James Pickens To Co-Host Caucus Awards Dinner

James Pickens

Beverly Hills, CA — Actor James Pickens, Jr., starring role as  Dr. Richard Webber on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and Aimee Garcia who played Jamie Batista in Showtime’s Dexter are this years’ co-hosts for The Caucus For Producers, Writers & Director’s 35th Annual Caucus Awards Dinner on Sunday, December 3, 2017, 6 PM held at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049.

Co-chairs Robert Papazian and Tanya Hart, along with Executive Producer Chuck Fries, and Producers/Awards Vice Chairs Lee Miller and Vin Di Bona, The Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors are planning a memorable award show this year.

This years’ Caucus Award Recipients and winners are; Dan Cohen, President, Worldwide Licensing, Paramount Pictures Corporation will be presented the Executive of the Year Award; James G. Hirsch, Writer/Producer, Papazian-Hirsch Entertainment the Caucus Lifetime Achievement Award, Stephanie Austin, Producer, Beachwood Productions the Chair’s Award, Michele Nasraway, Executive Producer, Vin Di Bona Productions with the Caucus Distinguished Service Award and Alfonso Ribeiro, Host, America’s Funniest Home Videos with the Entertainer of the Year Award.

The Caucus’ new motto is “Leading the Evolution” and that is what they have been doing for over 40 years. They have always been innovators and have helped those that just needed an opportunity to open the doors to their dreams in the entertainment industry.

Each year The Caucus honors outstanding creative television and new media talent at their Annual Awards Dinner. Awards are presented to outstanding individuals and three winners of the Caucus Honors from the list of nominees.  The Caucus Foundation’s student Gold Circle Award is presented to two grant recipients for their 2016/17 student films. In promoting the upcoming generation of television and new media content creators, The Caucus will also present the Television and New Media Award to a university’s creative team for an exceptional project.

A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit The Caucus Foundation, which has provided grants and awards of $1.6 million to 164 worthy students to complete their film, television or new media projects.

The 2017 Caucus Honors Award Nominees are as follows:

Producers

Ilene Chaiken

Dede Gardner, Tim Minear and Ryan Murphy

David W. Zucker

Dan Fogelman

Kenya Barris

Eric Overmyer

Writers

Matt and Ross Duffer

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski

Joseph Weisberg

Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy

Beau Willimon

Directors

David Mandel

Rebecca Asher

Ken Olin

Lawrence Trilling

Chris Long

Ava Duvernay

About James Pickens, Jr.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, James Pickens, Jr. started acting at the Karamu House, distinguished as the oldest African-American theater in the United States. For his role on “Grey’s Anatomy,” he is a winner of a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Drama Ensemble and, most recently, won an NAACP Image Award, which he describes as “especially gratifying after seven consecutive nominations!” Well known to television audiences for his recurring roles on such series as “NYPD Blue,” “The X-Files,” “The Practice,” “Philly,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Six Feet Under,” “The West Wing,” “Rosanne” and “Beverly Hills 90210,” Pickens also starred opposite Rob Lowe in “The Lyons Den” (NBC) and with William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman in “A Slight Case of Murder” (TNT). On the big screen he has been directed by some of the film industries finest, including Steven Soderbergh in “Traffic,” Oliver Stone in “Nixon” and Warren Beatty in “Bulworth,” and he appeared in four Barry Levinson films -- “Sleepers,” “Sphere,” “Jimmy Hollywood” and “Liberty Heights.” He portrayed slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers in “Ghosts of Mississippi” (directed by Rob Reiner), and played Angela Bassett’s ex-husband in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” Other films include “Menace II Society,” “Home Room,” “Gridlock’d” and “Just Wright,” starring Queen Latifah and Common. He has appeared in “42,” the feature about baseball legend Jackie Robinson, which starred Harrison Ford and was directed by Brian Helgeland. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0681782/

About Aimee Garcia

After graduating from Northwestern University, actress Aimee Garcia broke into television with roles on shows such as “American Family” and “Greetings from Tucson.” She was nominated for an ALMA Award and an Imagen Award for her supporting role on “George Lopez,” and won an ALMA for her work on “Dexter.” Currently a series regular on “Lucifer,” Garcia will be seen next in the upcoming films What They Had and Saint Judy. Her latest project El Chicano just wrapped with Raul Castillo and George Lopez directed by Ben Bray Hernandez.

