Yolonda Ross News

Guest stars for season six include Emmy winner Lynn Whitfield, Jill Marie Jones, Kandi Burruss, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Jason Weaver, Iman Shumpert, Nia Jervier, L'lerrét Jazelle, Hannaha Hall, Ahmad Ferguson, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, and more. Watch the video teaser!

The nonprofit Black Arts & Culture Alliance of Chicago has announced the winners of its 23rd Annual Black Excellence Awards, honored Monday night in a festive celebration at Black Ensemble Theater. Learn more about the winners here!

Created and executive produced by Emmy® winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner (Twenties, Master of None) and executive produced by Academy Award® and Emmy winner Common (Selma), THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago.

Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner (Twenties, Master of None) and executive produced by Academy Award and Emmy winner Common (Selma), THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago. Watch the video trailer now!

Season six cast includes Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James and Curtiss Cook. Plus, Kandi Burruss, Vic Mensa, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Jason Weaver, Iman Shumpert, Nia Jervier, L’lerrét Jazelle, Hannaha Hall, Ahmad Ferguson, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, and more.

Congo Square Theatre Company (Congo Square) has announced the latest iteration of its Celebration of Healing programming initiative, to be held in conjunction with the World Premiere of How Blood Go by Cleveland-based playwright Lisa Langford, presented at Steppenwolf's 1700 Theater.

Congo Square Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of How Blood Go by Cleveland-based playwright Lisa Langford, a provocative – and wholly topical – story of two family members who are subject to medical experiments without their consent, 50 years apart.

Among the members who signed the statement of support for the CROWN Act are Audra McDonald, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Kerry Washington, and dozens of other performers. In the letter, members assert, “Discrimination based on hair style or texture is a destructive practice that has alienated and caused irreparable harm to Black Americans.” 

SHOWTIME has picked up the hit drama series THE CHI for a sixth season. Created and executive produced by Emmy® winner Lena Waithe (Twenties, Boomerang) and executive produced by Academy Award® and Emmy winner Common (Selma), THE CHI is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago.

AMERICAN GIGOLO follows Julian Kaye (Bernthal) after his wrongful conviction release from 15 years in prison as he navigates his complicated relationships with his former lover Michelle (Gretchen Mol, Boardwalk Empire), his troubled mother, and the people who betrayed him. Watch the trailer for the new series now!

Today, The Bentonville Film Festival unveiled their distinguished Competition Jury, singularly dedicated to inclusive representation in media and entertainment. The festival, produced by the BFFoundation and chaired by Academy Award-winning Actor Geena Davis, will take place in-person June 22-26 and virtually June 22-July 3. The illustrious group of jurors is composed of award-winning producers, directors, actors and authors, including actor Yolonda Ross, film and television producer Bird Runningwater, actor Shohreh Aghdashloo, writer and filmmaker Justine Bateman, among others. The Festival is sponsored by Founding Partner, Walmart and Presenting Partner Coca-Cola. 

Watch the new trailer now for this season on THE CHI which delves deeply into the many joys and complications of Black love: relationships, children, career, community and self. Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Tiff (Hannaha Hall) forge ahead as co-parents, while Tiff grows closer with Rob (Iman Shumpert).

Season five cast includes Jacob Latimore (Like a Boss), Alex Hibbert (Moonlight), Yolonda Ross (Treme), Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James and Curtiss Cook (West Side Story). Kandi Burruss, La La Anthony, Jason Weaver and Iman Shumpert are set to return as guest stars.

The Gotham Film & Media Institute (The Gotham)  announced the winners of the 31st Annual Gotham Awards at a ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on November 29.

The organizers behind the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival have revealed their acclaimed 2021 jury. Thirty-two judges will determine over 30 HollyShorts coveted awards including which three will move on to be qualified for Oscar gold.

On September 23rd, the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival will once again host a star-studded Opening Night celebration. Attendees of the in-person ceremony will witness short film premieres from Academy Award-winning alumni and Hollywood heavyweights. Kicking off the 17th annual festival will be a special screening from Film Independent and Netflix Film Club.

The fourth season, which just aired its finale last night, is averaging 4.2 million weekly viewers and is on pace to become the most-streamed SHOWTIME series ever. 

The Oscar-Qualifying HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL is returning in a major way for its 17th edition. Today, the festival organizers have announced the dates for this year's short film extravaganza, which has emerged as one of the world's biggest and most prestigious short film festivals.

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to raise the needed funds and has already raised $45,000.00 of the $75,000.00 goal.

Season four of THE CHI, Season three of BLACK MONDAY and the debut season of FLATBUSH MISDEMEANORS will officially premiere on SHOWTIME on Sunday, May 23.