Black Creative Technologists To Present Film, Art Concepts At Torrents BPMplus Showcases

Black Creative Technologists To Present Film, Art Concepts At Torrents BPMplus Showcases

Black Public Media's BPMplus fellows will share their creative process and unveil finished works during its Art & Tech Showcases at Torrents.


Black Public Media’s immersive BPMplus program will hold two showcases for creative technology productions at “Torrents: New Links to Black Futures” on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Based in Harlem, New York, Black Public Media is a national media arts nonprofit that supports the development and distribution of Black film, television, and immersive projects by Black creators who use technology to produce content relating to the global Black experience.

Starting at 12 p.m. Saturday, filmmakers and artists will converge at Songbyrd Music House to discuss the art of creating artificial intelligence, augmented reality, projection, and video projects. Moderated by BPM Emerging Media Director Lisa Osborne, the 2024 presenting artists will connect with attendees as they share their workflow and creative processes, reveal intentions behind their projects, dive into concept art, and unveil clips of finished works.

Launched in 2018, BPMplus offers producers and technologists access to grants, fellowships, workshops, showcases,and networking opportunities as they create projects using augmented reality, motion capture, artificial intelligence, and other technologies.

“As AI and other new technologies become more embedded in our daily lives, it is important that access to these tools is available for everyone during their liminal or pre-commercial phases,” Osbourne said in a press release.

Creators also have access to artists-in-residence programs and the national PitchBLACK Immersive Forum.

CulturalDC has welcomed BPMplus back for its annual showcase at Torrents as the interdisciplinary series celebrates the innovative future of visual arts, technology, music, film and performance.

“For decades, tech training, grants and other opportunities have been funneled into the hands of a few, essentially imprinting biases that exist in old or traditional media onto new storytelling tools long before they gain mass adoption,” Osbourne said. “Our BPMplus programs strive to counter that larger tendency in the tech, film, arts and philanthropic worlds by giving our immersive filmmakers and artists a seat at the table to ensure a future where all communities are represented.”

Sponsored by Shutterstock and Rolling Out, the BPMplus Art & Tech Showcases will feature Baff Akoto, Collateral Echoes (2025); Ethel-Ruth Tawe, Image Frequency Modulation (2025), 2024 PitchBLACK Immersive Forum winner; LaJuné McMillian, The Portal’s Keeper (2024), 2023 PitchBLACK Immersive Forum winner; MaryAnn Talavera, The ORIXA Project: Planet Aris (2024); Georgiana Wright, Synthetic Ferality (2024); and Andrea Walls, Variance: Ritual for a Home (2024), 2024 PitchBLACK Immersive Forum winner.

“Torrents: New Links to Black Futures” runs from Nov. 14-17. The BPMplus Art & Tech Showcase I starts at noon on the final day; Showcase II follows at 2 p.m. ET. A networking mixer featuring a cash bar will follow from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Registration is recommended to attend the free events.

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Hit Boy, D’Usse

Hit-Boy Partners With D’USSÉ To Launch Limited-Edition Augmented Reality Experience For The Holiday

D'USSÉ's limited-edition release brings Grammy Award-winning producer Hit-Boy into your holiday parties.


D’USSÉ cognac has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning producer Hit-Boy for a special AR experience that puts the “SICKO MODE” hitmaker in your living rooms this holiday season.

Named “The Set,” this augmented reality (AR) experience lets anyone who buys a D’USSÉ VSOP Holiday Gift Box access an exclusive AR DJ performance by Hit-Boy to enhance their holiday celebrations. This marks D’USSÉ’s first foray into tech and its largest investment in tech-driven experiences to date.

The D’USSÉ VSOP Holiday Gift Box features a 750 mL bottle of D’USSÉ VSOP and a QR code that unlocks access to “The Set” AR experience. After scanning the code with their smartphone, recipients can activate a lifelike AR filter of Hit-Boy behind a DJ booth right inside their event space.