About the Caucus For Producers, Writers & Directors
The Caucus is leading the evolution of television by providing a creative forum for 

Producers, Writers & Directors to explore the issues of the ever-changing landscape of content and exhibition.  The Caucus is proud of its rich history and esteemed membership of television innovators.  For over 42 years, The Caucus has provided an opportunity for the best and the brightest talent to network and voice the 'creative conscience' of the Television Industry.  Today, we continue to stand for better and meaningful content across all platforms.  As Producers, Writers, and Directors we support a working environment that fosters, through our various programs, the best content that we can create for our audiences.

In addition to its professional membership, The Caucus is proud of its non-profit work through The Caucus Foundation. Established in 2000 to help launch the careers of future entertainment professionals in film, television and emerging media; The Foundation provides completion grants to student thesis productions from accredited universities and colleges.  To date, The Caucus Foundation Grant Program has given over $1.6 million dollars in cash and in-kind awards.

Current members of The Caucus also include Tom Hanks, JJ Abrams, Chuck Fries, James Burrows, Tanya Hart, Robert Papazian, Vin Di Bona, Suzanne de Passe, Charles Floyd Johnson, Dennis Doty, Norman Powell, Lee Miller and other leading producers, writers and directors. For additional information on The Caucus visit: www.caucus.org

https://www.facebook.com/caucus.org

https://twitter.com/tvcaucus

Patti LaBelle and Brandy Norwood Join "Star"

Brandy Norwood

An All-New Episode of STAR Airs Wednesday, November 15, on FOX

Grammy Award-winning artists Patti LaBelle and Brandy Norwood will guest-star in multi-episode arcs on STAR, beginning this spring on FOX. LaBelle will play Carlotta Brown’s (Queen Latifah) tough but loving mother, Christine; and Norwood will play Carlotta’s younger sister, Cassie.

In the next all-new episode of STAR, “Faking It,” airing Wednesday, Nov. 15 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, Ayanna (Michael Michele) must quickly do damage control to restore Midtown’s image, amidst all of the heat the label is catching from the tragic police incident. Desperate for a spot in the showcase, the girls (Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny, and Brittany O’Grady) work on convincing hot recording artist – Joyce Sheree (guest star Teyana Taylor) – to do a featured verse on one of their songs. Carlotta continues to fight for custody of Simone; a misleading photo of Noah (Luke James) and Alex goes viral, and Cotton (Amiyah Scott) juggles two relationships. Meanwhile, Brody’s (Stephen Dorff) motivation for his return to Atlanta is revealed.

With a career that spans more than 50 years, Patti LaBelle has earned 13 Grammy Award nominations and two wins and sold more than 50 million albums worldwide. She was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Apollo Theater Legends Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2005, she was awarded the “Legend Award” by the World Music Awards. In addition to her success as a music artist, LaBelleis a bestselling author, actress, humanitarian and entrepreneur, with a successful product line, Patti's Good Life. Her most recent projects include the cookbookDesserts LaBelle (April 2017), jazz album Bel Hommage (May 2017) and forthcoming holiday album Patti LaBelle and Friends – Home for the Holidays (November 24, 2017).

Brandy Norwood is a multi-Platinum, Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress. She was one of the most successful multi-media stars of the past two decades, with a constant presence on pop and R&B charts, the hit sitcom “Moesha” and the TV movie phenomenon “Cinderella.” Her additional film and TV credits include horror film “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” and TV series “The Game” and “America’s Got Talent.” Norwood made her Broadway debut as “Roxie Hart” in the Tony Award-winning musical “Chicago” and recently appeared on FOX’s “My Kitchen Rules.”

