with Black-led films like Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman, the white-washed, White savior narrative won again. Even creatives like Spike Lee couldn’t contain their frustration, considering the BlacKkKlansman director reportedly stormed out his seat when Green Book was announced as Best Picture. Of course, many frustrations were let out on Twitter with White and Black users alike clowning the movie’s shallow take on race. Green Book was not for Black people. It was to make white people feel good about doing little to stop racism beyond the interpersonal. Also, the other movies were better. ALSO, Regina, Ruth, Spike & more amazing Black folks won last night so I’m done talmbout Green a Book. — Brittany Packnett (@MsPackyetti) February 25, 2019 Because the Internet has no chill, many people also hilariously made fun of Green Book by comparing it to that one White person who tries waaay too hard to prove they’re not racist. Some of Green Book’s best friends are black movies. — Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) February 25, 2019 Hit the next pages for more spot-on tweets of how Green Book strikingly resembles your allegedly “non-racist” White friend.
While everyone was focused on the actual Oscars award show, there was plenty happening on the red carpet, backstage and behind the scenes. MUST SEE: Regina King, Spike Lee, Ruth Carter & Mahershala Ali Win Big At The Oscars For instance, when Ashley Graham asked Jason Mamoa to do the “Haka” (a ceremonial dance or challenge in Māori culture done in the film Aquaman ). Lisa Bonet wasn’t having it and shut it down real quick. 1. Lisa Bonet Wasn’t Having It On The Red Carpet Cringiest moment in #Oscars HAS to go to Ashley Graham getting SHUTTDOWN by Lisa Bonet when she asked Jason to do a tribal yell. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/cRENUKBdts — TASK the Ol’ Nerdy Bastard (@UpToTASK) February 25, 2019 2. Ice Cube Congratulated Regina King On Her Oscar Win She’s been my sister and my homegirl on and off screen. I always considered her one of the best in the business. Congratulations to you @ReginaKing . pic.twitter.com/0Xin8l8DwE — Ice Cube (@icecube) February 25, 2019 3. Billy Porter Arrives To The Red Carpet Via Golf Cart View this post on Instagram Well we did it!! Golf cart to #redcarpet! @theebillyporter @sammyratelle it was an honor! A post shared by Christian Siriano (@csiriano) on Feb 24, 2019 at 6:17pm PST 4. Angela Basset Waving To Her Haters View this post on Instagram Here we come! #oscars #prettyinpink A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett) on Feb 24, 2019 at 2:42pm PST 5. The Fine Folks From Wakanda Took A Pic With Rep John Lewis View this post on Instagram @repjohnlewis, what a joy to be in your presence! The true greatness is your sacrifices for us all #oscars A post shared by Angela Bassett (@im.angelabassett) on Feb 24, 2019 at 9:30pm PST 6. The Black Reporters At The Oscars View this post on Instagram #BlackMedia on the #Oscars Red Carpet repping #WakandaForever A post shared by Brooke & Boujee (@brookeobie) on Feb 24, 2019 at 11:17pm PST 7. Spike Lee’s Gold Nikes View this post on Instagram BOOMSHACKSLACKA A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee) on Feb 24, 2019 at 8:47pm PST 8. Donald Trump Felt A Way About Spike Lee’s Acceptance Speech Be nice if Spike Lee could read his notes, or better yet not have to use notes at all, when doing his racist hit on your President, who has done more for African Americans (Criminal Justice Reform, Lowest Unemployment numbers in History, Tax Cuts,etc.) than almost any other Pres! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019 9. Chris Evans Helped Regina King To The Stage How do I tattoo Chris Evans helping Regina King to my chest? #Oscars pic.twitter.com/VoMsOm46DL — Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) February 25, 2019 10. Hannah Beacher Tearing Up As Her Oscar Is Engraved Hannah Beachler, the first African-American to win best production design, tears up as her Oscar is engraved https://t.co/PjIRQbnhxp #Oscars pic.twitter.com/V8ck2AtIWY — Variety (@Variety) February 25, 2019 More Oscars Coverage: Regina King, Spike Lee, Ruth Carter & Mahershala Ali Win Big At The Oscars Oscars 2019: ‘Black Panther’ Scores ‘Best Picture’ Nomination [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3023723″ overlay=”true”]
