Michael B. Jordan attached to film based on award-winning book ‘Just Mercy’
Rising actor Michael B. Jordan is set to star in an upcoming film based on the award-winning book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.
The book is based on the true story of Bryan Stevenson, a young lawyer who founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice designed to defend the poor, the wrongly accused and incarcerated, and women and children.
One of the first notable cases the EJI took on was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to death for a gruesome murder he denied committing. Stevenson soon discovered a web of lies and red tape associated with the case that forever changed his views of the justice system.
A hot commodity among all the major studios, the film will be produced by Gil Netter for Broad Green Pictures and directed by Destin Cretton (I Am Not A Hipster, Short Term 12 ), who will also serve as screenwriter along with Andrew Lanham.
“We are privileged to bring Bryan’s memoir to the world as a major motion picture,” said Gabriel and Daniel Hammond, Broad Green Pictures CEO and chief creative officer. “Destin is such a collaborative, thoughtful and talented filmmaker, he is going to inspire the world with this powerful true story. He’s part of an amazing team alongside Gil, Michael and Andrew, and together they will make a historic film.”
Adding to the buzz surrounding the film is the word that stars such as Denzel Washington and Will Smith have expressed interest in being a part of the production when shooting begins.
As for Jordan, the 28-year-old actor looks to have a very busy second half of 2015 as he has two major movies set to hit theaters. First up the heavily anticipated Fantastic Four adaptation currently scheduled to be released on July 30. Then he is set to as the title character in the Rocky franchise spin-off, Creed, which will open on Nov. 25.
EMPIRE NEWS! The Writers of ‘Empire’ to be Featured at 9th Annual ‘Leimert Park Village Book Fair’
The book fair will be held on Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles
The Leimert Park Village Book Fair (LPVBF) will feature a distinguished panel discussion among writers for the runaway hit, “Empire,” on Fox Television.
Empire is one of television’s top rated new programs with over 16 million viewers.
“Empire” writer and producer Attica Locke (Black Water Rising, Pleasantville) along with co-producers and writers, Eric Haywood, Joshua Allen, JaNeika James, JaSheika James and Carlito Rodriguez from the show will discuss what goes on behind the scenes at the show.
The book fair will be held on Saturday, August 1, from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, located at 3650 West Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Los Angeles.
The “Empire” Panel, moderated by acclaimed author Tananarive Due (My Soul to Keep, The Living Blood, Blood Colony), will be a highlight of the book fair. Promoting 80’s style glitz, glamour, and the impact of Hip Hop culture in America!
The 1980’s: The Decade That Made Us will be the theme for the 2015 book fair. As such, theme related exhibits include a display of an 80’s classic car collection curated by the Petersen Automotive Museum, an exhibit of vintage 1980’s toys and a vinyl album display curated by the iconic Amoeba Music. The book fair presents “Writers and Their Typewriters,” featuring Ernest Hemingway’s personal typewriter, from Steve Soboroff’s collection. The LPVBF will also present an exhibit curated by Cornell University entitled, “Hip Hop Revolution: Roots, Rhythm, and Rage,” featuring more than 40 images by pre-eminent photographers that helped capture and record the Hip Hop movement.
The Leimert Park Village Book Fair (LPVBF) was voted “One of LA’s 5 Best Annual Book Festivals” by The Culture Trip, a one-stop digital platform for global culture and lifestyle. “We’re definitely proud of the fact that for nine years, we have brought a world class literary event to South Los Angeles. There’s no other event like this on the west coast.” said LPVBF Chairman Dr. Bernard W. Kinsey. Kinsey is a renowned art collector, philanthropist, and historian. His coffee table art book, The Kinsey Collection: Shared Treasures of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey – Where Art and History Intersect, will be available at the book fair.
LPVBF will also commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Watts Riots with a panel discussion moderated by Starlett Quarles, host of the internet talk show The Dialogue. Distinguished panelists Johnie Scott, Tim Watkins, J. Stanley Sanders and Dr. Bernard W. Kinsey will discuss the growing racial tensions, economic disparities and other underlying causes that sparked the unprecedented events of the Rebellion.
A special screening to mark the 30th anniversary of the landmark film adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning book The Color Purple will be held on Thursday, July 30th at the Rave Cinema Baldwin Hills. Other screenings during the book fair include Krush Groove (1985), a mini Children’s Film Festival and acclaimed documentaries: The Angry Voices of Watts (1965) and Wild Style (1982) documentaries.
