"1 Angry Black Man" tells the story of Mike Anderson, a senior at a New England liberal arts college. After an erroneous arrest for a crime he did not commit, Mike’s story transitions to an existential conversation about gender dynamics, racism, and class, as well as an empirical study of the works of four iconic Black intellectuals.
Soulidifly Productions, a film company with a mission to produce meaningful, uplifting stories that are entertaining and beautifully told, has partnered with Freestyle Digital Media to release 1 Angry Black Man, available to audiences everywhere on DVD and on-demand starting June 5, 2020.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to amplify our film distribution in video-on-demand formats," said BK Fulton, founding CEO of Soulidifly Productions. "We look forward to one day soon returning our films to theaters as well. Transformative films like this one need to be seen by all, especially with what is going on in the world right now. Major city streets are on fire after the tragic death of George Floyd on national TV. 1 Angry Black Man explores the racial, gender and political tensions that lead to anger and protests. It's like the plot of the film was pulled out of today's headlines."
Written and directed by Menelek Lumumba and co-produced by Soulidifly Productions and Align Pictures, 1 Angry Black Man tells the story of Mike Anderson, a senior at a New England liberal arts college. After an erroneous arrest for a crime he did not commit, Mike's story transitions to an existential conversation about gender dynamics, racism, and class, as well as an empirical study of the works of four iconic Black intellectuals. As he heads to his African-American literature class, Mike continues to grapple with his unconscionable arrest. Mike's emotions threaten to boil over during a class discussion covering several prolific authors and activists, from James Baldwin to Zora Neale Hurston.
The film features Miguel A. Núñez, Jr. ("Life"), Amanda Jane Stern ("Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County"), Tim Moriarty ("Manifest"), Ramon Nuñez ("New Amsterdam," "Bull"), Daphne Danielle (upcoming "God The Worm") and introduces Keith Stone as Mike.
The Trailer:
About Soulidifly Productions:
Founded in 2017, Soulidifly tells the stories of multiethnic, multigenerational people across various segments of life, experiences and eras. https://www.soulidifly.com/
About Freestyle Digital Media:
The digital distribution unit of Entertainment Studios, Freestyle Digital Media is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, digital and streaming platforms.
The conspiracy theory video “Plandemic” recently went viral. Despite being taken down by YouTube and Facebook, it continues to get uploaded and viewed millions of times. The video is an interview with conspiracy theorist Judy Mikovits, a disgraced formervirology researcher who believes the COVID-19 pandemic is based on vast deception, with the purpose of profiting from selling vaccinations.
The video is rife with misinformation and conspiracy theories. Many high-quality fact-checks and debunkings have been published by reputable outlets such as Science, Politifact and FactCheck.
As scholars who research how to counter science misinformation and conspiracy theories, we believe there is also value in exposing the rhetorical techniques used in “Plandemic.” As we outline in our Conspiracy Theory Handbook and How to Spot COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories, there are seven distinctive traits of conspiratorial thinking. “Plandemic” offers textbook examples of them all.
Learning these traits can help you spot the red flags of a baseless conspiracy theory and hopefully build up some resistance to being taken in by this kind of thinking. This is an important skill given the current surge of pandemic-fueled conspiracy theories.
The seven traits of conspiratorial thinking. John Cook, (CC BY-ND)
1. Contradictory beliefs
Conspiracy theorists are so committed to disbelieving an official account, it doesn’t matter if their belief system is internally contradictory. The “Plandemic” video advances two false origin stories for the coronavirus. It argues that SARS-CoV-2 came from a lab in Wuhan – but also argues that everybody already has the coronavirus from previous vaccinations, and wearing masks activates it. Believing both causes is mutually inconsistent.