STAR is a production of 20^th Century Fox Television in association with Lee Daniels Entertainment. Lee Daniels and Tom Donaghy are the creators and executive producers of the series. Pamela Oas Williams also serves as executive producer. Karin Gist is an executive producer and serves as showrunner of the series. “Like” STAR on Facebook at facebook.com/STARonFOX. Follow the series on Twitter @STAR and join the discussion by using #Star. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @STARonFOX. 

Culbertson's 'Colors of Love' Gets V-Day Release

They met for the first time when they were music majors at DePaul University. Flash forward, Michelle and Brian Culbertson celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last month. With love, romance and his wife serving as his motivation, the soulful contemporary jazz hit-maker started writing material earlier this year inspired by the occasion, crafting thirteen new songs that will be released as “Colors of Love,” his eighteenth album, on Valentine’s Day on the BCM Entertainment label. The seduction begins early next month when the amorous title track, a sensual R&B groove illuminated by Culbertson’s lyrical acoustic piano melodies typical of the collection’s contents, ships to radio. A nearly three-month-long U.S. concert tour will bring “Colors of Love” to life in a vivid theatrical production with the itinerary being revealed December 1.    

Culbertson is thriving creatively on this, his third independent album funded by an Indiegogo campaign (http://bit.ly/2wr3kt9), which closes this Thursday and offers unique opportunities and exclusive perks including a bonus track. Having spent the majority of his career on a major label, the freedom to follow his creative muse is readily apparent on “Colors of Love,” a complete contrast to last year’s “Funk!” set, which was a lively, full-band funk/R&B workout that features a number of vocal cuts. He describes “Colors of Love” as “purposely electronic, using very modern sounds and production” with his acoustic piano serving as the singular lead voice throughout the intimate date. The quiet and contemplative tracks are textured atmospherics and gentle R&B grooves - soothing beds for Culbertson’s melodic piano expressions of ardor.

Sharing the recording process via Facebook live, Culbertson polled his audience and they voted that “Colors of Love” be instrumental only. He took it a step further and for the first time in his career that to date has racked up 30 No. 1 Billboard singles as an artist, producer and/or songwriter, he refrained from using saxophone or guitar as lead instruments - only his poetic piano.

“The music on ‘Colors of Love’ explores all aspects of what love is. It’s a deep word that says a lot of things. There’s passionate love, love at first sight, longing love, lost love. Each color represents a different type of love. There are heart-wrenching songs, cuddly love - all kinds of different love songs,” said Culbertson, who played all of the instruments on the new record except for rhythm guitar (Isaiah Sharkey) and accordion (Peter White).

“I’ve been playing ‘Through the Years’ from the new album in my set since the Berks Jazz Fest last April. The response has been very emotional. Clearly, this music touches a nerve – or the heart to be more exact.” 

Culbertson is already at work on how he will present “Colors of Love” live during the U.S. concert trek that runs March 28 through June 17 with tickets going on sale December 8. He’s planning to incorporate a video element in a major way.

“It’s going to be a very theatrical presentation with video images and lighting timed to the music. This music is visual and cinematic thus the show needs to be visual to complement the experience. It’s going to be larger than life when you see it live.”

“Colors of Love” contains the following songs:

“Love Transcended”

“I Want You”

“Colors of Love”

“Don’t Go”

“You’re Magic”

“Through the Years”

“In A Dream”

“Let’s Chill”

“Desire”

“Michelle’s Theme”

“In Your Embrace”

“The Look”

“All My Heart”

A bonus track will be available exclusively for Indiegogo supporters.

For more information, please visit www.BrianCulbertson.com.