A n African-American STEM pioneer was finally honored for breaking barriers in the realm of science. Saint Elmo Brady —the first Black man to receive a doctorate degree in chemistry—had a National Historical Chemical Landmark dedicated to him by the American Chemical Society, the Journal for Blacks in Higher Education reported. Dr. Saint Elmo Brady, 1st African American to Earn Ph.D. in Chemistry, Honored With a National Historic Chemical Landmark https://t.co/qTCa7791ik pic.twitter.com/F3rlOvPAsk — Good Black News (@goodblacknews) February 18, 2019 The landmark was added to the University of Illinois campus where Brady received his degree 103 years ago, the news outlet writes. Leaders at the American Chemical Society believe it’s crucial that Brady’s journey and contributions to STEM don’t go unsung. The organization’s 2018 President Peter K. Dorhout believes that Brady’s story will serve as inspiration for the next generation of Black STEM leaders. “This landmark designation recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and leadership impact that Dr. Brady has had on the chemical profession,” said Dorhout in a statement, according to the news outlet. “I am proud to be an alumnus of the university that was part of his legacy — dreaming, designing and executing the creation of four outstanding and impactful chemistry programs that have each worked to ensure access to higher education and the chemical professions for so many young African-American men and women over the last century.” There was a designation ceremony that was held on February 5. A Louisville native, Dr. Brady received his bachelor’s degree in 1908 from Fisk University. Four years after graduating, he went on to pursue his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Throughout his career, he held teaching roles at Tuskegee University, Tougaloo College, Howard University, and Fisk University. He chaired the chemistry departments at his alma mater Fisk and at Howard University as well. The University of Illinois isn’t the only institution that will receive a plaque dedicated to Dr. Brady. Other universities and colleges that he left a mark on will as well; including Fisk University, Tuskegee University, Howard University, and Tougaloo College. SEE ALSO: New Textbook Makes Black History Relevant 365 Days Of The Year National Trust For Historic Preservation Launches #TellTheFullHistory Campaign For Black History Month [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3846537″ overlay=”true”]
C harles D. King —the producer behind pivotal films like Fences , Mudbound and Sorry to Bother You —recently made a power move in the entertainment industry. According to Deadline , King’s media company MACRO has inked a first-look deal with Warner Bros. MACRO Inks First-Look Deal At Warner Bros. https://t.co/slakoAd7q9 pic.twitter.com/UQihafRhvL — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 20, 2019 King believes the partnership with Warner Bros. will be instrumental in helping people of color authentically bring their narratives to the big screen, the news outlet writes. One of the projects that King is currently working on through his production company is a film entitled Jesus Was My Homeboy , which is about the life story of Black Panther Party member Fred Hampton . Director Ryan Coogler and WB will work on the project as well. Actors Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya may star in the film. Through the deal with Warner Bros., King wants to bring more stories like these to the forefront. “We are thrilled to join forces with Warner Bros. Pictures and their visionary leadership team whose bold choices have led to some of our industry’s most successful and impactful films,” said King in a statement, according to the news outlet. “This expertise, combined with WarnerMedia and AT&T’s global assets and distribution, offers MACRO an unparalleled opportunity to expand our reach and further our mission of identifying and producing authentic stories by and about people of color.” The Warner Bros. leadership team is excited about working with MACRO. WB Production Head Courtenay Valenti and the studio’s chairman Toby Emmerich said that they are looking forward to producing films that “highlight the authenticity and importance of diversity.” Black producers are landing major production deals. In January, actor Michael B. Jordan ’s production company Outlier Society inked a first-look deal with Warner Bros. In February Marsai Martin signed a first-look deal with Universal through her company Genius Productions. SEE ALSO: Marsai Martin’s Production Company Inks First-Look Deal With Universal Pictures Michael B. Jordan Launches Fellowship For Youth [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3847091″ overlay=”true”]
