New York officials announced Sept. 22nd that the NYPD cop accused of shooting Ramarley Graham in the 18 year old’s Bronx home on Feb. 2, 2012 will face a departmental trial by the end of the year. However, Graham’s mother, Constance Malcolm, believes the move is politically motivated.

Officer Richard Haste chased Graham into his home after an alleged drug bust went wrong, and allegedly shot and killed him in front of his grandmother and little brother.

The NYPD decided to move forward with the departmental trial after concluding an internal disciplinary case.

Malcolm has routinely called for Mayor Bill de Blasio to fire Haste and his on-site supervisor, Sgt. Scott Morris. She questions what took so long for a decision to be made on an internal trial.

“It seems more like a political announcement than anything about accountability,” Malcolm told the New YorkDaily News. “Mayor de Blasio is trying to protect himself after the news about the pay raise.”

Recently, it became known that Haste and Morris were earning overtime pay, despite being placed on modified duty.

Malcolm also wants more information. “We don’t even know what he’s being charged with, and we don’t know the timeline,” she said. “I want to be there. I want him to look me in the face and see the pain he caused me and my family. Not just Richard Haste, all the officers that were involved. They broke into the house without a warrant. What are the other officers going to be charged with? They’re still in our community still. They’re still working.”

Who knew Lupita Nyong’o not only has skills on the mic, but also has named her rapping alter-ego? The Queen of Katwe star celebrated her 3 millionth Instagram follower by spitting a few bars.

Calling herself “Troublemaker,” Nyong’o raps:

“Mexican born, Kenya running through my veins/
Dark chocolate, plus I keep a sharp mane/
Lancôme fresh-faced, looking tailor-made/
Disney on the books, so you know I stay paid”

The full video is worth watching because Nyong’o expertly raps more than four bars to celebrate her followers, the Queen of Katwe, and herself. (Hey, we should all be our own biggest fan.) Even her driver thinks Nyong’o has skills.

We’d be remiss, though, for not shouting Robyn Hood/Miriam A. Hyman for writing Nyong’o’s rhymes.

[Image: Instagram]

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Blink Fitness to Cast Real Gym Members for 2017 Ad Campaign
Gym looks to challenge fitness norms by celebrating body diversity

NEW YORK (Sept. 13, 2016) – Blink Fitness, the premium quality, value-based gym launches a brand-wide casting call today through October 7, the goal of which is to feature actual gym members in the company’s 2017 ad campaign. At a time when body positivity has garnered worldwide attention, Blink Fitness has been tackling this issue head on for the past year by challenging industry norms and celebrating how exercise makes you feel, not just how it makes you look.

All of Blink’s nearly 300,000 members are invited to “audition” for the casting call by submitting a photo or video on Instagram that flaunts their confidence and tells Blink why they should be chosen while tagging #BlinkCastingCall and @Blink_Fitness. This is the first time a gym has cast for an ad campaign through social media.

In late October following the open submission phase, finalists will be called back to a Blink Fitness location in Manhattan where they will share why feeling good is the new looking good before a panel of influential “casting agents,” who will select the cast for Blink’s 2017 campaign. Among these casting agents is actress Dascha Polanco, best known for playing Dayanara Diaz on Orange is the New Black and NFL punter Steve Weatherford — both of whom are not only Blink members, but have also been advocates for body positivity and the emotional benefits of exercise.

“The world is not made up of one type of person, so why are ads, magazines and films made up primarily of one body size?” said Dascha Polanco. “As a member of Blink Fitness, I know firsthand the type of positive experience and encouragement Blink strives to create for their members. I’m so excited to be a part of this campaign because of the real people and bodies that will be represented in it.”

Blink’s 2017 campaign is an evolution of its “Every Body Happy” platform, which launched earlier this year. The spirited initiative captured a variety of confident and happy gym-goers in all shapes and sizes. A survey commissioned by Blink Fitness and conducted online by Harris Poll earlier this year showed that 71% of Americans don’t relate to fitness ads or magazine covers because the people in those images don’t have their body type.

Since the launch of “Every Body Happy,” Blink has been challenging members to think about body acceptance and approaching fitness differently. For instance, Blink’s “Monday Without Mirrors” program involved literally covering up gym mirrors one day a week for the month of June and encouraged members to do it for the mood, not just the mirror.

“The fitness industry is blanketed by aspirational images of so-called ‘perfect’ bodies, and that’s not what Blink aims to promote,” said Ellen Roggemann, VP of Marketing for Blink Fitness. “Who better to represent Blink than our actual members? These people are confident, committed, and truly reflect how great exercise makes you feel.”

The company’s overarching commitment to making sure members leave the gym feeling better than when they walked in is referred to as its Feel Good Experience. Currently, there are 60 Blink Fitness locations open or in development throughout New York and New Jersey, with the goal of reaching 300 clubs by 2020 through corporate growth and its new franchising program that launched late last year.