Women Doing It Big Conference in NYC in 2018

Described as an incredible and encouraging experience by Enspire Magazine, the Women Doing It Big Conference (WDIB) returns to New York City for the sixth year in a row on February 3, 2018. WDIB Conference Founder, Dr.Tiana Von Johnson, will be joined by an illustrious panel of keynote speakers and celebrity panelists including popular media maven Karen Civil who is one of the nation’s leading experts in the areas of social media and marketing, SWV’s iconic singer Coko Clemons, world-renowned actress Elise Neal and WBLS-FM air personality Déjà Vu, to name a few.

Tiana Von Johnson’s WDIB, which will be held at the Watson Hotel, 440 W. 57th St., NYC, NY 10019, will deliver a full day of activities for hundreds of motivated entrepreneurs who will participate in interactive workshops, speed networking and other activities designed to Educate, Empower and Encourage personal branding, business development and financial empowerment. “I am thrilled to present this conference. Each one is special, but this year, we are taking a different twist. We are focusing on real education and celebrity attachment opportunities to help entrepreneurs reach ultimate success. I don't want another "business as usual" conference. I want attendees walking away with real information and items to help them build,” says Von Johnson.

The intimate atmosphere of the Women Doing It Big Conference, along with the opportunity for entrepreneurs to attach their brand with celebrities serves as a means to really get into the branding and marketing side of growing businesses. WDIB’s celebrities will participate in meet-n-greets and provide attendees with video testimonials and drops to promote their businesses. There will also be an awards ceremony, where deserving women will receive recognition for their contributions in business and their communities. In addition, WDIB will also debut a new issue of Women Doing It Big Magazine, which launched earlier this year on newsstands and Books-a-Million bookstores nationwide in the US & Canada.

ABOUT TIANA VON JOHNSON:Always a visionary, Dr. Tiana Von Johnson successfully launched the WDIB in 2011, to motivate and educate women around the world to build their businesses, communities, and families through entrepreneurship. Since then, the event has grown in size, scope, and influence. Tiana is someone who knows a lot about Doing It Big. Born and raised in the Bronx, this forward-thinking leader forged her own path, taking a leap of faith to open a multimillion-dollar luxury real estate brokerage GoldStar in NYC. Today, she is a serial entrepreneur and world-renowned branding expert and strategist for corporations, celebrities and everyday individuals looking to build and develop multimillion-dollar brands.

ABOUT WOMEN DOING IT BIG MAGAZINE:WDIB Magazine is a positive magazine showing entrepreneurial women with riveting rags to riches stories and insight into every facet of business including film & television, fashion & beauty and beyond.

ABOUT THE WOMEN DOING IT BIG CONFERENCE:The mission of WDIB is to motivate and educate women to build their communities and families through entrepreneurship. Tickets for the conference are available at WomenDoingItBig.com.

50th Anniversary Gala Celebration & Awards Show Set For LAICCC and C. Bernard Jackson

By Darlene Donloe

Back in the day, many a Hollywood hopeful walked through the doors of the Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center (LAICCC) to hone their craft and immerse themselves in everything theater.

C. Bernard Jackson

Created and co-founded by Obie Award-winning playwright, composer and lyricist C. Bernard Jackson, ICCC, which grew out of the 1965 Watts uprising, became a theatrical mecca. It was the place to be and the place to be seen – a sanctuary, of sorts, for a diverse group of artists whose hopes equaled their dreams of stardom.  During that time the center garnered the support of Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck, who worked closely with Jackson and ICCC Co-founder Dr. J. Alfred Cannon (UCLA Neuro-psychiatrist and Mental Health Advocate).

What set the organization apart from other arts organizations was its sense of community and its multiculturalism. It not only provided assistance to a wide variety of cultural institutions, its doors were open for everyone who had a creative itch for acting, directing, writing, producing, playwrighting, lighting, set design, stage managing, dance/choreography or music design.

The magic happened at 1308 New Hampshire Avenue, in a brown, brick two-story building in a neighborhood near Pico and Vermont. That’s where some dreams were deferred and others fulfilled.

