Lighting The Road To The Future

Essence Festival Data Zone Ignites in its 25th Year! Page 6 “The People’s Paper” July 13 - July 19, 2019 54th Year Volume 11 www.ladatanews.com

A Data News Weekly Exclusive

Page 2 Newsmaker State & Local McDonald’s Franchisee Ernest “Dutch” Morial Henry Coaxum Helped Honored with Exhibit Host McDonald’s Black at Convention Center & Positively Golden Page 4 Page 5 Page 2 July 13 - July 19, 2019 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com The Essence of Black Excellence

Singer Anthony Hamilton serenades the crowd on night two of the Essence Festival.

Rapper Trina brings down the house during the Essence Festival’s 25th Anniversary celebration. Rapper Da Brat strolls down memory lane with her 1990s classics at the 25th Essence Festival.

By Edwin Buggage pose” . This year did not disappoint as the Essence Fes- resented a truly transformative global homecoming Editor-in-Chief tival celebrated 25 years . The 2019 ESSENCE Festival celebration for Black women and the Black commu- presented by Coca-Cola® attracted more than half a nity,” said ESSENCE Chief Executive Officer Michelle million attendees to New Orleans last weekend for an Ebanks . “This year’s extraordinary turnout reflects Epic Year for Essence Fest historic 25th Anniversary Celebration representing ESSENCE’s uniquely powerful engagement of Black It was truly historic and epic as a sea of ebony faces one of the largest gatherings in the event’s history . women around personal empowerment, community, came to the Crescent City for the “Party with a Pur- “The 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival rep- and culture as only ESSENCE can . With the debut of

Cover Story, Continued on page 3.

DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. Box 57347, New Orleans, LA 70157-7347 | Phone: (504) 821-7421 | Fax: (504) 821-7622 INSIDE DATA editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Terry B. Jones Contributors Art Direction & Edwin Buggage CEO/Publisher Production Glenn Jones Pubinator.com Edwin Buggage Data Staff Writers Cover Story ...... 2 Commentary . . . 8. . Editorial Submissions Glenn Summers Editor datanewseditor@ Katherine Lewin Renetta Perry bellsouth.net Newsmaker...... 4 Film Review...... 9 Indiewire.com Managing Editor NNPA Advertising Inquiries datanewsad@ Calla Victoria Lauren Victoria Burke State & Local News . . 5 Book Review . . . 10 . Dwight Brown bellsouth.net Executive Assistant Miana Massey Distribution Data Zone ...... 6 National News . . 11. June Hazeur Stacy M. Brown On The Run Accounting Jazzmyne PR Courier Services Please call 504-309-9913 for subscription information or to obtain a back issue of the paper ONLY. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story July 13 - July 19, 2019 Page 3

Cover Story, Continued from page 2.

10 new Festival experiences, activa- and Maze to close out the festival . we offer and deliver Black culture tions at more than 40 venues across in every way .” New Orleans, and engagement with Essence: The Voice more than 300 small businesses of a Community New Orleans, Tourism and local vendors, we have rede- Since Essence Fest is a “Party and the Black Dollars fined the Festival as the largest and with a Purpose”, the Ernest Mo- Tourism is the heartbeat of the most impactful destination at the rial Convention Center held semi- city’s economy and while many epicenter of Black culture .” nars on a range of topics that affect events come into the city includ- ing the Essence Fest (which left behind an estimated 300 million dollars of economic impact), many of those dollars do not end up ben- efiting the City of New Orleans . Historic Mayor LaToya Cantrell took center stage to speak on this issue informing the audience at the first Global Economic Forum that Jess Hilarious, Melanie Comarcho, Kim Coles, Kym Whitley, only 9 cents of every tourism dol- Sheila E. Sherri Shepherd with a guest. lar stay in the City of New Orleans . Mayor Cantrell continues to sup-

