Wednesday, November 29, 2017

'Molly's Game' Set For Christmas Day Release



MOLLY'S GAME is the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade before being arrested in the middle of the night by 17 FBI agents wielding automatic weapons. Her players included Hollywood royalty, sports stars, business titans and finally, unbeknownst to her, the Russian mob. Her only ally was her criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey, who learned that there was much more to Molly than the tabloids led us to believe.

Molly's Game (starring Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, and Kevin Costner) is in theaters on Christmas Day, December 25th.

Molly's Game trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu4UPet8Nyc

Tyler James Williams Talks 'Detroit' Re-Release

Tyler James Williams

By Darlene Donloe

When the emotional and gut-wrenching drama, Detroit, hit theaters last summer, it opened with mixed emotions. Some applauded the fact that it was telling a little-known story about the Detroit riots, while other winced at the opening of old wounds.

Detroit, tells the enthralling true story of one of the most chilling moments during the racially charged civil uprising that choked the city of Detroit in the summer of '67.

Directed by Academy Award®-winner Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker/Zero Dark Thirty) and written by Mark Boal, Detroit first hit theaters nationwide on July 28, 2017.


The film is about the murder of three unarmed black men who were shot and killed at point-blank range, and about several other men and women who were mentally tortured and brutally beaten by white members of the Detroit Police Department after they and the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Army National Guard and a local private security guard searched and then seized an annex of the Algiers Motel after reports of gunshots being fired.

It was released 50 years after the deadly Detroit riots.

Detroit, which is being re-released nationwide, December 1, 2017, for awards season, hasn’t performed well since its initial run.   The hope is that the second time around, even after all the hoopla, the movie can get an awards nod and that audiences will give the movie a fighting chance.

The film recently garnered four NAACP Image Award nominations including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Algee Smith), Outstanding Independent Motion Picture and Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Mark Boal).

'Detroit' cast members and Questlove (top L)

I recently caught up with several members of the Detroit cast at a press luncheon at Nerano restaurant in Beverly Hills to talk about the film and their expectations for its re-release. I sat down with Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris), who was very forthcoming about his feelings surrounding the film.

Tyler James Williams in 'Everybody Hates Chris'

TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS (TJW): The movie is being re-released Dec. 1, 2017.  We had to hit the 50-year anniversary. No amount of awards was going to change that.

DD: What was the vibe when you visited Detroit?

TJW:  Detroit was very aware of what we were filming when we were filming. There was a sense of ‘don’t mess this up. This is the only chance we have to tell this.’  You’re not just telling a story – you are telling our story. It was interesting. When I flew in to do the movie, the driver was telling me about the incident, not knowing I was there to work on a movie about the incident.  He was telling me about what happened at the Algiers.  We had no idea this existed. No idea it happened. It led more to the gravity. This is something not easily forgotten. People remember this like it was yesterday.

DD: Did you feel a sense of responsibility?

TJW:  Aincredible sense of responsibility. Everyone did.  For my role, I immediately made parallels to Michael Brown. That was my goal. I’m telling his story today. It mirrored so much. When I was reading the script, I kept saying, “I’ve read this story before, but like recently.” 

DD: It’s 50 years. Has anything changed in your opinion?

TJW:  NO.  The greatest lie the devil ever told was that he didn’t exist.  I think right now we’re telling ourselves the lie that we fixed this already.  We didn’t. We never, ever fixed it. It’s still a problem and that’s why I think we’ve run into a hesitation. People know this is a great movie, but are like, “Eh, I don’t want to see it.” People don’t want to look in the mirror and see where they live. That’s all.

DD:  Some black men say they when they leave their homes – they leave their homes as black men. They have to be conscious of everything they do.  You are young. Do you feel the same way?

TJW: I’m a young, black man who is heavily tattooed, who drives an all blacked-out Range Rover. I get pulled over left and right. Yes!

Tyler James Williams in a scene from 'Detroit'

DD: What happens when you’re pulled over?

TJW: I know how to move now. I know the world that I live in. I’m aware of that. That doesn't make it right, but I know how to communicate with police officers. But that doesn’t mean on any day of frustration my communication doesn’t change and I can end up like anybody else.  My dad was a cop and made me very aware of the world that I live in.  Even from a cop perspective, he’d say, “You are a black male. You will be targeted. I’ll tell you right now.” I read the curriculums. I know how cops work. Watch out! Especially in LA and California, a black male with money is not attractive. There are no rose colored glasses here. There are no illusions of fame. Money and success change nothing.