Inner City, which closed in 1996, had a hand in the theatrical growth and development of some of the industry’s greatest performers. Some past and present performers, board members and supporters include: Glynn Turman, Gregory Hines, Beah Richards, Adolf Caesar, Louis Gossett, Jr., Marla Gibbs, Robert Wise, Denzel Washington, Nichelle Nichols, Brock Peters, George Takei, Ted Lange, Alvin Ailey, Luis Valdez, Paul Winfield, Marla Gibbs, Ben Vereen, Carman Zapata, Bonnie Bedelia, Ernie Hudson, Quincy Jones, Pat Morita, Felton Perry, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Sab Shimono, George C. Wolfe, Donald McKayle, Arthur Mitchell, William Mickey Stevenson, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Luis Alfaro, Momoko Iko, Bella Lewitsky, Robert Ito, Michelle Thomas, Janet Jackson, Mako, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Forest Whittaker, just to name a few."

C. Bernard Jackson’s vision and the impact of ICCC are immeasurable. That being said, the venerable center and its founder are being honored on Saturday, Nov. 4, with the C. Bernard Jackson 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration & Awards Show entitled, Out Of The Ashes: From Multi-Culturalism and Diversity to Inclusion 1967-2017. The show is directed by Hawthorne James (The Five Heartbeats, Speed, The Color Purple) and hosted by ICCC alum Ernie Hudson, who will serve as the master of ceremony.

“There are those who spend there time studying it and those who spend their lives doing it,” said Hudson.

Ernie Hudson

Ernest Dillihay, C. Bernard Jackson’s friend and the chair of the LAICCC 5oth Anniversary Planning Committee and producer of the celebration, has nothing but high praise for Jackson, whom he fondly calls “Jack,” and for the legendary center.

“Jack’s vision was to provoke a different point of view,” said Dillihay, who is organizing the event with Nina Womack of Transmedia 360, Colette Toomer-Cruz and Ron Brewington (a board member and host of The Actor's Choice). “If we look back to 1965, we only had three channels on a television. You were hard-pressed to find racial cultural minorities cast in any role. Jack thought there was a need for cross-cultural communication so they could see themselves in a different light. In doing that the youth were introduced to multiracial ethnic casting.”

Ernest Dillihay

According to Dillihay, CEO & founder at Arts Culture Entertainment, Jack was a pioneer who paved the way for many who have gone on to make their own impact on the industry.

“Jack was a great influence, not only in the world of entertainment but of people who have gone on to do notable things,” said Dillihay, former performing arts director Cultural Facilities Division at City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. “He really was one of a kind.”

A mainstay at ICCC during its heyday, Dillihay, who studied theater management, film finance, production, distribution at UCLA, has stories upon stories upon stories about the people who called the center home and about the open and comfortable and inclusive atmosphere that existed.

“I remember seeing Forest Whitaker when he came to ICCC,” said Dillihay, an Atlantic City, New Jersey native. There were so many actors that came in and out of the center. Some were in between jobs and would come over to ICCC. Ted Lange said ICCC was his home. He said he couldn’t experiment with things he wanted to do at larger houses. Beah Richards was always there. It was a home. It was a place to be.  You could fail there and it wasn’t a fail. You pushed your craft and collaborated with other people. You had directors, writers, producers and actors there – who would help you with your projects. There was no place else in the city that you could go and have that kind of access and inclusiveness. Jack put all that together. That was his vision. His vision was to have a cultural and creative family. We really were like a family.”

Dillihay describes “Jack” as quiet and cerebral, but also a person who was prone to give out a belly laugh.

“His door was always open,” said Dillihay, who worked at ICCC after getting out of the Marine Corp. “He was good at multitasking. He would sit and write music at this desk, fill out a grant and listen to you if you had a concern. Sometimes you wouldn't know if he heard you, or if he meant yes or no.  He was a gentle soul. He worked 12-15 hours a night. We would go to our favorite pub and sit there until they kicked us out. It was called The Stockyard. It no longer exists. I have way too many memories of Jack to talk about them all. I can tell you that this celebration is well-deserved.”