About Blink Fitness
Founded in 2011, Blink Fitness is a premium quality, value-based fitness brand with more than 60 locations open or in development throughout New York and New Jersey. Blink Fitness puts Mood Above Muscle which celebrates the positive feeling you get from exercise, not just the physical benefits. Each club employs the company’s signature Feel Good Experience that highlights enthusiastic staff members, a clean environment, an open, spacious, and colorful design, energizing music and fitness training that is motivating and affordable.

For more information about Blink, visit blinkfitness.com. Franchising details are available on blinkfranchising.com.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Blink Fitness from February 18-22, 2016 among 2,115 adults ages 18 and older, among which 1,844 ever exercise. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact bb@sharpthink.com.

[Image: Instagram]

Obama’s speech was “impassioned” and “emotional but joyful,” reports MSN. He discussed the highs, such as his presidency, and the lows, like the police killings of Black men and women, of being Black in America.

“Today, as so many generations have before, we gather on our National Mall to tell an essential part of our American story — one that has at times been overlooked — we come not just for today, but for all time,” said Obama.

“We’re not a burden on America, or a stain on America, or an object of pity or charity for America,” he continued. “We’re America.”

He added:

“And that’s what this museum explains — the fact that our stories have shaped every corner of our culture. The struggles for freedom that took place made our Constitution a real and living document, tested and shaped and deepened and made more profound its meaning for all people. The story told here doesn’t just belong to black Americans; it belongs to all Americans — for the African-American experience has been shaped just as much by Europeans and Asians and Native Americans and Latinos. We have informed each other. We are polyglot, a stew.”

Watch his entire speech in the clip below.

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This weekend marked the historic opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture (NMAAHC), the first of its kind in the U.S. As is to be expected the weekend-long festivities were star-studded, with Hollywood and music heavyweights like Lupita Nyong’o, Ava DuVernay, and Janelle Monae attending.

We’ve found the “cool kids.” And they are Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Ava DuVernay, Andre Holland, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Glynn Turman, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae.

Ava DuVernay screened her film August 28 for the first time at the NMAAHC. She also expressed how proud she was the museum exhibited her words.

Janelle Monae was fabulous and revolutionary at the NMAAHC.

Black Hollywood definitely represented at the museum opening. Octavia Spencer got a pic with Emmy winner Courtney B. Vance. The actress also expressed her gratitude for participating in the NMAAHC opening weekend.

Ruth Bonner, a 99-year-old descendant of a slave, joined the Obamas in ringing a bell from the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, VA to signal the official opening of the NMAAHC.

Pres. Barack Obama takes a photos of former Pres. George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush with the Bonner family.

Two heroes of civil rights and equality, Rep. John Lewis and Pres. Obama, embrace during the museum dedication ceremony.

Jazmine Sullivan, Common, and Ava DuVernay attended Marriott International’s EncouragHERS Luncheon, marking the grand opening of the NMAAHC.

En Vogue was also in D.C. for the museum opening.

Quincy Jones gave props to singers Chloe x Halle.

Chloe x Halle also performed during the White House’s reception commemorating the NMAAHC.

Of course the Big O and her squad were on hand for the NMAAHC festivities.

The opening culminated in a black-tie gala to Gayle King‘s pleasure.

RELATED: Highlights From The NMAAHC Dedication Ceremony [VIDEOS]

[Image: Facebook]

Olango’s sister had called police Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, because she said he was acting strangely and not himself, while they were outside the Broadway Village shopping center in El Cajon, a suburb of San Diego, CA. Eyewitnesses report that Olango was having a seizure or another sort of mental-health or medical emergency, reports The Root.

“I called three times for them to come help me,” Olango’s sister cried on a Facebook Live Stream. “Nobody came; they said it’s not priority.”

When the police finally arrived, an officer fatally shot Olango. He died at an area hospital.

The police say Olango “was acting erratically and failed to comply, although they did not release details on the specific threat he presented to officers,” reports NBC7.

However, eyewitnesses say the police were unduly quick to open fire on the 30-year-old man and their actions were racially motivated, Al Jazeera reports.

The El Cajon Police Department released a still image taken from a mobile phone video of the moment in efforts to “prove” Olango was a threat.

[Image: El Cajon Police Department]

An eyewitness on the scene said, “The Black male was up with his hands up like this, scared to death, not knowing which way he was gonna go. And that’s the honest truth.”

El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis confirmed that Olango was not armed.

The police department told reporters that it was aware officers were responding to a “5150” call when Olango was fatally shot.

The Root reports the definition of a “5150” call as:

“When a person, as a result of a mental disorder, is a danger to himself/herself or others or is gravely disabled, a peace officer, a member of the attending staff, or another professional person designated by the county may with probable cause take the person into custody and place him or her in a facility for a 72-hour treatment and evaluation.”