DD: Does success for the movie come from what’s on the screen or the money it’s made?

TJW: To me, it’s what’s on the screen. We knew this would be a hard movie to sell to people because People don’t want to look at their history. They just don’t. They much prefer films about slavery because they feel it’s far away. They can watch because that’s not our generation. With this movie, we’re dealing with something where, yeah, there are some people still alive who experienced this incident, so we can’t have changed the conversation that much. So we knew that. If you think anybody got into this movie to make money then…..you don’t understand the type of people who were pulled into this movie. To me, the success is when people see it, they can’t unsee it.

Detroit (Annapurna Pictures) stars John Boyega, Will Poulter, Algee Smith, Jacob Latimore, Jason Mitchell, Hannah Murray, Kaitlyn Dever, Jack Reynor, Ben O’Toole, Joseph David Jones, Ephraim Sykes, Leon Thomas III, Nathan Davis Jr., Peyton Alex Smith, Malcolm David Kelley, Gbenga Akinnabve, Chris Chalk, Jeremy Strong, Laz Alonzo, Austin Hebert, Miguel Pimentel, Kris Davis, with John Krasinski and Anthony Mackie.


Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Justin Young Drops Fourth Album, 'Blue Soul'

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Several years in the making plus nearly a full year of paving the way for a successful release by issuing a trio of infectious singles throughout 2017, saxophonist Justin Young finally dropped his fourth album, “Blue Soul." The JustnTime Records platter packs a two-fisted punch of potent pop, jazz and R&B hooks along with the heart and soul of Young’s Detroit upbringing. The vibrant new single, “High Definition,” is presently impacting playlists nationally, adding powerful Billboard-reporting radio stations weekly. Enhancing the buzz are favorable record reviews and the announcement of a December 10 album release concert celebration at Columbia Winery near Seattle (Woodinville), Young’s adopted hometown.         
                    
A hardworking hustler and a charismatic contender deservedly on the cusp of a major breakthrough in the smooth/contemporary jazz realm, Young grew up in Hitsville USA, the son of a musician father. Spending his formative years in close proximity to Motown became a major influence on how he makes music. He recorded “Blue Soul” live in the studio, collaborating with a talented team of first-call players and accomplished musicians, songwriters, producers and mix engineers, including fellow sax players and Billboard chart-toppers Jackiem Joyner and Darren Rahn, former Earth, Wind & Fire guitarist-vocalist Sheldon Reynolds, noted bassists Alex Al and Hussain Jiffry, and the late drummer to the stars, Ricky Lawson. Young plies his soprano, alto and tenor sax to a songbook that spans ebullient instrumental pop, deep R&B grooves with a sniff of Detroit funk, and unfettered jazz soloing.

A dozen tracks on “Blue Soul” – originals with all but one co-written by Young - are slickly produced and thoughtfully textured, presenting readily-accessible melodies and lush harmonies. Bubbling with enthusiasm and positive energy, the saxman climbed the charts during the first quarter of the year with the undeniable “Always There.” He cruised through summer by dropping “Jazz Along the 101.” Radio outlets were recently serviced “High Definition” and the chart ascension has begun. The strength of the material on “Blue Soul” bodes to continue Young’s momentum and magnify his growth well into the New Year.

For additional information, please visit www.JustinYoungSax.com.

Monday, November 20, 2017

NAACP Image Awards Nominations Announced


The nominations were recently announced for the 49th NAACP Image Awards, set to air on TV One on January 15, 2018. Netflix and OWN lead the television selections, while Universal Pictures, Annapurna and Open Road Films lead the motion picture categories.

The show, once again hosted by Anthony Anderson, will air January 15, 2018.

In the TV category, Netflix has 23 nominations, while OWN has 17. Universal Pictures has 10 nominations, while Annapurna and Open Road each have five nods. The two-hour special will air live on TV One on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and will be hosted by Anthony Anderson.

Anthony Anderson

The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.  NAACP members vote to select NAACP Image Awards winners from nominees in television, music literature, and film.