The black-tie gala, which includes a pre-show and post-show reception, is presented by the alumni of the Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center (LAICCC) 50th Anniversary Planning Committee, who are helming the third of three 50th anniversary celebrations recognizing a milestone in the history of the organization.

The LAICCC, was the “original genesis” i.e., the “O.G.” of a multicultural, diverse and inclusive arts program production philosophy in stage, screen and television.

The evening’s program will include an announcement about the launch of a LAICCC book publication, documentary film, and the C. Bernard Jackson Memorial Library Legacy project.

“We are scoping locations now,” said Dillihay. “We’re talking now about the concept.”

The program will include the presentation of the LAICCC Diversity and Inclusion Awards (D&I Awards) to theater artists, organizations and those in the television and film industry who support diversity and inclusion.

Award recipients include Lula Washington (Dance Theatre Lula & Erwin Washington), Snehal Desai (the East West Players) and Margarita Galban (Bilingual Foundation for the Arts), who will all receive the C. Bernard Jackson Legacy Award.

Special recognition Diversity & Inclusion Award winners include Sheldon Epps (Artistic Director Emeritus of the Pasadena Playhouse), Michael Alexander (Exec. Dir. Emeritus Grand Performances) and Tim Dang (Artistic Dir. Emeritus East West Players).

The Elaine Gayle Kashiki/Josie Dotson award winners include Adilah Barnes (Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival) and Nancy Cheryl Davis/Nathaniel Bellamy/Nancy Renee (Towne Street Theatre).

The Inner City Essence Award Winners include Wendy Raquel Robinson (Amazing Grace Conservatory), Art Evans (actor/director) and Chester Whitmore (entertainer/choreographer/director).

The Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights C. Bernard Jackson award winner is Velina Hasu Houston (USC School of Dramatic Arts).

The Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center (The O.G. of Diversity and Inclusion) presents C. Bernard Jackson 50^th Anniversary Gala Celebration & Awards Show, Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m., at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles; www.itsmyseat.com/ERT; innercityculturalcenter.org; innercityculturalcenter@gmail.com; $10-$75; 213 234-1717. 

Director Stanley Nelson and Firelight Film Launch HBCU Tour For 'Tell Then We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities'

Premieres on Independent Lens on PBS, Monday, February 19, 2018 at 9PM ET

(NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2017) – Firelight Films, the award-winning production company committed to making films about pivotal events, movements, and people in American history, is partnering with public media stations to present the latest film from Stanley Nelson, the preeminent storyteller of the African-American experience, to students, faculty and leadership at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) around the country. 

Beginning November 14 at Dillard University in Baton Rouge, LA, in partnership with public media station WYES, the HBCU tour for Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities will feature screenings of the film followed by panel discussions with Nelson, university leaders, prominent alumni, and other invited guests to talk about the important issues explored in the documentary.

The tour is a major part of HBCU Rising, the year-long multi-platform engagement project designed to drive dialogue sparked by the film among a variety of audiences. Written, directed and produced by Nelson (The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution) and produced by Firelight Films, Tell Them We Are Rising reveals for the first time the complex history of how HBCUs, havens for Black intellectuals, artists and trailblazers, offered a path of promise toward the American dream, educated the architects of freedom movements throughout the decades and cultivated leaders in every field. The film also examines the impact HBCUs have had on American history, culture, and national identity for more than 150 years.

“We felt it was very important to showcase the film to students on HBCU campuses because this is a vital part of our African-American and American history,” said director Stanley Nelson. “Many students and even alumni are not aware of the deep history of how and why HBCUs were created and the foundation for success they provided for African Americans. We appreciate the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s support and the partnership on the ground with local public television and radio stations to make this tour possible.”