From there, users can choose a cocktail that suits their party vibe—whether it’s a D’USSÉspresso Martini or a Spicy Sidecar—and Hit-Boy will respond with custom playlists he’s curated for each drink. Through the new-age digital experience, “The Set” lets you bring Hit-Boy into the heart of your holiday celebrations this year.

“Music is the universal spirit of the holidays,” Hit-Boy said in a statement. “You can’t celebrate without it. But just like collaborating with artists, it’s all about finding a certain energy.”

“D’USSÉ and I wanted to spread the right vibes and had a lot of fun playing with the AR technology to create a unique fan experience,” he added. “Once you scan the QR code, the AR filter will allow me to pull up to your holiday hangs and spin-off my favorite tracks for the festivities. We hope you’ll enjoy ‘The Set’ wherever you and your loved ones are this holiday season.”

Partygoers can engage with “The Set” by positioning themselves “next to” or “behind” the DJ booth in the AR experience. The filter also allows users to take photos, so you can quickly share the fun with loved ones or on social media. With the added option to connect to speakers, this immersive visual-audio experience makes Hit-Boy the ultimate headliner for any holiday party this season.

The D’USSÉ VSOP Holiday Gift Box is available now in stores nationwide and at dusse.com (SRP $50).

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car, Greenbook Global

Green Book Global Launches Road Trip Planner Tool To Provide Inclusive Options For Black Travelers

Green Book Global unveils a new road trip planner feature to help Black travelers plan safe journeys across the U.S.


Building on its success as the first and only Black travel booking and review platform, Green Book Global is expanding its services with a new Road Trip Planner app feature.

With Green Book Global already established as a modern interactive guide for Black travelers, the company has now added a feature to help plan safer and more enjoyable road trips across the U.S. This new Road Trip Planner tool, launched within its redesigned mobile app (available on iOS and Android) and accessible via web application, is powered by community-driven insights and data.

“Our mission has always been to empower Black travelers with information that fosters a safer and more inclusive travel environment,” Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global, told Forbes. “With the Road Trip Planner, we are turning the collective experiences of our community into a powerful tool that maps out the best routes and highlights areas to avoid based on historical and recent data.

“This is more than a planning tool. It’s a new layer of security for our community,” he added.

Named after The Negro Motorist Green Book, which provided travel guidance for African Americans navigating Jim Crow America from 1936 to 1966, Green Book Global is a modern-day app and interactive guide designed to aid Black travelers in the 21st century. By tapping into thousands of user-generated reviews from Black travelers, the app can help users plan safer trips by identifying optimal routes and avoiding areas known to be unwelcoming or potentially unsafe.

“Our goal is to provide information so that Black travelers can make that very personal decision about where they want to go,” Phillips said.

According to data from Green Book Global, some of the most welcoming destinations in the U.S. for Black travelers include Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Charlotte, and Chicago. The platform also offers an International Destination Discovery Tool, featuring recommendations for diverse places such as Kenya, Slovenia, and Argentina.

Phillips highlights that the new Planner tool enables motorists to select “Avoid City” to bypass sundown towns, automatically rerouting them.

“Cities are rated on a five-star scale by our community for what it’s like Traveling While Black and cities receive an overall score,” he explains. “Green represents the safest and most welcoming destination, yellow indicates average, and red means it needs improvement. Red indicates a city where Black travelers generally have not felt safe or welcome, and it may even signify a former sundown town.”

The research has also brought some unexpected findings to light on cities that may be predominantly white but contain a small but mighty Black population.

“Portland, Maine, was a big surprise,” Phillips says. “Although Maine is one of the whitest states in America, with a Black population of almost 2%, the city of Portland is nearly 10% Black. It was amazing. Great food, plenty of activities, and a welcoming atmosphere.”

model, stabbing, nyc

Woman Arrested And Charged With Killing Father On Election Day

Corey Burke allegedly killed her father, Timothy, after stabbing him multiple times in the head with an ice pickax.


