A few years ago, news broke that a film about Nina Simone was in the works, promptly titled Nina. For many of us who are fans of this dynamic goddess of a woman, we were thrilled...until we learned that Zoe Saldana was selected to portray the Empress of Soul.  Fans on social media, specifically #BlackTwitter, being the force that it is, rebuked the casting and even suggested much better choices to portray Nina.   The filmmakers didn't get permission from Nina Simone's estate to do the film as Nina's daughter, Lisa, took to Facebook to address this point specifically.  As a matter of fact, given Nina's legacy, she probably would've had an issue with Zoe portraying her as well. Of course, we can't know for sure.  The film is still scheduled to be released later this year, and apparently, Zoe had to come to terms with the poor casting decision as well, after initially being very disappointed behind the backlash. 

To some extent, the making of this film can be credited for spurring a renewed interest in Nina Simone, thus introducing a new generation to this woman's body of work and activism.  In June, Netflix released a phenomenal documentary about the singer & activist's life, What's Happening, Miss Simone?, featuring her daughter, so we know for certain that Nina Simone's estate cleared this one. The rare footage and the integration of interviews gives the effect of Nina narrating her own story, which is illuminating, powerful, and equally sad.  We picked the most definitive quote from the documentary to adequately summarize Nina's life. It was spoken by the oldest daughter of Malcolm X: 

          "Nina Simone was a free spirit in an era that didn't really appreciate a woman's genius."


We've selected a couple of many incredible performances to post here in celebration of Nina Simone. May her spirit soar high and we hope she is pleased with the adoration that we continue to give her. 

  

Charenee Wade is NYC based jazz vocalist that's poised to become a major voice in preserving this illustrious art form. With a voice both soaring and sweet, her recent project is a tribute to the music of the late Gil Scott-Heron. After listening to the project for the first time, we found ourselves completely in love with Charenee and definitely believe that Gil's spirit is pleased with this offering.  Check out these two videos that will give you more depth into the project as well as Charenee as an artist.  Then, skip over to iTunes or Google Play and support this album! 

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As a playwright and owner of a company that specializes in original theatrical works, I've heard this line quite a few times. You see, when a person utters this comment, it really means that they do not think theatre is for them. Even more interesting, these people have not attended a stage play, so I've had to probe deeper to understand why they don't consider themselves as 'theatre people'. With Broadway's ongoing scarce productions featuring African American casts to many theatre houses across the country either shutting down or barely thriving, theatre seems like the affair of affluent people (read: rich White folks) or on the verge of dying, but on the contrary. There is an emerging crop of Black playwrights that are maintaining the rich heritage of Black theatre through contributing their own works, including yours truly.

Also, as I continued to talk with the non-theatre people, many of them expressed their disinterest in theatre because Tyler Perry is their sole impression of it -- and they don't like Tyler Perry. Yeah, those people exist, too. I have to admit that this bothers me the most because it speaks to a larger issue in our community. It indicates just how little knowledge the African American community has of its own splendid and diverse cultural history. African American theatre has been in existence for over 100 years, with Black playwrights emerging as early as the 1800s. African American theatre came to a greater prominence during the '60s as it became apart of the larger protest movements for Civil Rights and Black Power. Then, of course, there's the greats such as August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, Amiri Baraka, Alice Childress, and Ed Bullins crafted their legendary and prolific voices through their staged works. Many notable Black actors began their careers in theatre because it is an excellent training ground. As far as subject matter, Black theatre has addressed potent sociocultural issues as well as preserved African traditions and rituals.

One of HHP's goals is to convert as many non-theatre going Black people as possible and proudly, we can say that we are doing that by crafting unique stories with specific messages or social commentary and presenting them on stage. Intentionally, we are separating ourselves from the Tyler Perry school of drama because there is a need to offer diversity in Black theatre and address those specific voids for Black audiences. It is my sincerest desire that Black theatre continues for another hundred years or so, but it won't happen if theatre professionals such as myself are unable to proselytize people in order to build our audiences. So, go on, tell me you're not really a theatre person. I accept that as a challenge.

C. Kamaria

Noted, but underrated Black intellectual, Harold Cruse, wrote one of the most critical works in African American social, political, and cultural thought.  Entitled The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual, the book was published initially in 1967. Containing Cruse's sharp critiques, which are just as prevalent today, the book is a must read for anyone interested (as you should be) in Black intellectual discourse and the continued struggle of African American identity.  Cruse left no stone unturned in this work; even venturing into the role of Black artists, their responsibility in the Black community, and the society, at large.  In chapter 3, titled Cultural Leadership and Cultural Democracy, Cruse stated:

"Racial democracy is, at the same time, cultural democracy; and the question of cultural democracy  in America is posed in a way never before seen or considered in other societies. This uniqueness results historically from the manner in which American cultural developments have been influenced by the Negro presence.  Since a cultural philosophy has been cultivated to deny this truth, it remains for the Negro intellectual to create his own philosophy and to bring the facts of cultural history in focus with the culture practices of the present.  In advanced societies it is not the race politicians of the "rights" leaders who create the new ideas and the new images of life and man.  That role belongs to the artists and the intellectuals of each generation.  Let the race politicians, if they will, create political, economic, or organizational forms of leadership; but it is the artists and creative minds who will, and must, furnish the all important content. "

What do you think about Cruse's statements?

So far, the year 2014 has been one for the books as far as releasing iconic figures from Earth so they can soar on that cloud of witnesses with the rest of our ancestors.  Starting in December of last year, we lost Nelson Mandela after a lengthy illness. Then, in January, a true protest voice was silenced as the great Amiri Baraka passed away. HHP's Kulture Groove events division launched the Beautiful People Party during that same month and paid tribute to his astounding legacy.  In May, the premier Phenomenal Woman Maya Angelou left us and bringing up the rear, at this point, our beloved queen Ruby Dee went on to join Ossie in the Here After and jazz great Horace Silver passed as of yesterday, June 18th.  

Each one of these dynamic individuals lived long, prosperous, purposeful lives and through their examples, we are able to cultivate our versions of bountiful living as well. We are supposed to lose them as we know they cannot live forever.  But with their passings, there is a question about who will take up the work they leave behind? If we truly understand this cycle of Life, we live so that others may live. Their work should not be in vain.  Will it? Are we doing enough to honor the legacies of these individuals and those that have lived before us? We think this bears some serious dialogue.  Let's have it here.  It is the most befitting way of honoring these lives of greatness.