Six Flags Over Georgia will host an exclusive Membership Appreciation Event on Opening Day, along with an Opening Day Pep Rally featuring local bands. The park will also “Play it Forward” by collecting new sports equipment to benefit the Michael A. Grant Boys & Girls Club in Austell. Guests who donate will receive $20 off general park admission. Suggested items include basketballs, footballs, double dutch ropes, yoga matts, resistance bands and sports mesh bags. “We are so thankful to Six Flags for their support of the kids and teens who attend our Club each day,” said Tyanna Jackson, Executive Director of the Michael A. Grant Boys & Girls Club. “Our kids don’t always have the resources they need to reach their full potential. Partners like this go a long way toward helping them get college and career ready, live healthy, and serve as leaders in their community.” So Come Out, have a great time and help do some good in the community! Six Flags Over Georgia Launches Extreme 2019 Season Park Opens March 9 with New “Play it Forward” Charity Drive AUSTELL, Georgia — March 4, 2019 — Six Flags Over Georgia , the Thrill Capital of the South, launches its 52nd and most electrifying season in park history starting March 9. With the return of guest favorite coasters like Goliath, Twisted Cyclone and Dare Devil Dive, the park is ready to roll out its adrenaline-pumping arsenal of thrills for all ages. “Six Flags Over Georgia is the prime destination for world-class fun and entertainment,” said Park President Dale Kaetzel. “The newly themed ScreamPunk district, all-new dining experience and high-flying thrill ride Pandemonium highlight our continued investment in this park and the Atlanta region. Additionally, our new Membership program gives families the opportunity to visit us again and again throughout the year.”
L ast month marked a year since the portraits of former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama was introduced to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. and the two vibrant illustrations of the couple have been a major draw for visitors. According to the Washington Post , the portraits of the Obamas were instrumental in helping the Smithsonian museum break a visitor record. “Where are the Obamas?”: Paintings of Barack and Michelle brought a million more people to Portrait Gallery https://t.co/kVcuLhVxFt — The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 26, 2019 The portraits—which were created by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald —has taken the visitorship at the gallery to new levels. The Smithsonian American Art Museum ended 2018 with a total of 2.3 million visitors; an increase of a million more visitors than they had the previous year. Those who work at the National Gallery’s information desk say that they’ve never witnessed new paintings draw in so many people prior to the addition of the Obama portraits. Gallery volunteer Mary Francis Koerner says that visitors would typically ask to be directed to the portraits of the presidents but that question has changed over time. “Now it’s ‘Where are the Obamas?” she told the news outlet. “They have brought in so many people. After 4:30 there’s an uptick of the younger generation, and that’s who they come to see.” While the Obama portraits are visually captivating, they hold deeper meaning beyond the surface. The couple selected two African-American artists to create the artwork; making them the first Black artists to receive presidential commissions. “Big museums like this are dedicated to what we as a society hold most dear,” Wiley said in a statement, according to the Denver Post . “Growing up as a kid in South Central Los Angeles, there weren’t too many people who looked like me on those walls. The ability to be the first African-American painter to paint the first African-American president of the United States — it doesn’t get any better than that.” The National Portrait Gallery was created in 1962 and the tradition of adding portraits of outgoing presidents began in 1994. SEE ALSO: Barack Obama Lands Spot On Billboard’s Hot R&B Songs Chart #MichelleTaughtMe: Michelle Obama’s Book Inspires Curriculum For Black Girls [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3847363″ overlay=”true”]
Michael Cohen, President Trump’s former Attorney testified today and had a TON of things to say that aren’t to flattering in regards to Trump’s legal and business dealings. CNN Live Coverage: Here are some very interesting things that have come to light so far in the testimony: 1. Cohen says Trump inflated his assets to be on the Forbes list of richest people. 2. Cohen says Trump threatened former High school and universities so they would not release his transcripts and grades during the election. 3. Cohen presented a copy of the check that was paid Cohen, to keep his dealings with Trump’s porn star mistress. 4. Cohen admits he practiced “catch and kill” tactic for Trump Michael Cohen said he practiced the tactic of “catch and kill” — where a publication buys the rights to a story and then buries the story as a favor to someone — for President Trump. 5. Cohen calls Trump a racist and in private he is even worse!
