Snoop Dogg, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, KeKe Wyatt and more to perform at the 2018 Gospel Stellar Awards in Vegas

March 9, 2018March 9, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Article by Jovanna Reyes www.jovannareyes.com Instagram@jovannareyesphotography
Photos supplied by JL Media PR for the Gospel Stellar Awards 2018

This year’s 2018 Gospel Stellar Awards, www.TheStellarAwards.com, produced by Don Jackson, will be hosted by Kirk Franklin at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The show, tickets are available to the public, will air on TV ONE, Friday, March 30th at 9PM ET/8PM CT. Snoop Dogg will perform gospel songs from his new album “Bible of Love”with Tye Tribbett and after six years, sisters Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell will reunite to perform as Mary Mary. Tasha Page Lockhart Cece Winans Keke Wyatt and more talented artists will grace the stage once again. One of the many highlights of the evening will be the Red Carpet coverage by Internet sensation and comedian, Karlton Humes, aka NotKarltonBanks.

Honoree Tamela Mann is this year’s recipient of the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the genre of gospel. Mrs. Mann was formerly with Kirk Franklin and the Family before having a successful career in acting. Mrs. Mann can be seen in many Tyler Perry productions and presently stars in “Mann and Wife” with her husband, David Mann.

David and Tamela Mann_preview — TAMELA MANN AND DAVID MANN

JJ Hairston by E GIBSON_preview (1) — JJ HAIRSTON

For more information visit www.StellarAwards.com. Follow the Stellar Awards @thestellars and #stellarawards to stay updated on the three day event.

Synergy Global Forum with Sir Richard Branson, Robin Wright, Guy Kawasaki and influencers in tech, business and social media.

March 7, 2018March 7, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

This past weekend was a tidal wave of information at the Synergy Global Forum in New York City. All the speakers, from Guy Kawasaki to Richard Branson, had a golden nugget to share on entrepreneurship and life lessons. The weekend started off with ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ author, Guy Kawasaki, an Apple enthusiast and Venture capitalist. He was followed by panel discussions and talks with top influencers, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists like Gary Vaynerchuk, Jack Welch, Robin Wright, Steve Forbes, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Malcolm Gladwell, Ray Kurzweil, Jimmy Wales, and Kimberly Guilfoyle. In other words, the functioning top ten percent that are running the world in science, tech and influence.

Richard Branson explained how he came to become such a successful and fearless CEO. He blames his mother for it. He said he had to do a lot to impress her. Most impressive fact is the future space giant, he revealed his moon jet is the only one designed with wheels for easier landing. It gives passengers the opportunity to land on earth without using a parachute and into the sea.

PD100 — Panel Discussion with Jesse Kirshbaum, Bonin Bough, Gerard Adams and Billie Whitehouse.

Video: Red Carpet BTS of Black Panther’s ‘Welcome to Wakanda’ NYFW 2018 Presentation

February 22, 2018November 28, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

The red carpet was resplendent in color, textiles and gold. Many celebrities wore African inspired clothing with red being the favored color. Lupita Nyongo wore Cushnie Et Ochs with jewelry by Douriaen Fletcher. Chadwick Boseman was casual with garments by Fear of God. The striking Danai Gurira wore a red dress with gold embellishments by Lois Kelly. Zinzi Evans wore a black ruffled dress by Temperley London.

VIDEO:Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Evans and more celebs grace the “Black Panther” Red Carpet for Save the Children

February 22, 2018February 22, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Maxwell, Tamron Hall, Susan L. Taylor and Michael Eric Dyson honor the legendary Cicely Tyson, Tarana Burke and Rev. Barber II

January 31, 2018January 31, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Photos/Videos and article by: Jovanna Reyes www.jovannareyes.com

The Grammys 2018 week ended with a celebration for acclaimed activist and actress, Cicely Tyson and to help raise funds for the National Cares Mentoring Movement. Created by Editor Emeritus of Essence Magazine, Susan L. Taylor, soon after the Katrina storm in 2006, the Cares Movement recruits and trains Black adults to mentor children in need and in crisis. The national organization has grown exponentially in just a few years. Visit www.caresmentoring.org for more information on how to volunteer and donate.

The audience was treated to the gracefulness of beautiful ballerinas from Ms. Tyson’s namesake school, the Cicely Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts located in East Orange, N.J. The gala was hosted by Tamron Hall(journalist) and Michael Eric Dyson(Professor and author) with singer Maxwell serenading the audience.

The gala also honored Tarana Burke(creator of #MeToo movement) and Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, whose speeches were moving and inspired the crowd to extend themselves beyond their comfort zone to make a difference and help those in need.

Many celebrities graced the red carpet and supported the Cares Gala with their presence and donations. Monifah(singer/R&B Divas), Roland Martin(journalist), Judge Mablean, Sunny Hostin(The View), Jussie Smollett(Empire), Debra Lee(BET) and many more.

Please visit http://www.caresmentoring.org or their social media @cares_mentoring.

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Vintage@Intermezzo, Jacob Javits, NYC

January 14, 2018January 14, 2018 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Article/Video/Photos by Jovanna Reyes www.jovannareyes.com

January 7th-9th, UBM Fashion introduced a second season of Vintage@Intermezzo at Jacob Javits, NYC. Les Femmes Vintage NYC, Another Man’s Treasure and Muneca Mullins Studio were just a few of the many vintage apparel exhibitors to share their designs and curated treasures. If vintage accessories and handbags are your vice, Bella Bag of Atlanta, GA, featured an extensive selection of “pre-loved” luxury vintage items to choose from. Their 13-point inspection guarantees authenticity and the best quality.

