Page 2 ~ THE VILLAGER/March 4, 2016 THE COMMUNIQUÉ www.theaustinvillager.com ROSS, ALLEN, AND SHAW HONORED AT 9TH ANNUAL ESSENCE BLACK The Academy® Board of Governors has WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD LUNCHEON by Naomi Richard | Essence.com | Austin Villager vowed to make changes to address lack of diversity and improve the voting process AT LEFT - Pre- senters Common and John Legend on stage during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, Febru- ary 28, 2016. Photo by Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.. AT RIGHT - Acad- emy President Cheryl BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 25: Honoree Boone Isaacs presents Debbie Allen (center), Norman Nixon Jr. (L), former during the live ABC NBA player Norm Nixon (center) and Vivian Nixon ® Telecast of The 88th Os- attend the 2016 ESSENCE Black Women In Holly- cars® at the Dolby® wood awards luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Four Theatre in Hollywood, Seasons Hotel on February 25, 2016 in Beverly Hills, CA on Sunday, Febru- California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images for ary 28, 2016. Photo by ESSENCE) Valerie Durant / Continued from page 1 ©A.M.P.A.S. February 26, 2016 Oprah Winfrey, Chris get the same oppor- that they went to the hos- versity, and every facet Board of Governors has (New York, NY) – ESSENCE, Rock, Jurnee Smollet- tunities as white actors. pital and unplugged the of our industry should vowed to make changes the preeminent brand for Bell, Nate Parker, That’s it. And not just real Ray Charles. It’s like, be as well. Everyone in to address this timely African-American women, Meagan Good, Kelly once. Leo gets a great ‘We don’t need two of the Hollywood Commu- discussion, and have al- proudly honored remark- Rowland, Tika Sumpter, part every year. All these these.’” nity has a role to play in ready implemented poli- able moments and per- Keke Palmer, Amber guys get great parts all Additionally, Acad- bringing about the vital cies to improve the vot- formers in film and televi- Riley, Serayah, Lala An- the time. But what about emy President Cheryl changes the industry ing process. Visit th sion at yesterday’s 9 an- thony, Margaret Avery the black actors? Look at Boone Isaacs com- needs so that we can www.oscars.com to stay nual ESSENCE Black amongst others. Grammy- Jamie Foxx. Jamie Foxx is mented on the contro- accurately reflect the in touch with this vital Women In Hollywood Lun- award nominated R&B one of the best actors in versy later in the show world today… We must subject and to view a cheon. Underscoring the singer Leon Bridges , per- the world. Jamie Foxx saying, “Our audiences take action.” Complete List of the 2016 spirit of diversity, 2016 ES- formed “ River” followed was so good in “Ray,” are global and rich in di- The Academy® Oscar Award® Winners. SENCE Black Women In by a stirring rendition of Hollywood Awards were “Brown Skin Girl.” presented to Tracee Ellis Powerhouse actress Byrd: “We want to ensure this historic Ross, Debbie Allen and Tracee Ellis Ross was pre- Nina Shaw. sented the Fierce & Fear- Known as one of Os- less Award by her sister field will be available to future car week’s most exalted Rhonda Ross and and star-studded events, Zendaya . Multi-talented generations of ball players”continued from page 1 the red carpet luncheon producer, director and ac- Buck O’Neil. Today creating the vibrancy of included celebrity appear- tress Debbie Allen was Downs Field is home to Austin. ances and guests such as presented the Legend Huston-Tillotson “We are excited Award by Shonda Rhimes University’s Rams base- about our partnership with and entertainment attor- ball team. HT baseball,” adds Byrd. ney Nina Shaw was pre- “We want to ensure “This season our organiza- sented the Power Award this historic field will be tion has made a special by ABC Entertainment available to future genera- emphasis to engage the President Channing tions of ball players,” says community around what’s Dungey and Nick Cannon Lisa Byrd, Executive Direc- happening in the District” brought to you by Lincoln. tor of Six Square – Austin’s says Rev. Freddie Dixon, The ESSENCE Black Black Cultural District. “So board chair. “It’s important Women In Hollywood Lun- it is critical that people that the legacy of Austin’s cheon will be televised as know that the field exists historically Black commu- an ESSENCE and OWN: and come out to support nity be connected to the Oprah Winfrey Network our local HBCU baseball future of Austin’s black special, airing on Saturday, team who plays here.” community and these February 27 at 10 p.m. ET/ Downs Field is lo- types of activities are one PT on OWN. cated in Austin’s Black way of ensuring this hap- Cultural District, which pens..” was designated by the Food trucks, live mu- City of Austin in 2007, sic, Wildcats, and Rams Pictured left to right are Six Square executive and comprises approxi- will all be at Downs Fields director Lisa Byrd and Austin city councilwoman mately six-square miles Saturday, March 5. Go Ora Houston of central east Austin root, root, root for your fa- from Manor Road to the boundary. In addition to cal historic significance vorite team and enjoy the North; Huston Tillotson, Downs Field, Six Square is and celebrates African game! For more informa- south; Airport Blvd, east; home to numerous sites of Americans and others who tion visit the website at and I-35 as the western national, regional and lo- played important roles in www.aachd.org.