Big Freedia

Michelle Obama and Gayle King Teddy Riley Estelle

port the Essence Festival and tour- Teyana Taylor ism in general and has prioritized getting more tourism dollars back to New Orleans as one of her own Inspiration and Aspiration signature issues . Recently, Cantrell of a Community took the fight directly to the State This weekend had so much go- Capitol and won $50 million upfront ing on and Data News Weekly was dollars for the City, approved to be on the front lines for many of the received from tourism, with an ad- events . ditional $26 plus million being ap- Saturday night was sold-out . As MusiQ proved for subsequent years . we walked toward the venue people She also spoke of how the Es- were scrambling to get tickets to the African American community sence footprint can expand to more enter the Superdome . Forever First and speakers and guests included: places in the City that can benefit Lady Michelle Obama who made more than 300 influencers, leaders, more local and Black-owned busi- her first-time headline appearance creators and celebrities participat- nesses . Dennis agreed and planned was inspirational and aspirational ing in the Festival’s daytime experi- to work with the Cantrell Adminis- Morris Day as she spoke to the audience . While ence . Featured powerhouse speak- tration on this issue . there were thousands gathered, ers included Rev . Al Sharpton, Ava it felt intimate as the former First Duvernay, Yara Shahidi, Tyler Per- This year it was announced that Jack Dorsey, and TDJ Enterprises New Orleans and Lady being interviewed by Gayle ry, Congresswoman Maxine Wa- the Festival is going through a re- CEO TD Jakes, among others . Essence - An Example King, spoke on a host of subjects ters, Marsai Martin, Valerie Jarrett, branding and is now called the Today the Essence Brand of Black Excellence from her life as a mother, daughter, Iman, Common, Mona Scott-Young, Essence Festival of Culture . Re- stands as the example of a compa- Today the Essence Brand is wife and First Lady trying to bal- Miles Brown and Iyanla Vanzant, flecting the vision of Essence Pub- ny that continues to shine the light strong, viable and visionary, shin- ance life and career and living with among many others . lisher Richelieu Dennis, to grow on the best of what the African ing the light on the excellence that a sense of purpose . As we are entering the political Essence’s footprint globally . American community represents is the Black Experience both here Over the course of three days, season, seven presidential hopefuls This was evident as the festi- at all levels . This sentiment was and abroad . From the early days of 100 performing artists took the took the stage making their case val’s debut of the ESSENCE Global summed up by Michelle Ebanks . Ed Lewis, the founder to Richelieu stage at the Mercedes-Benz Su- as to why they should occupy the Black Economic Forum connected “In honor of us embodying all that Dennis, its present owner and from perdome and the Ernest N . Mo- highest office in the land . With two attendees with accomplished lead- Black excellence and culture rep- former New Orleans Mayor Marc rial Convention Center . Many of the African American candidates, Sen . ers and chief executives including resent – beyond entertainment Morial who bought the festival to biggest names in the entertainment Corey Booker and Kamala Harris Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, and beauty, we were thrilled to re- New Orleans a quarter of a cen- industry headlined, including Mary speaking to the largest gathering of Chase Consumer Banking CEO veal the Festival’s official rebrand tury ago to present Mayor LaToya J . Blige, Missy Elliott, H .E .R, Nas, Black Women in the nation . Thasunda Duckett, Kaiser Perma- to the ‘ESSENCE Festival of Cul- Cantrell; Essence continues to be Pharrell, Patti LaBelle, Doug E . Expanding its Footprint: The Es- nente Chairman and CEO Bernard ture,’ with a mission to inform, in- an example of Black Excellence on Fresh, Teyana Taylor, Big Freedia sence Festival of Culture…Black Tyson, New Orleans Mayor LaToya spire and uplift Black women and full display in America’s most inter- and the return of Frankie Beverly and Global Cantrell, and Square CEO provide a holistic approach to how national and African City . Page 4 July 13 - July 19, 2019 Newsmaker www.ladatanews.com

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, Morial Family Unveil Interactive Exhibit Showcasing New Orleans’ 300-year History and Legacy of Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial The Exhibition Hall Authority Also Announces plans for annual Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial Award

