11th annual AAFCA Awards honor Matthew Cherry, Lupita Nyong’o and Eddie Murphy

The 11th annual AAFCA Awards was a star-studded event that honored Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Lupita Nyong’o and other luminaries. All the big names made sure to be there for a night of Black excellence.

Garcelle Beauvais, Sterling K. Brown, Clarence Avant, Tichina Arnold, Jon Platt, Lena Waithe, and honoree Foxx were among the heavy hitters at The African American Film Critics Association’s 11th Annual AAFCA Awards held on January 22 at Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, Calif. Actor-comedian Lil Rel Howery who has broken out in a major way hosted the good times.

Last night was really fun thanks for letting me host @theaafca #GreatTimes #AAFCAawards #Own #Deadline @ West Hollywood, California https://t.co/DWOUznr0zo

— Lil Rel Howery (@LilRel4) January 23, 2020

 

Matthew A. Cherry, a first time Oscar nominee for his short film Hair Love, was shown love as Breakthrough Filmmaker. He noted the importance of our community honoring each other. He described the night as a “dream”.

Last night felt like a dream. Huge thanks to @gilrobertson & @theaafca for honoring me with their Breakthrough Filmmaker Award. It’s important to show love to each other. Big thank you to @pramsey342 for a great intro and to my @SonyAnimation family for the support. #HairLove pic.twitter.com/bSJ42UKlDA

— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 23, 2020

Kenny Leon, one of the leading directors of Broadway, was awarded the Innovator Award during the ceremony.

Congratulations to the inspiring Kenny Leon on receiving the Nissan Innovator Award! Your creativity is changing the game. #NissanDiversity #AAFCA cc: @theaafca pic.twitter.com/dB2zICTtXT

— Nissan (@NissanUSA) January 24, 2020

Jordan Peele’s “Us” which grossed $255 million globally was awarded the Best Film. The director was also recognized for Best Director and Lupita Nyong’o highlighted for Best Actress. Gil Robertson, AAFCA President, and Co-Founder, explained to Deadline that Peele had raised the bar in film and horror.

READ MORE Black Film Critics group honors outstanding works in television

“With ‘Us,’ he once again upended the horror genre. His centering of a black nuclear family determined to survive in a complex storyline in a genre where black family units have historically been unseen is extraordinary,” Robertson said.

Murphy got AAFCA’s Best Actor honor for “Dolemite Is My Name” and Foxx was in the winning circle for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Just Mercy”. Da’Vine Joy Randolph earned Best Supporting Actress for Dolemite. The wide range of movies and performances selected reflected Robertson’s desire to showcase the full range of Black talent.

“This year’s (eleven) best films reflect a wide spectrum of diversity and creativity. Many of them tackle social injustice and challenge the criminal justice system in the United States specifically,” Robertson said.

READ MORE AAFCA announces 2019 Special Achievement Awards honorees

“AAFCA members, who put in their ballots from as far away as Australia and Jamaica, cast a wide net to recognize films made in the U.S. and beyond. Their choices truly reflect the best of cinema in 2019.”

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Sometimes Romantic Fairy Tales End Early: Lena Waithe and Alana Mayo Done After Two Months of Marriage

Actress, producer and screenwriter Lena Waithe has enjoyed a pretty damn successful last few years career wise. She’s the creator of the hit Showtime series The Chi and writer of the hit film Queen & Slim. And in 2017, she became the first black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a…

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Ugandan climate activist cropped out of photo

Vanessa Nakate, a 23-year-old Ugandan climate activist, was one of the many activists who took part in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland but pictures told a different story. 

Nakate was present alongside teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg during a new conference as reported by the Associated Press on Friday ahead of a scheduled protest in Swiss town. However, she was initially cropped out of photos showing her in attendance. 

Nakate was upset to learn that Associated Press new agency that featured only Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer, Isabelle Axelsson, and Loukina Tille. 

Everyone saying that I should position myself in the middle is wrong!

Does an African activist have to stand in the middle just because of fear of being cropped out?

It shouldn't be like this! pic.twitter.com/PR544GIv7g

— Vanessa Nakate (@vanessa_vash) January 25, 2020

 

AP later updated the photo to include Nakate after she tweeted the story with criticism.

READ MORE Weather Channel owner Byron Allen wants to highlight climate change’s impact on Black communities

According to Buzzfeed, in an exchange of private messages with Buzzfeed News, she was “heartbroken.” The cropping only echoes the visibility to white climate activists, an argument that was discussed in an opinion piece with The Guardian in October 2019. 

Writer Chika Unigwe pointed out the media’s deliberate oversight of many activists of color who are active in their causes and the “white savior” narrative.

“This tendency of the media to present Thunberg as the one who calls, and the others existing only to heed her call, is problematic, especially for those black and brown activists who media invisibility leads to invisibility to organisations whose help they could greatly benefit from.”

READ MORE Lizzo teams up with FOMO Festival to raise funds for devastating Australian wildfire crisis

“I cried because it was so sad not just that it was racist. I was sad because of the people from Africa,” Nakate told Buzzfeed. “It showed how we are valued. It hurt me a lot. It is the worst thing I have ever seen in my life.”