But if you think the scientific data is faked, that leads down the rabbit hole of believing that any scientific organization publishing or endorsing research consistent with the “official account” must be in on the conspiracy. For COVID-19, this includes the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, Anthony Fauci… basically, any group or person who actually knows anything about science must be part of the conspiracy.<
3. Nefarious intent
In a conspiracy theory, the conspirators are assumed to have evil motives. In the case of “Plandemic,” there’s no limit to the nefarious intent. The video suggests scientists including Anthony Fauci engineered the COVID-19 pandemic, a plot which involves killing hundreds of thousands of people so far for potentially billions of dollars of profit.
Conspiracy theorists may occasionally abandon specific ideas when they become untenable. But those revisions tend not to change their overall conclusion that “something must be wrong” and that the official account is based on deception.<
When “Plandemic” filmmaker Mikki Willis was asked if he really believed COVID-19 was intentionally started for profit, his response was “I don’t know, to be clear, if it’s an intentional or naturally occurring situation. I have no idea.”
He has no idea. All he knows for sure is something must be wrong: “It’s too fishy.”
5. Persecuted victim
Conspiracy theorists think of themselves as the victims of organized persecution. “Plandemic” further ratchets up the persecuted victimhood by characterizing the entire world population as victims of a vast deception, which is disseminated by the media and even ourselves as unwitting accomplices.
It’s so hard to change a conspiracy theorist’s mind because their theories are self-sealing. Even absence of evidence for a theory becomes evidence for the theory: The reason there’s no proof of the conspiracy is because the conspirators did such a good job covering it up.
7. Reinterpreting randomness
Conspiracy theorists see patterns everywhere – they’re all about connecting the dots. Random events are reinterpreted as being caused by the conspiracy and woven into a broader, interconnected pattern. Any connections are imbued with sinister meaning.
For example, the “Plandemic” video suggestively points to the U.S. National Institutes of Health funding that has gone to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. This is despite the fact that the lab is just one of many international collaborators on a project that sought to examine the risk of future viruses emerging from wildlife.
Learning about common traits of conspiratorial thinking can help you recognize and resist conspiracy theories.
Critical thinking is the antidote
As we explore in our Conspiracy Theory Handbook, there are a variety of strategies you can use in response to conspiracy theories.
Understanding and revealing the techniques of conspiracy theorists is key to inoculating yourself and others from being misled, especially when we are most vulnerable: in times of crises and uncertainty.
These three women have the power to make it happen: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Europe’s top banker Christine Lagarde and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. (image via Avaaz)
Dear friends,
In days, Europe could put forward a bold, green Corona recovery plan that would be a beacon of hope for the rest of the world -- but big polluters and coal-loving governments are trying to derail it!
To fight back, Avaaz is joining a massive group of influential politicians, scientists, academics, business leaders and civil society, to back an ambitious green recovery for Europe.
And these three women have the power to make it happen:EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Europe’s top banker Christine Lagarde and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Let’s embolden them with 1 million signatures from all corners of the world, making sure they stay strong, face down the lobbyists and lead us towards the green future we need.
Join now with one click -- in days, key parliamentarians will deliver our voices straight to Europe’s leaders and the media!
To Commission President von der Leyen, Chancellor Merkel, Christine Lagarde and all EU leaders: You’ve got the power to lead Europe and the world out of the dark days of this pandemic towards a brighter, greener future. You can make the Green Deal our Recovery Deal by investing hundreds of billions a year to create green jobs and make our economies clean and fair. We count on you to put a climate bank and a climate budget at its heart, and ensure that all money is spent in line with the Paris agreement. It is time to move away from dirty fossil fuels, tax large corporate profits, and unleash the clean energy revolution we so desperately need. Together, we are strong enough to fight back and recover from this virus. We are generous enough to ensure no one is left behind. And we are wise enough to ensure this recovery does not lay the foundations for even worse climate crises in the future.