C onnor Benjamin Littlejohn is still in grade school, but he’s already making moves in the literary world. The 10-year-old has penned his own book series for children dubbed Tag, You’re It! , Black News reported. Meet Connor Benjamin Littlejohn, a young reader turned writer whose book series called “Tag, You're It!” is inspiring people young and old! #blackpreneur #blackauthor #blackexcellence https://t.co/gfHCUeIKom — Black News (@BlackNews) February 20, 2019 Littlejohn—who is based in Washington, D.C. —started his book series as an avenue to channel his passion for reading and writing, the news outlet writes. A writing assignment given to him by his fourth-grade teacher sparked the inspiration for the series. The book series that he created is centered on a group of friends who battle monsters and zombies to save their town. Ever since launching the series last year, his books have been added to classrooms all over the country. Littlejohn says that he wanted to create the books so that children like him see themselves reflected in the literature that they read. “I’m really happy that my books are giving kids like me a chance to see themselves in fun stories,” he said in a statement, according to the news outlet. “I love to read and want to encourage other kids to read great books and maybe even write new books of their own.” Teachers throughout the country have said that his books have resonated with their students. “I purchased this book as a read-aloud for my 4th grade class,” said one of the teachers. “My students laughed out loud while listening and were inspired by the creative voice of this talented young author! The cliffhanger at the end left us all very eager for the second installment of the series!” There are many young Black authors who are making a name for themselves. In January, 7-year-old Georgia-bred author Nicholas Buamah had his book Kayla & Kyle The Walking Dictionaries: Election Day accepted into the Library of Congress. Buamah created the book in an effort to help youngsters build their vocabulary. SEE ALSO: Young Black Author Has Book Added To Library Of Congress Entrepreneur Creates Coloring Book Series To Empower Black Women [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3845955″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Jeff Kravitz / Getty Black Panther Wins The Oscars For Both Costume Design & Production Design The Oscars have been under way for less that an hour, and Black Panther has already taken home two awards. Ruth E. Carter scored her first costume design Oscar nomination in 1993 for Spike Lee’s Malcolm X, and tonight, she made history as the first Black woman to win Best Costume Design. Carter was a crucial part in dressing the entire nation of Wakanda in Black Panther, creating everything from Chadwick Boseman’s suit to the Dora Milaje’s armor. Her award also marks the first Oscar won by Marvel Studios–but only a few minutes later, Marvel and Black Panther racked up another one. Hannah Beachler is not only the first African American ever nominated for the award in production design–but now, she’s the first to win, too. She traveled around Africa researching cultures, locations, and ideas that helped to create the cinematic world of Wakanda and clearly, it paid off. regina king — ruth e. carter — hannah beachler — these three black women have #oscars !!!!!!! — Vulture (@vulture) February 25, 2019 Both the clothing and the atmosphere imagined in Black Panther were honored at The Oscars tonight, and as the show goes on, we can only hope the film takes home the other two awards they’re nominated for, Best Picture and Best Original Score. Here’s how Twitter was celebrating the two early wins for Black Panther and the powerful women who created the world we all love watching. Ruth E. Carter and Hannah Beachler are the first Black women to win in the Best Costume Design and Best Production Design categories. Okay #Oscars , I see you. pic.twitter.com/phAn2oo8Rh — Evette Dionne (@freeblackgirl) February 25, 2019 All hail Queen Ruth E Carter. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/TVnv448QQi — Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) February 25, 2019 CHRIS’ LITTLE CHEER WHEN BLACK PANTHER WON THE OSCAR IS EVERYTHING AND MORE #OSCARS pic.twitter.com/OW6MhndT6O — Harshal (@iHarshalWatts) February 25, 2019