Last week, a Seattle woman was arrested after being accused of killing her father with an ice pickax after arguing with him about the lights being on.

According to Law & Crime, Corey Burke, 33, allegedly killed her father, 67-year-old Timothy Burke, at their home at around 8 pm on Election Day. He was stabbed multiple times in the head as the two argued about the lights in the house being on. When police officers arrived at the home, Corey Burke admitted that she had killed her father. Court documents stated that she was “having a mental health crisis” due to the election.

She is being held at the King County Correctional Facility on a $2 million bond after being charged with first-degree murder.

According to detectives, Corey Burke told them there was “something important” about the election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. She was “overwhelmed” by emotions before the incident. Police officers said that Timothy tried to turn off the lights during his daughter’s emotional episode, and that led to an argument before Corey killed him.

“Corey stated that she had to bite her father while choking him because he was too strong,” legal documents said. “Corey stated that once her father ‘went limp,’ she felt better. Corey said that she then hit him with the ice pickaxe in the head several more times. Corey then sat next to her father and watched him until she saw that he was not breathing anymore.”

According to the autopsy, Timothy Burke died from a combination of severe blunt force trauma, asphyxiation, and puncture wounds.

Corey Burke is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 21.

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house, GOP

Republicans Now Dominate Washington, D.C. As GOP Gets House Majority

This was not the House that Democrats were hoping for.


Republicans delivered Democrats another devastating blow as the GOP now has control of the House of Representatives with 218 seats, the Associated Press reports. 

President-elect Donald Trump can thank House victories in Arizona and California, which were finalized November 13. Republicans also secured control of the Senate, giving Washington a GOP trifecta. The victory gives conservative leaders the power to move quickly to implement Trump’s vision for “making America great again.”

During the campaign trail, the four-time indicted politician made extreme promises, including starting the country’s largest deportation operation, extend tax breaks, pushing political revenge on his enemies, and redesigning the economy.

House Speaker and ardent conservative, Mike Johnson, who recently won the party’s nomination to remain as speaker through 2025, has mentioned taking a “blowtorch” to the federal government and some programs as a way of overhauling even the popular ones championed by Democrats during the Biden-Harris reign.

“Republicans in the House and Senate have a mandate,” Johnson said. “The American people want us to implement and deliver that ‘America First’ agenda.”

Johnson’s victory comes after some conservatives pressed him over several matters including the refusal of sending more money to Ukraine and blaming him for why the GOP didn’t win more seats in 2022, according to CNN. However, a sense of unity amongst Republicans has taken over Congress.

“If Donald Trump says jump three feet high and scratch your head, we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads,” Texas GOP Rep. Troy Nehls said. “That’s it.”

Democrats had their eyes set on certain districts coming their way, like in New York and California. Another seat in Nebraska, whose Omaha-area district gave Vice President Kamala Harris an electoral vote, was secured by GOP Rep. Don Bacon. The swing states of Pennsylvania and Michigan also garnered GOP candidates.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump’s Cabinet And Administration Picks Reportedly Hinge On Loyalty

arrest, bear, attacks, human, costume

4 People Arrested After Allegedly Faking Bear Attacks Defrauding Insurance Companies Of $141,839

The four suspects were charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy for claiming that a bear damaged their vehicles, but video shows it was a human in a bear costume.


An insurance scam was revealed when four people were arrested after allegedly staging a bear attack with the intent to defraud an insurance company. It was shown that they allegedly filmed someone wearing a bear costume breaking into their cars to claim damages.

According to the California Department of Insurance (CDI), four people from Los Angeles, Ruben Tamrazian, 26, Ararat Chirkinian, 39, Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, all hailing from Glendale, and Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, of Valley Village, were charged with insurance fraud and conspiracy for claiming that a bear damaged their vehicles. Authorities found out that there was no bear involved, just someone posing as one in a bear costume.

