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Kevin Hart is giving credit to film producer Will Packer for his position in business and his career. Where It All Started The comedian turned actor first met Packer in 2007 at the Los Angeles airport, according to the Chicago Sun Times. Hart remained on Packer’s radar, and he eventually called the actor to work on their first movie together, “Think Like A Man.” At the time, Hart was booking mostly cameos which included “Scary Movie 3” (2003), “Soul Plane” (2004), and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005). Learning Packer Was “The Real Deal” While On Set When it came to landing more screen time, Hart had become accustomed to empty promises. Landing the gig and working with Packer was all the proof Hart needed to ensure the Will Packer Productions founder was “the real deal.” “When I first met Packer and ‘Think Like A Man’ was [brought] up, he came to me first and said, ‘Listen man, I’m going to make this movie happen, but I’m not going to go forward and pursue, if I don’t know that I have...
Noel Braham is tackling diversity in the world of entertainment head-on! The Emmy-nominated producer and filmmake r has officially acquired television rights for fan-favorite comic series , “The Antagonists.” Created by Tyler F. Martin, the series tells the average “superhero story” in a way that has never been done before. It follows infamous supervillains Desructus and Ultima as they look to reap the rewards of retirement following a successful mission to overtake the world. Throughout the series, the couple works to balance married life, parental responsibilities, being Black in America, and hiding their past and former identities from their children who have inherited their superpower abilities. They also struggle to keep their worst impulses in check. “We are extremely excited to work and deepen our relationship with Tyler and Godhood Comics in developing this dynamic franchise,” said Braham in an official press release.” Being that Tyler and I hail from the same hometown; this...
Black women in film have been making major strides this year. As a filmmaker, Nia DaCosta is one of the latest to be added to the growing list of groundbreaking achievements as she was named director of “Captain Marvel 2,” making her the first Black woman to direct a movie in the Marvel Studios franchise, REVOLT reports . Users online were excited to hear the news as the demand for more Black storytellers has grown tremendously during 2020. I think this is an awesome hire. I can't wait for her CandyMan take and now the Captain Marvel sequel. An exciting filmmaker to watch. — Steven Stiller (@StevenStiller) August 6, 2020 DaCosta — better known for directing the indie film “Little Woods” in 2018 and the upcoming “Candyman” remake alongside Jordan Peele — is entering into a realm no other director has known before. After proving to stand out amongst her competition, the Marvel corporation hand-selected her to bring the new film to life, Deadline reports . DaCosta, like other Black...
Africa is on the rise with a lot of original content coming from Netflix and the streaming site continues its expansion plan with their latest major deal. Prolific Nigerian producer and filmmaker Mo Abudu has partnered with Netflix to sign a multi-title deal where she will create two series and multiple branded films with the streamer, according to The Hollywood Reporter . 📣We’ve got MAJOR news for you today! Netflix has partnered with acclaimed producer @MoAbudu to bring you two of Nigeria’s most beloved literary classics to screens around the world! 📚🎥 pic.twitter.com/3zAE4zAndH — Netflix Nigeria (@NetflixNaija) June 12, 2020 “Mo is at the forefront of creative storytelling in African television,” said Dorothy Ghettuba, Netflix’s lead for original series in Africa. “Her passion for creating high-quality, riveting multi-genre films and TV shows that capture the imagination while showcasing the diversity and richness of Nigerian culture is evident in her impressive body of work.”...
Ava DuVernay , Janelle Monáe, Chris Rock, and Cynthia Erivo are among over 400 Hollywood filmmakers, writers, actors, and musicians who signed an open letter urging President Trump’s administration not to roll back copyright protections at the request of AI companies. The creatives penned the letter in response to recent submissions to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), during which Google and OpenAI asserted that U.S. copyright law should permit AI companies to train their systems on copyrighted works without needing permission or compensation from the rights holders, according to Variety. “We firmly believe that America’s global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries,” the letter states. “America’s arts and entertainment industry supports over 2.3 million American jobs with over $229 billion in wages annually while providing the foundation for American democratic influence and soft power abroad. But AI companies are asking...