"The Trayvon Hoax" Film is now on YouTube for Free (PRNewsfoto/HIghway 61 Entertainment)
The best-selling film, The Trayvon Hoax: Unmasking the Witness Fraud that Divided America, is now available to watch on YouTube for free for a limited time. Director and producer Joel Gilbert describes this free offer as a "stay at home bonus" for those locked down due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The Trayvon Hoax was first screened to the public at The National Press Club in Washington DC last September, and is also a book of the same name, available on DVD, Paperback and eBook on Amazon.com
By examining Trayvon's 750-page cell phone records, Gilbert alleges that the key witness for the prosecution of George Zimmerman, Rachel Jeantel, was a fraud. He asserts that it was a different girl who was on the phone with Trayvon just before he was shot. She was the 16-year-old whose recorded phone conversation with family attorney Benjamin Crump ignited the public, swayed President Obama, and provoked the nation's media to demand Zimmerman's arrest.
Gilbert's painstaking research takes him through the high schools of Miami, into the back alleys of Little Haiti, and finally to Florida State University where he finds Trayvon's real girlfriend, the real phone witness, Diamond Eugene. Gilbert confirms his revelations with forensic handwriting analysis and DNA testing. After obtaining unredacted court documents and reading Diamond Eugene's vast social media archives, Gilbert reconstructs the true story of Trayvon Martin's troubled teenage life and tragic death.
In the process, Gilbert exposes in detail the most consequential hoax in recent American judicial history. The Trayvon Hoax was ground zero for the downward spiral of race relations in America. This incredible film and book have the potential to correct American history and bring America back together again.
George Zimmerman was inspired to launch a lawsuit based on the research in his documentary that is making its way through the Florida courts.
The Cranberries' iconic video for "Zombie" has hit 1 billion views on YouTube, breaking records as the first Irish band to hit this milestone.
Taken from their second album No Need To Argue and released in September 1994, the official video for The Cranberries track "Zombie" has just passed 1 billion views on YouTube, breaking records as the first Irish band to hit this milestone.
The Cranberries now join a small club of iconic artists to reach this landmark and the video is the fifth most viewed rock video of all time globally according to Louder Sound.
Written by Dolores O'Riordan as a protest song after IRA bombings in Warrington killed two children and injured 56 others in March 1993, "Zombie" was recorded at Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin and was produced by long time Cranberries collaborator Stephen Street (The Smiths, Blur). Containing the lyrics "But you see, it's not me. It's not my family," the band were adamant "Zombie" should be the lead single from their new album and resisted the suggestion to go with a less political track, such was their commitment to the song.
The official video directed by Samuel Bayer – who now notches his second billion viewed clip following Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' – shows original footage of Northern Irish street scenes with children playing war games during The Troubles, including the now famous political and historical murals.
In the video a gilded Dolores O'Riordan stands before a giant cross wearing a crown of thorns surrounded by silver cherubs, with cutaway shots of the band performing live outdoors.
The Cranberries' iconic video for "Zombie" has hit 1 billion views on YouTube, breaking records as the first Irish band to hit this milestone. (screengrab)
Fergal Lawler, The Cranberries drummer said of the achievement, "We are so delighted with the news that 'Zombie' has reached 1 billion views on YouTube. We are sure Dolores has a big, proud smile on her face too. Thank you so much to all our fans around the world for supporting us over so many years. Hopefully you are all safe and well and managing to find some hope and positivity in our music."
Noel Hogan, The Cranberries guitarist continues, "For 'Zombie' to reach 1 billion views has been a long road and another milestone for the band. Little did we think twenty something years ago that this song would stand the test of time and mean so much too so many. All we can say is thank you to the fans for all they have done for us."
Bassist Mike Hogan concludes, "I can still remember making such a great video and seeing the impact that it had - and still does - on people. Big shout out to all The Cranberries fans around the world - thanks so much."
Their most commercially successful single, "Zombie" went on to top the singles charts in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland and was #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US. In 1995 it was awarded 'Best Song' at the MTV Europe Music Awards, and was voted #1 on Australia's Triple J Hottest 100 chart in 1994.
On January 16th 2018, Colin Parry - father of Tim Parry, the twelve year old victim of the Warrington bomb - thanked Dolores O'Riordan for the 'majestic and (also) very real lyrics" in the track.
