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Nicole Byer talks about “magical negroes” and refuses to change the code

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Nicole Byer attends the fifty fifth NAACP Image Awards at the Hollywood Palladium on March 14, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

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Nicole Byer is literally bringing her own brand of dark girl magic to the screen along with her latest role as the proverbial HNIC from .

Byer stars in the acclaimed satirical comedy through which Aren (Justice Smith) and his mentor Roger (David Alan Grier) navigate a secret society of black people gifted with magical powers whose entire lives are devoted to keeping white people comfortable. Based on the media trope of the “magic Negro” – a term coined by Spike Lee – which depicts black characters playing second banana or right hand to white characters who need their help to be their best selves (think Michael Clarke Duncan in , Will Smith in , or Jennifer Hudson in the first film), the film takes this idea and asks what happens if we just give attention to ourselves as a substitute?

We caught up with Byer just before the film’s March 15 premiere to talk all things magical, showing up in person, and why she doesn’t want to undo code-switching in real life or on screen.

BEING: When the titled script got here across your desk, what did you’re thinking that? What about the plot made you say yes?

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Cities: Honestly, the name could be very polarizing. I assumed to myself, “What is this?” I do not know if people know that it’s based on a trope in film and television, the magical trope of the Negro, where there’s often a best friend or a clever black man who helps the white hero on his hero’s journey.

I actually like what Kobi {Libii, author and director} created by taking a movie trope and then wrapping it in a love story. I assumed it was so clever and smart. When I read this, I assumed, “Oh shit, this really resonates with me!” While this just isn’t a story about a black woman – it’s a story about a biracial man – but about how he finds his voice and the ability to speak up for himself and defend himself. I believe everyone can find themselves on this.

Nicole Byer talks about

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 13: Nicole Byer attends the New York screening of “The American Society of Magical Negroes” at Metrograph on March 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Speaking of this magical Negro trope, while the film is satirical and literally portrays this idea, the idea of ​​carrying the pressure to make white society comfortable with our presence is something very real to a lot of us every day. Is this something that has shown itself to you in real life, especially working on this industry?

In industry? Yes! There’s an countless string of best friends bits where you possibly can’t be the major character; where people of color turn into character actors fairly than major characters. Code-switching is something we do to make white people feel more comfortable.

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I sound the way I do, and people were like, “Oh, you sound white” or whatever. But I never felt the need to code-switch to turn into a stereotypical black man [for the media]. I’ve had people ask me this in auditions, and I believe it’s sort of funny – not sort of funny – because Black people usually are not a monolith. There are many Black individuals who sound like me and we deserve representation.

Nicole Byer talks about

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Nicole Byer attends the NAACP Image Awards Dinner at the Hollywood Palladium on March 14, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for the NAACP)

For those that have not seen the movie yet, tell us about Dede.

Dede is the head of the American Society of Magical Negroes and wants to maintain the establishment. Helping white people gives us power and that is what she’s all about. When that is questioned, he gets upset and upset.

I feel like this speaks to something greater: some black people don’t mind accommodating white people and making white people feel more comfortable. I believe we’d like to shake up the establishment. We need to shake things up a bit. Otherwise, how will all our stories be told if nobody goes in there and tells people who our stories need to be told? I mean not only entertainment, but life generally.

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In this role you might be essentially commanding David Alan Greir, the comedy legend all of us grew up watching. What was it like working with him on this project?

David Alan Greir is really amazing. It was a dream for me to have the opportunity to share the screen with him or have him acknowledge me, and he’s so insightful, wonderful and wonderful. In the breaks we talked about comedy and stuff, really, it was amazing. He is an icon.

Nicole Byer talks about

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 13: Julia Lebedev, Kobi Libii, Justice Smith, An-Li Bogan, Nicole Byer and David Alan Grier attend the New York screening of “The American Society of Magical Negroes” at Metrograph on March 13, 2024 New York City of York. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

I’m sure you saw when the trailer first hit the web there was quite a lot of response online and now that it has hit the box office there was much more. What conclusion do you’re thinking that viewers should draw from this?