Police didn’t bring in the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team to assist with the call. Judging from PERT’s responsibilities, which are in part below, they could’ve deescalated the situation by assessing Olango’s mental state on the scene.

“Provides emergency assessment and referral for individuals with mental illness who come to the attention of law enforcement through phone calls from community members or in-field law enforcement request for emergency assistance. PERT pairs licensed mental health clinicians with uniformed law enforcement officers/deputies. Clinicians work out of individual law enforcement divisions and respond in the field with their law enforcement partners.”

The officer who shot Olango hasn’t been identified.

The shooting sparked protests at the scene for several hours and outside the police department. Demonstrators allege police racism spurred the shooting of Olango.

RELATED: El Cajon Officer Richard Gonsalves Shot And Killed Alfred Olango

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BMW and UPTOWN Magazine took over Martha’s Vineyard from Aug. 17th to the 20th.

RELATED: BMW & UPTOWN Vineyard Weekend [PHOTOS]

“Today I asked my 18 year old nephew (to be clear he’s black) to drive me to my meetings so I can work on my phone #safteyfirst [sic]. In the distance I saw cop on the side of the road. I quickly checked to see if he was obliging by the speed limit. Than [sic] I remembered that horrible video of the woman in the car when a cop shot her boyfriend. All of this went through my mind in a matter of seconds. I even regretted not driving myself. I would never forgive myself if something happened to my nephew. He’s so innocent. So were all ‘the others’
I am a total believer that not ‘everyone’ is bad It is just the ones that are ignorant, afraid, uneducated, and insensitive that is affecting millions and millions of lives.
Why did I have to think about this in 2016? Have we not gone through enough, opened so many doors, impacted billions of lives? But I realized we must stride on- for it’s not how far we have come but how much further still we have to go.

I than [sic] wondered than [sic] have I spoken up? I had to take a look at me. What about my nephews? What if I have a son and what about my daughters?
As Dr. Martin Luther King said ‘There comes a time when silence is betrayal’.

I
Won’t
Be
Silent

Serena”

— Serena Williams posts on Facebook about the fear she immediately felt after spotting a police car on the road her nephew was driving. It doesn’t seem like the pair were stopped by the police, but the possibility of being stopped induced fear in the tennis pro. Like so many Black motorists, Williams immediately checked that her nephew was obeying the laws of the road after spotting the police cruiser. She also promises to do more and speak up more about the police shootings of unarmed Black men and women that are plaguing the U.S.

RELATED: Police In San Diego Kill Mentally Ill Black Man Alfred Olango

[Image: Danny Cardozo via Facebook]

[Image: The Root]

As UPTOWN previously reported, Olango’s sister called police three times for assistance with her brother because he was having a medical and a mental health emergency. Police were aware they were reporting to a 5150 call of someone in mental and possibly physical distress when they arrived 50 minutes later, without assistance from a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team.

Instead of assisting Olango, Gonsalves shot him. A second officer who hasn’t been identified used a Taser on Olango at the same time Gonsalves fired his weapon.

Police claim Olango was a threat and pointed an object at the officers. They revealed Wednesday that the item was a vape smoking device. Apparently, Gonsalves thought it was a gun.

Gonsalves has a disreputable history in the El Cajon Police Department.

In 2015, Officer Tina Greer sued Gonsalves, who was her supervisor at the time, for sexual harassment. He sent her sexual text messages, including a photo of his genitals. He referred to Greer and her wife in one text, “I’m drunk and I want u! Both of u!”

They settled the lawsuit earlier this year. However, Greer filed a second lawsuit this August because she was forced to work in a hostile environment she believes in retaliation for the first suit. She was also assigned to work with Gonsalves again.

The alleged retaliation has included comments made by male officers, spit on her locker, in addition to being forced to work with Gonsalves.

“He should have been fired,” said Greer’s attorney, Dan Gilleon. “I think he should have been prosecuted. There’s no employer out there in their right mind that wouldn’t fire someone that does that.”

Gonsalves was demoted from sergeant to officer, but Gilleon believes the department should have fired him.

[Image: Facebook]

According to Alexandra Jackson, a long-time friend of Olango’s, he had also been in emotional distress.

“I’ve known [Olango] for about 10 years … he was a good kindhearted man who was dealing with the death of another friend that committed suicide days before this,” Jackson told The Root.

“He was acting very strange since the death of our friend—very paranoid and not himself,” Jackson continued. “Everyone who knew Alfred loved him because he was so helpful and kind. I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Police Chief Jeff Davis says the video of the shooting will not be released because it is part of the ongoing investigation.

Gonsalves and the second officer who fired his Taser have been placed on paid administrative leave.

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Ava DuVernay‘s latest documentary feature 13TH explores how the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has provided a loophole for involuntary servitude via the prison industry, even though it abolished slavery. The Amendment reads: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.”