The Cranberries' iconic video for "Zombie" has hit 1 billion views on YouTube, breaking records as the first Irish band to hit this milestone. (screengrab)
The Cranberries debut album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We? was released and charted at #1 on the UK album charts in March 1993. Their second and most commercially successful album No Need To Argue was released in October 1994 and stayed on the UK charts for 98 weeks after being certified multiple platinum, making the band global superstars.
In April 2019, The Cranberries released their eighth and final album, In The End, the vocals for which had been recorded by Dolores prior to her tragic passing in 2018. Guitarist Noel Hogan confirmed its release would honor her memory. In The End reached top 10 in the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, and on the Billboard Independent Albums chart in the US. It was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
An expanded reissue of No Need To Argue is planned for release by UMe/Island later this year.
5 Reasons The World Needs WHO (World Health Organization) To Fight The COVID-19 Pandemic (screengrab)
1) Helping countries to prepare and respond
WHO has issued a COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which identifies the major actions countries need to take, and the resources needed to carry them out.
The plan, which is updated as fresh information and data improve WHO's understanding of the characteristics of the virus and how to respond, acts as a guide for developing country-specific plans.
The health agency's six regional offices, and 150 country offices, work closely with governments around the world to prepare their health systems for the ravages of COVID-19, and to respond effectively when cases arrive and begin to mount.
With partners, WHO set up the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, to ensure patients get the care they need, and frontline workers get essential supplies and information; and to accelerate research and development of a vaccine and treatments for all who need them.
With donations from governments, the private sector and individuals, more than $800 million has been pledged or received for the response so far.
2) Providing accurate information, busting dangerous myths
The internet is awash with information about the pandemic, some of it useful, some of it false or misleading. In the midst of this “infodemic”, WHO is producing accurate, useful guidance that can help save lives.
This includes around 50 pieces of technical advice for the public, health workers and countries, with evidence-based guidance on every element of the response, and exploding dangerous myths.
The health agency benefits from the expertise of a global network of health professionals and scientists, including epidemiologists, clinicians and virologists, to ensure that the response is as comprehensive, authoritative and representative as possible.
To ensure information is correct and helpful, WHO set up a team to give everyone access to timely, accurate and easy-to-understand advice, from trusted sources. In addition, daily situation reports and press briefings, as well as briefings with governments, are keeping the world informed about the latest data, information and evidence.
Many social media and tech companies are working closely with WHO to aid the flow of reliable information, including Instagram, Linkedin and TikTok; and chatbots on the Whatsapp and Viber platforms have garnered millions of followers, sending out timely updates and reports.
3) Ensuring vital supplies reach frontline health workers
Personal protective equipment is essential to ensure health professionals are able to save lives, including their own. So far, WHO has shipped more than two million items of personal protective equipment to 133 countries, and is preparing to ship another two million items in the coming weeks. More than a million diagnostic tests have been dispatched to 126 countries, in all regions, and more are being sourced.
However, far more is needed, and WHO is working with the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum, and others in the private sector, to ramp up the production and distribution of essential medical supplies.
On 8 April, WHO launched a “UN COVID-19 Supply Chain Task Force”, which aims to dramatically increase the supply of essential protective equipment where it is needed.
4) Training and mobilizing health workers
WHO is aiming to train millions of health workers, via its OpenWHO platform. Thanks to this online tool, life-saving knowledge is being transferred to frontline personnel by the Organization, and its key partners.
Users take part in a worldwide, social learning network, based on interactive, online courses and materials covering a variety of subjects. OpenWHO also serves as a forum for the rapid sharing of public health expertise, and in-depth discussion and feedback on key issues. So far, more than 1.2 million people have enrolled in 43 languages.
Countries are also being supported by experts, deployed around the world by the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN). During outbreaks, the network ensures that the right technical expertise and skills are on the ground where and when they are needed most.
Emergency Medical Teams are also an important part of the global health workforce. These teams are highly trained, and self-sufficient, and are sent to places identified as disaster or emergency zones.
