Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal Takes 50 Students on Howard University Tour

As part of his efforts to give back to the community, Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal took some neighborhood children on a tour of popular HBCU Howard University, according to NBA.com.

The Washington Wizards shooting guard took students from Ron Brown College Preparatory High School (RBHS) to a visit on the campus of Howard University. Beal sponsored the bus and made arrangements for a tour for 50 students.

“Their lives are moving fast, and before you know it, college is here,” Beal told NBA.com. “We just want to get them ready and prepared for the next level.”

This was the fourth time Beal has sponsored a bus for a college tour, yet, the first one he was able to attend. Last November, he provided transportation for students on separate visits to Lincoln University, Morgan State University, and Salisbury University.

He had previously won the 2018-19 NBA Cares Community Assist Award and was awarded $25,000 for his generosity and contributions to the community. A small portion of the award went toward the sponsorship of the tour bus.

Bradley Beal hosts 50 students on Howard University tour (Image: Washington Wizards)

The Washington Wizards tweeted out the announcement, “Today, Bradley Beal continued his partnership with@RBHSMonarchs by attending his first and hosting his fourth college tour of the year. #WizCares |@RealDealBeal23“

The students were able to visit the office of the President of Howard University, Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick. Frederick answered questions from the students for 30 minutes. Beal stated he also got the chance to have a conversation with Frederick.

“Dr. Frederick is unbelievable,” Beal said after the meeting. “Just to see what he’s accomplished and to see what his vision is. To see his passion for the young kids and the youth at his young age is motivational. It inspired me to have a relationship with him moving forward.” 

“I always tell kids that I have four brothers,” Beal said. “The thing that I have against them is that I’m in the NBA, but they all have degrees and I don’t. That’s something that challenges me in a way. I want to get my degree and that’s something I take pride in, especially being a man of color.” 

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2OAvih7

Viola Davis Will Star as Michelle Obama in Showtime Series

Actress Viola Davis will showcase her acting chops as former first lady Michelle Obama in an upcoming series for Showtime.

Jana Winograde, president of entertainment at Showtime Networks Inc., announced that Showtime has given a series order for the first season of the hour-long drama First Ladies. Davis, an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony® winner, will also serve as the show’s executive producer.

The series will focus on the personal and political lives of America’s charismatic, complex, and dynamic first ladies. The initial season will be devoted to Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Obama.

“Throughout our history, presidents’ spouses have wielded remarkable influence, not only on the nation’s leaders but on the country itself,” said Winograde in a press release. “First Ladies fits perfectly within the Showtime wheelhouse of drama and politics, revealing how much personal relationships impact both domestic and global events.”

“Having Viola Davis play Michelle Obama is a dream come true,” Winograde added, “and we couldn’t be luckier to have her extraordinary talent to help launch this series.”

First Ladies will be produced by Showtime and Lionsgate Television. It will also be executive produced by Julius Tennon, Oscar winner Cathy Schulman (Crash, Five Feet Apart), Jeff Gaspin (Rhythm + Flow, L.A.’s Finest), Brad Kaplan (Mr. Church), and author Aaron Cooley (Four Seats: A Thriller of the Supreme Court), who created the series and will write for the show.

Davis won an Oscar and Golden Globe for her performance in the 2016 feature film Fences, based upon the play for which she won a Tony Award. She also earned Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG awards for her lead role in the ABC drama How To Get Away with Murder. Her career also includes Oscar, Golden Globe, and SAG-nominated performances in The Help and Doubt as well as a BAFTA nomination for Widows. Davis is a four-time NAACP Image Award winner and 16-time nominee, beginning with her performance on the Showtime series United States of Tara. 

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/31DEV3N

Viola Davis Will Star as Michelle Obama in Showtime Series

Actress Viola Davis will showcase her acting chops as former first lady Michelle Obama in an upcoming series for Showtime.

Jana Winograde, president of entertainment at Showtime Networks Inc., announced that Showtime has given a series order for the first season of the hour-long drama First Ladies. Davis, an Oscar, Emmy and Tony® winner, will also serve as the show’s executive producer.

The series will focus on the personal and political lives of America’s charismatic, complex, and dynamic first ladies. The initial season will be devoted to Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Obama.

“Throughout our history, presidents’ spouses have wielded remarkable influence, not only on the nation’s leaders but on the country itself,” said Winograde in a press release. “First Ladies fits perfectly within the Showtime wheelhouse of drama and politics, revealing how much personal relationships impact both domestic and global events.”

“Having Viola Davis play Michelle Obama is a dream come true,” Winograde added, “and we couldn’t be luckier to have her extraordinary talent to help launch this series.”

First Ladies will be produced by Showtime and Lionsgate Television. It will also be executive produced by Julius Tennon, Oscar winner Cathy Schulman (Crash, Five Feet Apart), Jeff Gaspin (Rhythm + Flow, L.A.’s Finest), Brad Kaplan (Mr. Church), and author Aaron Cooley (Four Seats: A Thriller of the Supreme Court), who created the series and will write for the show.

Davis won an Oscar and Golden Globe for her performance in the 2016 feature film Fences, based upon the play for which she won a Tony Award. She also earned Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG awards for her lead role in the ABC drama How To Get Away with Murder. Her career also includes Oscar, Golden Globe, and SAG-nominated performances in The Help and Doubt as well as a BAFTA nomination for Widows. Davis is a four-time NAACP Image Award winner and 16-time nominee, beginning with her performance on the Showtime series United States of Tara . 

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/31DEV3N

FBI Elevates Racial Extremists to 'National Threat Priority'

It’s crazy, y’all. I feel like four years ago we warned that if ol’ boy got elected it would embolden the worst of our society to do some heinous things. According to the FBI, unfortunately, we were right.

Read more...

from The Root https://ift.tt/2GY1zue

Justice Department to Investigate Conditions in Four Mississippi Prisons

Each week it feels like yet another story comes out about a prisoner being killed in a Mississippi prison. Hopefully,tonight’s news means that meaningful change is on the way.

Read more...

from The Root https://ift.tt/3bhh0vn