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🎥 4th Annual Bijou Film Festival 💻 Free & Online! 🌍 New films from the African Diaspora everyday through July 4th. Shorts & Features, Narrative & Docs! Free! No need to register, no request for a credit card, no cookies (unless you snack while watching 🥤🍪 🍿 🥠 🍷 ) Just click on through, watch films to match your mood, inspire your interest, and expand your horizons! kweli.TV is a mission-driven mass media and entertainment company that celebrates global Black stories and amplifies black creators representing North America, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Australia through more than 700 curated indie films, documentaries, animation, shows, children’s programming and audio stories as well as immersive and live experiences. As a global platform, kweliTV is accessible from anywhere in the world and distributed to several mobile and TV apps, platforms and educational institutions. Sixty percent of our subscription revenue goes to our 460+ content creators.     MISSION To curate and distribute film, tv, audio, and immersive media that truly celebrates and reflects the global Black experience. kweliTV means "truth" in Swahili.    VISION Shift the Black narrative in media, dismantle bias and increase economic inclusion for Black creators in entertainment.    CORE VALUES Be a champion for diverse creators Build authenticity by telling stories that matter Exhibit content that reflects the world we want to see  Serve as a refuge for our customers and broader community Document the historical truths about the Black experience Connect the world with the rich, multicultural people of African descent

He executes the Big picture dynamically every time! When you have a vision, you can see the goal, and then the Execution of Action can take place. Wonderful performance and career longevity 👏🏽👏🏽. Way to usher them in Ursher! Yeah man! 😎 #SuperBowl #Halftime #concert #business #entertainment #creativity #Visionary #ExecutiveProduction #Strategy

The recent documentary "Black Barbie" struck a chord with me. I laughed, I cried, I felt seen. It was D-O-P-E!!! 💖 🗣 It's a powerful reminder of why having diverse voices at decision-making tables is critical. Growing up, I rarely saw Black Barbies, and that subtly (or not so subtly) shaped my perception of beauty. It sent a message that the standard was long blonde hair and blue eyes, a standard I inherently knew I didn't and would never meet. It sent a subtle message about who was worthy and who wasn't. For too long, I've navigated spaces where I felt like they were exclusive clubs. This experience extends far beyond toys. It's a reflection of the need for POC representation in decision-making roles across industries. We bring unique perspectives that can completely transform products, marketing, and the overall brand narrative. This documentary highlights the profound impact representation has, even in something as seemingly simple as a doll. It resonated with me, but clearly, countless other Black women share this experience. This is why I became an entrepreneur. I craved a space where my voice mattered, where the table wasn't just for those who looked a certain way. "Black Barbie" is a call to action. It reminds us of the work still needed. But for those of us fortunate enough to have a seat at the table, let's use it to ensure the room reflects the beautiful diversity of the world we live in. Kudos and Thank You - Shondaland Did you see it yet? Let me know what you think. #representationmatters #diversityandinclusion #blackexcellence #entrepeneruherlife

👏🏽Cord, said what he said! 💻Via: American Black Film Festival. 🗣️Quote: “1. Authentic Representation: - Cord Jefferson emphasized the need for authentic representation of Black characters in stories, debunking the idea that certain clichéd settings and characters are necessary for broad appeal. 2. Market for Diverse Black Stories: - Jefferson highlighted the market for broad and authentic depictions of Black life, stressing that non-stereotypical narratives can resonate with a wide audience and should be embraced by the industry. 3. Breaking Stereotypes in Storytelling: - The speech underscored the importance of breaking stereotypes in storytelling, emphasizing the potential for non-clichéd narratives that authentically reflect the diverse experiences of Black characters.” #Oscars #CordJefferson

https://lnkd.in/eaBVAXxt I say this often on post with Black people talking about, DEI. We know without need for confirmation racism and implicit bias exist. We know, without need for confirming Blacks are the biggest recipients of racism and, implicit bias, even amongst other blacks. So what now? Do we post about it everyday. Do we go after people in power to, make them feel bad? No one is going to answer honestly about their lack of “real” effort on Black issues. The last day of Black History Month and I have yet to get one response. So what are we doing now? Lol #linkedin #blackhistorymonth2024 #whatsnext #actionables #ceo #economicdevelopment #workforcedevelopment

