There is a certain kind of story that does not ask for your attention. It simply takes it. You sit down, the lights shift, and somewhere between the first scene and the last, you recognize something you were not expecting to see. Yourself. That was my experience watching A Story About You during its Atlanta premiere at the BronzeLens Film Festival. Written, produced by, and starring Denise Yolén, A Story About You is not interested in presenting audiences with a picture-perfe

ATLANTA — Over ten days spanning late August, Atlanta once again became the epicenter of Black storytelling as the BronzeLens Film Festival of Atlanta, Georgia celebrated its 17th anniversary. Running August 21 through 30, 2026, the festival brought together filmmakers, actors, and industry executives from across the African Diaspora for screenings, panels, and star-powered galas — capped off by the BronzeLens Awards, held Sunday, August 30, at the Ray Charles Performing Arts

Before the breakthrough roles, Hollywood sets, premieres and recognition, Johnell Young was a young man from Staten Island, New York — shaped by the borough, its culture and the community that raised him. Those New York roots remain central to Young’s story. Long before audiences around the world would recognize him as Gary “GZA” Grice in Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Staten Island was already helping shape the resilience, discipline and determination he would carry into

Atlanta hip-hop icon T.I. took center stage at the 17th Annual BronzeLens Film Festival with a special Grand Hustle Films screening featuring two projects close to his Atlanta roots: The Birth of Trap Music and Da’Partments 2. The festival officially featured T.I. as both a featured artist and filmmaker. The Birth of Trap Music, directed by Christopher Scholar and executive produced by T.I. and Drumma Boy, explores the origins and evolution of trap music and Atlanta’s role i

Photo Credit: Walil Archer and Tanja Shivers Atlanta was treated to an unforgettable evening of classic R&B on Sunday, August 9, as 13-time Grammy Award winner Babyface took the stage at Wolf Creek Amphitheater with special guest Chanté Moore. The concert brought together longtime R&B fans for a night filled with smooth vocals, familiar hits and the kind of music that has made both artists staples in the genre. Chanté Moore helped set the tone for the evening with her powerf

As Shannon Wallace returns as Chris in Season 2 of BET+ and Paramount+’s acclaimed series Diarra From Detroit, audiences are once again witnessing an actor whose performances are grounded in authenticity, emotional depth, and lived experience. But beyond the cameras, the scripts, and the bright lights of Hollywood is a man whose greatest role has been learning how to navigate grief, purpose, and healing. When I first met Shannon Wallace during the 2025 BET Awards, what immedi

Michelle L. Lamb has steadily built an impressive career in television and film as both an actress and filmmaker. She is recognized for appearances in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Chicago P.D., Beyond the Gates, Sistas, My Valentine Wedding and several independent film projects. In addition to acting, she has expanded into producing, directing, and writing, creating opportunities to tell stories that reflect resilience, family, faith, and everyday life. With the launch

Kenny P is the founder of Heavenly Bodies Modeling Agency and CentRpiece Records. He has appeared in P-Valley Seasons 1 and 3, BMF Season 1, Tyler Perry's Madea Homecoming, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. He has been featured in DJ Unk's 'Show Out,' 2 Chainz's 'Turn Up,' Jeezy's 'I Luv It,' and Killer Mike's 'Ghetto Gospel.' Kenny P has toured with DJ Unk, Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Chyna Whyte, Rich Homie Quan, Travis Porter, and Bone Crusher. He also contributed to t

Atlanta was treated to a memorable evening of classic R&B as powerhouse vocalists Tank and Tyrese took the stage at Wolf Creek Amphitheater for the highly anticipated R&B LIVE! concert, featuring special guest Lyfe Jennings. The event, presented by Variety Entertainment, brought together three celebrated voices for a night filled with soulful vocals, timeless hits, and the unmistakable energy of live R&B. Lyfe Jennings helped set the tone for the evening with his heartfelt p

Brandy and Monica/Photo Credit - Bennett Raglin (Getty Images) What can I say? The 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture®️ presented by Coca-Cola®️ was full of surprises, unforgettable moments, powerful conversations, and cultural celebrations. From the press rooms to the packed Center Stages, from Beautycon™️ to the Global Black Economic Forum, from community-focused activations to the legendary performances inside the Caesars Superdome — ESSENCE once again reminded the world why