Source: Eduardo Munoz Alvarez / Getty Michael Cohen Will Reportedly Testify Against Donald Trump Donald Trump ‘s former lawyer, Michael Cohen , may just be the smoking gun we need to get the 72-year-old toddler out of here. Cohen pled guilty to eight federal crimes back in August, including tax evasion, and one count of lying to Congress in November—and now, he’s reportedly headed back to court to accuse the president of crimes while in office. From Rawstory : “The former Trump Organization attorney will reveal to the House Oversight Committee some of the president’s private financial statements and accuse Trump of manipulating the value of his net worth for business and personal reasons, such as avoiding taxes on his property, reported the Wall Street Journal . The financial statements were created by the president’s accountant, and Cohen is expected to testify that he personally witnessed ‘lies, racism and cheating’ by Trump.” Additionally, Rawstory reports Cohen is expected to describe “racist remarks Trump made to him, such as questioning the intelligence of black Americans and criticizing their lifestyles.” Cohen’s testimony is expected to specifically provide evidence of Trump’s criminal conduct since taking office as president, although “a source told the newspaper only that the testimony would cover a hush money payment to Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels.” Stay tuned as we continue with updates.
Spike Lee had himself quite the eventful Sunday night. First, the veteran director won Best Adapted Screenplay at the 2019 Academy Awards for helping to write BlacKKKlansmen. Incredibly, this was Lee’s first-ever Oscars victory and it was most definitely overdue, according to most viewers. But not according to one rather powerful viewer. A few hours after Lee delivered a passionate acceptance speech that touched on American history and slavery, President Donald Trump Tweeted his disapproval of Lee’s words. Let’s take a look at Lee’s full speech before trying to deciper which parts the President took issue with, shall we? Here it is: The word today is “irony.” The date, the 24th. The month, February, which also happens to be the shortest month of the year, which also happens to be Black History month. The year, 2019. The year, 1619. History. Her story. 1619. 2019. 400 years. Four hundred years. Our ancestors were stolen from Mother Africa and bought to Jamestown, Virginia, enslaved. Our ancestors worked the land from can’t see in the morning to can’t see at night. My grandmother, [inaudible], who lived to be 100 years young, who was a Spelman College graduate even though her mother was a slave. My grandmother who saved 50 years of Social Security checks to put her first grandchild — she called me Spikie-poo — she put me through Morehouse College and N.Y.U. grad film. N.Y.U.! Before the world tonight, I give praise to our ancestors who have built this country into what it is today along with the genocide of its native people. We all connect with our ancestors. We will have love and wisdom regained, we will regain our humanity. It will be a powerful moment. The 2020 presidential election is around the corner. Let’s all mobilize. Let’s all be on the right side of history. Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let’s do the right thing! You know I had to get that in there. Pretty well said, right? WRONG, responded Trump! Tweeted the totally secure Commander-in-Chief this morning: 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! We’ll let readers determine whether Trump has a point, but we will say this: He likely has done more for African-American than the Presidents who actually owned slaves. We’ll give him that much. Elsewhere last night, Lee made headlines for actually getting up and nearly fleeing the scene when Green Book was announced a Best Picture. Talk about a memorable Oscars moment ! According to multiple witnesses, Lee got out of his seat and walked to the back of the auditorium after Green Book won the evening’s top prize, and he later explained why. “I thought it was courtside at the Garden, and the ref made a bad call. Courtside,” the die-hard New York Knicks fan said, prior to pivoting and joking: “The world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. Knicks coming back next year.” That’s debatable… View Slideshow: 2019 Oscars Red Carpet: Who Wore It Craziest? (The Answer is #19) … as are some of the so-called facts behind the Green Book script. The movie centers on Dr. Don Shirley (Oscar winner Mahershala Ali), a world-class African-American pianist who embarks on a concert tour of the Deep South in 1962 along with his driver and bodyguard, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen). The film was co-written by a member of Lip’s family and has come under fire for essentially white-washing history. Dr. Shirley’s brother, Maurice, has called the flick a “symphony of lies.” Moreover, Mortensen used the N-Word while doing press for Green Book and director Pete Farrelly apologized for having exposed himself years ago while on the set of his 1998 romantic comedy There’s Something About Mary.