Edited By Data Staff Writers theme reflects on the important African American experience over Family members of former New three centuries, including the Mo- Orleans Mayor Ernest N . “Dutch” rial family’s civic legacy and lead- Morial joined Commissioners of the ership as the visionary behind Ernest N . Morial New Orleans Ex- making our Convention Center the hibition Hall Authority and a long economic driver it is for our city and list of state and local dignitaries state today .” on Wednesday to unveil The New One of New Orleans’ most Orleans Ernest N . Morial Conven- accomplished and determined tion Center Tricentennial History Mayors, Dutch Morial, secured Exhibit, a state-of-the-art interactive the funding needed to develop a digital wall honoring the legacy of Convention Center that supports the former Mayor and celebrating economic development and the the city’s more than 300 years of creation of jobs for the City of New existence . Orleans . Through its 35-year his- The permanent digital display, tory, the Convention Center has activated by motion-sensing camer- created over $86 billion in econom- as, is 28 feet wide and 13 .5 feet tall ic impact, $5 .6 billion in new tax made up of 42, 55” video screens . revenue for the state and local gov- The exhibit is designed to show- ernments and supports more than case the city’s rich cultural and 22,690 jobs annually . historic heritage dating back to its The family of former Mayor Ernest N. “Dutch” Morial, including his wife, Sybil H. Morial, and son, former “On behalf of my entire family, founding days through a timeline Mayor Marc Morial, celebrates the unveiling of the interactive exhibit honoring the legacy of the former I want to thank the Exhibition Au- that explores the people, moments Mayor and celebrating the city’s more than 300 years of existence. thority for its extraordinary efforts and places that shaped the city and to bring this beautiful and thought- made it the unique and diverse ful exhibit to fruition,” said Sybil “gumbo pot” it is today . Through Morial . “Highlighting the passion touch, visitors navigate a series of and vision that Dutch had for the descriptions, factoids, photographs Convention Center project and the and suggested cultural destinations City’s future economic develop- that offer interesting and uniquely ment, makes it exponentially more New Orleans experiences to ex- special . The iconic New Orleans plore beyond the Convention Cen- Morial Convention Center is a fit- ter . ting location for a permanent tricen- Joining the former late Mayor’s tennial exhibit that demonstrates to wife, Mrs . Sybil Morial, former the world the unique culture, his- Mayor Marc Morial and other fami- tory and civic and business life of ly members in commemorating the our 300-year-old city .” occasion were Lt . Governor Billy The digital wall was commis- Nungesser, current Mayor LaToya sioned by the Authority in 2018 and Cantrell, Exhibition Hall Author- was created by world-renowned ity President Melvin Rodrigue, and design studio Gallagher & Associ- Convention Center President Mi- ates, whose work is featured at the chael Sawaya . National World War II Museum, In- “Dutch Morial was a fierce ternational Spy Museum in Wash- defender of equal rights and led ington, DC and other prestigious successful court challenges that Emcee Norman Robinson announces the unveiling of the interactive exhibit at the New Orleans Ernest N. museums around the world . brought an end to many segrega- Morial Convention Center. In addition to the interactive tion policies in Louisiana,” said Gov . exhibit, the Exhibition Hall Au- John Bel Edwards . “We owe him a siana today is 18 . Last year, I was opportunity to learn more about his digital experience is designed to thority announced the creation debt of gratitude . He recognized happy to join the Morial family and contributions to our state and how give visitors a taste of New Orleans’ of The Ernest N . “Dutch” Morial the importance of young people state lawmakers in celebrating the they are still impacting us for the history through moving images Award in honor of Dutch’s legacy and the need for them to participate 50 years since he was a member of better today .” which highlight key themes and advancing economic development in the political process . As a result the Louisiana Legislature . I know According to Exhibition Hall Au- moments that have made New Or- and small business growth for the of his fight, the voting age in Loui- this new exhibit will be an excellent thority President Rodrigue, “The leans the treasure it is . A primary City of New Orleans . ladatanews.com www.ladatanews.com State & Local News July 13 - July 19, 2019 Page 5

McDonald’s Franchisee Henry Coaxum Helped Host McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden

Edited By Data Staff Writers excellence through empowerment, ficial Essence After Party . Celebs, entrepreneurship and education . such as actor/singer Luke James; McDonald’s Black & Positively BLACK & POSITIVELY GOLD- reality television stars Cynthia Golden movement was lit at the EN WELCOME BREAKFAST: Mc- Bailey, Tamar Braxton and Trina 25th Essence Festival! The (em) Donald’s kicked off the explosive Braxton; actor Tyler Lepley; and power-packed weekend was full weekend with an exclusive Black & social media star Karlton “@not- of activities to uplift and inspire Positively Golden Welcome Break- karltonbanks” Humes, sparkled at up-and-coming entrepreneurs ev- fast . The intimate event was hosted Club XLIV as attendees and Hiplet- erywhere . With appearances by by McDonald’s Head of Cultural style dancers showed off their best actress/businesswoman La La Engagement and Experiences Li- moves to the sounds of DJ Rashida Anthony, entertainer Luke James, zette Williams — the spearhead and DJ B-Hen . reality television stars Cynthia Bai- behind the brand’s largest African BLACK & POSITIVELY GOLD- ley, Tamar Braxton and Trina Brax- American-focused campaign in 16 EN SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTA- ton, vocal powerhouses Jazmine years — and New Orleans franchi- TIONS: To close out the weekend, Sullivan and Kierra Sheard, the see Henry Coaxum . McDonald’s empowered the next always-suave actor/host Terrence BLACK & POSITIVELY GOLD- generation of leaders by supporting J and more, some of the culture’s EN LATE NIGHT PARTY: After a college education . In partnership brightest stars came out to sup- long day of empowerment, McDon- with Thurgood Marshall College port the Black & Positively Golden ald’s hosted its Black & Positively New Orleans McDonald’s franchisee Henry Coaxum and McDonald’s Fund and the organization’s na- movement, which celebrates Black Golden Late Night Party — the of- Head of Cultural Engagement and Experiences Lizette Williams kick off tional ambassador and HBCU alum the brand’s Black & Positively Golden Experience at the 25th Essence Terrence J, McDonald’s presented Festival with an exclusive Welcome Breakfast. McDonald’s Essence Festival activities are an extension of its Black & Positively Golden two, $10,000 Black & Positively movement, which celebrates Black excellence through empowerment, Golden Scholarships to well-de- entrepreneurship and education. serving incoming HBCU freshmen .

