Jesse Jackson News

Red Bull Music Festival Los Angeles (RBMF LA) returns to the City of Angels next Thursday, February 7. Today, additional programming for the ambitious Center Channel film series--taking place at the historic Ukrainian Culture Center from February 8 - 20--has been announced. Tickets for all RBMF LA events are now available via www.redbullmusic.com/los-angeles.

Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story explores the extraordinary life and legacy of one of the most important religious figures of the 20th century. Born the grandson of slaves, Howard Thurman became the “spiritual foundation” for the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring many of its leaders — including his close friend Martin Luther King, Jr. Featured in the film are a host of scholars, theologians, and Civil Rights pioneers including Congressman John Lewis, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Vernon Jordan, and more. Written and directed by Martin Doblmeier, the creator of dozens of award-winning films on faith, Backs Against the Wall premieres on the WORLD Channel on Friday, February 8, 2019, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET (check local listings), and on public television stations throughout the month of February.

Writers Theatre opens its 13th annual tour of The MLK Project: The Fight for Civil Rights, written by Yolanda Androzzo, directed by Tasia A. Jones and featuring Angela Alise. A special Martin Luther King, Jr. Day public performance will take place at 10:30am on January 21 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark Street in Chicago.  The kickoff event also includes a post-show community discussion. The event is free and open to the public, and audience members will also receive free museum admission for the remainder of the day.

NAACP National Board of Directors Chairman Leon W. Russell announced the Association is soliciting nominations for the 104th Spingarn Award.  All nominations for the 104th Spingarn Medal must be submitted, in writing, on or before December 31, 2018.  To be accepted, the postmark date on the envelope must be no later than December 31, 2018.

Virtuoso vocalist Zeshan B is widely being recognized as one of the most unique singers to come out of Chicago. He will be at the Marcus Center's Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall for one night only on Saturday, September 15 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available in person at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, online at MarcusCenter.org or Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 414-273-7206. Groups 10 or more should call 414-273-7121 x210 or x213. This performance is a collaboration between the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts and the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition.

From 'I Say A Little Prayer' to 'Think' to her signature classic 'RESPECT,' Aretha Franklin was a musical phenomenon and a transcendent figure in American culture. As the nation mourns the passing of the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin, BET Networks will commemorate her life and legacy by broadcasting Aretha Franklin's funeral service in its entirety beginning Friday, August 31 at 10 AM ET on BET, BET Her and BET.com

The Bounce television network and the Brown Sugar streaming service are teaming up to carry Aretha Franklin's farewell memorial service live this Friday, Aug. 31.

Virtuoso vocalist Zeshan B is widely being recognized as one of the most unique singers to come out of Chicago. Blending the hard-driving rhythms and horn heavy sounds of 60s and 70s soul with the angsty scats and vocal stylings of early Indo-Pakistani film/folk music, he has created an entirely new genre that is his very own--Brown Skinned Soul. 

Veterans of SNL: Jon Lovitz, Darrell Hammond, Chris Kattan & Finesse Mitchell bring an evening of stand-up to Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, July 28th. Presented by Comix, the hilarious former SNL cast will be live at 8:00pm.

Today, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) continues its 22-year legacy of providing a platform for diverse storytelling and emerging filmmakers, by announcing the 2018 official selections in all screening categories. The festival returns to Miami Beach, FL from June 13-17. 

The Huntington Theatre Company presents the World Premiere of Fall, which tells the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller's secret son Daniel, his child with third wife, Inge Morath. Born with Down syndrome, Daniel was institutionalized, and his existence was never acknowledged by his parents. Written by playwright and renowned journalist Bernard Weinraub (The Accomplices, Above the Fold), and directed by Huntington Artistic Director Peter DuBois, Fall runs May 18 - June 16, 2018 at the Huntington's Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.

History Announces Documentary From LeBron James & Stanley Nelson, RISE UP: THE MOVEMENT THAT CHANGED AMERICA

AT&T hosted its 2nd annual The Humanity of Connection at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Thursday, March 15th celebrating the power of human connectivity and the technologies that chronicle and connect the remarkable achievements of African Americans.

KING IN THE WILDERNESS An Intimate Account of the Final Years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, NBC News announced the world premiere of HOPE & FURY: MLK, THE MOVEMENT AND THE MEDIA, a new documentary film that examines how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and leaders of the civil rights movement used the power of print and visual media, especially television, to awaken America to the shame and injustice of racial inequality. From executive producer and NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack, the two-hour network event will premiere on NBC on March 24th at 8:00 pm ET and on MSNBC on March 25th at 9:00 pm ET.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s leadership during the bus boycotts, the sit-ins and the historic Selma-to-Montgomery marches is now legendary. Much of what happened afterward, during the last three years of his life, is rarely discussed, but it was a time when Dr. King said his dream “turned into a nightmare.” From the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965 to his assassination in 1968, King remained unshakably committed to nonviolence in the face of an increasingly unstable country.

Paramount Network Presents 'I Am MLK Jr.,' A Documentary Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Paramount Network and award-winning filmmaker Derik Murray have joined forces for a new, original documentary on the life and legacy of our country's legendary statesman, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Premiering, Wednesday, April 4 (9:00-10:30pm ET/PT), “I Am MLK Jr.” on the 50th Anniversary of his tragic assassination, tells the story and celebrates the life of this American icon from an engaging contemporary perspective structured around seminal events of the Civil Rights Movement.

Ovens Auditorium will host acclaimed comedian and political commentator Bill Maher on Friday, Sept. 22, 2018 at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale on now and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster outlets or at the Bojangles' Coliseum Box Office located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets cost between $49.50 and $125 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change.