We had the chance to sit down with Craig Robinson for a fun and insightful conversation about his new role in Toy Story 5, where he voices a brand-new character named Atlas — a cheerful GPS-inspired hippo toy that looks like he’s going to bring plenty of laughs and direction to the toy crew. Early details describe Atlas as optimistic, funny, and always ready to help the gang navigate their latest adventure. In this next chapter, the Toy Story world takes on a new challenge: t

93' Til Award-winning filmmaker Alterik Miller premiered his debut feature film 93 'Til in Miami during the 30th American Black Film Festival — and the audience felt every frame. The romance drama, the first feature from Momentum Film Works, drew an enthusiastic response from festivalgoers who embraced the film's intimate story, its Philadelphia backdrop, and a score that transported the room straight into the golden era of 90s R&B love songs. 93 'Til follows a struggling ar

Actor, singer, and R&B heartthrob Keith D. Robinson returns to his first love, music. In the past year, Keith has released various singles in anticipation of the album release including; "Forever Bae", "Foolish Luv" and his latest, the SiriusXM chart-topping, "Different Languages." On June 19th, Keith will be releasing his new single, "Up" inspired by the euphoric feeling of anticipation that comes with the early stages of new love, the butterfly effect. "This album is inspir

Day two of the Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park delivered another memorable experience as music lovers packed the park despite unpredictable weather and passing rain showers. While gray skies and wet conditions created a few challenges throughout the day, the weather did little to slow down the energy and excitement surrounding one of Atlanta’s signature cultural events. Festival attendees came prepared with umbrellas, ponchos, and determination, choosing to embrace t

The 30th American Black Film Festival opening night heated up Miami Beach with the premiere of Peacock and Blumhouse's thriller Strung. In attendance were film stars Chloe Bailey, Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Coco Jones, Romy Woods, Shaun Sutton, and Donna Biscoe. Also in attendance were director Malcolm D. Lee, producer Dominique Telson, and executive producer Giselle Johnson-Morris. Checkout the pictures of the cast on the Red Carpet courtesy of Carl Agard The audien

St. Thomas Carnival 2026 did not simply begin—it rose, like the tide, with the unmistakable energy of Fort Fete: Coral Sands, celebrating its 5th Anniversary in spectacular fashion. From the moment guests entered the grounds, the atmosphere transformed into something far beyond a traditional fête. It felt as though you were walking into the sea itself—submerged in a world of vibrant color, pulsating rhythms, and the ethereal beauty of a living coral reef. The theme, “Coral Sa

On April 11, Big Boss Vette gave us more than a screening—she gave us her truth. The private showing of “Pretty Girls Walk Strong” was raw, emotional, and powerful. The documentary walks through her recent battle with cancer, and you could feel every moment in the room. What stood out most was the energy. It wasn’t just industry faces—it was real love in the building. Close friends, family, and supporters showed up heavy, and you could tell she wasn’t in that fight alone. Th

The energy was undeniable on Tuesday, March 31, as Atlanta showed up in full support for the red carpet premiere of The Secret Between Us at AMC Phipps Plaza. The evening brought together a dynamic mix of film, television, and cultural influencers, all celebrating a project that’s already generating real conversation. The carpet was packed early, with flashes going off nonstop as cast and guests made their arrivals. Executive Producer Keith Sweat set the tone, blending music

Photo Credit: Hidden Talent Media Atlanta’s entertainment district was buzzing with excitement as industry leaders, celebrities, influencers, and media tastemakers gathered for the highly anticipated Premier Party Part 2 celebrating Beauty in Black. Hosted at Red Room Bistro, the red carpet experience became one of the most talked-about nights in the city — so much so that cars literally stopped in the street as onlookers asked what was happening, with many choosing to park a

In today's evolving television landscape, few performers are making as strong an impression as George Middlebrook. The Detroit-born actor, producer, and stunt performer has quickly become one of the breakout stars of the global Netflix hit Beauty in Black, produced by Tyler Perry through Tyler Perry Studios. With a commanding 6'4" presence, a resonant baritone voice, and a grounded emotional depth, Middlebrook brings a powerful mix of physical intensity and nuanced performanc