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@DataNewsWeek Page 6 July 13 - July 19, 2019 Data Zone www.ladatanews.com Data at Essence!

By Data Staff Writers Photos by Glenn Summers

The Essence Festival’s 25th Anniversary celebration as- cended into the stratosphere, reaching the stars with its diz- zying array of celebrities, rock star famous politicians, the local who’s who and everyday mela- nin poppin’ sisters who came New Orleans District E ready to party with a purpose . Data Publisher Terry Jones Data Publisher Terry Jones City Councilwoman Cyndi with U.S. Representative And Data News Weekly was and Essence Publisher Nguyen and Data News Maxine Waters (CA), and there to take in all of that Black Weekly Editor-In-Chief her husband, Sidney Wil- Richelieu Dennis. Edwin Buggage. excellence! liams.

Data News Weekly Publisher Terry Jones, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Essence Magazine Co- Founder Ed Lewis.

Visit www.ladatanews.com for more photos from these events www.ladatanews.com Data Zone July 13 - July 19, 2019 Page 7 2nd Annual Black Masking Cultural Festival By Glenn Jones Photos by @thegoldfra.me

BlackMasking org. in conjunc- tion with Beulah Productions in affiliation with Fractured Atlas, a 501- c3, presented the 2nd Annual Black Masking Cultural Festival on July 5th at Stallings Park . This year’s event featured both local and international arts & crafts, live music performances, local food trucks, film screenings, dance workshops and more, as well as performances by local and interna- tional artists .

Visit www.ladatanews.com for more photos from these events Page 8 July 13 - July 19, 2019 Commentary www.ladatanews.com

First Democratic Debate of the 2020 Race Features Almost No Questions on the Black Agenda

Hispanic voters continue to un- Typically, moderators and sub- derperform at the ballot box as ject focus for each debate con- compared to other demographics . trols what the topics will be . Even Additionally, exit polls and other though Lester Holt was a modera- data demonstrated that 25 to 30 per- tor for the first debate on June 26, cent of Hispanic voters supported corporate media largely ignores is- Donald Trump in the 2016 presi- sues disproportionately impacting dential election . African Americans, unless there Lauren Victoria Burke In 2016, numerous reports on is a pre-planned structured debate NNPA Newswire Contributor Russian interference demonstrated where specific subject matter is to that Black voters were targeted for be focused on . voter suppression, one of many Sen . Warren and former Hous- The first presidential debate for obvious signs of the importance of ing Secretary Castro were viewed the 2020 campaign in the race for Black voter support . According to as winners of the first debate as the White House featured five mod- PEW research, in 2016, the Black they focused on middle class issues erators, ten candidates, two hours voter turnout rate declined for the and social economic parity . and only one question on the voting first time in 20 years in a presiden- The second of the first two debates of the 2020 campaign took place “From a candidate’s perspec- block that comprises the base vote tial election . The turnout rate for on June 27th in Miami. Sen. Kamala Harris of California, was featured. tive, it’s about who comes to the for the Democratic party: African African American voters was 59 .6% Photo Courtesy NNPA. game ready to play the game . American voters . in 2016 after reaching a record-high The only person, in my view, who The one question came an hour 66 .6% in 2012 . For Hispanics it was obsessive focus on a wall at the Sen . Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), came to the game last night and and thirty minutes into the debate 47 percent . Mexican border and keeping Mexi- Sen . Cory Booker (D-NJ), former ready to play it was Julian Castro,” and was delivered by MSNBC’s One of two African American can immigrants out of the United Secretary of Housing and Urban said former Republican National Rachel Maddow to candidate Sen . candidates for President in 2020, States was revealed from the mo- Development Julian Castro of Tex- Committee Chair Michael Steele Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota . But New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, ment he announced his candidacy as, Sen . Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), on MSNBC on June 27 . even that question, which started refocused the discussion on African for president in 2015 to his first former Rep . Beto O’Rourke of Tex- Lauren Victoria Burke is an inde- out focused on the Democratic par- Americans several times during the month in office in early 2017 . as, New York Mayor Bill deBlasio, pendent journalist and writer for NNPA as well as a political analyst ty’s reliance on African American debate . Much of the two hours of There were ten Democratic can- Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, for- and strategist as Principal of Win voters, pivoted over to a question debate discussion focused on immi- didates on stage for the first of two mer Maryland Rep . Tim Delaney Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail. on Latino voters . gration policy . President Trump’s debates in two nights . They were: and Rep . Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii . com and on twitter at @LVBurke

