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Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival Sets the Scene for Black Excellence

ABOVE: (L-R) Floyd Rance, Stephanie Rance, Anthony Bowling and Rita Cooper Lee speak during the 21st Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 11, 2023 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MVAAFF) Dubbed “Black Hollywood” because of the celebrities it attracts, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival recently […]
The post Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival Sets the Scene for Black Excellence first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

August 23, 2023

Forward Times Staff

Dubbed “Black Hollywood” because of the celebrities it attracts, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival recently celebrated 21 years of cinematic excellence. The Film Festival, which is always held during the first two weeks in August, boasted an impactful itinerary and lineup. Films addressed a wide span of topics like mental health, Black women’s health, Black farmers, and the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of hip-hop. Beyond the artistic and cultural significance, the festival also has a substantial economic impact on Martha’s Vineyard, an historic enclave for African Americans. The influx of festivalgoers benefits local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and transportation services. The festival is known to showcase exceptional films but is also a stomping ground for fostering networking and business opportunities.

Martha’s Vineyard is a longtime New England summer colony and is only accessible by boat or air. Last year, for the festival’s 20^th anniversary, Barack and Michelle Obama surprised attendees during opening night. This year, the festival once again welcomed filmmakers, industry professionals and film enthusiasts from all over. This time, however, the film festival unveiled another very special guest to honor hip-hop’s 50^th birthday –MC Lyte.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 04: MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 4: (L-R) Lindsay Peoples Wagner, MC Lyte and Dream Hampton speak onstage during Ladies First: a story women in hip-hop on August 04, 2023 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

The 2023 Martha’s Vineyard African American Festival tapped the iconic MC to salute her fellow pioneering women of hip hop with an opening night screening of Netflix’s Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop. The documentary series, executive produced by MC Lyte celebrates #HipHop50 and details the influence of women on hip-hop music and culture. Held at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center, festival attendees who attended the opening night screening of Ladies First were welcomed with a special set from the legendary rapper, where she presented music from Queen Latifah, Foxy Brown, Lil’ Kim, Nicki Minaj, Lyte herself and more. Festival founders Stephanie and Floyd Rance also attended the special night.

After the screening, attendees were treated to a panel featuring MC Lyte and Ladies First director Dream Hampton. Noting that her favorite era of hip hop is now, Hampton declared that the movement women rappers have today and the diversity among them is an empowering and proud moment.

MC Lyte candidly shared that when she’s asked about her experience as a woman in hip hop, she’s not sure how to answer because she doesn’t know any other way than being female in the genre.

Ladies First – a Culture House Production – is a four-part series that celebrates women in hip hop over the past 50 years. Featuring a parade of legendary emcees, up-and-comers and artists currently at the top of the charts like Latto and Tierra Whack, it contextualizes the undeniable impact women have made in the genre, in front of the mic and behind it. From rap originators like Sha-Rock and Roxanne Shante to the women making music today, Ladies First examines how these artists have and are changing the social, racial and political landscape of the times through a female lens.

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 09: A view of the venue during the 21st Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 09, 2023 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 09: Stephanie Rance and Misty Copeland attend the 21st Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 09, 2023 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 11: Lisa Leslie speaks onstage at the screening of ESPN Films “The Crossover 50 Years of Hip Hop and Sports” during the 21st Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 11, 2023 in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. (Photo by Nick Hunt/Getty Images for MVAAFF)

The post Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival Sets the Scene for Black Excellence appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival Sets the Scene for Black Excellence first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts

Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY