Entertainment

‘Selma,’ ‘Black-ish,’ Among Big NAACP Image Award Winners

Published

11 years ago

February 7, 2015

In this image released by ABS, Anthony Anderson, left, and Tracee Ellis Ross appear in a scene from "Black-ish." The series was created by Kenya Barris, who was motivated to write the comedy about an African-American familys efforts to honor its heritage in part by the unreality of what he grew up watching on television. (AP Photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal)

In this image released by ABS, Anthony Anderson, left, and Tracee Ellis Ross appear in a scene from “Black-ish.” (AP Photo/ABC, Kelsey McNeal)

Lynn Elber, ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The civil rights drama “Selma” won top honors at the NAACP Image Awards in a ceremony that took sharp notice of snubs of African-American artists and their work by the Oscars.

“This is more than a movie,” Oprah Winfrey, who was a “Selma” producer and appeared in it, said Friday in accepting the trophy for outstanding motion picture. “It’s important that we all know who we are so we know where we’re going, and claiming the glory.”

“Selma,” which dramatizes events surrounding the 1965 Alabama voting rights marches led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., also captured best actor honors for David Oyelowo, who played King.

“I want to take this opportunity to say I thank the Lord I was able to play one of the most transcendent human beings who ever walked the planet,” Oyelowo said.

Awards host Anthony Anderson, the “black-ish” star whose freshman ABC sitcom was a big TV winner Friday, opened the night with a jab at the Academy Awards, which this year has an all-white slate of acting nominees.

The critically acclaimed “Selma,” although a best-picture and best-song nominee at the Feb. 22 Oscars, failed to garner bids for Oyelowo or director Ava DuVernay. In January, it received a Golden Globe award for best song.

“People are up in arms because they feel the other award shows have snubbed us. So what. We’ve got our own show, right?” Anderson said. He then launched into a number that included the lyrics: “Writing, directing, no respect from this city,” and a refrain, “Forget the Oscars, hallelujah,” the Emmys and Golden Globes.

Taraji P. Henson was a double winner: she was named best actress in a movie for “No Good Deed” and entertainer of the year. Henson, star of the new Fox midseason hit “Empire, is enjoying an especially good 2015.

On the TV side, Anderson won the award for best comedy series actor for “black-ish,” which was honored as best comedy series and captured a best actress trophy for Tracee Ellis Ross.

“To be able to do show about raising our black families every day is a blessing,” said “black-ish” creator and producer Kenya Barris.

“How to Get Away with Murder” was named best drama series, with star Viola Davis named best actress in a drama. “Criminal Minds” star Shemar Moore was named best actor in a drama series.

Spike Lee received the NAACP President’s Award, which recognizes those who have combined career success and public service. In his speech, the filmmaker addressed the obstacles facing blacks.

“This stuff is rigged. It’s not set up for us to win. It’s always been like that. Since we were stolen from mother Africa … we always find to make a way,” he said, lifting his trophy.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, the first African-American to hold that office, accepted the NAACP Chairman’s Award honoring distinguished public service.

He said he was honored to carry on the Justice Department’s legacy that included ensuring “the most sacred of American rights, the right to vote.” Holder, who is leaving the job after six years, called on the nation to “reject the forces of hate and division.”

Veteran music industry executive Clive Davis, who nurtured the careers of artists including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Alicia Keys, received the Vanguard Award, which recognizes work that increases understanding of racial and social issues.

The 46th NAACP Image Awards, given by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People civil rights group, aired on TV One.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 22 – 28, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 22 – 28, 2026

Published

4 hours ago

July 27, 2026

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Black History

How Black WNBA Players Became Collateral Damage in the Caitlin Clark Culture War

AFRO-AMERICAN – WASHINGTON — Caitlin Clark, a WNBA player, has been weaponized against Black women, leading to federal government involvement. A letter signed by 11 Republican lawmakers, led by Texas Rep. August Pfluger, was sent to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, threatening a Department of Justice investigation into the league due to concerns that fouls against Clark “may be racially motivated.

Published

11 hours ago

July 27, 2026

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How Black WNBA Players Became Collateral Damage in the Caitlin Clark Culture War

(Black Press USA Newswire) – Caitlin Clark is more than a WNBA player; she has become a tool of weaponization against Black women. And now the federal government is involved.