In an investigation dubbed Operation Bear Claw, CDI initially suspected fraud when the people charged made a claim that a bear got into their 2010 Rolls Royce Ghost and caused damage inside the vehicle. The incident took place earlier this year on January 28 in Lake Arrowhead. After submitting a video to the CDI, the agency was suspicious of the alleged bear seen in the video.

After looking further into the video submitted, the agency determined that it was a person in a bear costume. During the investigation, detectives discovered two other insurance claims, with two different insurance companies making similar claims and the same people at the helm. They also claimed the exact date and location for those claims.

The fraudulent claims detailed two vehicles: a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350. Videos of the same “bear” were used with the same claim as the initial one submitted to CDI as “proof” of the culprit damaging the vehicles.

Investigators from CDI had a biologist from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife review all three alleged bear videos. They determined that it was not a bear but a human in a bear suit. A search warrant was produced, and the bear costume was found there after searching the suspects’ home.

The insurance companies were defrauded of $141,839 as determined by the CDI.

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children's book,

Alabama State Univ. Professor Launches 2 Children’s Books On Loss, Divorce And Death

Dr. Holloway thought it was imperative to create books on death and divorce as a point of reference to start conversations with children.


Dr. Linda Holloway is a professor at Alabama State University with over 30 years of teaching experience. She wanted to develop books that could be used to help counselors, social workers, mental health professionals, teachers, administrators, families, churches, and funeral homes discuss the concept of loss with children. When we think of divorce, we do not always think of loss in the same way we think of loss when it comes to death. However, with both of these events, children experience an incredible amount of grief.

With divorce, children have to learn how to navigate the loss of their parents being together, and with death, children have to adjust to life without the other person. Such events can take a toll on our children’s mental health if not properly attended to.

It is reported that 50% of marriages will end in divorce. Divorce for children is a very pivotal moment in children’s lives. It represents a time of instability, a loss of the family unit as they once knew it, and it impacts children’s perspective of what a family can look like. The consequences of divorce can be innumerable for children, leaving them with a range of emotions: anger, sadness, frustration, surprise, loneliness, depression, and much anxiety.

Additionally, children in today’s society are having to cope with death at an alarming rate. It is believed that approximately 6 million U.S. children will die without a parent by the time they are 18. In addition, as many as 1 out of 12 U.S. children will have experienced the death of a sibling by the age of 18. Childhood grief plays a tremendous role in impacting the developmental functions of children in the areas of academic achievement, relationships, substance use, mental distress, and suicide.

Therefore, Dr. Holloway thought it was imperative to create these books as a point of reference to start conversations with children about loss and how to cope with losses. The titles of her two books are Little Miss Linda Copes with Divorce and Little Miss Linda Speaks Out About Death.

Even though divorce and death can be the most challenging subjects to have with children, you will find both of these books are very warm and inviting when addressing these topics. The divorce book about Little Miss Linda entails her parents informing her they are getting a divorce while reassuring her they will be there to help with any questions she might have. Thus, they help her create a We Love You Jar, where Little Miss Linda gets to put any questions she might have in the jar for both her parents to provide answers to. The death book about Little Miss Linda entails her being told by her mother she only has 7 months to live and decides to create memorable moments together.

This book addresses many questions Little Miss Linda has about death. Both books include Learning Out Loud questions for children to discuss about the books. Additionally, there are more questions included to engage in deeper discussion on both divorce and death. Lastly, to make the book a bit more interactive and lighthearted as possible, Dr. Holloway included scavenger hunts in both books.

The books are available for purchase on Amazon.

This news was first reported by Blacknews.com

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Afrocentric

Shirley Neal To Release New Book ‘Afrocentric Style: A Celebration Of Blackness & Identity in Pop Culture’

Afrocentric Style: A Celebration of Blackness & Identity in Pop Culture by author, screenwriter, and TV/Film Producer Shirley Neal links the vibrancy of Black identity and expression with mainstream popular culture


Filled with more than 200 color and black-and-white photos, Afrocentric Style: A Celebration of Blackness & Identity in Pop Culture by author, screenwriter, and TV/film producer Shirley Neal links the vibrancy of Black identity and expression with mainstream popular culture from the past to the present. The book highlights the top memes, movements, and milestone moments permeating today’s social media, showcasing the indelible influence of Black artistry and celebrity on global pop culture.