13TH is set to premiere tomorrow, Sept. 30th, at the New York Film Festival. It is the first nonfiction film to open the NYFF. It will be released on Netflix and in limited theaters on Oct. 7th.

According to the film, the clause “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted” has made it possible “to arrest American citizens (primarily black American citizens) on flimsy charges, fine them at rates they can’t pay, jail them, abuse them, and steal their labor,” reports The Village Voice in its cover story “Ava DuVernay: ‘There’s a Lot Going on That We Close Our Eyes To’” by James Hannaham.

DuVernay was inspired by Ohio State law professor Michelle Alexander‘s The New Jim Crow and Samuel D. Pollard‘s 2012 documentary Slavery by Another Name, which is based on Douglas A. Blackmon‘s book of the same title and explores the history of Black convict labor. The “tightly argued, deeply upsetting doc” features interviews with writers, activists, historians, and politicians, including Cory Booker, Henry Louis Gates, and Jelani Cobb, and is aided by charts depicting the rising number of incarcerated Americans.

Along with detailing how the Thirteenth Amendment was the impetus for the mass incarceration of Black Americans, the documentary also places blame on “Richard Nixon, whose ‘Southern strategy’ pioneered the practice of cynically gaining white votes by stigmatizing blacks and other brown people as coddled criminals and stepping up efforts to disenfranchise black voters; Bill Clinton and his hateful 1994 crime bill, which helped expand mandatory minimum sentences and led to an expanded prison industry and a more militarized police force; and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a shady consortium of corporate lobbyists and state legislators that writes bills to benefit its backers — including companies like the Corrections Corporation of America that profit from building and running prisons,” according to The Village Voice.

“I wanted to give people this information so that they couldn’t say they didn’t know anymore,” DuVernay told The Village Voice. “There’s a lot going on that we close our eyes to.”

By The Guilty Grape Twins

Every year, hundreds of vacationers travel to a storybook world right off the coast of Cape Cod. In this alternate universe, the natives are inviting, the air is crisp, and enjoying the horses with your morning coffee is the norm. This magical place is known as Martha’s Vineyard, and if you happen to land on the vineyard during the end of summer, you are in for a luxurious island treat. As BMW commandeers the island for The Ultimate Escape Weekend.

Since Martha’s Vineyard is a unique and beautiful vacation destination, we, The Guilty Grape Twins, were more than enthused to accept an invitation to attend The Ultimate Escape Weekend. While the island is, indeed, revered for its breathtaking beaches, spectacular homes, and rich history, the vineyard is also home to a number of noteworthy eateries and bars.

BMW spared no expense as we drove our BMW X5 through Tisbury, an area known for the most bucolic homes, and eventually landed at our vacation abode, which would’ve impressed even the most discerning of travelers. Perks like a private pool, two gourmet kitchens, horses on the grounds, and plenty of extra space for entertaining are just some of the highlights from our weekend.

BMW asked that we leave all stresses behind and truly take this weekend to experience the island through our eyes while letting the Ultimate Driving Machine be our chariot. With that in mind, here are our top choices for beaches, dining, and drinking on the island:

Where To Swim:
Inkwell Beach on Seaview Ave. is one of the most well-known beaches in Martha’s Vineyard and is nestled in the center of Oak Bluffs. Inkwell Beach continues to be a major summer haven to many vacationers.

Best Island Burger:
Fat Ronnie’s Burger Bar serves up one beautiful burger. The absolutely divine and overwhelmingly large burger is accompanied by medium-cut, perfectly salted fries. This place is a must on your island vacation. The indoor-outdoor space takes on a diner theme with big booths and bar tables facing the galley kitchen. 7 Circuit Ave., (508) 693-6600

Afternoon Cocktails:
Beetlebung Restaurant & Bar is located near the tourist areas and popular shopping in the center of town. Beetlebung’s beverages are truly delicious with a sense of playfulness, so indulge, and “Celebrate the Tongue” responsibly as you explore the cocktail menu. 53 Circuit Ave, 508-696-0053

After-Dark Eats:
20ByNine is an imitate and relaxing after-hours gem known for tasty delights, such as lobster fritters with house made preserved lemons and house made wild ramp tartar sauce. 16 Kennebec Ave, (508) 338-2065

RELATED: The BMW Ultimate Escape Weekend [VIDEO]

Angela Simmons‘s son has become the most important aspect of her life.

The hip-hop socialite and reality TV star shared a photo of her baby boy on Thursday and expressed the joy he has brought her.

“The best part of life has just begun #Motherhood #ImSoInLove,” the new mom captioned a photo of her holding her newborn son.

There’s no word on his birthday, but there were rumors she gave birth last weekend. Simmons also hasn’t revealed her son’s name.

Hopefully, season 2 of Growing Up Hip Hop, which is set to premiere this month, will provide some clarity, as it was recorded while the 29 year old designer was pregnant.

