[02/16/21 - 09:27 AM] YouTube Originals Adds Stacey Abrams, H.E.R., Anderson .Paak, Kelly Rowland, Maurice Harris, Nicole Byer and More to "Black Renaissance" The special will showcase the Black creators, artists, writers, storytellers, and history makers who have shaped our nation's history and the next generation of Black voices who are reimagining our future.
[via press release from YouTube]
YOUTUBE ORIGINALS ADDS STACEY ABRAMS, H.E.R., ANDERSON .PAAK, KELLY ROWLAND, MAURICE HARRIS, NICOLE BYER AND MORE TO "BLACK RENAISSANCE"
NEW SPECIAL PREMIERING FEBRUARY 26 AS PART OF YOUTUBE'S CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH TO ALSO FEATURE PRESIDENT OBAMA, MICHELLE OBAMA, JASON REYNOLDS, SHANTELL MARTIN, AND TOBE NWIGWE
LOS ANGELES, CA, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 -- YouTube Originals, in partnership with Google Arts & Culture, today revealed additions to the lineup for "Black Renaissance," a new special celebrating the contributions of Black History makers who shaped the world with powerful performances, history breaks and inspirational calls-to-action from living legends about the Black creatives and artists who have fueled change. Premiering Friday, February 26 on the YouTube Originals Channel, Stacey Abrams, H.E.R., Anderson .Paak, Kelly Rowland, Bob the Drag Queen, Ziwe Fumudoh, Maurice Harris, Yung BBQ, Nicole Byer, TwinsthenewTrend, Sherrie Silver, Oumi Janta, Donté Colley and Hollywood Movement are set to join previously announced appearances and performances from President Obama, Michelle Obama, Jason Reynolds, Killer Mike, Desus Nice & The Kid Mero, Jemele Hill, artist Shantell Martin, and Tobe Nwigwe.
Black art and culture have defined the American experience. "Black Renaissance'' will showcase the Black creators, artists, writers, storytellers, and history makers who have shaped our nation's history and the next generation of Black voices who are reimagining our future. New York Times bestselling author and NAACP Image Award Winner Jason Reynolds will take viewers on an artistic journey through history with feature segments including powerful messages from Michelle Obama and Stacey Abrams; singer/songwriter Kelly Rowland honoring the 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey's iconic dance masterpiece, "Cry," which he "dedicated to all Black women everywhere - especially our mothers"; a tribute from creative director Naomi Merlain celebrating the art of Black hair; literary discussions from President Obama, Desus Nice & The Kid Mero and comedian Nicole Byer; a live creation from artist Shantell Martin; a floral tribute from Maurice Harris to activist Marsha P. Johnson; performances from Anderson .Paak and Tobe Nwigwe; and more.
The Black Renaissance belongs to and is created by us -- Black storytellers, filmmakers, creators, music directors, composers, visual artists and wordsmiths. These creative contributors include filmmakers and creators Elladj Baldé, Clayton Benn, Big Freedia, Bluprint, Bob the Drag Queen, Donté Colley, Rudy Crew, Linda Elaine, Ziwe Fumudoh, The Grapevine, Kirby Griffin, Hamilton Glass, Maurice Harris, Oumi Janta, Johnny, Jamar Jones, KevOnStage, Naomi Merlain, Hollywood Movement, Christ-Claude Mowandza-Ndinga, Raafi Rivero, Fatima Robinson, Sherrie Silver, TwinsthenewTrend and Yung BBQ; wordsmiths Clover Hope, Jason Reynolds, Dave Schilling and Ele Woods; and composers Pauli 'The PSM' Lovejoy, Nigel 'Mr. Dex' Hosten and Yaffra.
For the past years, 80+ institutions across the US have contributed to tell the stories of Black communities on Google Arts & Culture. Some of those cultural organizations are featured in "Black Renaissance". Additionally, Google Arts & Culture is offering an online resource for those who want to learn more about black history and culture in the US on g.co/blackshistoryus.