The activist posted an emotional 10-minute video about her experience at the summit as well as her reaction to the cropping. Thunberg, tweeted in support of Nakate, expressing her gratitude and how she’s “the last one who would deserve that.” Axelsson also tweeted her criticism towards AP.

I’m so sorry they did this to you… you are the last one who would deserve that! We are all so grateful for what you are doing and we all send love and support!!❤️❤️💖💖💖hope to see you soon again!!

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) January 24, 2020

We did a press conference today wrapping up the week at #WEF2020

It has come to my attention that more than one article has cut @vanessa_vash out of the photos. That is unacceptable, her voice is just as, if not more, valuable than ours in a place like this. #ClimateJustice pic.twitter.com/8kjkNVgVhU

— Isabelle Axelsson🌍 (@isabelle_ax) January 24, 2020

“There was no ill intent. AP routinely publishes photos as they come in and when we received additional images from the field, we updated the story. AP has published a number of images of Vanessa Nakate,” a spokesperson from the AP said.

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Antonio Brown released from jail after $110k bond

NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown was released from jail after posting a $110k bond. 

Brown, 31, formerly of the New England Patriots and who is currently a free agent, was picked up by his lawyer after a bond was posted for a felony burglary with battery charge. According to ESPN, these charges stem from an alleged assault “of a moving truck driver. Brown will be monitored by GPS and required to relinquish his passport and guns, participate in drug and alcohol testing and a mental health evaluation within 10 days.

READ MORE Hollywood Florida police say they are through with Antonio Brown

Eric Schwartzreich, one of Brown’s attorneys, didn’t feel that his client had any mental issues despite his erratic behavior. In recent months, he has lashed out at the NFL and been involved in confrontations with the police. Nonetheless, Schwartzreich did not believe Brown was out of control. He likened the athlete to starring in a reality TV show.

“He is misinterpreted and misunderstood. He’s not guilty of these charges,” Schwartzreich said.

The NFL wide receiver turned himself into police at the Broward County Jail on Thursday in Miami, Florida on a warrant on burglary and criminal mischief charges. Brown, along with trainer, Glen Holt, 35, was arrested after allegedly battering a truck driver at Brown’s home on Tuesday at 2 p.m. as first reported by NBC Miami.  

READ MORE Antonio Brown reportedly locked in his home while under investigation

The current charges carry a potential life sentence. His lawyers argued that he was overcharged.

“Once a thorough investigation is done, we believe the charges filed will most likely be very different than they are right now,” Lorne Berkeley said.

Brown’s legal team promised a vigorous defense of their client.

“He turned himself in. He did the right thing. He surrendered. He’s concerned for the charges and rightfully so,” Schwartzreich said. “He’s ready for this fight. He’s ready for his vindication. It’s going to take some time, but we are going to put the train on that track.”

 

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Second Black Texan teen told to cut dreadlocks

Kaden Bradford is now the second Black Texan teen being told to cut off his dreadlocks or else he won’t graduate.

ABC News reported the 16-year-old has been on suspension since last week according to his mother Cindy Bradford because he refuses to cut his hair. Kaden is Trinidadian and it is part of their culture to wear their hair in this manner. It is a celebration of identity and culture.

Cindy stated that her son has worn his hair in its natural state for years. She said it only became an issue last year and officials at his son warned him about pulling it back. If he did not do so, it would be in violation of their hair policy that dictates hair for males must be “gathered or worn in a style that would allow the hair to extend below”.

READ MORE Texas school forces Black teen to choose between wearing locs or attending graduation

He pinned his dreads back to comply and Cindy offered to have her son’s hair braided but that did not satisfy administrators who wanted his dreads cut off. Cindy said that the school’s principal, Rick Kana, told her that “the only way Kaden can come back to school is if he cuts his hair.”

“He had [dreads] last year,” she said. “He took a headband, and pushed them off his shoulders. [The school] said if he kept them up like that it was no problem.”

She is now considering suing, believing that her son is being targeted due to his race just as his cousin, DeAndre Arnold. The senior at Barbers Hill Independent School has been at the center of controversy for similar reasons.  He drew mainstream press after being told that he would not be able to walk during graduation unless he cut his dreads.

READ MORE Denver mom claims natural hair caused daughter to be kicked off her cheerleading squad

“My son is having the same issue (as Deandre),” Bradford said. “He’s a sophomore, he’s been growing his dreads out since sixth grade.”

Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who also wears dreadlocks, tweeted in support of Arnold.

Never cut your locks Deandre Arnold.

— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) January 22, 2020

On Friday, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., expressed his support for the young teens, tweeting, “No one should be punished for expressing who they are.” Booker also introduced The CROWN Act in New Jersey that will ban discrimination based on hair.

School officials have denied that race has played a factor.

“The policy is not about cornrows or ethnicity,” Poole said. “There is no injustice being done.”

Cindy and her sister Sandy Arnold, DeAndre’s mother, are considering lawsuits because their children have done nothing wrong. Arnold said the school “never called me because Deandre was being disrespectful or because of his grades, but because of his hair.”

 

 

 

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