Leon W. Russell, chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors, said the Image Awards will be  “culminating a day of volunteer service, citizen action, and celebration on the national holiday honoring the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as recognizing this year’s nominees for their hard work, perseverance, and achievements in our community. As the nation commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination on April 4, 1968, we are reminded of the ageless principles of non-violence, truth and justice, humility, and service that he taught all Americans.”

Derrick Johnson, president, and CEO of the NAACP called the Image Award “the ultimate platform for artists and individuals of color who advocate for social justice to share their voices with millions and to be recognized and celebrated. At a moment where there seems to be one tragic event after another in America, the NAACP Image Awards continues to be a beacon of light to the diversity reflected in television, music, film, and literature that brings everyone together.”

The 49th NAACP Image Awards production team will be returning including Executive Producers Reginald Hudlin and Phil Gurin, Tony McCuin as Director, Byron Phillips as Producer, and Robin Reinhardt as Talent Producer.

Below is the complete list of nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Ava DuVernay
Bruno Mars
Chadwick Boseman
Chance the Rapper
Issa Rae
JAY-Z

TELEVISION
Outstanding Comedy Series
“Ballers” (HBO)
“black-ish” (ABC)
“Dear White People” (Netflix)
“Insecure” (HBO)
“Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson – “black-ish” (ABC)
Aziz Ansari – “Master of None” (Netflix)
Dwayne Johnson – “Ballers” (HBO)
Keegan-Michael Key – “Friends from College” (Netflix)
RonReaco Lee – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Danielle Brooks – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
Issa Rae – “Insecure” (HBO)
Loretta Devine – “The Carmichael Show” (NBC)
Niecy Nash – “Claws” (TNT)
Tracee Ellis Ross – “black-ish ” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Ernie Hudson – “Grace and Frankie” (Netflix)
Jay Ellis – “Insecure” (HBO)
John David Washington – “Ballers” (HBO)
Omar Miller – “Ballers” (HBO)
Tituss Burgess – “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Leslie Jones – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC)
Tichina Arnold – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)
Uzo Aduba – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
Yvonne Orji – “Insecure” (HBO)

Outstanding Drama Series
“Greenleaf” (OWN)
“Power” (Starz)
“Queen Sugar” (OWN)
“This Is Us” (NBC)
“Underground” (WGN America)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Kofi Siriboe – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Mike Colter – “Marvel’s The Defenders” (Netflix)
Omari Hardwick – “Power” (Starz)
Sterling K. Brown – “This Is Us ” (NBC)
Terrence Howard – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Jurnee Smollett-Bell – “Underground” (WGN America)
Kerry Washington – “Scandal” (ABC)
Rutina Wesley – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Taraji P. Henson – “Empire” (FOX)
Viola Davis – “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Bryshere Gray – “Empire” (FOX)
Dondre Whitfield – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Joe Morton – “Scandal” (ABC)
Jussie Smollett – “Empire” (FOX)
Trai Byers – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Lynn Whitfield – “Greenleaf” (OWN)
Naturi Naughton – “Power” (Starz)
Samira Wiley – “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
Susan Kelechi Watson – “This Is Us” (NBC)
Tina Lifford – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited – Series or Dramatic Special
“Flint” (Lifetime)
“Shots Fired” (FOX)
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (HBO)
“The New Edition Story” (BET)
“When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story” (TV One)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Bryshere Grey – “The New Edition Story” (BET)
Idris Elba – “Guerrilla” (Showtime)
Laurence Fishburne – “Madiba” (BET)
Mack Wilds – “Shots Fired” (FOX)
Woody McClain – “The New Edition Story” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Jill Scott – “Flint” (Lifetime)
Oprah Winfrey – “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (HBO)
Queen Latifah – “Flint” (Lifetime)
Regina King – “American Crime” (ABC)
Sanaa Lathan – “Shots Fired” (FOX)

Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)
“News One Now” (TV One)
“Oprah’s Master Class” (OWN)
“The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman” (National Geographic)
“Through the Fire: The Legacy of Barack Obama” (BET)
“Unsung” (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series
“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC)
“Super Soul Sunday” (OWN)
“The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
“The Real” (Syndicated)
“The View” (ABC)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series
“Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)
“Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” (VH1)
“Shark Tank” (ABC)
“The Manns” (TV One)
“United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell” (CNN)

Outstanding Variety or Game Show – (Series or Special)
“Black Girls Rock! 2017” (BET)
“Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin & Deep in the Heart of Texas” (Netflix)
“Def Comedy Jam 25” (Netflix)
“Lip Sync Battle” (Spike)
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

