Entertainment
“Not All Lost”

Oscar-nominated producer teams with PBS KVIE, KVIE2 Sacramento, non-profit organizations The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) and Films With a Purpose to debut celebrity driven reality-based stories of inspirational youth.
Actor Jaleel White and Premiere Black Celebrities Share Spotlight With Exceptional Youth in PBS Special “Not All Lost
During Black History Month 2020, PBS KVIE and KVIE2 airs a special program Not All Lost. This half hour reality-based program is designed to provide inspirational profiles of today’s youth, notably those of color that dispel stereotypes often attached to them.
“Not All Lost shines light on the flip side of a coin that too often lands on the negative. It’s refreshing to see the positive side up,” states Glynn Turman, actor/director. The show spotlights inspirational youth. Not all are academically or athletically exceptional. Many are just determined to someday have a normal adult life by whatever positive means necessary. It focuses on their determination to achieve success despite being faced with unfavorable life circumstances and iterating the obstacles that they had to encounter along the way sch as steering clear of gangs, drugs and peer pressure.
“There are hundreds of stories about young people of color succeeding in life despite difficult situations. Not All Lost allows us the opportunity to share those stories with the world,” says David M. Massey, Oscar-nominated producer.
The program features profiles of:
* Peyton Polk – A legally Blind Student attending UCLA
* Brian “Dusty” Merriweather – The Horse Whisperer
* Marcus Johnson – Master Scuba Diver turned Investment Advisor, Principal Johnson Capital
The show is hosted by actor Jaleel White. Celebrity interviewers and mentors are: Kym Whitley, actress/writer/comedienne Young and Hungry; James Pickens, Jr., actor Grey’s Anatomy; Glynn Turman, actor/ writer/ director/ producer House of Lies and Nick Cannon, actor/ comedian/ rapper/ director/writer/producer/television host America’s Got Talent. This program provides truthful truthful accounts using real people, with the intent of filling the void or hunger for affirmative, encouraging stories of today’s young adults.
The highlighted individuals exemplify that they are Not All Lost.
The program airs:
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7:30 PM, PBS KVIE; Thursday, Feb. 20, 8:30 AM; and 7:30 PM, PBS KVIE2; Friday, Feb. 21, 1:30 AM, PBS KVIE2; and 4:00 PM, PBS KVIE; Saturday, Feb. 22, 3:00 AM PBS KVIE2; and 7:30 AM, PBS KVIE; Sunday, Feb. 23, 3:30 PM PBS KVIE2, and Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2:00 PM, PBS KVIE2
For additional information log onto www.bherc.org or contact Lura Ball at 323-348-3739
About the Producers
Davis M. Massey, Oscar-nominated Director/Producer
David Massey is the first African American in the history of the Academy Awards to be nominated for an Oscar in the Live-Action Short Film category for Last Breeze of Summer (1992). He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications & Education from Ohio Dominican University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Advanced Film & Television from the American Film Institute. He has produced and directed several films and television shows. His hour-long docudrama Men of Courage received an NAACP Image Award and aired on BET and PBS. Massey produced and directed six short films for UCE Productions banner, including Island Song, which won the Audience Award at the 2013 Pan African Film Festival. When Justice Isn’t Just, a short documentary available on iTunes, examines the shootings of unarmed African Americans by law enforcement. Massey’s latest projects are Where We’re From, a feature chronicling the independent hip hop movement in L.A. in the early 90s; Passage, a short film examining the African slave trade; Not All Lost, a reality-based, celebrity driven PBS TV show; and A Dangerous Road, a feature film based on the first of Kris Nelscott’s seven novels featuring African American private eye Smokey Dalton.
Dawn Kirk-Alexander -Producer
The mother of a young African American male, Dawn created this project with a deeply felt commitment for his safety and the safety of other young Black men in America. When Justice Isn’t Just is her most recent attempt to address justice thru film. Producer-writer of the award-winning documentary Not All Lost, she has produced the short film Baby Girl and several award-winning commercials and public service announcements for TBWA/Chait/Day and Grey Advertising. Winner of the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Award for her screenplay Madness, she holds an MFA from Columbia University. She was a line producer for television show American Gladiator and several music videos by directors F. Gary Gray Straight Outta Compton, The Italian Job and Paul Hunter’s Bulletproof Monk.
About Black Hollywood Education & Resource Center
Founded in 1996 by Sandra Evers-Manly, BHERC is a nonprofit, public benefit organization designed to advocate, educate, research, develop, and preserve the history and future of Blacks in film and television. BHERC programs include film festivals, award ceremonies, book signings, script readings, contests, scholarships, and other programs and special events. BHERC recognizes the contributions of Black men and women in front of and behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
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).
-
Black Life Texas3 weeks ago
I’m Not Back, I’m Better!
-
Business1 week ago
Treasury Department Releases Report on Benefits of Unions to the U.S. Economy
-
Black Life Texas3 weeks ago
The Future of Black Labor
-
Art1 week ago
Harlem Renaissance – First African American Movement of International Modern Art
-
Black Life Texas1 week ago
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
-
Black Life Texas2 weeks ago
We Have To Help Our Obese Children
-
Black Life Texas3 days ago
Welcome to Earth: The Black Community’s Connection with Aliens
-
Black Life Texas6 days ago
Hispanic Heritage Month