Some movies you walk into ready to be entertained and some movies you walk out of changed. Disney’s Queen of Katwe is one of those movies. Don’t get me wrong, the film directed by Mira Nair and starring Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo and Madina Nalwanga has entertainment by the loads you will find yourself “snapping” and tapping your feet along with awing at the beauty of the film shot in the streets of Uganda which while impoverished still burst with as many colors as the vibrant people do.

But beyond being entertained the Queen of Katwe will reach in and grab your heart and will simply not let go. The film is more like an experience introducing you to an Africa and it’s people rarely seen on film and stirring something inside you that will dare you to dream big.

The film is ultimately about chess but you will find yourself balling at various points in the movie. Not the kind of balling involving a sport unless you count going through a complete box of tissue during the films emotional moments as a sport. If that is the case I would have won the championship as I was wrecked.

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If you think dropping the T in Moët makes you sound sophisticated, we’re about to blow your mind.

Many people think they sound more French when they drop the T, pronouncing the word “Moay.” The T sound is necessary, it turns out. However, the more conventional, unrefined “Moët” isn’t correct either.

The founder of the famous French champagne had a Dutch name, so Moët should sound more Dutch than French. That means the pronunciation is “Mwett.”

In addition, let’s forget the Ns exist when we say “Chandon.” It’s “SHA-doh.”

Now, let’s say it all together: “Mwett eh SHA-doh.”

These mind-blowing pronunciations come courtesy of the new book, You’re Saying it Wrong by Ross and Kathryn Petras.

Some other pronunciations that will make ordering international cuisine more productive and less embarrassing are:

• Croissant = “kwah-SAHNT”
• Gnocchi = “NYAW-kee”
• Gyro = “YEE-ro”
• Pho = “fuh”
• Quinoa = “KEEN-wah”

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[Image: Columbia]

The album is expansive with 21 tracks featuring the voices of Q-Tip, Kelly Rowland, Lil Wayne, The-Dream, Dev Hynes, and Kelela.

[Image: Instagram]

Along with releasing A Seat at the Table, Solange also shares lyrics and photos via a digital book on her website. But the visual extravaganza doesn’t stop at SolangeMusic.com …

The songs “Don’t Touch My Hair” and “Cranes in the Sky” have already received the official music video treatment.

Both videos were directed by Solange and her husband Alan Ferguson and have that distinct artistic and nostalgic “Solange-feel” many of her Instagram followers will recognize. She becomes an ethereal goddess or a visual sage popping from gritty backgrounds of concrete and natural formations like sand dunes. The hairstyles alone in “Don’t Touch My Hair” will make you long for the 1970s.

Watch Solange’s new music videos below, during breaks of binge-watching Mike Colter as Luke Cage.

(Hollywood, CA) Sheree Fletcher (Former Wife of Actor Will Smith) has joined forces with the #1 online network Black Hollywood to premiere her new show “Eat, Pray, Live. Fletcher is no stranger to the spotlight. With her outspoken personality and strong spiritual beliefs, she was quickly noted as one of the favorites on VH1’s hit show “Hollywood Exes”.

Fletcher is a dedicated mother, a savvy businesswoman, and an empowering philanthropist.

When asked what fans can expect from her new show, Fletcher revealed “Each week my co-hosts and I will deliver unique perspectives exploring & discussing our world as we know it (news, entertainment, love, spirituality and morality) in a raw and informative way that’s never void of laughter! Our goal is that our viewers and listeners are entertained, enriched and inspired.”

She added “Fans can expect to learn that there’s value and insight in different vantage points – there’s no one right way to see things.”

Black Hollywood Lives’ President Derrial Christon expressed his excitement to adding Eat, Pray, Live to his roster of shows. “My business partner Keven Undergaro and I have been huge fans of Sheree, since first being introduced to her.  Fans of her show are in for a treat, because she is not afraid to express what everyone in life goes through at different stages.  Sheree is a beautiful and talented woman with a strong sense of self and she is not afraid to “go there” no matter the subject. We are honored to have her apart of the BHL Family!”.

One of the closest topics to Fletcher’s  heart is helping women. With her inspirational “WHOOP” philosophy (Women Helping Others Obtain Power). She encourages women to band together, shed the shame, and get past themselves. “I want to see them overcome their obstacles and be all that God has called them to be. I feel it’s my personal responsibility to comfort those with the same comfort that I have received. After all, we are all in this together.” said Fletcher.

Eat, Pray Live airs live every Thursday at 2pm pac on BHL. Watch the first show here.

ABOUT BLACK HOLLYWOOD LIVE:

Black Hollywood Live (BHL) is the 1st online broadcast network dedicated to African Americans in Entertainment. Some of the past guests include: Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Foxx, Nia Long, Shemar Moore, Kym Whitley, Usher, J Lo, Jay Ellis, Steve Harvey and many more. For more information about Black Hollywood Live, check out www.blackhollywoodlive.com. BHL delivers informative interviews and insightful commentary with top entertainers in Hollywood.

