Showtime

THE L WORD: GENERATION Q’s Afro-Latino’s Jillian Mercado is disabled and so what?

It’s fair to say that Jillian Mercado (born April 30, 1987) is a role model and a hope for thousands of creative artists who are disabled. It’s clear from her accomplishments that she doesn’t take “no” for an answer often. Along with her work as an actress, Mercado is a prominent figure in the fashion world and constantly challenging archaic ideas of beauty. True to her zodiac sign (Taurus), she is keen to fight the lack of representation for people with disabilities in the fashion, entertainment industry, and beyond. 

Emmy-Winning Composer and Pianist Kris Bowers Discusses his Journey and Latest Concerto Debuting at Walt Disney Hall

The American Youth Symphony (AYS), in part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Sounds About Town series will give the world premiere of Los Angeles native and Emmy award-winning composer and pianist Kris Bowers’s new violin concerto. Debuting February 8, 2020, at Walt Disney Hall, the piece played by violinist and former classmate Charles Yang titled For A Younger Self is an ode to Bowers’s younger self and their careers at Juilliard.

The Blackhouse Foundation and Strayer University Name Donald Dankwa Brooks Winner of Scriptwriter Competition to Bring Real Perspectives on Criminal Justice to the Classroom

On Friday, after opening with the Inaugural Blackhouse Black Entertainment Critics Kickoff Breakfast, The Blackhouse Foundation joined Strayer Studios for ScriptED: Bring Learning to Life, the culmination of a nationwide competition to discover a talented, up-and-coming scriptwriter who can help bring real perspectives to Strayer’s Criminal Justice program. In an exciting and surprising twist, Karl McDonnell, CEO of Strategic Education, Inc. (SEI), the parent company of Strayer University, increased the prize awarded to scriptwriter contest winner Donald Dankwa Brooks from $10,000 to $25,000 and offered the remaining four finalists $10, 000 each.

Media Pioneer and Tech Businessman Clayton Banks on Increasing Our Value in The Digital Economy

California born businessman Clayton Banks was an excited teen going to visit his brother at his UCLA dorm, he says, when he first encountered racism. “I was walking along and a car came by and someone yelled the N-word. I was just so appalled. I freaked out. I mean,” he paused at the memory, “I was really flabbergasted.” After he processed the incident Banks says he realized, “It had nothing to do with me. It was their ignorance.”

“Hitsville: The Making of Motown” Premieres in Los Angeles, Reinforcing the Legacy of Berry Gordy’s Iconic Label

Many of Motown’s biggest icons were in attendance at the premiere of Showtime’s latest documentary, “Hitsville: the Making of Motown,” last Thursday, August 8 at the Harmony Gold Theater in Los Angeles. Unforgettable stars such as Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Thelma Houston and former Vandellas member Betty Kelly graced the red carpet alongside legendary producer William “Mickey” Stevenson, songwriter Janie Bradford, and of course, members of the Gordy family.

‘I see it first and then I make it happen’— Michael Beasley

You may not know his name but it’s a good chance that you know actor Michael Beasley by his face, and it’s a nice face even when he has three teardrops painted under his eye, a mark charting the number of people that he murdered.  In real life, Beasley is a 6’3’’ lovable teddy bear. 

LeBron James Set to Deliver “Shut Up and Dribble” Docu-Series on Showtime

LeBron James continues to advocate for blacks and this time it will be in the form of a three-part documentary series on the changing role of athletes in the current political environment. According to Variety , the series is titled “Shut Up and Dribble,” taken from conservative pundit Laura Ingraham’s remarks to James in February when players from the Golden State Warriors declined an invitation to the White House after the 2018 NBA Finals. The controversy serves as a prologue to the series as it chronicles the modern history of the NBA and its players, starting with the 1976 merger of the freewheeling