Fantastic Blackness: The Art and Politics of the Super Hero
Saturday Feb 25th, 2012 – Saturday Mar 10th, 2012
California State University Northridge
Fantastic Blackness is a bold and engaging exhibit of an insurgent and growing movement of independent black comic book writers and artists.
T.J. MARTIN IS THE FIRST BLACK DIRECTOR TO WIN AN OSCAR!
Seattle native TJ Martin is the first black man to win an Oscar as a Director for his documentary “Undefeated”! Martin was just happy to be among some of his filmmaking heroes according to a recent article in the Seattle Times, now he’s made history. Prior to Martin, the only non-caucassion to win an Oscar for their accomplishment as a Director, was Ang Lee for his film “Brokeback Mountain.”
THE FUNK OF BLACK TELEVISION
Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Sean “P-Diddy” Combs have entered in to the world of television. My initial reaction was “Great”, but we’ve been here before. Don’t get me wrong I’m happy, ecstatic, overjoyed that two of our most successful moguls in entertainment are about to grow their existing respective empires – good for them. However, we’ve had such a poor showing on a very short list of accomplishments thus far with Black Television.
Alvin Carl Hollingsworth and Negro Romance #2
The PBS series History Detectives did a segment on issue #2 of Negro Romance. The video features an appearance by Sequential Crush author, Jacque Nodell, and the website also provides scans of the first story in the book.
Johnny Mathis Comic Ads Circa 1950′s
Mathis was born in Gilmer, Texas, the fourth of seven children of Clem Mathis and his wife, Mildred Boyd. The family moved to San Francisco, California, settling on 32nd Ave. in the Richmond District, where he grew up.
Negro Romance #2 Love’s Decoy
The third installment of Negro Romance is set in the Cafe Ebonia, a segregated, Black night club, and its line of African American chorus girls.
E. Simms Campbell A Pioneer in Illustration Art
E. Simms Campbell was one of the first commercial Black artists in the US, with a career that stretched from the early 1930s to the late 1960s.
Nathan Heard’s 1970′s Raw Urban Life
Nathan Cliff Heard was born in Newark on Nov. 7, 1936, to Nathan E. Heard, a laborer, and Gladys Fruitt, a blues singer. He never completed high school, and always listed New Jersey State Prison in the education section of his résumé. Nathan C. Heard, a novelist, wrote realistically of prison life and the mean streets of Newark, NJ.
For Whitney
My sister from another mother, you went to my grandfather’s church. Today is your going home party and man it really hurts. To think you were just here, only a ‘moment in time’ ago, and now you’re gone to sing, your greatest ever solo. You shared with millions ‘the greatest love of all’, so who else but you, would have to heed the call…
NAACP Image Awards circa 1975
As we prepare for the 43rd annual NAACP Images Awards, the Museum of UnCut Funk decided to take a trip down memory lane.
Dick Anthony Williams
Born in Fayetteville, GA, actor Gary Anthony Williams attended Clayton State College. A classically trained actor, Williams honed his craft via involvement with the Georgia Shakespeare Festival, then performed in various theatrical locales including Agatha’s Dinner Theatre, The Shakespeare Tavern, and the Alliance Theatre. Williams moved into television in the late 1990s, with a guest spot on the series drama In the Heat of the Night and a small role in the Schwarzenegger thriller End of Days (1999).
WHITNEY PHOTOS – Jennifer Hudson Pays Tribute!
Since Whitney Houston’s passing, there have been photos circulating of her engaging in activity the night before. This evening being the precursor if you will to Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy bash, of which Whitney was sure to grace with her presence. A gala attended by many, it’s invitation only, and always well attended. The party still went on last night, Davis was quoted saying “She loved music and loved this night that celebrated music… Whitney would have asked that the music go on,” and so it did. The annual gathering began with a performance by Tony Bennett, followed by Diana Krall, Diddy and Alicia Keys, who dedicated her song “No One” to Houston. Some photos of Houston and Davis from previous years…
Tribute To The One And Only Ms. Whitney Houston
We will remember Whitney’s voice and her gift. She was one of the best, period. There will never be another.
Whitney Houston’s posthumous turn: As star of Sparkle
The death of Whitney Houston at the age of 48 is a deep loss for the music world. But it also has reverberations in another artistic realm–the movies.
WHITNEY HOUSTON DEAD AT 48
Whitney Houston was pronounced dead today at 3:43 pm Pacific time. She was found at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel, where she presently remains as her cause of death is under investigation with the Beverly Hills Police department. ”I am absolutely heartbroken at the news of Whitney’s passing. She was a true original and a talent beyond compare, I will miss her terribly.” Quincy Jones… Houston was a native of Newark, NJ. The daughter of Cissy Houston, a cousin to Dione Warwick and the God-daughter of Aretha Franklin, she was destined to be one of the best in music.
The FUNKIN’ DON of SOUL TV – Don Cornelius, Dead at 75
My mouth literally gaped open just now when I read the headline that television icon Don Cornelius was dead. It then opened wider when I read that he had shot himself!!! “Soul Train” hit the air in 1970 in Chicago, going national in 1971, I was eight. It was uplifting programming, seeing people of color dancing and enjoying themselves while some of the greatest talent in music performed.