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By Brandon Schultz

Last month’s opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) was a long overdue cause for celebration, finally acknowledging a fundamental piece of American history too often undervalued, especially on the national stage. Prominently situated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., NMAAHC brings international attention to the stories of African Americans, but some groups have been striving toward similar goals on a more local level for decades.

In the center of Richmond, Virginia’s historic Jackson Ward district, the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) recently renovated the Leigh Street Armory — a property with its own impressive Black history — and entered the 35th year of its mission to commemorate the lives and accomplishments of Black Virginians. “I keep hearing that all roads lead to Virginia,” says BHMVA’s visitor services manager, Mary Lauderdale. A Philadelphia transplant who has been with the museum more than 20 years, she has noticed that “most of us have some ties to this commonwealth, and relaying the personal stories of the unsung heroes makes this a living monument to the folks who came before us.”

Where a national museum casts a broader net in its scope, Lauderdale explains that BHMVA, “being local and concentrating on Virginia’s cities and counties, can tell more intimate, detailed stories that have been previously under-told or even totally left out of major historical accounts.” But many of these local stories have played a hand in the national narrative. As a result of Virginia’s heavy involvement in the early international slave trade, the vast majority of early African-American histories can be traced back to Richmond, so this local history is, in many ways, a national history. According to museum director, Tasha Chambers, “Virginia played such a critical part of any Black American’s experience in this country and we have a very unique opportunity to tell those stories.”

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia isn’t just looking back at history; in its effort to reach a modern audience more familiar with iPads than encyclopedias, it’s revolutionizing the way history is presented in museums. In addition to collecting the artifacts of famous figures that traditional museumgoers are most attracted to, BHMVA recognizes the importance of engaging the next generation through interactive exhibitions that utilize a variety of technologies. Additionally, Chambers is anxious for the museum to become a more integral part of community life. “The Black History Museum should be Richmond’s premier destination for cultural programming,” she says. “We are talking to the community and asking them what kind of programming they think should happen at BHMVA.”

The organization owns two other properties on the same block as the Armory, and Chambers has innovative dreams for them — a genealogical research center, and possibly even a bed and breakfast that combines hospitality with history may be in the museum’s future. In the mean time, Chambers is grateful for the spotlight Washington’s new museum brings to African-American history. “It’s great to see NMAAHC come to fruition. Black history is American history, just through the eyes of Black people — Black culture. Everyone from around the world, as D.C. is an international destination, will get to experience a dark and resilient history. A story the world needs to know.”

[Images: BHMVA]

By Patrick T. Cooper and Terry Sprunger

Eau de toilette, parfum, or cologne, how do we decide? There are countless options to mist your silhouette this fall season. Whether you prefer light, airy, rosy, musk, or sandalwood, this season’s fragrances will make your heart sing. But how’s a guy or gal supposed to choose? Well, we’re taking the fuss out of your fragrance-selection dilemma. Our fall class of aromatics deliver a variety of wafts to enhance the crisp fall air. However, be sure to enjoy your signature selection responsibly, remembering to take caution not to over-apply. Let your scent speak quiet elegance and draw the desired attention and compliments you so deserve. What does your fragrance say about you? Whether you are on an aggressive track to build an empire like Lucious and Cookie, or simply maintaining mogul status like P. Diddy, here are the fall fragrances that help you celebrate life in regal style.

WOMEN’S FALL FRAGRANCES

Molton Brown Rosa Absolute Eau de Toilette, $65

Since 1973, London’s bath and body connoisseur Molton Brown has been a constant resource for beauty. Rosa Absolute, which was released this season, delivers notes of black currant, pink pepper, and raspberry that will make this fragrance an instant classic in your world. Yet the sparks of vanilla undertones will delight your significant other.

I Am Me Eau de Parfum, $38

I Am Me celebrates positive affirmations and is determined to spread positive vibes throughout the world. Light and flirty Me is a perfect selection for this fall season. Toplines of luscious melon, tangy green apple, and exotic flowers will aid you in releasing your inhibitions and challenge your curiosity. Be sure to check out the full line of I Am fragrances.

Lyon’s Truth Eau de Parfum, $59.50

It is time to roar like a Lyon, Cookie Lyon to be exact. Juicy blackberry and velvet plum are sprinkled lightly in Lyon’s Truth, and vanilla orchid and sandalwood blend elegantly to deliver a one of a kind scent. Be sure to add this to your perfume tray, as no should ever be limited to just one fragrance when building their empire.

Her Money Fragrance, $42.50

Make it rain and get to the money. Her Money is a celebration of the American Dream. Designed and developed for the woman with success in sight, each bottle is wrapped in real, shredded U.S. currency. Creator Patrick McCarthy is all about business and you will be too once you get a whiff of Her Money.