From Beyoncé to the Black Panthers, Serena Williams to Kamala Harris, AfroCentric Style explores how dozens of icons and events have revived Black identity, culture, and history on a profound level. It asserts that the current impact of Blackness in pop culture is unrivaled, with African-themed searches growing exponentially, indicating a surging interest in Black pop culture across all generations.

AfroCentric Style, beautifully designed and thoughtfully written, interweaves commentary and archival photographs, offering a fresh take on contemporary Afrocentric stories and their historical roots. The book is not just a stunning anthology, but also an educational tool that celebrates and enhances readers’ understanding of Black culture’s powerful influence on mainstream pop culture and America’s increasingly diverse society.

AfroCentric Style‘s Major Focus Points:

Blackness in Mainstream Pop Culture

• How pop culture is used as a conduit to help all cultures and demographics better understand Black History and Black culture, particularly in the areas of Fashion, Hair, and Beauty.

• How can Black pop culture be used beyond entertainment to make people think?

Fashion

• The influence of Black culture on global fashion trends — from hip hop to high fashion to dashikis, dandies, hoodies, and all the trends in between.

• Activism fashion — when fashion is used to make statements to create Black awareness or as a form of protest.

Black Identity

• How Black identity through pop culture can improve self-esteem and mental health.

• How pop culture provides Black youth with various role models and narratives, helping them explore and develop their identities.

• The trend of Black Americans tracing lineages to Africa (Neal is an Advisory Board Member of AfricanAncestry.com)

Black History

• The impact of Black history on mainstream pop culture.

• How, through pop culture, we can learn about unsung Black trailblazers like cowboys, inventors, literary greats, musicians, and even beauty queens.

This news was first reported by Blacknews.com

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Healthcare, Doctor, Health, Hospital, Black Women's Health Imperative, Health Policy Voters Guide, ICHRA plans, AARP

AARP Appoints Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan As CEO

Minter-Jordan seeks to continue tackling top issues like Social Security and Medicare protection while she attracts younger members to AARP.


Just a week after the 2024 presidential election, Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan has transitioned into her new position as CEO of AARP, and she’s prepared for the road ahead as the organization continues to provide health security, financial stability, and personal wellness for older Americans.

AARP announced Minter-Jordan as the new CEO of its organization on Nov. 12, tapping the longtime physician and public health advocate during a time of increasing social and technological change. According to AARP, Americans ages 50 and older makeup 110 million of the nation’s population, playing a huge role in the U.S. economy and making up 44% of the nation’s workforce.

“Dr. Minter-Jordan joins us with the necessary attributes to successfully guide AARP on the next leg of our journey to help people live better as they age,” said Lloyd Johnson, chair of AARP’s Board of Directors, in a press release. In her new role with the nonprofit, the innovative business leader is expected to uphold the organization’s social mission with her proven record of financial discipline, team collaboration, and strategic decision-making.

“It’s a passion for improving the lives of others that translates from my being a physician working in community health to the work that I’ll be able to do on a much larger scale with AARP,” Minter-Jordan said during an interview. The AARP CEO is dedicated to the top priorities of the organization’s members, including protecting Social Security and Medicare and supporting family caregivers.

Additionally, she wants to continue the work AARP has done for over 65 years, working with each president, Congress, governor, and state. On Nov. 5, voters ages 50 and older showed up to the polls to vote on top issues, including Social Security, inflation, and prescription drug prices. Minter-Jordan said AARP members “expect their elected officials to carry through on their promises.”

The mother of two shared her goal to use data, storytelling, and models of leadership to challenge the public image of aging. She also plans to attract Gen Z and Millenial caregivers to seek out AARP’s benefits.

