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Home · News

The Quick Read: Pharrell and ‘Black-ish’ Creator Kenya Barris Are Teaming Up for a ‘Juneteenth’ Musical 

Pharrell and ‘Black-ish’ Creator Kenya Barris Are Teaming Up for a ‘Juneteenth’ Musical
Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images
By Niki McGloster · Updated October 23, 2020

Here’s all the news you need to know:

Pharrell Williams and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris are headed to Broadway. The two creative powerhouses have announced that they are collaborating on a stage musical about Juneteenth, a day where African-Americans commemorate when Union Officer General Gordon Granger issued an order to slave masters in Galveston, Texas three years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Williams will compose the music while Barris, who previously created a Black-ish episode about the holiday, writes the script with Black-ish writer and producer Peter Saji. The work is expected to center on two African-American families, with one story set in the present and the other during the Civil War. (Vulture)

A Richmond school that is named after a Confederate general will be changed to Barack Obama Elementary School. The Richmond Public School Board voted 6-1 on Monday to drop “J.E.B Stuart” from the predominantly Black school’s name to help “represent the community in a more all-inclusive way.” Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney approved of the decision, tweeting, “Thank you Richmond City School Board for renaming JEB Stuart Elementary, Barack Obama Elementary. A leader we can be proud of!” (NY Times)

Black Lives Matter activist Hubert Roberts was planning some community outreach when his truck was vandalized. His black 2011 Chevrolet Silverado was spraypainted with swastikas, the word “NIGGER” and “WITE PRIDE.” His tires were also slashed and two red shoelaces were also hanged from both of his rearview mirrors. “I’m Black,” he said. “I’m in a predominantly white community. I’m very angry. I’m disappointed with us as a community.” (The Root)

Akon has launched a cryptocurrency he coined as Akoin. The artist and entrepreneur announced the new currency during a panel discussion at the Cannes Lions and hopes it will help Africa by bringing the power and security “back to the people.” (Vibe)

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