Estée Lauder Modern Muse Wish Upon A Star Necklace, $200

This season mix fragrance with fashion around your neck. The beauty experts at Estée Lauder partnered with renowned jewelry designer and photographer Monica Rich Kosann to design elegant and compact, solid perfume necklaces. The collection embraces nature with an exquisite celestial design. The fragrance necklace tells a story, like each piece in Kosann’s jewelry collection. Step in the room looking good and smelling even better this season with this gorgeous and fragrant accessory.

Arlésienne Eau de Toilette, $68

The women of Arles are celebrated and live in this newest eau de toilette by the L’Occtaine. Arlesienne takes you to a time of grace and refinement. The recent creation of this cocktail details mystery and intrigue. Travel to Provence mentally and immerse yourself in this floral delight.

MEN’S FALL FRAGRANCES

Cade Eau de Toilette, $58

L’Occitane’s Cade is the type of fragrance a father passes down to his son. It is crisp, clean, elegant, and inviting. Notes of bergamot, pepper, juniper, and labdanum make for the perfect presentation of masculine appeal.

Sean John Eau de Toilette, $70

Sean Combs’s midas touch is delivered in this signature cologne. The combination of mandarin and water mint will make you want to Diddy bop. Intense is an understatement in regards to this scent. The potent mixture of cardamom and amber will make Sean John a new obsession.

Lyon’s Legacy Eau de Toilette, $59.50

Lucious Lyon will stop at nothing to maintain his empire. Think strong, masculine, fearless, and determined, and there you have the characteristics to sustain an empire. As you are on the move this fall, make sure you shine with Lyon’s Legacy. Lemon water, lavender buds, geranium, and clary sage will help you silence the room and command respect. Allow the vanilla suede and tobacco leaf infusions to help you close the major deals.

Autumn Unisex Fragrance, $95

Dasein celebrates winter, spring, summer, and fall with its unique unisex fragrances. A plethora of ingredients are blended to create greatness. Autumn highlights notes of agarwood, amber, incense, cedar, coffee, and cinnamon bark to tickle your senses. Countless celebrities are craving this boutique gem. Each small batch is hand blended in the hills of Glassell Park, Los Angeles.

Cedrat Eau de Toilette, $58

The Cedrat is an eminently masculine and refreshing citrus fruit eau de toilette. Technically this concoction was formulated for the gentlemen but women are clamoring to spritz it on their skin.

Acqua di ParmaCedro di Taormina Eau de Toilette, $102

Cedro di Taormina will have you reminiscing about your excursion to the Mediterranean (or at least dreaming of taking a jaunt there). Few unisex fragrances are so delightful and the iconic Aqua di Parma delivers without fail. The luxury Italian lifestyle brand is finely represented in this aquatic interpretation. Set sail and be free this fall with this brilliant bouquet.

With the charm of a southern city and the cosmopolitan feel of a smaller New York, Cincinnati is a Midwest destination to add to your travel list. Here’s why …

By Annika Harris

[Image: Glenn Hartong]

In addition, the cost of living in Cincinnati is 10 percent below the national average and 30 percent below metropolises like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Boston, according to the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce, so your travel budget will go far while exploring the city.

All of these factors have instilled a pride and a warmness in Cincinnati natives and transplants alike that quickly become evident to every visitor. To further entice you to book a trip to Cincinnati, we’ve taken the guesswork out of what to do and where to eat while you’re there.

WHAT TO DO:
Your first stop in Cincinnati after checking into the newly-renovated Westin Cincinnati should be the Carew Tower Observation Deck, which is atop the Carew Tower, the city’s highest elevation point that was a model for the Empire State Building. While the 49th floor observation deck itself isn’t much to admire, the view it provides of Kentucky, the cityscape, ballparks, and the riverfront is spectacular. If you’re familiar with New York, you will easily draw comparisons between Cincinnati’s distinct neighborhoods and the boroughs of the Big Apple while taking in the sites from this downtown skyscraper.

Carew Tower [Image: CincinnatiUSA.com]

Music is such a major aspect of Cincinnatian life that the city hosted Aretha Franklin the same weekend as the music festival, even though the events were unrelated. The Queen of Soul rocked out with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra at the Riverbend Music Center, an outdoor venue located on the banks of the Ohio River. The Pops 2016-17 season will also feature musical heavyweight Smokey Robinson in late January, at the the Taft Theatre, the Pops’ “home away from home.” Check their website for ticket info and schedule of other performers.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center [Image: Farshid Assassi]

Amina Robinson’s Journey 1 and Journey 2; Slave pen at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center [Images: Annika Harris]

Gary Simmons’s Duck, Duck, Noose as part of 30 Americans exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum [Image: Annika Harris]

Findlay Market [Image: Liz Dufour]

[Image: Jeff Swinger]

Sweet Petit Red Velvet Sandwich [Image: Annika Harris]

Sotto [Image: SottoCincinnati.com]

You haven’t truly experienced brunch until you’ve feasted on the bountiful offerings of brunch at Orchids at The Palm Court. Chef Todd Kelly is at the helm of this five-star dining experience featuring a live pianist and every sweet and savory brunch entree the mind can conjure up, including raw seafood, omelettes, and of course fried chicken and waffles. Even the Bloody Mary bar impressively offers a variety of pickles, hot sauces, peppers, and more to craft the perfect morning cocktail. (Hint: Turn your eyes upward, away from your plate, to admire the beautiful art deco features of the restaurant ceiling and columns.)

