“Free Angela and All Political Prisoners" - The recap

 

 

 

 

Last Wednesday, we had the honor to attend an exclusive movie premiere for Free Angela And All Prisoners. The premiere was held at the Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture in New York City.  The documentary was directed and written by the beautiful Shola Lynch.  Overbrook Entertainment, ROC Nation, and BET Networks joined forces on the production of the documentary!

 

Jada Pinkett Smith:
“We at Overbrook Entertainment are very proud to support this intriguing documentary about the life of Angela Davis” 

 “Filmmaker Shola Lynch has done an incredible job in revealing a piece of American history we thought we all knew.”

JAY Z:  
“Shola Lynch has crafted an intricate and compelling film about Angela Davis. Roc Nation is honored to be part of a creative collective that can present such a riveting story.”

 

BET Networks: 

“We are proud to be a partner in this film and to share powerful stories of justice such as this that will resonate with our audience.”

Before the screening we were hanging out by the red carpet and saw some popular faces! Amongst them - the lady of the hour herself - the one and only, Angela Davis. She looked marvelous walking down the red carpet!

 

We also witnessed the beautiful Jada Pinkett Smith (in a gorgeous Miu Miu gown) and her charasmatic (talented) hubby, Will Smith walk in hand-in-hand at the New York premiere of “Free Angela”! The power couple, were part of the audience supporting the film.

The documentary chronicles the manhunt, trial, and acquittal of Angela Davis. It’s an engaging documentary, told for the first time by Ms. Davis, herself and others who lived through the events firsthand. The interviews recount the politics that led her to challenge authority and spur a worldwide movement for her freedom that cemented Angela Davis, and her signature Afro hairstyle, as an iconic symbol of this still relevant political and social movement — the right to challenge the system. The film is not only a vital part of American history, it's about the cause, the movement, and how the world rallied to "Free Angela."

The film delivers by empowering and inspiring diverse international audiences with its message of hope and redemption!

You know her name. Now, you will finally know her story

 

LETS SPREAD THE WORD :

If FREE ANGELA is not playing in your town, you can request to host your own screening on Tugg.com.  Tugg.com allows anyone to create their own screening of FREE ANGELA at their local theater with friends and family.

Synopsis: Free Angela is a gripping historic account of the events that catapulted a young University of California philosophy professor into a controversial political icon in the turbulent late 1960’s. Angela Davis joins the Communist Party, protests with the Black Panthers, and becomes a principle spokesperson for the burgeoning prison reform movement. As a result, she finds herself Fighting to keep her job, and in the national media spotlight characterized by her many detractors as a dangerous subversive menace, and by her supporters as a strong leader challenging authority and boldly advocating for “Power to All People.”

 

 

 XO!

 

p.s - NEW SITE COMING SOON :D

 

 



Moving forward with finesse...

Video Song: Sexy Bitch - Akon ft. David Guetta

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Hey Guys!,

I'm missing the interview of Don Omar at Sazon today :/... I'm a little bummed about that because he is my fave reggeaton artist. Here at the ULM offices Jess and I are working on executing couple of events, Talentino’s video/single release party, award winning comedian, Ruperto Vanderpool and we are preparing for Acoustic Tuesdays at guess where? …But Sazon of course (trying to keep it in the family).

So, Jess and I had the privilege to attend a couple of neat showcases. We went to see the screening of Pastport Cuba: In Search of Nikolita. It was actually a very touching documentary, I loved it!!! It's a true inspiring story of swimwear designer, Nicole Di Roccio who grew up trying to “fit in” in California. In the process of fitting in she lost her connection to her Cuban heritage. In this documentary she embarks on a journey to reconnect with her culture, in a home left behind by her parents more than 50 years ago.  It was very intriguing to see moments that Si TV was able to capture and bring to the scene. The Search for Nicolita captures her quest to find a model to represent her Cuba-inspired line. Her swimwear is so classy/sexy it gives off the 60’s pin-up girl look. It's very flattering for us curvaceous, bootylicous Latinas! (hehe) I really loved the options she has. I truly enjoyed the VIP screening and felt a connection with Nicole in various ways. It was very emotional to see her journey to Cuba with her family for the very FIRST TIME.  Being born in New Rochelle, I can relate to her in loosing a little bit of my roots, for example speaking Spanish! I DON’T REGRET MUCH IN LIFE, except not learning to speak Spanish because I was trying to fit in :/. However as I got older I‘ve embraced my culture so much more and I’m proud to be COLOMBIAN, it also makes me want to go back to see and learn more about my history. Do you know where you originally come from?