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”]
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: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Getty People Aren’t Having PETA’s Criticisms Of Steve Irwin Animal rights organization PETA is facing backlash once again, this time for criticizing Google and their decision to honor the late Australian conservationist and television personality Steve Irwin with his own Google Doodle. He was known as “The Crocodile Hunter,” but Steve Irwin wasn't exactly hunting crocodiles… he was saving them . He & his wife spent their honeymoon capturing crocodiles & the footage they shot became the pilot for #TheCrocodileHunter ! #GoogleDoodle → https://t.co/z8PPgDaXfr pic.twitter.com/9BXTXP8bk3 — Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) February 22, 2019 PETA President Ingrid Newkirk issued in a statement about why the organization doesn’t approve of the tribute, saying: “PETA must ask who commissioned these dangerous, hagiographic cartoons of a man who died while harassing a stingray, dangled his baby while feeding a crocodile, and ‘wrestled’ wild animals who were minding their own business. This fawning, ignorant tribute is a slap in the face to the vast majority of people who acknowledge that wild animals are entitled to be left alone in their natural habitats.” They went on to tweet that Irwin’s actions were not on target with his “supposed message of protecting wildlife.” Steve Irwin’s actions were not on target with his supposed message of protecting wildlife. A real wildlife expert & someone who respects animals for the individuals they are leaves them to their own business in their natural homes. — PETA (@peta) February 23, 2019 Just like any time PETA does anything, people immediately started to go in on the organization not only for criticizing a dead man, but someone we all love and respect so much from our childhoods. the thing is… you as a company don’t actually give a fuck about any of what you’re saying about Steve Irwin. You knew that by dragging a beloved dead man’s name through the mud, you’d get more eyes and clicks on your brand. Ya know what you’re doing. Rage marketing works. — Ryan Magee (@elirymagee) February 23, 2019 Steve Irwin and his family reclaim land for animals and run a massive wildlife rescue. His life mission was to save animals and educate people about them. I’m one of many vegetarians who rip out their hair when @peta weighs in. Shame on you. https://t.co/m4fdNymjao — Maureen Johnson (@maureenjohnson) February 23, 2019 Damn Peta loves disparaging the dead for RTs https://t.co/FlbIvGhXuB — Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) February 23, 2019 Basically everyone after seeing Peta's tweet about Steve Irwin pic.twitter.com/7nfZqbDjVt — Chase #HereWeGo (@ChaseM105) February 22, 2019 Man… I’ve never seen this website mobilize across cultural and political barriers before… until PETA came at Steve Irwin…. that dude really could’ve saved the world. Uniting twitter posthumously is God like. — Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) February 23, 2019 Criticizing PETA always seems to bring people together–especially when they’re going against the one-and-only Steve Irwin. As many people pointed out, Irwin’s family continues to do a lot for wildlife preservation, while those same statistics aren’t really on PETA’s side. Steve Irwin died on September 4, 2006 after being stung several times by a short-tail stingray–and even 13 years later, he’s still making an impact.
Khloe Kardashian probably wanted to go hide under a rock on Wednesday night. Unlike Tristan Thompson, however, she's a woman of her word. Despite the humiliation of having her boyfriend cheat on her (yet again) with a close acquaintance (darn you, Jordyn Woods !), Khloe fulfilled her obligation yesterday evening to attend the PrettyLittleThing LA Office Opening Party in Beverly Hills. Thankfully, however, she wasn't alone. Best friend Malika Haqq stood by Kardashian's side as she faced the press and posed on the red carpet. We've posted a bunch of these photos below, along with new Instagram messages from Khloe that are clearly meant for Woods. Scroll down to take a look! 1. No Reason to Smile Khloe Kardashian poses here on the red carpet of the PrettyLittleThing LA Office Opening Party… a day after the world learned that Tristan Thompson cheated on her once again. 2. You Want Me to Smile? Please, paparazzi. You do know what I just got cheated on again, right? Just be glad I’m here. 3. Malika Has Her Back Thankfully, Khloe did not need to face the press alone about this latest embarrassment. Close pal Malika Haqq was standing right by her side. 4. Here’s One Smile, Okay? Khloe did suck it up and cut the grand opening ribbon, doing what she was paid to do at the event with a smile on her face. 5. Khloe Later Took to Instagram and Shared Three Messages This one was clearly a straight shot at Woods, as it reads: “The worst pain is gettin hurt by a person you explained your pain to.” 6. A Pep Talk to Herself Khloe then seemed to try and psych herself up, along with others going through similar heartbreak. “Somebody needs to hear this…That betrayal was your blessing!!!!” she wrote. View Slideshow