5) The search for a vaccine
Laboratories in many countries are already conducting tests that, it is hoped, will eventually lead to a vaccine. In an attempt to corral these efforts, WHO brought together 400 of the world's leading researchers in February, to identify research priorities.
The agency launched a “Solidarity Trial”, an international clinical trial, involving 90 countries, to help find effective treatment. The aim is to rapidly discover whether any existing drugs can slow the progression of the disease, or improve survival.
To better understand the virus, WHO has developed research protocols that are being used in more than 40 countries, in a coordinated way, and some 130 scientists, funders and manufacturers from around the world have signed a statement committing to work with WHO to speed the development of a vaccine against COVID-19.
Helping the poorest and most vulnerable
In his 8 April press briefing, Tedros said that WHO is involved with many other initiatives and actions, but all of them come under these five essential pillars.
The agency's focus, he said, is “on working with countries and with partners to bring the world together to confront this common threat together”.
A particular concern, he added, is for the world's poorest and most vulnerable, in all countries, and WHO is committed to “serve all people of the world with equity, objectivity and neutrality.”
Gather Online to Celebrate Grassroots Climate Action in a FREE Event April 10 - 18, 2020
Green Team Academy is proud to present the 2nd Annual Online Earth Week Summit. The free event features a full week of live online workshops and virtual happy hours open to the public.
"Earth Day is such a special time for coming together to celebrate our love and care for our planet," said Joan Gregerson, Summit Organizer and Founder of Green Team Academy. "This year, it's especially important to be able to collaborate and celebrate together online."
Recent developments with the coronavirus are impacting the plans for celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. Millions of people had planned to gather at hundreds of in-person events around the world. Most of those events are now being canceled due to public health risks.
"We're excited to host an online event that features a diverse array of community leaders and experts making a difference in their communities and the world," said Gregerson.
Gather Online to Celebrate Grassroots Climate Action in a FREE Event April 10 - 18, 2020
Special features of the event include:
Keynote address by forester, educator and musician, Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley of Yale University, presenting on Relationships, History and Hip Hop Forestry;
Online workshops featuring grassroots climate action initiatives with community leaders and experts;
Virtual happy hours for sharing positivity, questions and ideas;
Ability to participate in the UN75 Global Consultation
Dr. Thomas RaShad Easley presents on Relationships, History and Hip Hop Forestry: Thinking About Diversity and Inclusion in the Environment
Green Team Academy helps people get together, make a difference and feel better by starting and growing thriving green teams in their communities.
Joan Gregerson, founder of Green Team Academy, is the host of the 2nd Annual Online Earth Week Summit: Grassroots Climate Action Celebration
Joan Gregerson is the founder of the Green Team Academy and host of the Green Team Academy Podcast. Joan is a coach, course creator, author and inspirational speaker.
Joan is the author of the upcoming book, Climate Action Breakthrough: How Anyone Can Start a Green Team and Make a Huge Eco-Impact Fast.
Plans are in process for extended year-round programming, including a larger film festival in the fall, the EarthxGlobal Gala andthe world premiere of The Way of the Rain – Hope For Earth, directed by Sibylle Szaggars Redford with a special narration – spoken word by Robert Redford.
EarthxFilm and EarthXR Reimagine The 2020 EarthxFilm Festival (screengrab)
The decision was shared in light of the rapidly developing news of COVID-19 and EarthxFilm's desire to put public safety first.
EarthxFilm Co-Founder and President Michael Cain said, "This decision came after careful consideration and consultation with our team, partners, and city officials. We look forward to offering the audiences of Dallas another wonderful EarthxFilm slate of movies, XR experiences, educational opportunities and panels both online in April and in-person throughout the year in Dallas, and across the country and with international partners."
On April 22, the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, EarthxFilm will also announce the films and filmmakers selected by this year's juries who will receive $20,000 in prize money.
