Tag: BLK Interviews

Author Dan Taylor joined BLK News Now! to discuss his new book on the life and legacy of legendary NFL player Kenny Washington, the first Black athlete to join the NFL in 1946 during segregation. Washington was not only a heralded athlete on the football field, he was also a talented baseball player and even had a short-lived legacy in Hollywood after his sports career came to an early end. "Walking Alone: The Untold Journey of Football Pioneer Kenny Washington," which was released in July, gives an eye-opening look into the life of a man who paved the way for Black American athletes. The book is currently available on Amazon and Kindle, and can be found here. 

Before becoming a New York-based real estate mogul, Jude Bernard's chosen path was initially working for Verizon as a technician. After graduating from St. John's University, he had an opportunity to work at Goldman Sachs but turned it down for a better starting salary with Verizon. The position left Bernard stressed out and unfulfilled, but a happenstance decision to supplement his income through real estate became one of the best decisions he made, earning him an income that surpassed his Verizon salary. But Bernard's journey wasn't all rainbows. He was still caught up in a gambling addiction he didn't kick until 2004, and later had to overcome the hurdles of the 2008 recession. Now, with his financial struggles and addictions behind him, Bernard is looking forward, helping und...

Executive Producer Paul Forbes, a former educator with New York City schools, and Producer/Director Stacey Dewitt joined BLK News Now! to discuss their documentary "Defining US: Children at the Crossroads of Change," which was released Aug. 23, 2022. The eye-opening project shares frank conversations about race and what role it can play in academic achievement. The creators hope the documentary will be a tool for educators and administrators to help create a space where there can be constructive dialogue about how race in America, particularly for students of color, impacts their ability to succeed in school. "Defining US: Children at the Crossroads of Change" is the first of a series of documentaries Forbes and Dewitt plan to release. For more information about the documentary and the ...

Dominique Frank, known to many as the "Archduchess of Divinity," has overcome tremendous obstacles and continues to inspire. After being falsely accused of murder and jailed for nearly four years, Dominique found her calling at her family's church. After becoming Pastor of Refuge Christian Center COGIC in Altadena, California with her husband Walter alongside her, Dominique's resiliency and commitment to God helped her accomplish many feats. In her gospel singing career, Dominique's song "Cry Out" became a viral hit and reached Number 31 on the Billboard Top 200 Gospel chart. She also hosts her own radio show, and plans to engage in more community outreach with her church and develop a ministry for incarcerated men and women. In an interview with BLK News Now!, Dominique shared her ...

Emmy winner Diahnna Nicole Baxter joined BLK News Now! to discuss her journey through Hollywood and road to personal healing. The actress/director/producer won an Emmy Award as co-creator of the web series “SATACRACY 88,” which was released in 2006 — helping pioneer digital storytelling. Baxter, a Duke University graduate who majored in African American Studies, has appeared in many television and film projects over the span of more than 20 years, appearing most recently in “American Crime Story,” “A House Divided,” and “The Terminal List.” She discussed with BNN how life coaching found her, the importance of women embracing sensuality, as well as the challenges she has faced as a Black woman before her career in Hollywood, and how “ruthless storytelling” has helped her heal. ...

Brandon Miree made a name for himself on the gridiron with a career in the NFL, after playing college football at the University of Pittsburgh. Miree was drafted to the Denver Broncos in 2004 and the Green Bay Packers in 2006 -- but it was just his start of a career in the spotlight. Miree has taken his talents off of the field toward an unlikely path in Hollywood as a writer, producer and director. His most recent project, "Black in Hollywood," is an eye-opening docu-series he directed that chronicles the struggles and accomplishments of Black creatives in their own words about working behind the scenes in Hollywood. Miree joined BLK News Now! to discuss his love of writing, the filmmaking process, how "Black in Hollywood" came to fruition, why it's important to explore Black st...