Tyler Perry has provided great financial relief for 85-year-old Anniece Tisdale. According to WSMV-4, Tisdale hired an unlicensed contractor to renovate her East Nashville, TN, home to accommodate her disability and growing family. However, the project took a turn for the worse when the contractor abandoned it altogether after not meeting completion expectations. Tisdale was then left with a home unsafe to live in and thousands of dollars lost. After an interview with the local news station, Tisdale was asked by Sherri Shepherd to appear on her “Sherri” talk show, and was joined by her daughter, Yolanda, who revealed that at least $180,000 had been invested into the home renovation project. Yolanda and her husband both took out personal loans and pooled from savings and credit cards to gather the funds. Yolanda also helped to refinance her mom’s mortgage to pay for the $200,000 in renovations. “We signed the contract in January. We were supposed to be f inished March 31. It was a...
In the world of finance and corporate leadership, Mellody Hobson stands as a beacon of excellence and a role model for aspiring professionals. An investor, businesswoman and financial educator, Hobson is a former chair at companies like Starbucks and Dreamworks, TED Talk frequent-flier, and importantly the president and co-CEO of Ariel Investments. With a career spanning decades, she has redefined what it means to be a Black leader in the investment world while championing diversity and inclusion at every step. But Hobson’s journey to becoming one of the most influential businesswomen in America is as inspiring as it is groundbreaking. Early Life And Education: Foundations Of Success Born in Chicago in 1969, Hobson grew up in modest circumstances, raised by a single mother who instilled in her the importance of hard work and education. Hobson excelled academically and eventually earned a full scholarship to Princeton University, where she graduated with a degree in Public and...
Technology has undeniably transformed the world as we know it. However, rapper-turned-entrepreneur, filmmaker, comedian, and more, Clifford “Tip” Harris, emphasizes that no matter how far innovation advances, it can never replace the human emotions that ignite creativity. During the 2024 AFROTECH™ Conference, Harris took the Innovation Stage to discuss technological advancements and how he has remained authentic to himself and the community he has served for over two decades. When he first arrived on the scene in 1996, he befriended fellow Atlanta rapper Big Kuntry King, selling mixtapes out of the trunk of their cars in hopes of making it big. Initially, he was known to the world as Tip before changing his stage name to T.I. Today, aside from music, his portfolio includes filmmaking, restaurateur, and more. As one of the trailblazers of trap music, he is also the founder of Atlanta’s Trap Music Museum, an interactive cultural space that celebrates the history, evolution, and impact...
Issa Rae transformed her online presence from an “awkward Black girl” to a media mogul with several hit series. Now, she’s channeling her success into empowering the next generation of creators, helping them forge their own paths in the industry. As shared in a press release, the award-winning actress, writer, and producer’s management firm, ColorCreative, which promotes women and minority talent, has partnered with Tubi to launch Stubios. The program will help five creative teams develop debut projects that will premiere on the streaming platform. ColorCreative will provide mentorship, while Tubi will fund the productions, according to TubeFilter. “I am deeply passionate about creating pathways to sustainable careers into Hollywood for creatives of diverse backgrounds,” Issa Rae previously said in a statement. “We at ColorCreative are thrilled to see Tubi taking this important and bold step, and we’re excited to support and guide Stubios creatives on their first long-form...
If you have even a passive interest in sports, professional fighting , or mixed martial arts, you’re undoubtedly aware of the UFC, which shattered records in 2023 as the largest MMA promotion in the world. The entity, whose title is short for Ultimate Fighting Championship, is one of the largest subsidiaries of Endeavor Group Holdings, which owns such massive companies as the Asylum Entertainment Group, TKO Group Holdings, and Professional Bull Riders. As of 2024, the UFC has ballooned its market capital to record highs , and run more than 700 events worldwide. According to BetMGM , the UFC is currently valued at a net worth of over $12 billion, with expectations to continue growing as the years carry on. Given that the outlet is so successful, it only makes sense that we perform a deep dive into the history and financial security of the business. Any entity which balloons from a humble MMA showcase to a multi-billion industry in the span of just 30 years is absolutely worth...