Entertainment Halle Bailey To Play Ariel in “Little Mermaid” Live Action Movie

By Katherine Lewin necessary to play this iconic role,” up after the announcement – but DiversityInc Marshall said in a statement . Twitter took to defending Bailey in Actress Halle Berry quickly took hilarious ways . member Halle Bai- to Twitter to congratulate Bailey . Ariel will be Bailey’s first role ley has been tapped to play Ariel in “In case you needed a reminder… ever on the big screen . Bailey the upcoming ‘Little Mermaid’ live Halles get it DONE . Congratulations formed Chloe x Halle in 2015 with action movie . The Disney (No . 20 @chloexhalle on this amazing oppor- her sister and they quickly rose on the DiversityInc Top 50 Com- tunity, we can’t wait to see what you to fame . Since their discovery, the panies list) classic will be brought do!” Berry tweeted . “This means the sisters have signed a record deal back to life with Bailey . After world . happy to share names with with and months of searching, director Rob you love you lots,” Bailey replied . opened for Beyoncé on her “Lem- Marshall said that Bailey appeared Berry wasn’t the only one to onade” tour . Bailey also stars in as the clear winner . reach out to Bailey to congratulate the Freeform series “Grown-ish .” “After an extensive search, it her on taking on such an iconic The film, which will begin pro- was abundantly clear that Halle role . Mariah Carey also took to duction in early 2020, will feature possesses that rare combination of Twitter . “Congratulations Halle! songs from the 1989 animated spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and My kids and I are so excited for the classic by Alan Menken and How- substance — plus a glorious sing- emancipation of Ariel,” she said . Halle Bailey, former member of Chloe x Halle has been cast by Disney ard Ashman, as well as new songs ing voice — all intrinsic qualities A #NotMyAriel hashtag popped to play Ariel in the upcoming “Little Mermaid” Live Action Movie. Photo by Menken and Miranda . by indiewire.com. ladatanews.com www.ladatanews.com Entertainment July 13 - July 19, 2019 Page 9

FILM REVIEW Toni Morrison The Pieces I Am

By Dwight Brown for or how it should be received . NNPA News Wire Film Critic She ripped preconceived notions and fallacies apart by revealing the She’s a literary icon whose acco- problem: “The assumption is that lades include a 1993 Nobel Prize in the reader is a White person .” She Literature . For the African Ameri- put that misguided viewpoint to can reader who has been glued to bed . her books since 1970, starting with Morrison seems at peace with her poignant debut novel The Blu- the battles she’s fought—or that est Eye, this documentary is an op- were fought for her . Her history portunity to see how the pieces of growing up in an integrated city Toni Morrison’s life have made her undoubtedly forged her persona . whole . Even with that multicultural back- For those who came to the party ground raising her consciousness, late, this recounting of her evolu- she had to disavow some of the mis- tion explains why, when you see a conceptions she was getting from photo of this amazingly young look- home, to become the person she is ing 88-year-old, you can discern a today: “My father thought all White certain brilliance hiding in her eyes, people were unredeemable .” an extreme intelligence behind her disarming smile and a stately aura Throughout her career, she has that is somewhere between that of been championed and loved by queen and goddess . Iconic, influential and award-winning writer/author Toni Morrison’s life comes to the screen in a documen- both Blacks and Whites . tary entitled, “Toni Morrison: The Pieces I am.” Photo Courtesy NNPA. One of the most interesting facts Director Timothy Greenfield- in this bio is that Morrison grew Sanders (The Black List: Volumes up in Lorain, Ohio, a multicultural Many of her books come up and desire to write books that could at universities, on TV—wherever One to Three) pulls together an in- immigrant town . Even if people for discussion: Sula (1973), about change social mores: Her mother a platform could assist her: “The teresting group of fans and friends didn’t fraternize much with each a deep female friendship, Song of made her erase the word FU– off only way I can own what I know is who have witnessed Morrison’s other in their homes (and that’s Solomon (1977), perhaps her best a sidewalk . Why? “Because words to write .” rise and have praised her: Decades- only a guess), shopping, town piece of storytelling and certainly have power .” Rather than keep this The writer-turned-editor-turned- long editor Robert Gottlieb; fellow activities and education threw ev- her most accessible novel and win- and other life lessons to herself, novelist stood up to anyone who novelist Walter Mosley; activist eryone into the same mix . It’s no ner of the National Book Critics Morrison has shared them consis- had a misconception about Black Film Review, surprise that when Morrison en- Circle Award for Fiction . The ‘80s tently in novels, essays, lectures literature and who it was written Continued on page 10. tered Howard University and con- brought Tar Baby (1981), then the fronted segregation in The South somewhat controversial Beloved that her perspective on life and (1987), which was turned into a race changed dramatically . Her film by Oprah Winfrey, whose evolution on the subject matter is Book Club and TV show catapulted as interesting to watch as her de- Morrison into the consciousness of velopment as a writer . middle America, or at least those When she helped school her who liked to read . White editors on the power of her Still, some of her most illumi- works and viewpoints on African nating thoughts on race were es- American culture and experiences, tablished in The Bluest Eye . This she faced the same challenge that profound novel chronicle the in- many African Americans encoun- doctrination of Blacks into a White ter when dealing with their White society to the point that self-esteem counterparts in business, educa- is tied to White characteristics that tion, politics, etc . Resistance . As Blacks don’t have, like blue eyes . she recounts her experiences, Mor- Among other revelations in the rison is poised, resolved and reflec- book, her astute analysis of cultural tive . Somewhat akin to an intelligent manipulation that results in low self- philosopher or an academic who pa- esteem is enlightening . tiently teaches a class of inquisitive One source of inspiration for the but slow-learning freshmen . book came from a jarring encoun- You discover that she started her ter with an African American friend . editing career as a divorced woman Friend: “I don’t believe in God,” with two young boys, but that is Morrison: “Why?” Friend: “Be- about as deep as the footage goes cause I’ve been praying for blues into exploring her personal life . eyes for two years and he didn’t There are glimpses of Morrison give me his .” If that doesn’t rip your behind closed doors, but nothing heart out and send a clear message explicit, controversial or negative . about the cruelty of systematic or In that way, this doc feels a bit like a unintended racism, nothing will . promotional reel, which isn’t a detri- There are other incidents re- ment, as any details about Morrison ported by Morrison that underline are better than none . the shaping of her values, views Page 10 July 13 - July 19, 2019 Book Review www.ladatanews.com