Check out our video interviews with several featured vintage vendors answering the question, “Why Vintage?”. Vintage@Intermezzo is open to the public with ticket purchase and free to exhibitors and retailers.

OWN’s Queen Sugar premiere at Urbanworld Film Festival in NYC

September 29, 2017September 29, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

The Urbanworld Film Festival, held at the AMC Empire theater in Times Square, NYC, premiered the midseason of OWN’s Queen Sugar. The red carpet featured cast members, Rutina Wesley, Kofi Siriboe, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Ava DuVernay and director Julie Dash. The screening was followed by a Q&A. moderated by author Michaela Angela Davis.

Queen Sugar cast at the Urbanworld Film Festival 2017 — The cast of OWN Network’s “Queen Sugar” with Director Julie Dash and Ava DuVernay.

Urbanworld Film Festival’s Director, Gabrielle Glore and Ava DuVernay

Director of Queen Sugar Julie Dash and Ava DuVernay

Michaela Angela Davis, Moderator of Queen Sugar’s midseason Premiere Q&A

More photos of the red carpet for the Urbanworld Film Festival 2017 at the AMC Empire:

Gabby Sidibe, Director of the short film, “The Tale of Four”.

Mayumi Yoshida for AKASHI http://www.urbanworld.org/2017/akashi

The legendary director and producer Melvin Van Peebles in the center with producer Jerry LaMothe and the cast of BLACKOUT. The indie film by Haitian American filmmaker Jerry LaMothe, celebrated its ten year anniversary.

Urbanworld Film Festival debuts Marshall the Movie in NYC

September 27, 2017September 27, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Photos and article by Jovanna Reyes

Chadwick Boseman portrays Thurgood Marshall beautifully as the first African American justice and attorney to argue Brown vs. the Board of Education before the Supreme Court. Urbanworld Film Festival premiered the film in NYC on September 23rd at the AMC Empire. MARSHALL, reflects his early career before he became a Supreme Court justice. Josh Gad plays Sam Friedman, Marshall’s legal partner on the case of a Black chauffeur, Joseph Spell, played by Sterling K. Brown. Spell was accused by Eleanor Strubing, his White former employer, played by Kate Hudson, of sexual assault and attempted murder. After the screening, Tamron Hall moderated a Q&A with the cast members.

The red carpet was filled with all the stars of the movie alongside Thurgood Marshall’s family. His wife, Cecilia Suyat, his two sons, Thurgood Marshall Jr. and John W. Marshall and all of his grandchildren.

KATE HUDSON — Kate Hudson, wearing Stella McCartney, at the Urbanworld Film Festival in NYC. AMC Empire, Times Square. September 23, 2017

JOSH GAD — Josh Gad at the Urbanworld Film Festival at the AMC Empire, Times Square NYC. September 23, 2017

Andra Day performs in Marshall and is on the movie soundtrack.

Sterling V. Brown, Josh Gad and Chadwick Boseman at the Urbanworld Film Festival, 9/23/2017

Sophia Bush

Tamron Hall

Reginald Hudlin, Director of Marshall the Movie

Center: Gabrielle Glore, Festival Director and Head of Programming for Urbanworld Film Festival

The Thurgood Marshall family with Cecilia Suyat(wife of Thurgood Marshall) in the center with her two sons(Thurgood Marshall Jr. and John Marshall) and their children.

Andra Day @Andradaymusic

Center: Gabrielle Glore, Festival Director and Head of Programming for Urbanworld Film Festival

Reginald Hudlin, Director of Marshall the Movie

Here’s more behind the scenes on the red carpet with Carly Steel of Entertainment Tonight and Kate Hudson. Carly Steel had two rose wine bottles ready for the very toned and athletic Hudson. Kate Hudson recently posted workout videos using rose wine bottles.

Kate Hudson

When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, starring Lil Mama, Tami Roman, Lance Gross and Floyd Mayweather

August 18, 2017 | CURVYSTA MAGAZINE

Domestic violence movies can be gut-wrenching and difficult to watch. When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story makes you flinch while watching and knowing it was a true story made it even more uncomfortable. Niatia ‘Lil Mama’ Kirkland(CrazySexyCool:The TLC Story) delivers a moving and believable portrayal of Falicia Blakely. The teen mom who fell hard for a local Atlanta pimp named Dino, played convincingly by Lance Gross(House of Payne). His mental and physical abuse and her need for love led her to a life sentence at the age of 19. Tasha Smith(For Better of For Worse) directed and produced this intense and touching film.

Tami Roman(Basketball Wives) plays Falicia’s mother, a hypersexual alcoholic. Ms. Roman brilliantly displays the emotional range of a neglectful mother watching her child fall into the fast lane and life of crime. The brutality and pain Falicia suffered was stomach-turning to watch because of the frailty and desperation Lil Mama delivered on screen. It was a moving performance and a must see for women of all ages.

Big Freedia, Lil Zane, Walter Fauntleroy, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Tiffany Black are all cast members of the Falicia Blakely Story.

The New York Premiere held at the AMC Empire NYC with red carpet appearances by MAAD, Yandy Smith, Amanda Stephen, Maino, Ty Hunter, Bre Scullark and members of the When Love Kills cast.

When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story airs August 28 on TV One 9pm/Eastern.