Led by Texas Rep. August Pfluger, 11 Republican lawmakers signed a letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, threatening to have the Department of Justice investigate the league because fouls against Clark “may be racially motivated.”

“As Commissioner, you have an obligation to ensure that every player competes in a safe and professional environment, both on and off the court, free from violence, discrimination, or retaliation. If discrimination or retaliation is occurring and creating a hostile work environment, we support any appropriate investigation by the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If true, such conduct could constitute violations of federal civil rights laws,” the letter stated.

The letter creates a false narrative and is irresponsible and dangerous.

Stephanie Christmas, a former women’s basketball player at Georgia Southern University, has remained a WNBA fan since its inaugural season in 1997. Christmas has never seen politicians use their platforms to sway the league’s direction.

“If you want only one player to play the game, that’s not basketball anymore,” Christmas shared. “I don’t think that they should be putting any legislation in place. They are making it worse for the players and the WNBA game.”

The people who are using Clark as a tool couldn’t care less about what occurs in between the lines of a basketball court. Statistically, Clark is a decent shooter and above-average passer, but she lacks offensive efficiency and is a liability on defense. Her most staunch defenders are not basketball enthusiasts; instead, they view Clark as a symbol to further their hatred for Black women.

Every moment of discomfort Clark appears to face on the court becomes an opportunity for her supporters to unleash vile and racist language against the alleged perpetrator. If Clark is fouled hard, engages in trash talk with an opponent, or receives what she views as an unfair call by a referee, her defenders are incited to unleash their wrath.

During a tightly contested match between Clark’s Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury in June, the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas and Clark were on the court battling for a loose ball. Thomas’ arm briefly pressed against Clark’s neck during the scramble, but no foul was called. Following the game, Thomas was issued a flagrant one and suspended for one game by WNBA officials. The play triggered Clark’s supporters, and they aimed racial slurs and death threats at Thomas. Thomas responded by calling out WNBA commissioner Engelbert for not protecting athletes in the league.

“We still have yet to hear anything from Cathy. It’s no surprise,” Thomas shared in a press conference after her suspension. “You can see what’s being said on social media. It’s unfortunate, but as usual, she remains silent. That’s unfortunate when our lives are being threatened.”

It was only after Thomas’ statement that Engelbert responded to the threats sparked by Clark’s supporters.

“The WNBA vehemently condemns any and all forms of hate,” Engelbert said in a statement. “The safety and well-being of everyone in our community is always the league’s top priority. We ‌are aware of Alyssa Thomas’ comments, and what she and her teammates have experienced is completely unacceptable and not representative of the WNBA community.”

Weeks later, Chelsea Gray of the Las Vegas Aces faced racial animus following a simple foul call that went against Clark. While driving to the basket, Gray was fouled on the arm by Clark, who collapsed to the ground and held her stomach as if she was in pain. Clark yelled at the referee, claiming that Gray had hit her, but video replay proved that Gray never initiated contact with Clark.

But an otherwise normal basketball play led to Gray enduring racial slurs and harassment. Following the game, Gray reposted a screenshot on Instagram of a man using a racial slur against her, and she wrote, “People act like we make this s— up.”

The post went viral, and the man, who worked for Hilton Grand Vacations, was fired within days.

Gray responded to the ordeal in a press conference, revealing that she and other WNBA players have faced ongoing harassment.

“Enough is kind of enough,” Gray said. “These messages are not the first time. It’s not. There was other stuff, too. I just decided to share that one. This time I got fed up with it, and I just decided to share it. And maybe I don’t share the other ones, but I know people will think twice.”

Clark never asked to become a symbol for those who aim hatred at Black women, but is she doing enough to distance herself from the position?

She issued a statement after hearing of the harassment Thomas experienced. “The harassment, the hate. None of that is OK,” Clark said. “There should never be a question of character, as I’ve always stood up here and said that, and that’s truly what I believe; that’s how I was raised. So, none of that is okay, and I don’t want anyone to experience that.”