I believe the takeaway needs to be a way of empowerment, a way that your life matters. Your voice matters. Your thoughts matter. And talking about it could be scary, but it is going to enable you in the end. This will relieve you and make you’re feeling more comfortable. I never truthfully said what I assumed and then regretted it.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com

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Minnesota Lynx, Nafiesa Collier, joins the WNBA Jordan Brand – AndScape list

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Jordan Brand officially signed the 4-time WnBA All-Star Nafiesa Collier, today announced the company. This announcement coincides with the Tipoff of the WNBA 2025 season.

Collier, the prevailing defensive player of the 12 months, and second place in the MVP race last season, still strengthens his place as one in all the most talented league stars. In addition to W can also be a co -founder of unparalleled, the latest 3 × 3 basketball league, which goals to lift the rim of girls.

“Attaching to the Jordan family, I am now part of the legacy, which consistently defined what is possible in basketball,” said Collier in a press release. “This partnership seems particularly significant since it combines my results on the pitch with influence that goes far beyond the game itself.

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“When young girls see this cult figure, I want them to inspire them to aim higher than they think. It is an honor to help achieve a tradition that smoothly combines the athletic size with cultural importance.”

Minnesota Lynx Nafiesa Collier can be a number one face for Jordan in WNBA.

Jordan Brand

“Attaching to the Jordan family, I am now part of the legacy, which consistently defined what is possible in basketball,” said Collier.

Jordan Brand

Collier earlier signed a contract with Nike in 2020, which included each footwear and clothing. During her stick with Nike, she wore several models and debuted Exclusive colours for a lot of KD15 players in 2022

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Her signing of Jordan appears when the brand refreshes its women’s basketball composition amongst the popularity of WNBA. Current athletes from Jordan are comparable to Rhyne Howard, Kia Nurse and Jordin Canada.

“Jordan Brand believes that the current monumental transition in women’s basketball can change the world in a similar way that Michael Jordan did in 1984 and later,” said the company in a press release. “By investing in trailblazers such as Collier, Jordan Brand confirms his commitment to shaping the future of basketball, while crossing cultural borders around the world.”

In the first round in 2019, Collier comes out of the best season with Minnesota Lynx. She obtained a mean of 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 thefts per match, leading the team to the WNBA finals.

Jacob Delawrence is an independent author, podcaster and occasional threat to society. When he doesn’t create, you will discover it in the basketball gym, what the future trains or argue about Wrestling on Twitter, @_jdela.

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This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Bet Awards 2025: Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, Glorilla and more to perform – essence

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Glorilla on the Coachella Valley 2025 music and art festival on April 18, 2025 in Indio, California. (Photo of Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)

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Bet Awards 2025 is preparing for an unforgettable celebration of black musical perfection and culture with the primary wave of performers announced. The hip-hop legend Lil Wayne, Multihyfenate Powerhouse and Black Women in Hollywood Honree Teyana Taylor, Breakout Star Glorilla, Playboi Carti and winner of the Grammy Award Singer and the creator of the lyrics, Leon Thomas, are prepared for the stage on the twenty fifth anniversary night of culture. The event, led by comedian and Kevin Hart’s global sensation, can be broadcast live with Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 20:00 et/

“Let’s pretend to be the tone of the night, which celebrates 25 years of influence, creativity and black culture,” shared by Connie Orlando, vice chairman of special affairs, musical programming and music strategy in Bet. “Thanks to the electrifying performances of one of the greatest musical names and the iconic comedy host” Bet Awards “2025 will be the holiday of everything that culture represents.”

Bet Awards 2025: Lil Wayne, Teyana Taylor, Glorilla and more to perform
AJ (on the left) and freed from charge, co -host Bet “106 & Park” at NFL Experience at Super Bowl XXXVI in Nowy Orleana, La., 2/2/02. Photo of Frank Micelott/Imredirect.