Legendary Black Arts Movement Author Horace Mungin Celebrates 50 Year Career Anniversary With Re-Release of 10 Literary Works

By Jazzmyne PR erature and in American life .” sketches of the author’s neighbors The ten re-released titles tra- who lived in the Lincoln Square Ridgeville, SC - It was 1968 verse timelines, characters and community, from the famed Thelo- when literary giant Horace Mungin plots . In 1980, Mungin started a nious Monk to William Walker, the penned his first published work, syndicated column called “Sleepy prototype for Sleepy Willie . “A Dif- “Dope Hustler’s Jazz,” part one of Willie .” These columns gave birth ferent Point of View” presents fifty a two volume set of anti-drug po- to two Sleepy Willie books . Sleepy years of Mungin’s Black Liberation etry . “Dope Hustler’s Jazz” was the Willie, the protagonist in both era poetry arranged in a manner beginning of a writing career that “Sleepy Willie Talks About Life” that allows the reader to trace racial started in the Black Arts Movement and “Sleepy Willie Sings the Blues” progress from the 1960’s to 2015 . and would extend over five decades is a seemingly whimsical old man “Swing, Hard Bop, Bop & Be- of literary contributions . Horace whose wisdom derives by way of bop,” Mungin’s most recent title, Mungin Books is celebrating 50 his longevity and experience . and the pinnacle of his vast library years of intellectual success with Mungin’s works range from the of work, is a celebration of the be- the re-release of ten books, writ- African American transformation bop era of jazz music with a collec- ten between 1968 through to 2018 of the New York City Transit work tion of biographical prose and poet- including his latest, “Swing, Hard force in the 1960’s in “Subway: Af- ry, exploring over 60 of the greatest Bop, Bop & Bebop .” The full col- ter the Irish,” to the fictional “ . . jazz artists of swing and bebop lection of Mungin’s work provides Or Does It Explode”, a cautionary music ever assembled . The Music a distinct and insightful perspective look at where injustice could lead Department at Allen University, in into the heart of African American Black Americans . On the other Columbia, SC, produced “Manteca” culture and world views . hand, “The Devil Beats His Wife” a Bebop Jazz Revue based on the Mungin’s full collection includes is a series of shorts set in the New book! Mungin’s Magazine, Black a dozen titles: “Dope Hustler’s Jazz” South, chronicling the first and sec- Forum, which he started in 1970 1968; “Now, See Here Homes” ond generation of Black and White and published for twelve years, is 1969; “How Many N**** Make people pushing against old racial also part of a permanent exhibition Half a Dozen” 1970; “Sleepy Willie Horace Mungin Books is celebrating 50 years of intellectual success barriers as they establish the new at the National Museum for Afri- Talks About Life” 1991; “Sleepy Wil- with the re-release of ten books, written between 1968 through to norm in attitudes . can American History and Culture lie Sings the Blues” 2001; “San Juan 2018 including his latest, “Swing, Hard Bop, Bop & Bebop.” The full “San Juan Hill” presents the com- about the Black Arts Movement . collection of Mungin’s work provides a distinct and insightful perspec- Hill” 2006; “Subway: After the Irish” tive into the heart of African American culture and world views. ing-of-age memoir of a young boy Mungin’s vast catalogue of writ- 2008, “Poetic Portraits: The African growing up in the Amsterdam proj- ing paints a vivid scenario of Black People of San Juan Hill” 2010; “A and eBook at Amazon .com . have always given voice to the op- ects in mid-town Manhattan during life in America spanning several Different Point of View” 2013; “The “It is my hope that the re-release pressed, providing what I consider the 1950’s on the crest of the Civil decades . Get educated and inspired Devil Beats His Wife” 2013; “Truth of my past works incites, instigates a liberation patois where freedom Right Movement . With “Truth & by reading along at www .horace- & Absurdities: Social and Political and awakens a deep yearning for is the goal . My books are written in Absurdities,” Mungin presents es- munginbooks .com and at Amazon . Commentary” 2014; Or Does It Ex- true freedom that I feel is lost with that universal dialect which is the says that chronicle his family histo- com (https://www .amazon .com/ plode, 2016 and “Swing, Hard Bop, today’s hustle and bustle,” express- weapon of the powerless that an- ry in South Carolina and New York s?k=horace+mungin&ref=nb_sb_ Bop & Bebop” 2018 . The author is es Mungin, a former New Yorker nuls one’s ability to feign ignorance . City while intertwining defense of noss_1) . offering a free shipping special on now living in Ridgeville, SC in the These books were written to satisfy the Barack Obama Presidency . Watch the Horace Mungin autographed copies purchased di- Charleston, Lowcountry area . “I the desire for an indisputable Afri- A companion book to “San Juan Books’ trailer at https://youtu .be/- rectly at Horace Mungin Books and consider my books, whether poetry can American presence and greater Hill,” “Poetic Portrait: The African 5vLNjiPZPM all titles are available in paperback or prose, lyrical Afrocentricity . I knowledge of that existence in lit- People of San Juan Hill,” provides