Authors from a variety of genres will converge on LPVBF’s stages meeting and interacting with attendees. Actress Garcelle Beauvais and Sebastian A. Jones (I am mixed, I am Awesome) will be joining the festivities at the Children’s Reading Corner, the Author’s Pavilion and Main stages will host, among others, former model and author Kathleen Bradley (Backstage at the Price is Right: Memoirs of a Barker Beauty), attorney and award-winning author Pamela Samuels Young (Anybody’s Daughter, In Firm Pursuit, Murder on the Down Low); and actress Erika Alexander and husband, screenwriter Tony Puryear (Concrete Park) will join the Comic Book Writers’ Panel discussion and on the Healthy Cooking (demonstration) Stage, celebrity chefs Alice Randall and Caroline Randall Williams (Soul Food Love: Healthy Recipes Inspired by One Hundred Years of Cooking in a Black Family ).
“With the support of festival partner, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, our sponsors and numerous supporters, we are able to offer a full literary experience for the community,” said LPVBF Producer and Founder Cynthia E. Exum. “Panel discussions, book readings and signings, interviews, film screenings, special exhibitions, children’s activities, awards and honors, plus musical performances— this book fair has it all.”
For additional information on LPVBF’s events and activities, please visit www.leimertparkbookfair.com
ITS’ AN "EMPIRE" ENGAGEMENT: Trai Byers & Grace Gealey Are ENGAGED!
We've been watching these two for several months: Always hugged up in pics and interviews (spotted above at a pre-Oscar event this past February), doing solo lunches away from the rest of the cast, and having that look. Yep, we knew something as up, despite neither of the two ever publicly stating their feelings for the other.
Until now. Just in time for September's second season return of "Empire," Boo Boo Kitty & Andre Lyon Grace Gealey & Trai Byers are engaged, this according to Us Weekly
American-Caymanian dual citizen Grace just celebrated her 31st birthday over the weekend, and that's supposedly when 32-year-old Trai popped the question.
Us reports:N“He surprised her on her birthday. He popped the question and she was totally surprised and elated. She can’t stop looking at the ring! They celebrated all night.”
Grace posted pics from the fun night, without mentioning said engagement:
Trai posted pics below saying, “Had so much fun celebrating @gracegealey's life!! Happy Birthday to an exquisite human being! Thank you @kinmontchicago for hosting us. Amazing spot, wonderful food, UNFORGETTABLE night.”
Awww.
Interestingly: Trai and his on-screen wife Kaitlin Doubleday share the same birthday, which was earlier in the month. Grace posted:
The HAPPIEST of BIRTHDAYS to these dolls right hurrrrrrr. Not only do they play husband and wife on TV but they share the same birthday!! Loving, kind, smart, funny - it's such a blessing to have you both in my life. Here's to an upcoming year filled with everything you could possibly dream of and desire. You both deserve the world and more. Love you guys @kaitlindday @traibyers
Grace and Trai have something else in common other than age range and their current job. Both have studied the art of acting to the utmost degree. Trai attended the Yale School of Drama, while Grace has a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Arts from the University of South Florida and later attended the University of California, Irvine to receive her Master’s of Fine Arts in acting.
Congrats to the gorgeous couple!
Well Looky, Looky Claudia Jordan & Demetria McKinney Go Clubbin’!
Reality TV BFF’s Claudia Jordan and Demetria McKinney were spotted clubbing last night at Atlanta’s The Loft at Mansion Elan.
The two — who may or may not be returning to BRAVO’s Real Housewives of Atlanta — seem to be in great spirits poppin’ a few bottles and partying. Credit: @onsitefotos
Do you like their attire?
Bobbi Kristina Brown’s $20 Million Goes To Grandmother Cissy Houston
Following the tragic death of Bobbi Kristina Brown, it turns out the $20 million she inherited from her late mother Whitney Houston will be divided among the Houston family.
According to court documents, the aspiring singer was set to receive the fortune on the occasion of her 25th birthday, and since she was only 22 years old the $20 million was being held in a trust.
Given Bobbi’s demise, her grandmother Cissy Houston and her uncles Gary and Michael will each get a portion of the cash. Originally Whitney’s ex-husband Bobby Brown was included in the deal, but given their 2007 divorce he’s no longer on the list.
Angry Chief Keef wants to run for Mayor and issues a THREAT to Chicago’s Mayor
Chicago rapper Chief Keef is looking to transcend his musical career by entering politics. The rapper took to social media to announce his candidacy after current mayor Rahm Emanuel blocked the rapper from hosting a stop the violence benefit concert in the city.
Keef wanted to perform by hologram because there’s an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Chi-town on charges related to child support. How he plans on running a campaign in a city where he’s a wanted man is beyond us. Regardless, Keef urged his Twitter followers to call Rahm’s office to deliver this message:
Emanuel’s office blocked Keef’s benefit concert because they argued that it posed a “significant public safety risk.” The rapper was hoping to raise money for the families of his friend Capo, and 1-year-old Dillan Harris who was killed by a car fleeing the scene of Capo’s shooting death.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! JILL SCOTT PERFORMS ‘CLOSURE’ ON ‘GMA’
While promoting her newly-released fifth album Woman, Jill Scott rose bright and early for an appearance on “Good Morning America” on Tuesday. The Grammy-winning soulstress hit the Times Square studio to perform “Closure,” delivering a powerful rendition of the track with a full backing band. The song mixes Scott’s R&B vocal flourishes with funky instrumentation, including three background singers and a robust horn section.