Outstanding Children’s Program
“Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)
“Free Rein” (Netflix)
“Nella the Princess Knight” (Nickelodeon)
“Project Mc²” (Netflix)
“Raven’s Home” (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)
Caleb McLaughlin – “Stranger Things” (Netflix)
Ethan Hutchison – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Lonnie Chavis – “This Is Us” (NBC)
Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC)
Michael Rainey – “Power” (Starz)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Fredricka Whitfield – “Fredricka Whitfield” (CNN)
Morgan Freeman – “The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman” (National Geographic)
Neil deGrasse Tyson – “StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson” (National Geographic)
Roland Martin – “News One Now” (TV One)
Trevor Noah – “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Alfonso Ribeiro – “America’s Funniest Home Video” (ABC)
Iyanla Vanzant – “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)
Michael Smith and Jemele Hill – “SC6 with Michael and Jemele” (ESPN)
LL Cool J – “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike)
W. Kamau Bell – “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell” (CNN)

RECORDING

Outstanding New Artist
Demetria McKinney – “Officially Yours” (eOne Music)
Kevin Ross – “The Awakening” (Motown/Capitol Records)
Khalid – “American Teen” (RCA Records/Right Hand Music Group)
SZA – “Ctrl” (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
Vic Mensa – “The Autobiography” (Roc Nation/Capitol Records)

Outstanding Male Artist
Brian McKnight – “Genesis” (SoNo Recording Group)
Bruno Mars – “Versace On the Floor” (Atlantic Records)
Charlie Wilson – “In It to Win It” (RCA Records/P Music Group)
JAY-Z – “4:44” (Roc Nation)
Kendrick Lamar – “DAMN.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)

Outstanding Female Artist
Andra Day – “Stand Up For Something” (Warner Bros. Records)
Beyoncé – “Die With You” (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment)
Ledisi – “Let Love Rule” (Verve Label Group)
Mary J. Blige – “Strength of a Woman” (Capitol Records)
SZA – “Ctrl” (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
Andra Day feat. Common – “Stand Up For Something” (Warner Bros. Records)
Charlie Wilson feat. T.I. – “I’m Blessed” (RCA Records/P Music Group)
Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – “LOYALTY.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)
Mary J. Blige feat. Kanye West – “Love Yourself” (Capitol Records)
SZA feat. Travis Scott – “Love Galore” (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Jazz Album
“Boundless” – Damien Escobar (Phoenix Lane Entertainment)
“Dreams and Daggers” – Cécile McLorin Salvant (Mack Avenue Records)
“Petite Afrique” – Somi (Sony Music/OKeh)
“Poetry In Motion” – Najee (Shanachie Entertainment)
“So It Is” – Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Legacy Recordings)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
“Close” – Marvin Sapp (Verity Records)
“Crossover Live From Music City” – Travis Greene (RCA Inspiration)
“Greenleaf Soundtrack Volume 2” – Greenleaf Soundtrack (RCA Inspiration)
“Heart. Passion. Pursuit.” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)
“Let Them Fall In Love” – CeCe Winans (Puresprings Gospel)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
“4:44” – JAY-Z (Roc Nation)
“Gods” – Maxwell (Columbia Records)
“High” – Ledisi (Verve Label Group)
“Strength of A Woman” – Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records)
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Song – Traditional
“High” – Ledisi (Verve Label Group)
“Honest” – MAJOR. (BOE/Empire)
“Surefire (Piano Version)” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)
“U + Me” – Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records)

Outstanding Song – Contemporary
“Gonna Be Alright” – Mali Music (RCA Records/ByStorm Entertainment)
“HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)
“Insecure” – Jazmine Sullivan X Bryson Tiller (RCA Records)
“Love Galore” – SZA feat. Travis Scott (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
“The Story of O.J.” – JAY-Z (Roc Nation)

Outstanding Album
“4:44” – JAY-Z (Roc Nation)
“DAMN.” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)
“Genesis” – Brian McKnight (SoNo Recording Group)
“In It To Win It” – Charlie Wilson (RCA Records/P Music Group)
“Strength of A Woman” – Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records)

