J Video

J Video: Behind The Scenes of Hot 97’s Summer Jam XX

ayminor

I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Ebro Darden since starting my struggle hour and a half commute to work in 2012. This was right around the time Ebro began making guest appearances on Hot 97’s morning show, then just the program director trying to save the show’s ratings.

I have always appreciated his fluid on-air personality and the respect he has in the industry, which makes for better interviews; it’s his lack of tact surrounding some highly-sensitive issues that’s left me feeling some type of way more than once (the U.O.E.N.O. Rick Ross controversy comes to mind).

In the video you see the good and the bad, as Hot 97 gives you a behind-the-scenes look at last year’s Summer Jam through the eyes of “the old man.”

I was hoping to learn something new about the concert production process, which didn’t really happen, but having watched the show via live stream, it was interesting to see what was really going on backstage with the artists. (You have to peep Mariah showing up in the middle of the song she is supposed to perform with a champagne glass in hand (7:42). -__-) Check it out!

New Web Series ‘First’ Produced by Issa Rae

New Web Series ‘First’ Produced by Issa Rae

ayminor

I love black love, like and everything in between, so I appreciate First‘s intimate look at “the first date” for recently reconnected Robin and Charles.

The web series was the perfect addition to my Saturday night of RomComs, popcorn and hot toddies.

Episode 3 will be available on April 30.

Learn more about First here.

J Video: Kerry Washington’s President’s Award Acceptance Speech

ayminor

If you are going to have a prepared speech, make it sound like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgcueWm2FU

At the 44th NAACP Image Awards on Friday, February 1, Kerry Washington was awarded the President’s Award for her work on the Obama campaign and as a member of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

What I really connected to within her speech was the strong correlation she mentioned between the arts and success in other areas of education. I had the privilege of growing up in a house that cultivated creativity, but even with my exposure to music and acting, there was so much I learned and gravitated towards through arts education.

I had the opportunity to make my own jewelry box in wood shop class that still sits on my parlor table with pride.  In home economics we learned to make pillows —one (of many sewn thereafter) sits on my bed. As I type this, out of the left corner of my eye I can see the painting I am working on and can recall the first time I learned real painting techniques in class.  It was the opportunities to perform and create through school activities that influenced me to look into extracurriculars and helped create who I have become.

I know the impact I felt is not unique to me, because so many students from my school have looked to pursue long-term careers in non-traditional areas through exposure in the classroom.

For these reasons, amongst many others, I truly believe in the value of the arts in the classroom.

I salute Kerry for her efforts!!

Find more information about the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities here.

J Video: Milk + Honey

ayminor

Milk + Honey is a dramedy series that follows the spiritual, professional and romantic journeys of four young, ambitious African-American women navigating through the lights, smoke and mirrors of Hollywood.

Glad I checked it out. Editing seemed a little choppy, but I guess that’s how “webisodes” are. Jace (Charles Divins), is SO fine and of course Lance Gross. sigh lol Has potential.