EarthxFilm Artistic Director David Holbrooke added, "We are immensely proud of the outstanding programming we assembled for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. We think it's important to recognize the incredible work these filmmakers have achieved and will move ahead with our juried prizes to award the cash winnings that help make a difference for the filmmakers, many of whom are still telling their stories at this challenging time."
EarthxFilm Executive Producer, Paul Levatino says, "We are thrilled that the Good Pitch Local Texas, co-produced with Doc Society, will be rescheduled to coincide with our Fall Festival. The EarthxGlobalGala, which honors environmental heroes with the EarthxGlobal Impact Awards and features entertainers Skip Martin of Kool & The Gang, Bastards Of Soul and Compton Kidz Club, will also be rescheduled for fall."
"Leading to our fall festival, EarthXR will continue our commitment to year-round programming through international partnerships, including a green series with Guanajuato International Film Festival, Overview Collective + Garage Stories' series, and curation for the April online ARTS x SDGSs Festival, which brings together UN and non-profit leaders," says Tiffany Kieran, Director of XR Programming and Partnerships.
"We are also excited about our year-round immersive experiential location, opening in Dallas, Texas in 2020. It will feature the US debut of Wild Immersion endorsed by Jane Goodall - the first virtual wildlife reserve in the US to connect, educate, and protect our environment," said Kieran.
EarthxFilm and EarthXR Reimagine The 2020 EarthxFilm Festival (screengrab)
EarthxFilm Education is extending the #Planet911challenge youth film competition in collaboration with CreativeVisions and Instagram. The new deadline is April 8, and winning films will be screened online April 22 and in a theatre at one of the EarthX Half-Earth Day Events in October.
Melanie Yonks, Director of Education and Outreach says, "We are working in collaboration with Planet911, Rock Your World, teachers and youth organizations to let them know about our online K-12 STEAM curriculum and to develop additional virtual and interactive opportunities for youth while they are in quarantine."
"Trammell Crow and I started this film festival because we saw how the world was being challenged environmentally. That hasn't changed and we remain committed as ever to this cause," concluded Cain. "We support the storytellers who have the power to change the world."
Related Videos:
About EarthxFilm:
EarthxFilm, co-founded by Trammell S. Crow and Michael Cain was launched in 2017 at the annual EarthX event to showcase the films and emerging media that explore environmental science, conservation, and climate change. In its mission to turn awareness into action through art and interactive media, the nonprofit partners and develops experiences with top environmental, film, and entertainment organizations across the globe.
EarthxFilm presents year-round programs culminating in a 10-day festival yearly.
About EarthXR:
EarthXR, a subdivision of EarthxFilm, is dedicated to immersive and interactive storytelling designed to engage and inspire environmental awareness and action through emerging technology.
At the EarthX events, it has hosted the world's largest lineup of eco-interactive programming, presenting scores of virtual, augmented and mixed reality experiences.
About EarthX:
EarthX convenes the world's largest environmental expo, conference and film festival, and is a member of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Founded in 2011 by environmentalist and businessman Trammell S. Crow, the Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promotes environmental awareness and impact through conscious business, nonpartisan collaboration and community-driven sustainable solutions.
In 2019, the event drew over 177,000 attendees, 2,000 environmental business leaders, 700 exhibitors, 450 speakers, 63 films and 49 Eco-virtual reality experiences.
Earthx2020 in Partnership with the National Geographic Society will be held VIRTUALLY from April 22-27 to mark the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. (image via EarthX)
In light of the rapidly developing news of COVID-19, CDC guidelines, and new City of Dallas requirements, EarthX will host its Earthx2020 Conferences and Film Festival virtually and cancel its Expo for the year.
Most conferences will be presented virtually from April 23-25 and into May. EarthxEnergy's Responsible Energy Acquisition conference and the EarthxLaw conference will be held live in the fall.
The 50th Earth Day Celebration will be livestreamed on April 22. The virtual experience will be layered with EarthxFilm Festival programming of select 2020 films, which will then present its physical Film Festival in the fall along with the EarthxGlobalGala and the world premiere of The Way of the Rain – Hope For Earth, directed by Sibylle Szaggars Redford with a special narration – spoken word by Robert Redford.
