Entertainment
Heart & Soul Music Festival

On March 21, 2020 at the fabulous Apopka Amphitheatre, actor Christian Keyes will be hosting the Heart & Soul Music Festival, a fundraiser to help children travel to, and experience Africa, with the Kid’s Free Trip to Africa program! Christian Keyes is a long-time actor and is well known for his roles played in Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail and Diary of a Mad Black Woman. He has also held a recurring role in the television shows Let’s Stay Together, Saints & Sinners, and most recently the well-known soap opera The Young and The Restless.
The Kid’s Free Trip to Africa program was created in collaboration with several non-profits, WMCHN, Inc. and WHPB 98.5 The Wire, which is based in both Florida and Michigan. The Kid’s Free Trip to Africa program took its first group of students to Ghana, Africa in 2017 and have since taken a total of 22 high school students to the continent, free of charge. Through fundraising, the program has been able to pay for the student’s passports, immunizations, airfare, and accommodations. This has indeed been the experience of a lifetime and life changing experience for these young students.
The goal of the Kid’s Free Trip to Africa program is to give students, especially African American students, the opportunity to travel to Africa and obtain valuable knowledge and experience the cultures of their ancestors. In past years, students have been able to meet new friends, experience new food, learn about the history of African slaves, experience life-changing activities, and grow a deeper love and respect for Africa. It is an educational cultural exchange experience that lasts a lifetime.
100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for the Kid’s Free Trip to Africa Program. The demand has been high for students who are interested in going, in comparison to the funds available to support their trip. The goal of the program is to fund 100% all interested students, the opportunity to experience this trip of a lifetime.
The festival headliner act is Midnight Star, who in the eighties and nineties had hits such as Curious, Wet My Whistle, Slow Jam, and No Parking on the Dance Floor. Also, on the line-up, is the 3 decades hit maker Meli’sa Morgan with hits such as Do Me Baby, Do You Still Love Me?, Back Together Again, and a duet with Kasif called Love Changes. Another female legendary singer in the show is Angela Winbush, who is a songwriter, arranger, and producer, with songs such as Angel, You Don’t Have to Cry, and other top ten R&B hits. The final act is Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene, who had the hits in the 80’s, Slow Down and Hanging on a String. This will be an amazing show!
The mission of WHPB 98.5 is to serve and educate the urban community about issues that impact their families, their community, and their well-being. The station has been in operation for 3 1/2 years and is a 24-hour full-service station. In September 2019, Orlando Magazine named The Wire 98.5 FM in the “Music Radio Station category of their Best of Orlando 2019 Issue.” General Manager Paul Billings largely credits the station’s community partnerships, supporters and the listeners for the remarkable success which the low-power FM station has enjoyed over the time present.
Paul Billing and The Wire team would like to thank all the sponsors; Florida Lottery, Bud Light, Hope&Help, Mentality Grooming Company, and 30 Something Orlando for their continued support of the station.
For more information on tickets, go to www.heartandsoulfestival.com, call 407-601-7565, or visit https.//heartandsoulmusicfestival.eventbrite.com/
General Admission: $35, day of show: $40, Reserved Silver Seating: $40, day of show: $50, fixed seat under canopy, Reserved Gold Seating: $60, day of show: $75, fixed seat under canopy, Reserved VIP Diamond Seating: $80, day of show: $100, under canopy.
Black Life Texas
Celebrating Hip-Hop’s Golden Anniversary at National Battle of the Bands

The 2023 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) is turning up the heat to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The event organizers announced an all-star lineup featuring Doug E. Fresh, aka “Human Beat Box,” Slim Thug, Choppa, Lil Keke, Z-Ro, DJ Mr. Rogers, and a special artist announcement on August 26. These artists will join the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) marching bands for an unforgettable musical experience.
The musical showcase, hosted in collaboration between Webber Marketing and the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, occurs annually in Houston, TX, at NRG stadium. Event organizers have generated nearly $1 million in scholarships for the participating colleges and universities.
Recognized as the annual kickoff to the fall marching band season, NBOTB spotlights hip-hop legends shaping the genre’s rich history. The special anniversary celebration seeks to pay tribute to the cultural impact of hip-hop, intertwining with the spirit and soul of HBCU marching bands.
“The 50th anniversary of hip-hop is a significant milestone in our musical heritage,” said Derek Webber, executive producer and creator of the National Battle of the Bands. “We’re ecstatic to bring together the vibrant energy of HBCU bands with hip-hop pioneers, creating a unique synergy that honors the past and fuels the future. This year’s lineup symbolizes the unbreakable bond between music, culture, and education.”
The rich history of HBCUs extends beyond academia to a thriving tradition of soulful marching bands and community activism. Their performances are not just about the music but also the movement, passion, and creativity that resonate with the essence of hip-hop. This shared heritage makes celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at NBOTB a momentous occasion in American culture.
For more details, including tickets and official event information, visit (NationalBattleOfTheBands.com) or follow.
Black Life Texas
Black in Gaming

