BLACK DISNEY PRINCESS

Three generations of Black Disney princesses shared the stage Thursday as Brandy, Anika Noni Rose and Halle Bailey took part in Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration at Disney California Adventure Park. Held during D23 Day at Disneyland Resort, the concert brought together performers who have portrayed some of Disney’s most famous heroines. For Black audiences in particular, seeing Brandy, Rose and Bailey on the same bill offered a rare look at the actresses whose respective roles expanded who could be seen as a Disney princess. Brandy made history in 1997 when she starred as Cinderella in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, becoming the first Black actress to portray the character on television. During Thursday’s concert, she performed “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” before joining Lea Salonga for “A Whole New World.” Rose later took the stage to perform “Almost There” from 2009’s The Princess and the Frog. Her role as Tiana introduced Disney’s first Black animated princess, a character who has remained a favorite among fans since the film debuted. Bailey represents the newest chapter. The singer and actress starred as Ariel in Disney’s 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. She performed “Part of Your World” alongside Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film. Other Disney veterans participating in the show included Paige O’Hara and Susan Egan from Beauty and the Beast, along with Pocahontas singer Judy Kuhn. Auli’i Cravalho also appeared with Catherine Laga’aia, who stars in the live-action Moana. The evening concluded with the princesses coming together for “When You Wish Upon a Star,” placing Brandy, Rose and Bailey on the same stage for a fitting finale.

FEELING BLUE

DEAR LIFE

HELLO I KNOW IT'S BEEN A MINUTE SINCE I BLOGGED LIFE GOT IN THE WAY. I LOVE BLOGGING BUT I HAVE SO MUCH THAT I'M TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH. NEED TO FINISH THAT BOOK AND EXPAND MY JEWELRY LINE BUT SOME HOW I ALWAYS COMEBACK EVEN IF IT'S JUST FOR A SHORT SEASON. BLOGGING REQUIRES DAILY COMMITMENT I MAY NOT HAVE AT THE MOMENT BUT I PLAN ON RETURNING STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT BLOG POST.

Why Did I Get Married Again

Tyler Perry's new movie Why Did I Get Married Again? is bringing back his iconic film series. Netflix has released the trailer for the upcoming installment, which returns with another dramatic reunion between a group of couples. Why Did I Get Married Again? premieres on Netflix on Wednesday, September 9. This upcoming comedy-drama serves as the third movie in Perry's beloved series. The franchise, which began with Why Did I Get Married? (2007), followed by Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010), features a group of couples and friends who go on an annual retreat where they try to rediscover the reason they got married. The upcoming movie will see the beloved couple reunite for the destination wedding of Marcus and Angela's daughter. The trip brings old dramas to the surface while also creating new ones as the couple once again asks themselves, "Why did we get married?" The trailer features a sneak peek into what this new installment has in store. The movie stars Taraji P. Henson, Armani Greer, Michael Jai White, Tasha Smith, Jill Scott, Lamman Rucker, and more. Creator Tyler Perry returns as Terry with Sharon Leal as his on-screen wife Dianne.

BE WHO YOU ARE

Goodbye Summer/Hello Fall

A Different World

Netflix has released the first images from its highly anticipated reboot of A Different World, offering a new look at life on the campus of the fictional Hillman College. Premiering September 24, the series follows Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon), the daughter of beloved original characters Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, as she begins her freshman year. Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Cree Summer and Darryl M. Bell will reprise their roles, connecting the new generation to the show's iconic past. The series synopsis states, “Along the way, she’s joined by a new generation that reflects the breadth of Black life on campus: Rashida Duvall (Alijah Kai), a first‑gen criminal justice major; Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), a five‑star athlete choosing legacy; Amir Rodale (Jordan Aaron Hall), a sharp psych major better at fixing everyone else’s problems than facing his own; Hazel Henry (Kennedi Reece), a church‑raised small‑town girl defining her own values; and Kojo Achebe (Chibuikem Uche), a Ghanaian‑Nigerian fashion entrepreneur finding the courage to follow his vision.” Felicia Pride serves as writer, showrunner and executive producer. Debbie Allen returns as an executive producer and will direct three episodes, including the premiere. Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood also executive produce.

54th Annual Legislative Conference Congressional Black Caucus Setptember 24 - 28, 2025

The Annual Legislative Conference is the leading public policy convening focused on issues impacting African Americans and the global Black community. The ALC is a unique platform where thought leaders, legislators, influencers, and concerned citizens converge to discuss and address critical issues, forge partnerships, and promote the political, economic, and social advancement of Black communities.

. 5 Tips for CBCF ALC CBC is one of the many reasons September is thee best month in DC. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosts its Annual Legislative Conference as the convention center, and all the surrounding hard-to-get-into unofficial parties and receptions make things that much more exciting. I’ll be out at some of the parties and working with TikTok on something cool, but I’m an actual ambassador to the policy conference for a second consecutive year. Listen, please party, but don’t forget the POLICY. Lmaooooo. The conference can be overwhelming if you’re a first timer, so here are some tips: taliacadet A post shared by @taliacadet Download the CBCF ALC54 mobile app. This is the conference website at your fingertips. You can customize your personal agenda, set up and look at attendee profiles and receive real-time updates. Your login information should be coming any day now… Study and customize your agenda. There are dozens of sessions at ALC54. You simply can’t go to them all. Look at the agenda and flag sessions that speak to your interests with the ‘add to my agenda’ feature. I plan to attend the sessions put on by my elected officials, Sen. Alsobrooks and Rep. Ivey, and centered around the issues that matter the most to me—climate change, reproductive justice and the evolving media landscape. Dress comfortably. You should plan on dressing professionally (business casual or better), but you need to be comfortable. I recommend wearing shoes you can walk and stand in for hours and clothes that you’ll feel good in all day. Be ready to network. ALC54 is a conference after all. Have your business cards and introduction ready. There are so many Hill staffers, policy makers, advocates, industry professionals, brand reps and business owners in attendance to connect with. Don’t only go to the sessions. It’s easy to be laser-focused on attending sessions put on by members of Congress, but the exhibition hall at ALC54 will have many brand activations and freebies and Black-owned business marketplace. You also got to look into the signature event add-ons like the Phoenix Awards and Black Party.