The Brown University School of Medicine alum formerly served as an attending physician and instructor at Johns Hopkins Medicine before she served as president and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and CEO and chief medical officer of The Dimock Center in Massachusetts. As previously mentioned by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the vice-chair/founder of The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund (NCF) was featured at JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s second annual “The Sweetness of Giving: A Celebration of Philanthropy” event in Martha’s Vineyard on Aug. 9.

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Jill Scott, Doechii, Glorilla

Jill Scott, Doechii, and GloRilla Receive High Honors At 3rd Annual Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala

Femme It Forward honors Jill Scott, Doechii, GloRilla, and more at the Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala.


Jill Scott, GloRilla, Doechii, Chloe & Halle, and other powerhouse talents celebrated a well-deserved night of recognition at Femme It Forward’s Give Her FlowHERS Awards Gala on Friday, where they received their much-deserved flowers.

The third annual Give Her FlowHERS Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Friday, Nov. 8, to honor a distinguished lineup of artists, visionaries, executives, and tastemakers for their impactful contributions and groundbreaking achievements in their fields. Hosted by Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling rapper Saweetie, the event celebrated a select group of honorees and highlighted the invaluable contributions of women mentors from the organization’s Next Gem Femme mentorship program.

This year’s honorees included GloRilla, who received The Big Femme Energy Award, Doechii, who took home The Visionary Award, Jill Scott was honored with The Muse Award, Chloe & Halle received The My Sister’s Keeper Award, Nija earned The Pen It Forward Award, and Lady London shared an empowering speech when accepting The Self-Love Award.

“Your mind believes everything that you tell it. So give it love,” Lady London told the audience.

Her speech followed a surprise appearance by Snoop Dogg and his wife, Shante Broadus, who accepted The Black Love Award. The high-school sweethearts and longtime couple spoke about their “real love” and the importance of showcasing Black love within the entertainment industry. Snoop also reflected on his 15 Grammy nominations across three decades, noting that while he has yet to win, receiving the Black Love Award felt more meaningful than any Grammy recognition he’s had — or missed — over the years.

Doechii got candid while accepting her Visionary Award, sharing insights about her sobriety journey and how it has helped prepare her for the season she’s in now.

“I’m able to accept this award with such a clear mind and truly renewed spirit,” Doechii shared. “I’m recently sober and I’m able to receive messages from God like I never have before because my mind is clear and I’m present.”

When GloRilla took the stage to accept her Big Femme Energy award, she let her Memphis accent shine as she praised LisaRaye, who presented her with the award, sharing how beautiful (or “buurrtiful,” as Glo said it) she has always found the actress to be.

“LisaRaye I love you I’m a give you these flowers because you deserve them,” she said. “I love you so much. Like growing up you were one of my favorite actresses. You so burrtiful.”

Singer-actress duo Chloe x Halle shared the strength of their sisterly bond and close partnership. Chloe Bailey reflected on the commitment she’s felt as Halle’s big sister since the day she was born, vowing to protect and support her “as if my very existence depended on it.” Their dedication to uplifting one another through every high and low in their individual careers is a powerful testament to why they were honored with The My Sister’s Keeper Award.

Jill Scott closed the ceremony with a heartfelt speech, sharing that 2024 has been “the best year of my life.” She reflected on the honor of having a mural painted at her alma mater, Philadelphia High School for Girls, and being celebrated as a Muse in a room full of Black women who cheered her on.

“I love what I do so much, and the idea that anything that I contribute inspires you to make me feel how you’re feeling, to laugh a little harder, to make love a little more passionately, more sincerely,” she said. “It does such a great deal for my soul, and I want to thank you for that. That I could be any part of your joy, your life. It means the world to me.”

“Speak, look, connect. We’re going to have to communicate in different ways now. Not everything is for everybody. But love, passion, joy, and connection absolutely is,” Jill said in conclusion.

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