Source: Floresco Productions / Getty Virginia Elementary School Apologizes For Runaway Slave Game Virginia just KKKan’t get right. After the commonwealth’s Governor Ralph Northam and Attorney General Mike Herring were both involved in blackface scandals, a racist incident at an elementary school is garnering national attention. School officials at Madison’s Trust Elementary School in Ashburn, Virginia, are apologizing after third, fourth and fifth graders at the school were asked during P.E. class to play a game where students pretended to be runaway slaves. During the exercise, students went through an obstacle course representing the Underground Railroad and at least one black child, in particular, was made to act like a runaway. The Loudoun Times-Mirror broke the story and spoke with Loudoun NAACP Chapter President Michelle Thomas, who said she received complaints from parents about the Black History Month incident. “Loudoun County has a history of miseducating kids, number one, and perpetrating racist things amongst our students. This is not the first one. This is the first one of many. This is the most egregious, and the timing is incredible,” said Thomas said. She also noted that Attorney General Herring is a product of Loudoun County Public Schools. “[Herring] graduated from Loudoun Valley, so of course he wouldn’t know what he was doing, going up, dressing as blackface, because blackface is never discussed in the curriculum. When we discuss Jim Crow, it doesn’t come up,” she said. “ … The insensitivity is astronomical. We are in a racism crisis in Virginia, and the school is where it starts.” The school’s principal David Stewart sent a letter out following the incident and apologized. Stewart is promising that the content will be retaught in a “respectful manner.” “The lesson was culturally insensitive to our students and families. I extend my sincerest apology to our students and school community,” Stewart said in the letter. SIGHHHHHH, do these racist school incidents even surprise you anymore???
Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty Van Jones On The Breakfast Club CNN’s Van Jones sat down the world’s most dangerous morning show, The Breakfast Clu, to talk about his #REFORM Alliance, the relationship that Meek Mill has with Jay-Z, President Obama, and the future of the Black political agenda. Van has said a lot of BS lately, but you should watch and take note of SOME things he’s saying here. Thoughts?
Source: Rich Polk / Getty Fox News Host Laughs With Guest About Slavery Comments Fox News being insensitive about racism? Could’ve seen that one coming. The latest controversy from the network comes following a guest who appeared on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show and said African Americans “need to move on” from slavery because it was abolished “a century-and-a-half ago”. Mark Steyn is a cultural commentator and made these comments on Thursday, during a segment discussing 2020 presidential candidates who are in favor of some sort of reparations for African Americans. During his rant on the topic, Steyn said: “Slavery was abolished a century and a half ago, nobody alive today has a grandparent who was a slave, and in that sense I think you reach a point where, you know, you need to move on. “The reparations thing, eventually, as the decades go by, becomes ridiculous,” he continued. Not stopping there, Steyn then went on to compare the experience of Black people in America to Canadians like himself–who he claimed also deserve reparations on the basis that if “[America] hadn’t had the revolution, the whole continent would now be Canada”. As Steyn spoke, comparing the hardships faced by African Americans to Canadians, the host responded by interjecting a “yeah” before laughing along with the guest’s comments. The conversation then went on to specifically address 2020 contender Senator Kamala Harris, who supports the idea of reparations for African Americans. The segment ended with Steyn contending that Harris’s “own experience is entirely apart from the African-American slave experience,” and that she is getting involved in “identity politics,” which Carlson quickly agreed with. Unsurprisingly, once the clip of this conversation surfaced online, it was met with tons of backlash on social media. Two white privileged men discuss reparations. Was this 1867? — Jennifer Hill (@sublimejah) February 22, 2019 Man, that bothers me! Completely ignores the fact that for some people, this is a part of their family history. Not to mention the civil rights movements of the 60s, which wasn't long ago. People grandparents lived it. — Trinity the Cat (@Trinitythecat) February 22, 2019 Couldn't Tucker just wear his hood on air? We wouldn't have to see his “I'm listening face” and it would keep hair and makeup from having to touch him. — Smoking Duck (@ScottyBeHotty) February 22, 2019 This latest controversy from the Fox News host comes after previous comments he’d made that cost him a significant portion of his advertisers. In December, Carlson–who is friends with Donald Trump–said that immigration makes America “dirtier” . The comment was rightfully met with widespread backlash and resulted in more than 20 sponsors pulling their advertisements from the primetime show.