The performance of Teyana Taylor is already generating a serious noise, since it guarantees that it’ll be an experience for under one night that opposes expectations. Known for her creativity supporting the border and breathtaking stage presence, Taylor may also manage the creative direction in tribute to the twenty fifth anniversary. The beloved Countdown program will return with the unique hosts AJ Calloway, Free Marie Wright, Julissa Bermudez, Keshia Chanté, Rocsi Diaz and Terrence J, that the nostalgic celebration of music and culture. In homage, he has explosive results from Bow Wow, Amerie, B2K, Jim Jones, Mya, Ti and others, reviving energy and influences which have change into black entertainment water stone.

The night may also forged the highlight on this yr’s most significant nominees. Kendrick Lamar runs ten nominations, while the Doechi, Drake, Future and Glorilla strictly follow the six nod. Metro Boomin won five nominations, and Shah and Weeknd won 4 pieces. As the expectations are built, fans also can expect further advertisers’ announcements, special distinctions and the return of Bet Experience 2025 (Betx)-a thinner event of engaging fans from June 5 to June 8.

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Made by Jesse Collins Entertainment, with Connie Orlando, Jamal Noisette, Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeanae Rouzan-Clay, who’re executive producers, Bet Awards 2025 are able to be a orientation point for black music and culture. After Kevin Hart’s characteristic humor established the scene and a suggestion of unforgettable performances, the most important night of culture is prepared to create history again.

At the start of the deduction by June 9, the twenty fifth anniversary of the BET awards guarantees not only performances, but additionally the feast of the legacy and cultural influence – the moment when the past, present and way forward for black music are connected under one roof.

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This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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American basketball player, Jarred Dwayne Shaw, arrested in Indonesia for alleged drug smuggling

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The police said that the American basketball player in the Indonesian league was arrested for the alleged try and smuggle illegal drugs to the country, the police said on Thursday.

The country of Southeast Asia has extremely harsh drugs on drugs, and the convicted smugglers are sometimes performed by the shooting unit.

Jarred Dwayne Shaw, 34, from Dallas in Texas, was arrested on May 7, after the police attacked his apartment in Tangerang Regency, just before the capital, Jakarta, and took 132 pieces of hemp candy, said Ronald Sipayung, head of the police in Soekarno-Hatta.

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Sipayung said that the arrest took place on the side of the customary airport in which Shaw received a suspicious respiratory tract package from Thailand. Sipayung said that cannabis have been decriminated in Thailand since November 2024. As a part of the anti -drust regulations, Indonesia Shaw has change into a life sentence or death sentence whether it is found guilty.

The film circulating on social media allegedly showed Shaw, dressed in a black T -shirt and shorts, based when he’s pushed out by the police and shouting “Help … help!” When he was to be arrested.

Shaw played in several clubs in the Indonesian basketball league since 2022 and signed a contract with Tangerang Hawk last 12 months. According to Sipayung, he told the police throughout the interrogation that he desired to share marijuana sweets with other basketball players.

He said that the candies contained a complete gross mass of 869 grams (30.6 ounces) of the illegal cannabinoid in the package.

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“We are still investigating to discover the international drug network by this matter and stop its distribution,” said Sipayung.

Shaw didn’t terminate any statement when the authorities presented him on Wednesday a press conference in an orange shirt detained and a mask with touched hands.

Tangerang Hawks manager, Tikky Suwantikno, told journalists on Thursday that they regret what was done by Shaw, and the club immediately released him when he violated the contract.

The Indonesian Basketball league banned Shaw to play for life, said its chairman, Budisatrio Djiwandono.

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“We do not tolerate players, administrators or anyone in the field of drugs involved. There is no place for drug users in the world of basketball,” said Djiwandonono.

The United Nations Bureau for drugs and crime claims that Indonesia is the primary hub of drug -modified drug, despite having one in all the closest drugs regarding drugs in the world, partly because international drug syndicates targeted their young population.

About 530 persons are in the death cell in Indonesia, mainly for drug -related crimes, including 96 foreigners, shown by the Ministry of immigration and correction. Recent executions of Indonesia, Indonesians and three foreigners were carried out in July 2016.

Khanan Tales, Duke's basketball star, can be deported in accordance with the new visa policy of Trump

(Tagstranslat) basketball

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This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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