WATCH JILLY FROM PHILLY sing ‘CLOSURE’
You can catch Jill in a city near you on her 30-city tour in session NOW!
Mariah Carey To Receive Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame!
Mariah Carey is finally going to receive an honor that’s been a long time coming.
On Aug. 5, the world-renowned singer will receive the 2,556th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A handful of Carey’s close friends will speak at the ceremony, including L.A. Reid, Lee Daniels, and Brett Ratner. As it turns out, Carey was supposed to receive the star back in 2007, but she wasn’t available.
Now, finally, she’ll get the honor that she richly deserves.
In a statement, Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies, praised Carey. “Finally, all questions regarding when Mariah Carey will be honored with a star are answered! Fans have repeatedly asked us when their favorite singer would be honored, and now is the time,” stated Martinez, adding, “We are thrilled that we can add one of the world’s biggest talents to our Walk of Fame.”
Carey recently wrapped the first leg of her “#1 to Infinity” residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. She will return for more dates in February 2016.
And yet Another Black Woman Found Dead in a Jail Cell
Another black woman has been found dead under mysterious circumstances while in custody.
Ralkina Jones, 37, was found dead in a Cleveland jail cell on Sunday, just days after Sandra Bland, 28, and Kindra Chapman, 18, committed suicide while in custody in Texas and Alabama jails.
Jones was arrested in a Cleveland suburb on Friday night after assaulting her ex-husband in a grocery store.
Jones reportedly pursued her ex-husband out into the parking lot and broke out the driver’s side window of his car.
According to the police report obtained by Cleveland.com, Jones grabbed a tire iron and swung it at him.
The violence didn’t stop there. Jones got the behind the wheel of her own car and stomped on the gas.
“During the incident, Ralkina’s 12-year-old daughter was in the back seat of her vehicle, which she attempted to run Brandon [Jones] over with,” the police report said.
Cops charged Ralkina Jones with felony assault, domestic violence and child endangerment.
Jones was transported from jail to a local hospital after jailers noticed she looked “lethargic.”
A few hours later, Jones was released from the the hospital and taken back to jail.
Corrections officers made “periodic checks” on Jones throughout the night.
She was found dead on Sunday morning, according to Cleveland.com.
No cause of death has been reported, but police said Jones was administered medication for high blood pressure.
Jones’s family members say they are waiting for answers from Cleveland police.
“You can’t just tell me one minute I seen my sister, then the next day she dead,” Jones’s sister, Renee Ashford told Cleveland.com. “That don’t even make sense. And it’s just, ‘I can’t help you. I can’t tell you.’ Like, no. That’s un-human.”
Russell Wilson turned down $21 million a year from the Seahawks!
He he wants a game-changing deal!
Russell Wilson has set a deadline for later this week to work out a long-term contract with the Seattle Seahawks, and now we have more evidence that Wilson is seeking to become the highest-paid player in the NFL.
Wilson has turned down an offer worth "nearly $21 million per year," according to what Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has heard through the grapevine. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network appeared to confirm the nature of the offer when he called Florio's number "essentially accurate."
In the NFL, only four players have a contract with an average annual value greater than $20.5 million:
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — $22.0 million (five years, $110 million)
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers — $21.85 million (four years, $87.4 million)
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers — $20.76 million (five years, $103.8 million)
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons — $20.75 million (five years, $103.75 million)
Presumably, the Seahawks' most recent offer to Wilson falls somewhere in the neighborhood of Newton and Ryan, but almost certainly in the top five ahead of Joe Flacco, whose deal has an average annual value of $20.1 million.
But this is the NFL, and contracts are never this simple. Just as important as, and possibly more important than, the average annual value is the amount of guaranteed money and the amount of money the player receives up-front. The latter is typically the only "fully guaranteed" portion of an NFL contract, with the rest of the guarantees coming into play only in the event of an injury.
While Florio's report says there is "significant guaranteed money" in the offer, according to Rapoport, the Seahawks' offer to Wilson includes "below $20 million cash up-front," with the rest being injury guarantees.
That is well below the $31 million that Newton received up front or the $30 million that Ryan received up front in fully guaranteed money in the form of first-year salary and bonuses. Rather, the offer appears to be much closer to the $18.1 million in up-front cash the Bengals gave Andy Dalton in his six-year, $96 million deal.
That is nothing to scoff at, but Russell Wilson is not Andy Dalton.
