The next presidential debate to be held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta

The next presidential debate will be held at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta Georgia; a 330-acre site formerly owned by the Confederacy and now singularly owned by a Black man.

READ MORE: Oprah, Beyoncé, more attend Tyler Perry star-studded gala for studio opening

“Democratic Debate site is set: [Tyler Perry Studios] is a model for Georgia’s vibrant film industry, an engaged corporate citizen and an exceptional location for our #DemDebate. Looking forward to welcoming the candidates to Georgia on November 20,” former Democratic contender for governor Stacey Abrams tweeted.

Democratic Debate site is set: @TPStudios is a model for Georgia’s vibrant film industry, an engaged corporate citizen and an exceptional location for our #DemDebate. Looking forward to welcoming the candidates to Georgia on November 20. #gapol

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) October 26, 2019

Abrams has fought against unequal standards for counting provisional and absentee ballots in Georgia. At issue, thousands of registrations were cancelled for Georgians who did not vote in recent elections and that in some polling places, people had to stand in line for hours.

This key topic along with many others will surely top the list of questions pitched to candidates in the running for the Democratic nomination to run against Donald Trump in 2020.

READ MORE: Tyler Perry officially unveils the first Black owned studio

Perry built a new $250 million, 330-acre studio in Atlanta on a former Army base called Fort McPherson, which is south of downtown Atlanta. He purchased the land in 2015. It’s considered one of the largest production studios in the country with 12 sound stages, 40 buildings on-site that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and more than 200 acres of green space.

Get ready to tune in to the debate Nov. 20 from 9 to 11 p.m. ET. The moderators are reportedly Rachel Maddow, Andrea Mitchell, host of “Andrea Mitchell Reports”; NBC News’ White House correspondent Kristen Welker, and White House reporter for The Washington Post, Ashley Parker.

It will be hosted by The Washington Post and MSNBC.

The post The next presidential debate to be held at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta appeared first on theGrio.

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Close friend of Rep. Elijah Cummings explains epic shade delivered to Mitch McConnell at memorial

Bobby Rankin, a close friend of Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) made waves last week for the snub that was seen around the globe when he refused to shake Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s hand.

And for Rankin, the shade he delivered to McConnell was a personal one dedicated to his brother, Jerry.

“I could not put my hands in the man’s hand who refused to help somebody who served his country,” Rankin said in an interview with the Washington Post, published Monday. “I couldn’t do it, because I was thinking about my brother.”

Rankin, who served as a pallbearer at Cummings funeral, explained that his brother Jerry was a Marine who had been sick for the last 10 years and died from cancer last October after coming in contact with contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Rankin explained that even though his brother bravely fought for his country, he couldn’t receive veterans benefits before he died.

Rankin, 64, lays that blame squarely on McConnell and the Republican party.

“Elijah Cummings reached across party lines trying to help my brother get his military benefits, and Mitch McConnell was one of the persons he reached out to,” said Rankin to the Washington Post.

“When I saw Mitch McConnell, all I saw was my brother.”

McConnell’s office did not respond to the outlet’s request for an explanation.

A woman on Twitter posted the viral moment which widely made its rounds on social media.

I think this brother right here walked right past McConnell and did NOT shake his hand!!! Wow! @DrJasonJohnson @Bakari_Sellers @angela_rye @CNN @rolandsmartin pic.twitter.com/dkSyeLjPtp

— Moni jay (@akajd31) October 24, 2019

The viral video had many people praising Rankin, saying his reaction was for “all of us”.

McConnell must know deep down that he’s a complete POS, right? He’s done far more bad then good not only for the country but even his state. At point do people say enough is enough, it isn’t abt party anymore it’s do you support corruption & lies or do you support truth & justice

— MNDem (@lakes_reo_pro) October 26, 2019

Said another user: “So #priceless I’ve watched it around 10 times already and it’s always as good as when I watched it the first time.”

So #priceless I’ve watched it around 10 times already and it’s always as good as when I watched it the first time.