Tramell Tillman makes History as first Black Actor to win Supporting Actor in a drama series for Severance

Tramell Tillman has made history with his Emmy win on Sunday night for Severance Season 2. In winning the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Seth Milchick in the Apple TV+ drama series, he is the first Black actor to nab the trophy. The Supporting Actor category was the only Emmys category to not have a Black winner. Tillman is also the first openly gay Black man to be nominated in and win the category. He won the award over co-stars Zach Cherry and John Tuturro, as well as The White Lotus‘s Walton Goggins, Jason Issacs and Sam Rockwell, and Paradise‘s James Marsden. The actor paid tribute to his mother in his acceptance speech. Tramell Tillman’s 2025 Oscars acceptance speech He said in part, “You remember what you want to remember. You make time for what you want to make time for, do the work, show up, and most importantly, for the love of God, don’t embarrass me in public. My first acting coach was tough, y’all, but all great mothers are. Mama, you were there for me when no one else was and no one else would show up. Your loving kindness stays with me, and this is for you. Thank you to the Academy. I am full. I am humbled. I am honored. And as my mama would say, ‘Look at God.’” ‘Severance’ led to to his ‘Mission Impossible’ franchise role Tillman told Blavity’s Shadow and Act earlier this year that his role in Severance led to him being cast in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. “Well, I learned that [director/co-writer] Christopher McQuarrie is a huge fan of Severance. And so as I chatted with him, he told me that he was a big fan of Milchick as well,” Tillman said. “So, you know, I think the success of the show and my work on the show Severance really did set me up, because if he hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have been in a Mission: Impossible [film], you know? And he’s such a talented and wonderful director and writer. The man knows how to tell a story.” Season 3 of the show is anticipated to debut in 2026 or 2027. The post Tramell Tillman Makes History As First Black Actor To Win Supporting Actor In A Drama Series For ‘Severance’ appeared first on Blavity.

Polo Ralph Lauren: A portrait of the American Dream

Cricket sweaters, patchwork blanket and distressed baseball caps. Each is part of the new collection called Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs, celebrating the historically Black community of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard. The collection is an evolution of the 2022 collection based on Historically Black Colleges Morehouse and Spelman, who are again partners in the Oak Bluffs collection, and is a part of the company's "Design with Intent" portfolio. "Ralph Lauren as a man, as a brand is sort of the world ambassador to Americana," James Jeter, Creative Director, Concept Design & Brand Direction for Polo Men’s at Ralph Lauren told USA TODAY. "With that comes this incredible responsibility for us to tell these incredible American stories as fully, as broadly, as accurately as possible." The collection deftly weaves HBCU campus style drawn from Morehouse and Spelman with resort wear that references the historic Black beach town and Black traditions. It was just very important to tell that story, the multi-faceted, multi-dimensional experience that is the Black experience that also translates into the American experience. It is accompanied by a documentary on the community directed by Cole Brown titled "A Portrait of the American Dream: Oak Bluffs" that debuted on the brand's YouTube page on July 24.

THE SUPREMES EARL ALL YOU CAN EAT

THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT follows lifelong best friends Odette (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan), and Clarice (Uzo Aduba) known as “The Supremes”, who share the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood from decades of weathering life’s storms. Through the joys and sorrows of life, marriage and children, happiness and blues, love and loss, new shades of heartbreak and illness threaten to stir up the past when the trio sees their bond put to the test as they face their most challenging times yet. Directed by: Tina Mabry Screenplay by: Cee Marcellus and Tina Mabry, Based on the 2013 New York Times best-selling novel by Edward Kelsey Moore Produced by: Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey, Isaac Klausner Cast: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, Uzo Aduba, Mekhi Phifer, Julian McMahon, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Russell Hornsby

SPIKE LEE ATTENDS THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

SPIKE LEE AND PRESIDENT

SPIKE LEE AND PRESIDENT CLINTON

SPIKE LEE HAKEEM JEFFRIES

SPIKE LEE AND AL SHARPTON

SPIKE LEE AND LIL JON

SPIKE LEE AND STEVIE WONDER

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AND FIRST GENTLEMAN DOUG EMHOFF

The Vice President Kamala Harris married Doug Emhoff on 22 August 2014. They just celebrated their 10th year anniversary this week during the Democratic Convention. They share a deep compassionate love and understanding for one another.

ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CACUS

The 53rd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) is the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's leading policy conference on issues impacting African Americans and the global black community. From September 11-15, 2024 in Washington, DC AT THE Walter E. Washington Convention Center join thought leaders, legislators, grassroots organizers, influencers and celebrities at the 2024 ALC! Come support CBCF's mission, network, and engage in dynamic policy sessions and challenging discussions.

LASTING LOVE LEGACY OF THE OBAMAS