"EarthX continues to move our mission forward to connect, collaborate and celebrate. Our mission is relevant, and this global situation is a great example of how interconnected we are to each other and the planet," said Tony Keane, EarthX CEO.
EarthX places the health and safety of attendees, staff, and event participants as its highest priority and has taken these actions in compliance with the guidelines set forth by local, state, and federal government health agencies.
"Collaboration and connectedness are critical as we seek to further the National Geographic Society's mission to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world," said Michael L. Ulica, president and CEO of the National Geographic Society. "We look forward to continuing to partner with EarthX to reach new audiences through the Earthx2020 virtual experience."
"EarthX remains unwavering in its commitment to shed light on the environmental challenges facing our planet, and this recent crisis has been a testament to our strength in collectively spreading awareness and seeking solutions in the face of adversity," said Trammell S. Crow, Founder of EarthX. "We are all in this together."
About EarthX:
EarthX convenes the world's largest environmental expo, conference and film festival, and is a member of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature. Founded in 2011 by environmentalist and businessman Trammell S. Crow, the Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promotes environmental awareness and impact through conscious business, nonpartisan collaboration and community-driven sustainable solutions.
In 2019, the event drew over 177,000 attendees, 2,000 environmental business leaders, 700 exhibitors, 450 speakers, 63 films and 49 Eco-virtual reality experiences.
About The National Geographic Society:
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.
Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 14,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
American Masters Spotlights 26 Unsung Women Who Changed History with Unladylike2020 (image via unladylike2020.com)
Beginning this Women's History Month, American Masters illuminates the inspiring stories of little-known American heroines from the early years of feminism and the women who now follow in their footsteps with Unladylike2020, an innovative multimedia series launching in honor of the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage.
Narrated by Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife; ER; Billions) and Lorraine Toussaint (Selma; Orange is the New Black; The Glorias), American Masters – Unladylike2020 spotlights 26 diverse changemakers, in 26 documentary shorts premiering Wednesdays, beginning today through August 26, Women's Equality Day, on the American Masters YouTube channel.
In addition, an hour-long American Masters – Unladylike2020 special will premiere as part of PBS' summer-long celebration of female trailblazers.
American Masters Spotlights 26 Unsung Women Who Changed History with Unladylike2020 (screengrab)
Only a century ago, women in America did not have the right to vote, and had only recently won the right to own property or get divorced. They faced limited career and educational choices, it was illegal for married women to work in some places, and women could even be arrested for wearing pants in public. Women who worked outside of the home were usually single, widowed, divorced, poor, or women of color who had to contend not only with sexism, but also severe racial discrimination.
Despite that, intrepid women managed to break into new professions, step into leadership roles, and fight for suffrage and an end to discrimination – challenging expected behavior for "a lady."
Presenting history in a bold new way, American Masters — Unladylike2020, produced and directed by Charlotte Mangin, brings the incredible stories of these pioneering women to life through rare archival footage and interviews with descendants, historians and accomplished modern women who reflect upon their influence.
Original artwork and animation created by visual artist Amelie Chabannes adds visual texture, infusing black and white images with captivating color and action. The focus on modern-day trailblazers also enriches the content with dynamic juxtapositions of past and present.
Some of the women featured include Bessie Coleman, the first African American to earn an international pilot's license; Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American physician who also founded a hospital on the Omaha Reservation; Jeannette Rankin, the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress; Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel; Sissieretta Jones, the first African American to sing opera on the main stage at Carnegie Hall; and Lois Weber, the first woman to direct a feature-length film, among many others.
The Trailer:
The "Bessie Coleman: First African American Aviator" Video:
U.S. history curriculum materials for grades 6-12, produced by WNET Kids' Media and Education, will be available via PBS LearningMedia beginning in March. Unladylike Productions, LLC will also launch a nationwide community engagement and screening initiative in partnership with public television stations and community organizations.
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