— 45 Is A Puppet (@_DumpATrump_) October 26, 2019

READ MORE: Elijah Cummings’ widow rumored to run for his Congressional seat

We’re so here for a good, old-fashioned shade of epic proportions. We salute you Mr. Rankin for standing your ground.

The post Close friend of Rep. Elijah Cummings explains epic shade delivered to Mitch McConnell at memorial appeared first on theGrio.

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LeBron James Teams Up With Disney+ to Stream His New Docuseries ‘Becoming’

Michele Obama is not the only one who is becoming. According to Deadline, LeBron James has made a deal with Disney’s new streaming channel to produce a docuseries titled Becoming.

Disney+ has ordered an initial 10 episodes of the series. Originally created for Disney XD by ESPN Films, Becoming was spawned from the Becoming pilot that aired in 2014 and told the story of James’ meteoric rise to the top. The revamped docuseries will be made in collaboration with ESPN and feature athletes, musicians, actors, and other celebrities as they visit their hometowns and show how their upbringings and their environments shaped them into who they are today. A few of the featured subjects are Anthony Davis, Caleb McLaughlin, Candace Parker, and Nick Cannon.

Becoming is produced in conjunction with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, and Philip Byron from SpringHill Entertainment. They will also collaborate with Spoke Studios executive producers Brent Montgomery and Joe Weinstock in addition to Jordana Hochman and Rebecca Bruno, executive producers for ITV America.

Disney+ will launch in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands on Nov. 12, followed a week later with rollouts in Australia and New Zealand on Nov. 19. Along with their massive library of content, Disney+ will feature original Star Wars, Marvel Studios, Pixar, National Geographic and, of course, other Disney films and projects.

This is another notch in the belt of LeBron James’ ever-expanding media empire. He recently announced a major business venture with his business partner, Maverick Carter, to launch a Nike sneaker and e-commerce store. They were responsible for producing The Shop, which initially aired on the company’s website before HBO picked the series up in August 2018. In addition, the Los Angeles Laker player recently released his 17th signature shoe with Nike. He is currently playing in his second season for the Los Angeles Lakers in a quest for another NBA championship.

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LeBron James Teams Up With Disney+ to Stream His New Docuseries ‘Becoming’

Michele Obama is not the only one who is becoming. According to Deadline, LeBron James has made a deal with Disney’s new streaming channel to produce a docuseries titled Becoming.

Disney+ has ordered an initial 10 episodes of the series. Originally created for Disney XD by ESPN Films, Becoming was spawned from the Becoming pilot that aired in 2014 and told the story of James’ meteoric rise to the top. The revamped docuseries will be made in collaboration with ESPN and feature athletes, musicians, actors, and other celebrities as they visit their hometowns and show how their upbringings and their environments shaped them into who they are today. A few of the featured subjects are Anthony Davis, Caleb McLaughlin, Candace Parker, and Nick Cannon.

Becoming is produced in conjunction with LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, and Philip Byron from SpringHill Entertainment. They will also collaborate with Spoke Studios executive producers Brent Montgomery and Joe Weinstock in addition to Jordana Hochman and Rebecca Bruno, executive producers for ITV America.

Disney+ will launch in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands on Nov. 12, followed a week later with rollouts in Australia and New Zealand on Nov. 19. Along with their massive library of content, Disney+ will feature original Star Wars, Marvel Studios, Pixar, National Geographic and, of course, other Disney films and projects.

This is another notch in the belt of LeBron James’ ever-expanding media empire. He recently announced a major business venture with his business partner, Maverick Carter, to launch a Nike sneaker and e-commerce store. They were responsible for producing The Shop, which initially aired on the company’s website before HBO picked the series up in August 2018. In addition, the Los Angeles Laker player recently released his 17th signature shoe with Nike. He is currently playing in his second season for the Los Angeles Lakers in a quest for another NBA championship.

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8 Reflections on SpelHouse's Blessed and Highly Favored 2019 Homecoming

This past weekend in the capital of African America—Atlanta, Ga.—a gathering of Black Excellence took place on hallowed grounds in the city’s West End neighborhood. SpelHouse, the famed and noble portmanteau of two of Black America’s most illustrious and storied institutions—Morehouse College and Spelman…

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