Over the Rhine [Image: Liz Dufour]

Taft’s Ale House [Image: TaftsAleHouse.com]

By Isoul H. Harris

New York City. I have had a love affair with this town since I first planted my much younger feet on its weathered concrete as a preteen. Decades later, the love is still intact. The proof: a recent night out that began on the cobblestone streets of SoHo.

Uber is almost always the first step of any city endeavor. As an American Express Ambassador, I champion the service. For its extreme convenience, yes. But, more importantly for the double Membership Rewards points I earn on my Amex Platinum Card.

Emil Wilbekin (left), Isoul H. Harris (right), and Guest (center)

My Uber SUV pulls up to 121 Greene St. It’s fashion week in the city. I step out onto the sidewalk. I look around. It’s my usual paparazzi check. Kidding. I walk into the boutique of Proenza Schouler, the design duo who met while students at Parsons School of Design and famously sold their final thesis, a collection of edgy, but relatable womenswear, which they sold in its entirety to Barneys. Jack McCullough and Lazaro Fernandez wowed the jaded fashion set in the early-2000s with a fresh blend of New York youth culture and contemporary polish. Years later, they are still at the forefront. Tonight, they are the guests of honor at the American Express By Invitation Only exclusive event only Platinum and Centurion Card Members can get access to.

I walk down the steps, sipping on the champagne given at the door and greet my friend Emil Wilbekin, the celebrated editor and media personality. I then hear fashion authority Harriet Mays Powell’s wonderfully throaty voice. She is interviewing the duo. I turn to catch a chocolate-colored beauty killing it in black leather and orange boots. This tableau is reminiscent of ’70s glam. Mahogany, if you will (coupled with the retro trunk show concept). It’s so chic in here. Small crowd. Big effect.

A model struts out in a very unapologetic, luxurious, multi-hued fur coat. Interesting. It’s ’60s Mod. Twiggy resurrected. “All things considered, this is very inexpensive for a fur,” says Lazaro. He is serious. The posh congregation is hanging on to every chic syllable falling from the twosome’s lips. This includes the band of Bravo-esque housewives to my right. The apparent leader of this Gucci-clad gang leans over and whispers that she digs my classic wide-brim hat (from the dangerously cool Harlem hat shop The Flamekeepers Club). She and her well-heeled comrades are enjoying this exclusive look behind the brand’s Italia curtains. They are cherishing the Platinum Card-sourced rare air they are sharing with the five-time CFDA award-winning designers.

Harriet wants to convey to these disciples that the house in which they are worshiping was founded on craftsmanship and high quality. “We all have needed a quick throwaway piece in a fashion bind and have ducked into one of those stores,” she says with feigned guilt. “But, these guys do research and years of development. Tell us the difference!”

“We push ourselves to make quality products,” starts Lazaro. “It takes time, and dedication. Buying our pieces is an investment. They will last your entire life. This is the opposite of fast fashion. Six people in Italy hand make all of our bags.”

Later in the evening, Emil and I are sitting at our table at The Polo Bar; enjoying the bottle of champagne the host has brought over in honor of his birthday. Scanning the at-capacity room, I am amazed that Ralph Lauren has managed to keep this nearly 2-year-old restaurant not only busy, but socially relevant. I look over to the descending staircase and eye a familiar face. It’s Felicia Quaning. My friend. Media Strategist. Founder of PMG. Fashionista. Taking in her look—all blush and all Chloe–I am reminded of Proenza Schouler’s words on craftsmanship. Felicia is wielding a quilted, pastel-colored Chanel clutch. Lazaro and Jack are right: quality absolutely stands alone.

Isoul H. Harris, Felicia Quaning, and Emil Wilbekin

Quality is the theme of the evening I realize as we sing Emil Happy Birthday over his cake with a solo candle. Ralph Lauren’s standard for well made, goods has enabled him to venture into restaurants with a loyal following. I then pull out my iPhone to write a reminder to send the American Express Platinum Concierge a nice “Thank You” note for obtaining this coveted reservation for us. The Amex Platinum Concierge Team uses their resources to bring quality experiences to Platinum Card Members. Yes, it’s all about quality. Quality card. Quality life.

This post was sponsored by American Express Platinum, however all opinions are my own.