LITERATURE

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
“Little Fires Everywhere” – Celeste Ng (Penguin Random House)
“No One Is Coming to Save Us” – Stephanie Powell Watts (HarperCollins Publishers)
“Sing, Unburied, Sing” – Jesmyn Ward (Simon and Schuster)
“The Annotated African American Folktales” – Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Author), Maria Tatar (Author) (Liveright Publishing Corporation)
“The Wide Circumference of Love” – Marita Golden (Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
“Black Detroit – A People’s History of Self-Determination” – Herb Boyd (HarperCollins Publishers)
“Chokehold: Policing Black Men” – Paul Butler (The New Press)
“Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies” – Dick Gregory (HarperCollins Publishers)
“The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas” – Adrian Miller (University of North Carolina Press)
“We Were Eight Years In Power: An American Tragedy” – Ta-Nehisi Coates (Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
“A Beautiful Ghetto” – Devin Allen (Haymarket Books)
“Chasing Spaces: An Astronaut’s Story of Grit, Grace & Second Chances” – Leland Melvin (HarperCollins Publishers)
“No One Is Coming to Save Us” – Stephanie Powell Watts (HarperCollins Publishers)
“Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat” – Patricia Williams (Author) Jeannine Amber (With) (HarperCollins Publishers)
“We’re Going to Need More Wine” – Gabrielle Union (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography / Autobiography
“Ali: A Life” – Jonathan Eig (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
“Becoming Ms. Burton – From Prison to Recovery to Leading the Fight for Incarcerated Women” – Susan Burton (Author), Cari Lynn (Author), Michelle Alexander (Foreword By) (The New Press)
“Chester B. Himes” – Lawrence P. Jackson (W. W. Norton & Company)
“Obama: The Call of History” – Peter Baker (New York Times/Callaway)
“We’re Going to Need More Wine” – Gabrielle Union (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
“Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating Your Way to a Leaner, Stronger, and More Graceful You” – Misty Copeland (Grand Central Publishing)
“Exponential Living – Stop Spending 100% of Your Time on 10% of Who You Are” – Sheri Riley (Author), Usher (Foreword By) (Penguin Random House)
“Kristen Kish Cooking” – Kristen Kish (Author), Meredith Erickson (With) (Clarkson Potter)
“Notoriously Dapper – How to Be A Modern Gentleman with Manners, Style and Body Confidence” – Kelvin Davis (Mango Media Inc.)
“The Awakened Woman: Remembering & Reigniting Our Sacred Dreams” – Dr. Tererai Trent (Author), Oprah Winfrey (Foreword By) (Simon and Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“Incendiary Art: Poems” – Patricia Smith (TriQuarterly Books/Northwestern University Press)
“My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter” – Aja Monet (Haymarket Books)
“Silencer” – Marcus Wicker (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
“The Drowning Boy’s Guide to Water” – Cameron Barnett (Autumn House Press)
“Wild Beauty: New and Selected Poems” – Ntozake Shange (Simon and Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
“Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Author), Raymond Obstfeld (With) (Hachette Book Group)
“Before She Was Harriet” – Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator) (Holiday House)
“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” – Vashti Harrison (Hachette Book Group)
“Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee!” – Andrea J. Loney (Author), Keith Mallett (Illustrator) (Lee & Low Books)
“The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, A Young Civil Rights Activist” – Cynthia Levinson (Author), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator) (S&S Children’s Publishing)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth / Teens
“Allegedly” – Tiffany D. Jackson (HarperCollins Publishers)
“Clayton Byrd Goes Underground” – Rita Williams-Garcia (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator) (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers)
“Long Way Down” – Jason Reynolds (S&S Children’s Publishing)
“Solo” – Kwame Alexander (Author), Mary Rand Hess (With) (Blink)
“The Hate U Give” – Angie Thomas (HarperCollins Publishers)


MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
“Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)
“Get Out” (Universal Pictures)
“Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)
“Marshall” (Open Road Films)
“Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Algee Smith – “Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)
Chadwick Boseman – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)
Daniel Kaluuya – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)
Denzel Washington – “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (Columbia Pictures)
Idris Elba – “The Mountain Between Us” (20th Century Fox)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Amandla Stenberg – “Everything, Everything” (Warner Bros. Pictures / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
Danai Gurira – “All Eyez on Me” (Summit Entertainment)
Halle Berry – “Kidnap” (Aviron Pictures)
Natalie Paul – “Crown Heights” (Amazon Studios)
Octavia Spencer – “Gifted” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Idris Elba – “THOR: Ragnarok” (Marvel Studios)
Laurence Fishburne – “Last Flag Flying” (Amazon Studios)
Lil Rel Howery – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)
Nnamdi Asomugha – “Crown Heights” (Amazon Studios)
Sterling K. Brown – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Audra McDonald – “Beauty and the Beast” (Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures)
Keesha Sharp – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)
Regina Hall – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)
Tessa Thompson – “THOR: Ragnarok” (Marvel Studios)
Tiffany Haddish – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
“Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)
“Last Flag Flying” (Amazon Studios)
“Mudbound” (Netflix)
“Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” (Annapurna Pictures)
“Wind River” (Acacia Filmed Entertainment)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary (Film)
“I Called Him Morgan” (Submarine Deluxe/Filmrise)
“STEP” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
“Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities” (Firelight Films)
“The Rape of Recy Taylor” (Augusta Films)
“Whose Streets?” (Magnolia Pictures)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)
“Birth of a Movement” (PBS)
“Black Love” (OWN)
“The 44th President: In His Own Words” (History)
“The Defiant Ones” (HBO)
“What the Health” (AUM Films and Media + First Spark Media)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Aziz Ansari, Lena Waithe – “Master of None” – Thanksgiving (Netflix)
Janine Barrois – “Claws” – Batsh*t (TNT)
Justin Simien – “Dear White People” – Chapter 1 (Netflix)
Issa Rae – “Insecure” – Hella Great (HBO)
Issa Rae – “Insecure” – Hella Perspective (HBO)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
Anthony Sparks – “Queen Sugar” – What Do I Care for Morning (OWN)
Ava DuVernay – “Queen Sugar” – Dream Variations (OWN)
Erica Anderson – “Greenleaf” – The Bear (OWN)
Gina Prince-Bythewood – “Shots Fired” – Hour One: Pilot (FOX)
Vera Herbert – “This Is Us” – Still Here (NBC)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
Abdul Williams – “The New Edition Story” – Night Two (BET)
Alison McDonald – “An American Girl Story: Summer Camp, Friends for Life” (Amazon)
Cas Sigers-Beedles – “When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story” (TV One)
May Chan – “An American Girl Story – Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance” (Amazon)
Peter Landesman, Alexander Woo, George C. Wolfe – “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (HBO)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Dee Rees, Virgil Williams – “Mudbound” (Netflix)
Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani – “The Big Sick” (Amazon Studios)
Jordan Peele – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)
Kenya Barris, Tracy Oliver – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)
Mark Boal – “Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Anton Cropper – “black-ish” – Juneteenth (ABC)
Barry Jenkins – “Dear White People” – Chapter 5 (Netflix)
Justin Simien – “Dear White People” – Chapter 1 (Netflix)
Spike Lee – “She’s Gotta Have It” – #NolasChoice (Netflix)
Ken Whittingham – “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” – Kimmy Bites an Onion! (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
Carl Franklin – “13 Reasons Why” – Tape 5, Side B (Netflix)
Ernest R. Dickerson – “The Deuce” – Show and Prove (HBO)
Gina Prince-Bythewood – “Shots Fired” – Hour One: Pilot (FOX)
Jeffrey Byrd – “Switched at Birth” – Occupy Truth (Freeform)
Jonathan Demme – “Shots Fired” Hour Six: The Fire This Time (FOX)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
Allen Hughes – “The Defiant Ones” (HBO)
Chris Robinson – “The New Edition Story” – Night 1 (BET)
Codie Elaine Oliver – “Black Love” (OWN)
Kevin Hooks – “Madiba ” – Night 2 (BET)
Mark Ford – “Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G.” (A&E)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Dee Rees – “Mudbound” (Netflix)
Jordan Peele – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)
Malcolm D. Lee – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)
Reginald Hudlin – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)
Stella Meghie – “Everything, Everything” (Warner Bros. Pictures / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

ANIMATED/CGI

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
David Oyelowo – “The Lion Guard” (Disney Junior)
Kerry Washington – “Cars 3” (Disney/Pixar)
Loretta Devine – “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Channel)
Tiffany Haddish – “Legends of Chamberlain Heights” (Comedy Central)

Yvette Nicole Brown – “Elena of Avalor” (Disney Junior)