Film Review, Continued from page 10. Angela Davis; and essayist Fran Lebowitz . There are also glimpses of legendary poet Sonia Sanchez, Winfrey and others . The archival footage, photos and newly shot interviews on-view look clear (Graham Willoughby cinematographer), neatly pulled together (Johanna Giebelhaus, editor) and are properly highlight- ed by a beguiling score (Kathryn Bostic, composer) . The first documentary to gen- uinely explore Toni Morrison’s ascendance into the upper pan- theon of the literary world does more photos a nice job revealing her won- derful persona, uncovering her more stories backstory and establishing her more data firm place in American history in a way her followers will appre- ciate, and others will admire . www.ladatanews.com National News July 13 - July 19, 2019 Page 11 DATA CLASSIFIED Ebony, Jet Fire NNPA Publishers Honor Call 504-821-7421 to place your classified ad. Remainder of Staff, May Marjorie Parham, a Living

Close its Doors for Good Legend of the Black Press Job Opportunity Freelance By Stacy M. Brown, Writers NNPA Newswire Wanted Correspondent Data News Weekly, “The The National Newspa- People’s Paper, is looking for freelence writers to per Publishers Association join our team print and (NNPA) honored Majorie B . digital team. We want Parham with the organiza- to hear from you if you tion’s Legacy Award during are a working journalist, or an aspiring journalist its Annual Convention in Cin- who has 2 years or more cinnati on Friday, June 29 . of newspaper or PR The NNPA is a trade as- writing experience. We sociation that represents Afri- need writers who can can American-owned newspa- cover New Orleans news stories, ranging from pers and media companies in local high school sports, the United States . community events, City Parham, who turned 101 Hall and entertainment. in February, spent more than Experience in print is necessary, experience in three decades as publisher of digital and social media Diana Ross graces the cover of an anniversary issue of Ebony Maga- the Cincinnati Herald, which are encouraged. zine. The iconic publication featured ongoing issues regarding race was established in 1955 and Parham, who turned 101 in February, relations and was a pioneering entity in the championing of Black counts as the longest running spent more than three decades as Pub- beauty and excellence. Compensation is African American newspaper lisher of the Cincinnati Herald, which was established in 1955 and counts as the competitive and great in the city . longest running African American news- story ideas will be By Miana Massey “EBONY Media Operations, “She was a real radical,” paper in the city. appreciated. Chevrolet DTU Fellow | The LLC brands, which include EBO- said Dorothy Leavell, the Voice NY magazine, EBONY .com, digi- publisher of the Chicago and Gary Born in 1918 in Clement Coun- If you are interested, please email your resume tal magazine JET and jetmag .com Crusader newspapers . “Marjorie ty, Ohio, Parham graduated from and 3 writing samples to: It’s official, Ebony Magazine— and its related businesses, have Parham was something else and Batavia High School and attended terrybjones@bellsouth. along with its sister publication viably operated independently she was straight forward with Wilberforce University, a Histori- net and datanewseditor@ Jet Magazine—has potentially of Johnson Publishing Company her words and you didn’t have cally Black College, according to bellsouth.net. closed its doors for good . Former dba/ Fashion Fair Cosmetics to guess what she meant … she her bio . Later, she took classes at employees of the company took (JPC) since Black-owned Ebony made it very clear . She is a won- the University of Cincinnati before to Twitter last week using the Media Operations, LLC (EMO) derful human being and she was working as a clerk for the U .S . We can’t wait to hashtag #EbonyOwes to air out purchased the media assets of a great asset to the Black Press of Veterans Administration . In 1954, hear from you! their frustrations with the compa- JPC in 2016 . Black-owned invest- America,” Leavell said . Parham married Gerald Porter