The recent controversy surrounding the West End production of "Slave Play" in London has sparked important discussions about the need for spaces where marginalized communities, particularly Black individuals, can feel safe and celebrated. The decision to host Black Out Nights, specifically inviting Black audiences, has been met with both support and criticism. 🔍 It's essential to recognize that creating affinity spaces is not about exclusion but about providing a sense of belonging and safety for communities that have historically been marginalized. As playwright Jeremy O. Harris aptly explains, radical invitations are necessary to counteract the pervasive notion that certain groups do not belong in theater spaces. 🎟️ The intention behind Black Out Nights is not to enforce segregation but to actively welcome Black individuals into a space where they may not have felt comfortable or represented in the past. This initiative aims to break down barriers and foster a sense of inclusivity in an industry that has often overlooked or marginalized diverse voices. 💡 Harris's personal experience (which I completely fall into this category too) underscores the importance of initiatives like Black Out Nights. For many individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, access can be limited, and initiatives like this can serve as a gateway to experiencing and engaging with the arts. This moment is an opportunity to reflect on how we can create more inclusive and equitable spaces within the arts. By embracing diversity and actively inviting communities who've been underrepresented into the fold, we can enrich our cultural landscape and ensure that the arts truly belong to everyone. #Arts #Culture #Theater #UK #Race #AffinityGroups #DEI #RepresentationMatters #Inclusion #Equity #DiversityInArts #Intersectionality #BlackArtists #BIPOCRepresentation #SocialJustice #AccessToArts #Empowerment #RadicalInclusion #CommunityBuilding #ArtisticExpression #Empathy #SupportTheArts #CulturalEquity

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It deeply moves me to witness the storm of abuse faced by Francesca Amewudah-Rivers for her portrayal in "Romeo and Juliet." This event underscores the persistent hurdles encountered by Black artists, especially black women, in our industry. Over 800 Black actors have penned an open letter, condemning theatre companies, broadcasters, producers, and streamers for their insufficient support. The letter poignantly notes that victims are often burdened with reporting abuse while promoting the very show causing them distress. A similar pattern is seen in education where students are expected to report and sometimes educate staff about racism to receive the necessary assistance. The letter concludes with a powerful message for Francesca and all Black female performers enduring such abuse: “We see you. We recognize not only your art but also the extra challenges you encounter due to misogynoir. We eagerly anticipate your performances.” In July, BAMEed Wales planning a unique event in West Wales inviting visionaries from across the UK. Our aim is to nurture support, acknowledge resilience, and strategize towards establishing an inclusive and supportive environment in education. This event will feature workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions with leaders dedicated to combating racism and fostering diversity. Let's unite with Francesca and all Black female performers. Together we can forge a future where everyone thrives without fear of abuse or discrimination. Don't miss this opportunity — be part of this transformation. Sign up today for AREfest 2024 and help us effect change. #StandWithFrancesca #AREfest2024 https://lnkd.in/ek9RRvpP

Recently, Kit Harrison. a White British actor appearing in Jeremy O Harris' play 'Slave Play' spoke out in support of Black Out nights in which audiences are reserved for Black and Brown people. Black Out nights are ostensibly designed to make theatres, which are historically very White spaces, more inclusive. They also serve a deeper and somewhat more profound function, given the subject matter of the plays that have offered these nights. Whether it be Slave Play by Jeremy O Harris, Tambo and Bones by Dave Harris, or Daddy by Jeremy O Harris, the content deals with the particular historic and present-day experiences of social, cultural, and institutional racism experiences by Black and Brown people. As such, the experience of witnessing and engaging with these plays must be profoundly different for Black and Brown people than for White people. To us, they are stories, sometimes shocking, but always stories, and ones we cannot fully comprehend. For Black and Brown people they likely convey a generational lived experience that transcends 'story' to become a visceral experience of history, both in the past and in the making. To witness and experience such a play in an audience surrounded by White people must be difficult, to say the least - as a White man, I cannot begin to imagine how difficult. However, India Craig-Galvan, a Black woman playwright writing in the LA Times, described Slave Play as 'challenging to watch' but went on to say 'To experience the work sitting in a sea of whiteness is even more of a challenge' and in relation to Black Out nights said '...to remove the white gaze eliminates at least one hurdle in examining and experiencing the work.' To have a space in which to see these plays and then discuss in whatever way works the subject matter and the experience with other people with similar experiences can, as India Craig-Galvan indicates, provide a space for healing and a release from the ongoing experience of Whiteness. This is, surely, a lesson that can be learned from and transported into the workplace. To provide spaces and regular opportunities for Black and Brown staff to meet and talk about their experiences of the workplace without any White people present not only speaks to a concern for staff well-being but also speaks to an awareness of and the taking responsibility for how White majority workplaces can be oppressive spaces from which Black and Brown people require some form of respite, albeit temporary and short-lived. #inclusion #inclusiveleadership #DEI #EDI #Whiteness #racism #psychologicalsafety #staffwellbeing