Peter King of Sports Illustrated takes it a step further and points out that Rodgers signed his deal in 2013, when the NFL salary cap was $123 million and his salary represented 17.9% of the cap. The cap is now $143.3 million, and an equivalent percentage would be a salary of $25.6 million, suggesting Wilson is being lowballed with a $21 million offer.
Wilson has said he wants a deal in place before the start of training camp, which is later this week, or he will play the 2015 season under his current $1.5 million salary. Based on what the Seahawks' most recent offer appears to be, it doesn't look as if a deal will get done.
Brittney Griner REBOUNDS From Failed Marriage With a New Girlfriend...named Lola!
That was fast! After a very rocky year which included a dosmetic dispute, a suspension from the WNBA, a wedding AND a divorce/annulment, it looks like Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner has finally found her "happy." We were snooping around Instagram earlier and we came across Brittney boo'd up with a new woman....her name is Lola.
We've learned that Lola works at Red Revolver Lounge in Phoenix and that's where she and Brittney met. Based on their Instagram photos and outings, the two seem to be a very happy couple.
Outside of her new relationship, Brittney still has a messy situation to clear up with Tulsa Shock player Glory Johnson. You'll recall that Glory and Brittney had a huge public brawl, followed by a huge wedding, a 28-day marriage and an even bigger split!
Since then, messy court document have been leaked, revealing that Brittney alleges Glory had a sexual relationship with a man leading up to their engagement, and continued to text with an ex-boyfriend after the engagement. Because of these allegations, Brittney wants an annulment, saying she NEVER would have married Glory had she known these deets.
Meanwhile, Glory is pregnant with their twins (although the babies will have no biological connection to Brittney) and she wants $20K per month in spousal support, plus a $10,000 advancement toward attorney fees.
We'll let you know how that all plays out...in the meantime, congrats Brittney!
Nick Gordon’s Mother Speaks Out About Her Son & Bobbi Kristina
Gordon’s mother, Michele Gordon, has spoken out on behalf of her son and their family following the death of his longtime love Bobbi Kristina Brown, explaining that her son is devastated and “has suffered greatly” these past several months.
“The passing of Bobbi Kristina is devastating to Nick and our family. Nick loved and cared for Krissi deeply, and he has suffered greatly each and every day they’ve been apart,” she said in a statement to NBC News. “Nick and our family are in mourning, and we ask that you respect our privacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with both the Houstons and the Browns during this difficult time.”
“Bobbi Kristina Brown passed away July 26, 2015, surrounded by her family,” the Houston family confirmed to E! News in a statement late last night. “She is finally at peace in the arms of God. We want to again thank everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months.”
Bobbi Kristina became romantically involved with Nick after Houston’s death, and tensions between the Houstons and Gordons were part of the storyline on Lifetime’s short-lived 2012 reality series The Houstons: On Our Own.
Bobbi Kristina’s family has been questioning the circumstances leading up to her near-drowning, with some wondering if Nick might somehow be to blame. Through it all, Nick has maintained his innocence. Still, Bobby had banned Nick from visiting Bobbi Kristina at the hospital, leading him to make public pleas for admittance. Nick, who also checked into rehab in March, currently lives with family in Florida.
Nick is also facing a $10 million lawsuit filed by Bobbi Kristina’s conservators. In the papers, they accuse him of domestic abuse and stealing money. In response, Nick assembled a high-profile legal team to help him investigate what happened the day Bobbi Kristina was found unresponsive in her bathtub.
“The initial portion of the autopsy has been completed,” the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a statement released midday Monday. “The autopsy does not show an obvious underlying cause of death and no significant injuries were noted. No previously unknown medical conditions that could have contributed to death were identified.
“Additional laboratory testing will be performed. Subpoenas have been issued to obtain needed documentary information. We do not plan to complete the death certificate or determine a cause and manner of death until all test results are completed and all investigative, medical, and other documentary records are received and thoroughly reviewed. We anticipate that these processes will take several weeks.”
Funeral plans have yet to be announced.
Lil B Admits To Being “Transphobic”
Aside for a select few NBA players, California rapper and motivational speaker Lil B appears to love everybody. A sentiment he recently owned up to save for those “men turned women.”
After enduring a great deal of backlash for the alway-losing “transgender locker room joke,” the rapper born Brandon McCartney owned up to the discrimination that plagues his soul.
“I got love for the gays! I got love for humans I want to attract more good people and women that love me! Not men turned women,” he signed on Twitter with a frowning face. “I am transphobic and I need help to learn to accept I’m scared because I’m not comfortable with my self I love u I love born girls.”
He also slipped in a “no homo” which is ironic, seeing that his most commercially visible album was titled I’m Gay in 2011.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘MR. BAD DOG’
I wonder if this guy is for hire? I’d love to have him just show up to a group of stoned kids and just enjoy the show.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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