By capitalizing on her status as a leading beauty influencer, Jackie Aina has built the foundation for a prosperous business empire. How It Started Aina, a Nigerian-American born in California’s San Gabriel Valley, came from humbling beginnings. BuzzFeed News mentions she has six siblings, with an even split between brothers and sisters. She recalls “growing up with nothing” at times, bouncing around shelters with her mother and siblings. “Growing up, I had no leverage, I had no rich uncle,” she said, per the outlet. “We got kicked out of a shelter, we couldn’t get to another one quick enough. And when you’re a mom of seven, It’s not easy.” To change her outcome, Aina studied medicine at the California State University, Business Insider reported. That route did not pan out for Aina, and she made the decision to serve in the Army in 2008, after being convinced by her then-boyfriend. They would marry — although they later divorce — and she moved to Hawaii to live with him where she...
Although in no rush to become a billionaire, 50 Cent is following Tyler Perry’s blueprint. Both entrepreneurs have their own studios, which house their current and future projects and create jobs that benefit the surrounding communities and beyond. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Perry, a self-made billionaire, relied on his earnings to fund a 330-acre studio in Atlanta, GA, which opened its doors in 2008. “That’s why ‘Sistas,’ ‘The Oval,’ ‘Ruthless,’ and ‘Zatima’ — soon to come — All these shows on BET are doing so well, because I had us,” Perry said during Invest Fest 2023. “So, I haven’t been in a position where I’ve had to use private equity or money like that.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tyler Perry Studios (@tylerperrystudios) Today, Tyler Perry Studios grants him greater creative freedoms through its built-in features that include 12 sound stages — available to rent — and various staged sets such as baseball fields, a chapel, a bank, a county jail, a...
Tyler Perry opened the world’s largest Black-owned studio, not just to build his own legacy but to empower others to create theirs. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, he self-funded Tyler Perry Studios to launch in Atlanta, GA, in 2008. I t’s now reportedly worth $280 million and serves as both a hub for his creative projects and a welcoming space for other filmmakers seeking to rent its stages and spaces. His ambition to succeed and help others is driven by his great-grandfather, who was enslaved, NBC News reports. “I’m on the wave that they set in motion,” he told the outlet. “So I feel like I’m supposed to live well. I feel like I’m supposed to have everything that I want. Not just for me, but for everyone who didn’t get it. …It’s not just about what I’m doing,” Perry told NBC News. “It’s also about all the people that’s affected.” Perry’s vision has manifested in several ways. His workforce is 99% Black and also includes a population of those who were formerly incarcerated and...
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been the bedrock of Black communities since the founding of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, which is credited as the nation’s first HBCU. Since then, hundreds more HBCUs have been founded with the intent of serving Black students during times of deep segregation and racism. Although the world has become more progressive since then, the need for these institutions has proven to be vital community pillars — not just for Black students but for the world. With notable alums like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Kamala Harris, Toni Morrison, Stacey Abrams, and Thurgood Marshall from various HBCUs, these institutions produce noteworthy people who impact the world across different industries. Every year, the U.S. News & World Report releases a list of the nation’s top colleges and universities. The publication also ranks HBCUs according to a specific methodology that uses “quantitative and qualitative measures that education experts...
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are one of the strongest forces in Black culture. Originally created due to Black students being shut out of white academic spaces, these institutions not only educated young adults, but also served as a space for community, networking and instilling cultural pride at a time when being Black in America was significantly harder than it is today. Today, there are 107 HBCUs scattered across the US , with over 228,000 students enrolled in them. Most people are aware of the longstanding schools like Howard University, Spelman College , Morehouse College, and Tuskegee University, but there are countless more across the North and South . And while these schools focus on their academics, the student body also enjoys the social aspect. From homecoming celebrations to a rich Divine Nine community, there’s plenty to do to connect with fellow HBCU students, alumni, and faculty. The school year may be technically over for most colleges right...