The fast-paced gaming world will hit American movie theaters on Aug. 25 via the Sony movie “Gran Turismo.” The film is loosely based on the true story of gamer Jann Mardenborough (played by Archie Madekwe), a mixed-race teenager who becomes a real-life race car driver.
In 2011, Mardenborough became the third and youngest winner of the GT Academy competition, beating 90,000 entrants. Sony PlayStation used the Academy to help racing gamers become professional drivers.
Though his success is far and few between for Black gamers. Research shows that Black people make up a staggering 2% of the video game industry, and only 11% of Black characters are featured as the central player outside of athletes in sports games.
The nonprofit Black in Gaming Foundation is dedicated to cultivating, supporting, and promoting Black professionals in the video game industry. By actively working on creating opportunities for Black people in the video game industry, BIG also develops action plans to combat systemic institutionalized racism that manifests itself in unsafe spaces, microaggressions, and hidden discrimination in the workplace.
Also, soft-drink company Mountain Dew (MTN Dew) is doing its fair share to uplift minorities in Esports. The company is bringing back the MTN DEW Real Change Challenge in 2023, which focuses on promoting representation in Esports and gaming and supporting HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) student gamers.
MTN Dew is teaming up with Cxmmunity Media, a champion of diversity and equity in gaming and creators of the HBCU Esports League. The Real Change Challenge will be open to all current HBCU students. Contestants will compete for a share of the $500,000 prize pool, coaching, and exposure to esports professionals. The tournament will kick off in October, with sign-ups open to all current HBCU students through Sept. 8 at (HBCUESports.co/RealChange).
Black Life Texas
Black Weekend is Here!

The tax-free weekend is not only the best time to go shopping but THE prime time to socialize, network, and get involved in the community that we like to call Black Weekend.
Kicking off Black Weekend on Friday, Aug. 11, is the first annual Purchase Hire Black expo presented by Avista Products at the Freeman Expo Hall near the AT&T Center from 2 pm to 8 pm. The free expo is a great way to recognize Black Business Month as a way to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses. Later that night, check out famed jazz musician Najee, who will perform on Aug. 11 at 7:30 pm at the Buena Vista Theater downtown. He is a part of the 2023 jazz series dubbed “Jazz on the Water by Land & by Sea,” presented by Foster Perry Travel.
Then on Saturday, head over to the Renaissance with the Stars on Aug. 12 at the Tobin Center starting at 5 pm. This annual fundraiser supports the San Antonio Area African American Community Fund, which is a part of the San Antonio Area Foundation. This year’s dancers are Kit Mason, Jon Coker, Jacob Valenzuela, Juan Antonio Flores, George A. Williams, and Ryan Lugalia-Hollon.
After the Renaissance with the Stars, people can head to the 14th Annual All White Martini Party on Aug. 12, sponsored by Psi Alpha Scholarship Foundation, Inc., at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center from 8 pm to 2 am.
And then, on Sunday, Aug. 13, choose between two soulful brunches or hit both starting at 9 am with Tony G’s Soul Food at its Soulful Brunch featuring Southern favorites until 4 pm. Or, check out the R&B Brunch Bash on that same day from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Upstage Comedy Lounge presented by the Brunch Boss & Young Black San Antonio.
And if you have a little energy left from Friday, bowl for a good cause. The Obadiah Jo’el McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Bowl-A-Thon starts at 2 pm at Banderal Bow. This event provides academic scholarships to high school seniors and includes awareness about organ donation.
To learn more about all these events, visit (www.Weekend.Black).
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