Vanessa Bell News

In anticipation of the all-new, season four of Saints & Sinners premiering Sunday, July 7, Bounce -- the only emerging broadcast - or 'multicast' - television network producing original scripted content – will air the first three seasons of the hit original drama series on Sunday nights with two back-to-back episodes at 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 pm (ET) weekly beginning Sunday, April 14.

Bounce, the only emerging broadcast - or 'multicast' - television network producing original scripted series, announced today that Saints & Sinnershas been renewed for a fourth season, to premiere in the summer of 2019. 

SHOWTIME has released the series premiere of its new comedy BLACK MONDAY early across multiple platforms. The series stars and is executive produced by Emmy® nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Don Cheadle and stars two-time Tony Award nominee and Grammy® winner Andrew Rannells (Girls) and Regina Hall (Girls Trip). Screen Actors Guild® Award winner Paul Scheer (Veep) also stars. BLACK MONDAY was created by David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend's Girl), who serve as executive producers and showrunners. Emmy nominees Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Superbad, Future Man) are executive producers and directed the pilot. The premiere episode is available for free now on YouTube, Facebook and SHO.com.  The 10-episode series will premiere on Sunday, January 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME.

SHOWTIME has released the official poster and a new teaser for its upcoming comedy series BLACK MONDAY. The series stars and is executive produced by Emmy® nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Don Cheadle and stars two-time Tony Award nominee and Grammy® winner Andrew Rannells (Girls) and Regina Hall (Girls Trip). Screen Actors Guild® Award winner Paul Scheer (Veep) also stars. BLACK MONDAY was created by David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend's Girl), who serve as executive producers and showrunners. Emmy nominees Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Superbad, Future Man) are executive producers and directed the pilot. The 10-episode series will premiere on Sunday, January 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Today, In the Softest Way, the debut solo album from multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist and songwriter, Carvin Winans, is available for pre-order via all major digital providers.

SHOWTIME has unveiled the official trailer for its new comedy series BLACK MONDAY on the 31st anniversary of the worst stock market crash in the history of Wall Street, dubbed "Black Monday." The series stars and is executive produced by Emmy® nominated and Golden Globe winning actor Don Cheadle and stars two-time Tony Award nominee and Grammy® winner Andrew Rannells (Girls) and Regina Hall (Girls Trip). Paul Scheer (The League) also stars. BLACK MONDAY was created by David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend's Girl), who will serve as executive producers and showrunners. Emmy nominees Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Superbad, Future Man) are executive producers and directed the pilot. The 10-episode series will premiere on Sunday, January 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. To watch and share the trailer for BLACK MONDAY, go to: https://youtu.be/G2u4nCtyBCo.

The new SHOWTIME comedy BLACK MONDAY is adding to its guest star lineup with Emmy®and two-time Oscar® nominee Bruce Dern (Big Love), Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) and Horatio Sanz (Saturday Night Live, Glow) signing on, along with Julie Hagerty (Airplane, Instant Family), Vanessa Bell Calloway (SHAMELESS, Saints & Sinners), Tim Russ (iCarly) and Jason Michael Snow (Book of Mormon). The 10-episode series is executive produced and stars Emmy® nominated and Golden Globe® winning actor Don Cheadle and stars two-time Tony® Award nominee and Grammy® winner Andrew Rannells (Girls) and Regina Hall (Girls Trip). Paul Scheer (The League) also stars. Creators David Caspe (Happy Endings)and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend's Girl) serve as executive producers and showrunners. Emmy nominees Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Superbad) are executive producers and directed the pilot. Currently in production, BLACK MONDAY will premiere in January.

Janelle Monae has landed two film roles, according to Variety. Monae is joining the voice cast of 'UglyDolls' and the cast of 'Harriet.'

Today, multi-GRAMMY® Award winning recording artist and songwriter, Carvin Winans, released a new single entitled “Once in a Lifetime”. The song, which is available via all major digital providers, is the first track from Winans' debut solo album, In The Softest Way, which will release at the top of 2019.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women and the statistics further reveal that African American women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer. According to Susan G. Komen Foundation, African-American women are almost 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women in the U.S. and in some cities, that number is as high as 74 percent*. Today, BET Networks announces its national, multi-platform call-to-action campaign, BET GOES PINK, dedicated to raising awareness, encouraging early detection and initiating dialogue about the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the black community. The Network's integrated approach includes BET Her's first original film “HER ONLY CHOICE”, the second annual “BET HER FIGHTS BREAST CANCER” hosted by comedian and talk show host Loni Love, original PSAs and more.

UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION has moved up its theatrical release date to Sept. 14, 2018. The film follows the second half of Laura Hillenbrand's New York Times best-selling book,Unbroken. It tells the inspiring and powerful Louis “Louie” Zamperini's post-World War II story and his struggle to find peace and forgiveness after his ruthless treatment as a Japanese prisoner of war. In theaters nationwide Sept. 14, 2018.

TV One announced today that production is underway in Atlanta, GA on a new original holiday film, Coins For Christmas. Starring Essence Atkins ('Marlon,' 'Are We There Yet?'), Coins For Christmas tells the story of single mother, Madison Morris, who is struggling to make ends meet - just two weeks before Christmas. A chance encounter leads her on a new path. Atkins stars opposite Stephen Bishop ('Imposters,' 'Being Mary Jane'), who plays Alec Darby, a former pro athlete who is also not doing well financially. The film is slated to premiere on TV One in December.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today it has renewed for a second season its hit romantic drama series “Love Is___” from award-winning producers Mara Brock Akil (“Being Mary Jane,” “The Game,” “Girlfriends”) and Salim Akil (“Black Lightning”). The Akils created and executive produced the series through their company Akil Productions, in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television. Brock Akil serves as the series' showrunner, as well as director for the pilot and upcoming season finale episode (Tuesday, August 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT).

UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION has moved up its theatrical release date to Sept. 14, 2018. The film follows the second half of Laura Hillenbrand's New York Times best-selling book,Unbroken. It tells the inspiring and powerful Louis "Louie" Zamperini's post-World War II story and his struggle to find peace and forgiveness after his ruthless treatment as a Japanese prisoner of war. In theaters nationwide Sept. 14, 2018.

In September of 2015, when Tony F. Sias was appointed as President and CEO of Karamu, the country's oldest African-American theatre, the organization was at its lowest point. In financial trouble, having slipped in the quality of its arts programs and seemingly rudderless, the future looked bleak.

OWN announced today its new original one-hour romantic drama from award-winning producers Mara Brock Akil ('Being Mary Jane,' 'The Game,' 'Girlfriends') and Salim Akil ('Black Lightning') will premiere today, June 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (after Tyler Perry's 'The Haves and the Have Nots at 9 p.m. ET/PT). Brock Akil serves as showrunner on the series, which she and Akil created and executive produce through their company Akil Productions, in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television.

JoyFest at Carowinds has been delivering a Gospel celebration every spring for 25 years with some of the best names in the industry. More than 9,500 people attended the 25th anniversary event. Celebrating its silver anniversary on May 26, 2018, JoyFest-NC hosted award-winning Gospel greats - Fred Hammond, Tye Tribbett, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Anthony Brown & Group Therapy and break-out sibling group - The Walls Group. Gospel sensation VaShawn Mitchell and 6-year-old worship leaderCaleb Seranno made guest appearances as well, while comedian Bone Hampton carried on his tradition by serving as emcee for the day.

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey's heart and creative instincts inform the brand – and the magnetism of the channel. Winfrey provides leadership in original scripted and unscripted programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable. Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection. And endless possibilities. OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications. The network debuted on January 1, 2011. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com. Access OWN anytime, anywhere on WatchOWN.tv or across mobile devices and connected TVs.

Michele Weaver (“Illicit”) and Will Catlett (“Black Lightning”) star in OWN's new romantic drama “Love Is__,” from award-winning producers Mara Brock Akil (“Girlfriends,” Being Mary Jane,” “The Game”) and Salim Akil (“Black Lightning”). Set primarily in 1990's Los Angeles against the backdrop of Black Hollywood, “Love Is__” follows Nuri (Michele Weaver) and Yasir (Will Catlett), a couple from seemingly opposite worlds, as they chase their dreams and learn to follow their hearts. Told from the perspective of the couple's present-day selves, the romantic drama also revisits the social issues and vibrant black culture of that time reflecting on how it all aligned to shape the couple they have become nearly 20 years later -- a power couple navigating a complex set of social codes while also balancing successful careers and a beautiful family. Drawing inspiration from creators Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil's own relationship journey, the series explores the highs, the lows, and the magic of falling (and staying) in love.

OWN announced today its new original one-hour romantic drama from award-winning producers Mara Brock Akil ('Being Mary Jane,' 'The Game,' 'Girlfriends') and Salim Akil ('Black Lightning') will premiere on Tuesday, June 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT (after Tyler Perry's 'The Haves and the Have Nots at 9 p.m. ET/PT). Brock Akil serves as showrunner on the series, which she and Akil created and executive produce through their company Akil Productions, in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television.