"Black Renaissance" was also created in partnership with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Howard University Graduate Film Program, and NAL Media. Vignettes by young filmmakers Raafi Rivero (an alumni of Howard University's Graduate Film Program) and Naomi Merlain (Howard University) will be featured in the show. The show is Executive Produced by Jason Reynolds, Leah Harper Lane, and Guy Carrington; Co-Executive Producers are Kristen Wong, Dave Schilling, and Clover Hope; Music Director is Pauli Lovejoy.
Additionally, in February, YouTube Originals will launch a new episode of "BookTube" (premiering February 25) with Alicia Garza, Principal at Black Futures Lab and co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Global Network, discussing her book, "The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart.
"Black Renaissance" continues the mission of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund to invest with intention and present fresh narratives that emphasize the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice. Programming from the Fund also includes "Bear Witness, Take Action 2," which continued the movement on racial justice to evoke change and protect Black lives; a momentous livestream event "HBCU Homecoming 2020: Meet Me on the Yard, which brought us the traditional HBCU homecoming traditions virtually; "Resist," a documentary series from Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors; "A Day in the Live: WizKid," a live special following Nigeria's fastest rising singer/songwriter; and forthcoming projects "Onyx Family Dinner," a series gathering the multi-generational Onyx family for open conversations about life and what's going on in the world over dinner, and "Barbershop Medicine" (working title), aiming to put the "public" back in Public Health and explore the impact race and socioeconomic status have on healthcare and longevity. Additional YouTube Originals centering on global Black experiences and addressing racial justice include: "Together We Rise," "Trapped: Cash Bail in America," "Glad You Asked" season two (premieres this year), "The Outsiders" (premieres this year), and the award-winning Kids & Family series Lockdown.
About YouTube Originals:
YouTube Originals are award-winning, creative and engaging scripted and unscripted series and films across music, personalities, and learning for fans all over the world. Spotlighting both YouTube creators alongside Hollywood's biggest stars, YouTube Originals provide an experience that only YouTube can offer. By tapping into the platform's growing global community, fan engagement product capabilities, and innovative content mixed with pioneering live-streamed specials, there is truly something for everybody. Fans experience YouTube Original content through ad-supported YouTube as well as YouTube Premium, a subscription service that offers access to YouTube Original series and movies, a streaming music platform, and an uninterrupted, ad-free experience across all of YouTube. YouTube Originals are available in nearly 80 countries worldwide.
About Google Arts & Culture:
Google Arts & Culture puts the treasures, stories and knowledge of over 2,000 cultural institutions from 80 countries at your fingertips. If Google's mission is to make the world's information more accessible, then Google Arts & Culture's mission is to make the world's culture accessible to anyone, anywhere. It's your doorway to explore art, history, and wonders of the world. Discover stories about cultural heritage ranging from Van Gogh's bedroom paintings, Puerto Rico's heritage, Sports in Australia or the women's right movement to ancient Maya temples, Japanese Food and Indian Railways.
About Done+Dusted:
D+D is a global creator of content, events and experiences with offices in Los Angeles, London, China and Abu Dhabi. D+D has a reputation, network, body of work and global experience that is unsurpassed. Storytelling is the constant organizing principle behind every great piece of entertainment and it is at the heart of everything D+D does. Stories connect us, move us, make us laugh, and cry, and feel. Our stories define us. From ice caps to deserts, from skyscrapers to jungles, D+D has partnered with brands, broadcasters, royalty, digital platforms, audiences, agencies, educators, philanthropists, humanitarians and artists to create and film live spectacles in every corner of the world... anywhere and everywhere that stories are told. D+D takes the viewer to the heart and the extremities, committed to delivering dynamic content, that is innovative and technically pioneering. D+D maintains a consistent level of excellence in everything it does, which is reflected in its unparalleled production credentials.
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