HBCU tour schedule below (complete event details will be available closer to the event dates on HBCURising.com):

Nov. 14: Dillard University and WYES (New Orleans, LA)

Nov. 15: Clark Atlanta University and WCLK (Atlanta, GA)

Dec. 1: Morgan State University and WEAA (Baltimore, MD)

Jan. 8: Shaw University and WSHA (Raleigh, NC)

Jan. 11 North Carolina Central University and WNCU (Durham, NC)

Jan. 12: Texas Southern University and KTSU (Houston, TX)

Jan. 18: Howard University and WHUT (Washington, DC)

Jan. 22: South Carolina State University and SCETV (Orangeburg, SC)

Jan. 25: Tougaloo College and Mississippi Public Broadcasting (Jackson, MS)

Jan. 26: Florida A & M University and WFSU (Tallahassee, FL)

In addition to events on campuses, HBCU Rising features public and marquee VIP screenings in major cities across the country, StoryCorps audio stories, video shorts exploring HBCU life and an all-generation, all-school HBCU Digital Yearbook. National partnerships include The Black College Fund, Color of Change, Akila Worksongs, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., United Negro College Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, the HBCU Green Fund, and MomsRising.

The 90-minute film will air nationally on the acclaimed PBS series Independent Lens on Monday, February 19, 2018, 9 pm – 10:30 pm ET (check local listings). The film will also be available for online viewing on PBS.org beginning February 20, 2018. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and was recently presented at the New Orleans Film Festival, Indiana Black Expo, BlackStar Film Festival, NABJ Convention, National Action Network Convention, and the African Diaspora Film Festival in Paris.

Major funding for the film, HBCU Rising and associated campus tours was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) as part of the public media initiative, American Graduate.

Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities is directed, written and produced by Stanley Nelson, co-directed and co-produced by Marco Williams, written by Marcia Smith and produced by Cyndee Readdean and Stacey L. Holman, with executive producers Sally Jo Fifer, ITVS and Lois Vossen, Independent Lens. Funding for the film is provided by the CPB, ITVS, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and the Ford Foundation.

About Firelight Media/Firelight Films

Firelight was founded in 2000 by Emmy-winning, National Humanities medalist, and MacArthur “Genius” Fellow documentarian Stanley Nelson and award-winning writer and philanthropy executive Marcia Smith as an independent production company dedicated to harnessing the power of story-driven media as a platform for education and action. Best known for producing high-quality powerful productions for PBS and creating dynamic community engagement campaigns to ensure their reach and impact, Firelight is committed to making films about pivotal events, movements, and people in American history. Firelight has won numerous awards and enjoyed great critical acclaim, with nine films in the documentary competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Past titles include Freedom Riders, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple, The Murder of Emmett Till, A Place of Our Own, and Freedom Summer.

Firelight’s Documentary Lab is the largest program in the United States aimed specifically at developing the documentary projects and professional skills of emerging diverse documentary filmmakers.  In 2015, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded Firelight with the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, for their demonstrated creativity and impact in supporting the talents and careers of a diverse new generation of filmmakers.

Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities is the second in a three-part series called America Revisited that includes The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution, which was the most watched Independent Lens program ever, and the forthcoming, The Slave Trade: Creating A New World.

About the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting. It helps support the operations of nearly 1,500 locally owned and operated public television and radio stations nationwide. CPB is also the largest single source of funding for research, technology and program development for public radio, television and related online services. For more information, visit www.cpb.org, follow us on Twitter @CPBmedia, Facebook and LinkedIn, and subscribe for email updates.

About Independent Lens

Independent Lens is an Emmy® Award-winning weekly series airing on PBS Monday nights at 10:00pm. The acclaimed series, with Lois Vossen as executive producer, features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, the series is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, with additional funding from PBS, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more, visit pbs.org/independentlens Join the conversation:facebook.com/independentlens and on Twitter @independentLens.