ny, as it has fired all of its employ- ment firm CVG Group LLC as- Parham was unable to attend the and one year later he founded the ees with little to no notice . sisted in the formation of EMO,” a ceremony but was represented by Cincinnati Herald . According to USA Today, mem- statement read . “EMO is unaffect- the husband of her granddaughter Within six years, Parham would bers of Ebony magazine’s digital ed by the Chapter 7 bankruptcy Rhonda Spillers, and Parham was retire from the Veterans Adminis- team say they’ve been fired and announcement regarding the dis- feted with proclamations and com- tration and take over as publisher of haven’t received their final pay- solution of JPC . EMO is not able mendations from Ohio State Sen . the Dayton Tribune, which her son checks in the latest controversy to to comment further and is not fa- Cecil Thomas, State Reps . Sedrick ran until he was drafted in the mili- hit the struggling publication that miliar with the facts or events of Denson and Catherine Ingram; Cin- tary, her bio said . In 1963, Parham This space can be has chronicled Black life in Amer- the JPC business .” cinnati City Councilman Wendell also became publisher of the Cin- ica for decades . Michael Gibson, The first issue of the iconic mag- Young; and Hamilton County Com- cinnati Herald, where she became a co-chairman and founder of Austin, azine hit stands 74 years ago and missioner Stephanie Dumas . legend and often noted for her work Texas-based Clear View Group, took the industry by storm . Found- Former Ohio State Sen . Eric Ke- at the newspaper and in the com- yours for only $80 which owns Ebony, declined to ed by John H . Johnson in Novem- arney served as master of ceremo- munity through her involvement in comment to USA TODAY on the ber 1945, the Black-owned publica- nies and co-chair of the convention . numerous civic organizations . digital team’s dismissal, citing a tion has striven always to address Kearney’s wife, Cincinnati Her- In 1982, Parham became the “policy of not commenting on any African-American issues, personali- ald Publisher Jan Michele Lemon second African American to serve employment practices or issues .” ties and interests in a positive and Kearney, served as the host for the as a trustee for the University of Call Now! The Chicago Tribune previously self-affirming manner . Timeless annual convention which this year Cincinnati, and she also chaired reported how Ebony was being editions of Ebony featured some of celebrates 192 years of the Black the board of the National Afro- pressed by the National Writers the biggest stars in Black America, Press of America . American Museum and Cultural Union to pay more than $200,000 including issues covered by Diana The convention’s partner and Center in Wilberforce, Ohio . Ac- it alleged the magazine owed to Ross, Sidney Poitier, as well as sponsors included Macy’s; AARP; tive in the Urban League, the freelance writers who contributed President & first lady Barack & Mi- Procter & Gamble; Ford; General American Red Cross and various 504-821-7421 stories back in 2017 . The drama chelle Obama . Motors; Chevrolet; RAI American scouting groups, Parham also was sparked the hashtag #EbonyOwes Despite the possibility that the Services Company; the Bill & Me- known for her work as a member on Twitter . According to a report on world may lose this national trea- linda Gates Foundation; American of NNPA where she served on the Ebony .com, the magazine’s previ- sure, fans of Ebony Magazine Petroleum Institute (API); Volk- organization’s board as treasurer . ous owner, Johnson Publishing Co ., and its lasting impact believe it swagen; MillerCoors; Fifth Third “I know [NNPA leadership] will filed for bankruptcy liquidation in will remain a staple of the Black Bank; Ascension; AmeriHealth continue their high standards of April, which Ebony said would not community and an ultimate ex- Carita; Wells Fargo; and Pfizer excellence,” Denson said . affect its operations . pression of Black excellence . Rare Disease . @StacyBrownMedia Page 12 July 13 - July 19, 2019 www.ladatanews.com

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