Vanessa Bell News

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.

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.

TV One today announced that production is underway in Atlanta, Georgia for the new film, Dinner For Two, starring R&B sensation and actor Tristan 'Mack' Wilds ('HBO: The Wire', '90210', 'The Secret Life of Bees', and 'Shots Fired'), Chaley Rose ('Nashville'), Prince Hammond ('Claws'), and Shaun Baker ('House Party'). The film is slated to premiere at the end of Summer 2018.

When viewers watch young, upcoming actor David Busby in his debut recurring role on the third season of Bounce TV's sizzling series 'Saints and Sinners,' they are witnessing the passion of a young man who has had his own personal run-in with real life saints and sinners. Working alongside the show's veteran stars, including Vanessa Bell Calloway, Clifton Powell and Keith Robinson, most would never guess that twice in two years, the determined 26-year-old thespian almost lost his life to street gun violence.  

The much-anticipated third season of the hit drama series Saints & Sinners will debut on Bounce on Sunday, April 8, with new episodes premiering every Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) through the season finale on May 27. Watch a sneak peek here. And all hell breaks loose in season three.

The 36 th Annual McDonald's Gospelfest comes to Newark Symphony Hall (1030 Broad Street, Newark, NJ) on Saturday, May 12th for the gospel event of the year. This year will feature a stellar line-up of gospel artists including Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Jekalyn Carr, VaShawn Mitchell, Le'Andria Johnson, Wes Morgan, Cissy Houston, Melba Moore, and Keith 'Wonderboy' Johnson. McDonald's Gospelfest tickets are on sale now at the Symphony Hall Box Office at 973-643-8014, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired North American TVOD rights to award-winning producer Tommy Oliver (Kinyarwanda, 1982, The Perfect Guy) and co-creator Codie Elaine Oliver's touching 4-part documentary series BLACK LOVE. Breaking Glass acquired rights to the series in August in a deal negotiated between Breaking Glass CEO Rich Wolff and Tommy Oliver of Confluential Films. BLACK LOVE will be available on Amazon Instant on December 22.

Breaking Glass Pictures has acquired North American TVOD rights to award-winning producer Tommy Oliver (Kinyarwanda, 1982, The Perfect Guy) and co-creator Codie Elaine Oliver's touching 4-part documentary series BLACK LOVE. Breaking Glass acquired rights to the series in August in a deal negotiated between Breaking Glass CEO Rich Wolff and Tommy Oliver of Confluential Films. BLACK LOVE will be available on Amazon Instant on December 22.

Docu-series BLACK LOVE highlights love stories from the Black community and seeks to answer the question, “What does it take to make a marriage work?” “Black Love” pulls back the curtain on how love begins while showing the reality of what life-long love looks like, and offers proof that while it can happen for everyone, it isn't a cakewalk.

Today, Starz announced the highly-anticipated Season Four return of critically-acclaimed STARZ Original comedy series SURVIVOR'S REMORSE on Sunday, August 20th at 10PM ET/PT.

Today, Starz announced the highly-anticipated Season Four return of critically-acclaimed STARZ Original comedy series SURVIVOR'S REMORSE on Sunday, August 20th at 10PM ET/PT.

Jammins Events presents the T.J. Hemphill powerful stage play, 'Perilous Times' at Brooklyn's Kings Theatre.