It’s similar to another statement Clark made in 2025 after Angel Reese faced racial slurs while playing against the Fever in Indianapolis. “There’s no place for that in our game, there’s no place for that in society,” Clark said. “Certainly, we want every person who comes into our arena, whether player or fan, to have a great experience. I appreciate the league doing that. I appreciate that the Fever organization has been at the forefront of that.”

A competitive moment between Clark and Reese during the 2023 NCAA Championship game sparked a cultural division that followed both players to the WNBA. Their star power has coincided with the league’s recent emergence, but the overall success continues to be marred by the divisiveness initiated by Clark’s supporters.

“I would like for to have addressed her fans,” Christmas said. “Her fans are making threats, and they’re making racist comments. And it’s only racial coming from her fans. They don’t even really love the game. They just love her and then try to make it about race. At some point. I would like to see her stand against her fans when she sees them attacking some people that are on the court.”

Beyond her polarizing fanbase, Clark has also been accused of presenting herself as a victim and throwing tantrums on the court when things don’t go her way. During a recent game against the Golden State Valkyries, Clark used her hand to create distance while driving for a layup against the Valkyries’ Kiah Stokes. Clark fell to the ground after the layup and began berating referee Gerda Gatling while yelling, “Give me a f—-g call! I got fouled five times!” Replay video revealed that Stokes initiated no contact, and Gatling showed restraint by not giving Clark a technical foul.

The clip of Clark’s tantrum went viral, and she faced backlash online for her negative attitude.

“Caitlin Clark is a liar and the most dangerous type of white woman,” @mama4obama wrote on X. “One whose lies get Black women death threats. She wasn’t even touched and should have been thrown out of the game for the way she behaved toward the ref.”

“The Caitlin Clark experience serves as a microcosm of America’s divided socio-political atmosphere.”

The Caitlin Clark experience serves as a microcosm of America’s divided socio-political atmosphere. She has been chosen as a figurehead for hatred and division while her Black colleagues on the court remain prime targets.

It’s become an inescapable stain for a league that fought for years to garner interest and respect.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.

The post How Black WNBA players became collateral damage in the Caitlin Clark culture war appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Based on reporting by Afro-American – Washington.

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Commentary

Free Back-to-School Summer Family and Community Event Is Coming to Richmond

OAKLAND POST — Why is the film important? In 2025, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reported standardized test reading score results of six selected student groups: African American/Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic, Two or More Races, and White.

Published

1 day ago

July 26, 2026

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By Carol Lee Tolbert

Boost African American and Black student literacy skills this school year by attending the 2026 ‘Right-To-Read’ film viewing on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. An award-winning documentary exposing the literacy crisis impacting many African American and Black students in our public schools.

In the words of the film’s director, “It’s a game changer.” After the audience views this eye-opening film, our experienced panelists will provide information to parents, guardians, and advocates on how to help children become proficient readers, close the literacy gap, and share why literacy matters.

Here is an example of a comment by a past attendee: “Excellent experience!” “The panel was amazing!”

Why is the film important? In 2025, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reported standardized test reading score results of six selected student groups: African American/Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Hispanic, Two or More Races, and White.

Sadly, African American/Black students ranked last in fourth-grade reading scores and 5th in eighth-grade reading scores. So, what’s the big deal? According to NAEP, just 10 points can mean a grade-level difference between two students in the same class!

THE MORNING ALSO INCLUDES: A Backpack Giveaway, Fun Activities for Kids, Breakfast, Lunch, Prizes, and Materials!

To be sure, some African American/Black students are thriving in public schools, but far too many are not – as the data reveals. By watching this inspiring film and hearing from panelists, WCCUSD parents, guardians, and advocates can give children a jumpstart on the 2026-2027 school year. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed!

This event is sponsored by the Oakland Eastbay Alliance of Black Educators (OEABE), in partnership with Easter Hill United Methodist Church and United Women of Faith.

Pre-register by July 29 at www.oeabe.org. Space is limited. Inquiries can be emailed to oeabe.info@gmail.com. Event location is 3911 Cutting Blvd, Richmond.

About the Author

Carol Lee Tolbert, M.A., M. Ed., is a former School Board Trustee, Education Consultant, and Vice President of OEABE.