Jussie Smollett has gone from victim to pariah. On Thursday morning, the Empire actor was arrested and charged with falsifying a police report; the felony could land Smollett in prison for up to three years. Police have subsequently released his mug shot. Before we get into the damning accusations leveled at Smollett during a press conference held by Chicago Police Superintendent. Eddie Johnson today, a quick rehashing of how we got here: Smollett claimed to authorities on January 29 that he was assaulted by two white men around 2 a.m. on the streets of Chicago. He said they yelled racial and homophobic slurs at him; screamed that he was in “MAGA country;” tied a rope around his neck; and poured bleah all over him. The story made national headlines and was commented on by President Trump, Democratic candidates for President in 2020 and, of course, many celebrities from across Hollywood. HOWEVER… … about two weeks after the allegations were made, a pair of brothers from Nigeria were arrested by the police. We quickly learned that these siblings worked as Smollett’s personal trainers and also as extras on Empire. Questions were raised about whether Smollett staged the assault with these men, although the motive why was never made clear. But Johnson addressed both the supposed motive and other aspects of the investigation/arrest in his press conference this morning. We’ve posted his quotes below in bold. View Slideshow: Jussie Smollett: Did He REALLY Stage His Own Attack?! Empire Star Under Investigation [UPDATED] First, Johnson said he understands why this incident garnered such attention, but made an important general point at the outset of the media gathering: Before I get started I look out into the crowd, I just wish that the families of gun violence in this city got this much attention because that’s who really deserves the amount of attention that we are giving to this particular in distinct. Johnson then went hard after Smollett for the way he exploited the legitimate problem of racism and homophobia for his own selfish purposes. This announcement today recognizes that empire actor Jussie Smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career. I’m left hanging my head and asking why. He added: Why would anyone — especially an African-American man — use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations? How could someone look at the hatred and suffering associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own public profile? Johnson said Smollett was reportedly unsatisfied with his salary on Empire and paid $3,500 to the aforementioned siblings to stage the attack on himself. A week prior to the fake beating, Smollett received a threatening letter (below), which Johnson said the star sent to himself, referring to this as a false letter that relied on racial, homophobic and political language and adding: This publicity stunt was a scar that Chicago didn’t earn and certainly didn’t deserve. The phony assault took place on the street, as Smollett claimed all along. The two men, who were wearing gloves, punched Smollett “a little bit,” Superintendent Johnson said. However, the scratches and bruises on his face were likely self-inflicted, he continued. Addressing concerns that this incident was given extra attention due to a celebrity being at the center of it, Johnson took extreme umbrage. Any time a hate crime is reported in the city of Chicago, it gets the same attention. This didn’t get any special attention… We give every hate crime in this city the same amount of vigor because there is no place for hatred in this city. No personnel nor any resources were pulled from homicide or shooting investigations to help with the Smollett case. Based on phone records, Smollett talked to the Nigerian brothers about an hour before the staged attack. When we discovered the actual motive, quite frankly, it pissed everybody off because we have to invest valuable resources. Johnson said he hasn’t seen Smollett’s full interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, but he’s viewed snippets and is well aware of the case Jussie tried to make on his own behalf. To be quite honest, it’s shameful because it painted this city that we all love and work hard in in a negative connotation. Here are excerpts from that interview: Jussie Smollett Speaks on Horrific Attack What can Smollett do to make this right? Nothing, but… Absolute justice would be an apology to this city that he smeared, admitting what he did and then be man enough to offer what he should offer up in terms of resources put into this. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has also now issued a statement. It reads as follows: I want to thank all of the Chicago police officers who have worked on this case, and all of the private citizens and business owners who have stepped forward with information and video evidence to help us get to the bottom of what was reported as a hate crime. All across Chicago, in every neighborhood, there are signs in front yards and in windows that read, “Hate Has No Home Here.” It is a sign that expresses our shared values and defines our great city. Chicago’s message to the world is that no matter where you come from, who you love, or how you pray you will always have a home here. Our laws exist to reflect and defend those values, and hate crimes will never be tolerated. A single individual who put their perceived self-interest ahead of these shared principles will never trump Chicago’s collective spirit.