On Monday, November 8th we linked up with the Urban Latino/Radio family at the Hennessy Artistry event that was sponsored by Univision Radio (X96.3 FM). We celebrated at uptown hot spot, called “Vin-Tich”. They had a performance by chart-topping Dominican recording sensation Sensato "Del Patio". You might know him better as the artist of the hit single "Watagatapitusberry"!  Laura Stylez was the host of this event as well! It was dope seeing her again after working with her back when used to host parties at Club Miami on behalf of La Kalle. (Thanks for the shoutout Laura!)

Well that’s about it! For this weeks blog … I’m excited for the upcoming events that are on the way!!! You should be to =)

OMG! I’m SO IN LOVE with this song “Sure Thing”- Miguel

xo, Samantha

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What's up!

So this past week was a tad better than the previous.

On Monday, Samantha and I attended a special VIP screening of Si TV's PASTPORT CUBA: The Search for Nicolita. In this one-hour documentary, Nicole Di Rocco fulfills her life-long dream of traveling to Cuba, the birthplace of her parents, and searches for the perfect fashion model who will embody the essence of her “1950s Cuba-inspired” swimwear collection. It was truly a moving story, especially as you see her parents visit their childhood stomping grounds, that they haven't seen in over 50 years!! It was an emotional journey for all that were involved...I even teared a bit. For Nicole, the journey comes full circle for her, having experienced her heritage first hand, as opposed to through pictures and stories, and being able to bring her new understanding of her culture into her work. (Her line is awesome btw, definitely picking up a Nicolita swimsuit before the summer.) The documentary however, kept it very PC. While emotionally moving, the documentary unfortunately does not give any in-depth explanations about Nicole's parents original exodus from Cuba or their reluctance over returning. There also aren't any discussions about the political, social, or economical climates the country. Overall though, a good story...be sure to check out it out on Si TV, click here for showtimes.






Sunday, I went to William Paterson University to attend a J.Cole and Fabolous concert. J.Cole (who was part of our graduating class at St. John's University) from North Carolina released his debut mixtape, The Come Up, after graduating from St. John's.  Shortly after Jay-Z signed J.Cole (making him the first artist to be signed to Roc Nation) and appeared on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint 3, on the track "A Star Is Born." In early 2010, Cole was chosen as one of Beyond Race Magazine's "50 Emerging Artists," he ranked 49, resulting in the cover story of the publication's #11 issue.  He was also featured in XXL Magazine's 2010 version of Top Ten Freshmen. He's definitely on the come-up, having been featured on Miguel's "All I Want Is You," B.o.B.'s "Gladiators," and Young Chris' "Still the Hottest" (to name a few).  Fabolous rocked the stage with his Brooklyn swagger performing for little over half an hour (smh).  He brought took the audience through a brief timeline of all his work, performing songs from 2003's Street Dreams all the way up to 2010's Loso's Way 2: Rise To Power.

This past Monday, Samantha and I had the opportunity to attend a Hennessy Artistry event - Latino style. Past Hennessy Artistry events have been epic with acts like The Roots, Q-Tip and more. If I'm not mistaken this is the first time that Hennessy has tried to hit the Latino market with an event like this. The theme behind the Hennessy Artistry events is to celebrate "the art of blending."  For this event Hennessy joined forces with x96.3 FM at Vin-Tich Lounge (the name cracks me up lol). DJs - DJ Lobo and DJ Yonny (of 92.3 Now) had the crowd moving, Laura Stylez (who have us a drop!) was the host, Bronx-bred Sensato Del Patio gave a live performance and Hennessy was flowing.  Sensato gave a good performance that was a unique blend of merengue, hip hop, electro pop and dance music.  He also performed his hit single, "Watagatapitusberry." I'd like to s/o Janice Torres (of Social Butterflies at Work), Melissa Sweets (love her, she keeps it real! lol) and the rest of the Urban Latino Radio family for a great time!

As far as the personal situations Samantha and I touched upon last post...its better, not completely resolved but definitely on its way.

Happily ever after is definitely on my agenda...so we'll see how it goes.

Song of the week : "Lights Please" - J.Cole

xo, Jessica