Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 477

Lupita Nyong'o Talks 'Black Panther' Stunts, Michael B. Jordan and "Cooglerisms"

'Black Panther star Lupita Nyong'o graces the cover of The Hollywood Reporter and joins them for a round of "Fishing for Answers".

Christian Benimana: The Next Generation of African Architects and Designers

'Christian Benimana wants to build a network of architects who can help Africa's booming cities flourish in sustainable, equitable ways -- balancing growth with values that are uniquely African. From Nigeria to Burkina Faso and beyond, he shares examples of architecture bringing communities together. A pan-African movement of architects, designers and engineers on the continent and in diaspora are learning from and inspiring each other, and Benimana invites us to imagine future African cities as the most resilient, socially inclusive places on earth.' -- TED

How 'black-ish' Unpacks Hard Topics with Humor and Nuance: A Conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross

'Digesting serious issues through comedy is like taking medicine with a spoonful of sugar, says Tracee Ellis Ross. Black-ish, the hit sitcom that stars Ross, doesn’t shy away from controversial issues, especially racism. Special correspondent Charlayne Hunter-Gault sits down with the actor to discuss the show and how it dives into vital, uncomfortable discussions.' -- PBS NewsHour

Could the Wealth Gap be Closed by Giving Babies $50,000? Some Economists Think So

'Some economists are advocating a bold way to counter the ever-growing U.S. wealth gap: curb it at birth. The proposal, called baby bonds, suggests giving every child born in America a lump-sum payment of up to $50,000; richer families would get less, as low as $500. Darrick Hamilton, an associate professor at The New School in New York, is one of the economists behind the proposal. He fleshed out the idea with William Darity, who teaches at Duke University in North Carolina. They argue success is tied to family wealth and that the bonds would give even the poorest families a chance.'

Could the Wealth Gap be Closed by Gving Babies $50,000? Some Economists Think So

'Some economists are advocating a bold way to counter the ever-growing U.S. wealth gap: curb it at birth. The proposal, called baby bonds, suggests giving every child born in America a lump-sum payment of up to $50,000; richer families would get less, as low as $500. Darrick Hamilton, an associate professor at The New School in New York, is one of the economists behind the proposal. He fleshed out the idea with William Darity, who teaches at Duke University in North Carolina. They argue success is tied to family wealth and that the bonds would give even the poorest families a chance.'

Flower Boy: A Conversation with Tyler the Creator and Jerrod Carmichael

A few moments of Black Boy interiority; Tyler The Creator talks about his album Flower Boy with Jerrod Carmichael. Directed by: Wolf Haley

Arts in Context: Lisa B. Thompson, Scholar/Artist

'"It’s really important to me that the people I know and love...are represented in the culture,” says playwright Lisa B. Thompson. She creates works from a wide range of genres that all have one thing in common: being unapologetically Black. She balances her artistic life with her life as a professor of African and African Diaspora Studies at the University of Texas as well as her life as a mother.' 

"Seems I'm Never Tired Lovin' You" -- Lizz Wright Live at The World Cafe

'Lizz Wright performs "Seems I'm Never Tired Lovin' You" from her album Grace for a World Cafe Session with host, Talia Schlanger. Recorded at WXPN Performance Studio on 11/8/17.'

'Take Me To The River' -- The Tiny Desk Concert Featuring Soul Legends William Bell + Bobby Rush

'"Take Me To The River" is a 1974 song from the legendary Al Green and guitarist "Teenie" Hodges. And though it wasn't a big hit at the time, this song's mix of religion and desire has become part of pop music's canon. At the Tiny Desk, some of the original players of this deep southern soul, including vocalists William Bell and Bobby Rush, have come together to honor and update this tradition.' 

Robert Glasper + Common + Karriem Riggins Revisit "Optimistic" by Sounds of Blackness with Brandy

As the collective "August Greene", Robert Glasper,Common, and Karriem Riggins revisit The Sounds of Blackness classic "Optimistic" (1991) with vocals from Brandy. The song in the lead single from August Greene's self-titled debut album, which will be available March 9 as an Amazon Original.