Queen Sugar Archives - Rolling Out

Baltimore native Felicia Pride is a film and TV writer and an emerging director. She was a writer on Ava DuVernay’s drama series “Queen Sugar” and recently made her directorial debut with tender, a short film that explores the bonds between Black women. It premiered in March at the 2020 Outfest Fusion film festival in…

This writer takes special delight in observing the uninterrupted upward trajectory of publicist-turned-award-winning movie director Ava DuVernay. DuVernay became the first African American female director to ever have a movie gross more than $100 million. After only 101 days in theaters, A Wrinkle in Time has surpassed the momentous mark that normally certifies a movie…

“Queen Sugar” actor Kofi Siriboe is on a mission to amplify the conversation and normalize the discussion about mental health in the Black community among young people. This subject is close to home because a man whom he called his big brother committed suicide. Siriboe was lost and couldn’t make sense of it. He did…

Superstar director Ava DuVernay warned her male counterparts at an awards show to not come for her unless she sends for them. The Selma and A Wrinkle in Time director was being honored at the 30th annual Gloria Awards presented by the Ms. Foundation for Women when she sounded the trumpet for her angry enemies…

The cast of “Queen Sugar” stop to chat with Laz Alonso during the 2018 ABFF Honors at the Beverly Hilton. They received their second ABFF honor – “Television Show of the Year” (Drama).

Recently, 11-year-old magazine publisher Dai Arcenaux held her first annual awards show honoring youth innovators, scholars, authors, foundations and a few people close to her that have always shown support when it came to her publication, Dai Time Magazine. The thought of her publishing this magazine to inspire youth to be their best also inspirired…

Autumn Bailey Entertainment and Swirl Films not only know how to produce great films but they definitely also know how to produce great parties. Having Big Boi from OutKast host the party was definitely a good “casting” idea because he rocked the mic and he was definitely hyped on the stage. Big Boi took plenty…

It’s that time of year again. Spring premieres have come to an end and returning dramas are on summer break. On the flip side, there’s no better time to binge watch some of television’s best Black shows to join in on the conversation. For our top three picks, hit the flip.

Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films announced it has partnered with award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay (Selma, “13th,” “A Wrinkle in Time”) on a first-look deal for television and digital media. The first collaboration is DuVernay’s recently announced limited drama series “Central Park Five” for Netflix from Participant Media, Tribeca Productions and Harpo Films. Additionally, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced it…

Genius Talks have become a staple of the BET Experience during BET Awards weekend. Sponsored by AT&T, the event features top celebrities in an intimate setting as they reveal their life stories of success. The 2017 Genius Talks was moderated by Charlemagne Tha God and featured interviews by Issa Rae, Ava DuVerney and New Edition.…

Photo credit: Melanie L. Brown for Steed Media Take a look at some of the music artists, Hollywood stars and everyday people we captured during the ESSENCE Fest in New Orleans. The festival continues through today. Photo gallery credit: Melanie L. Brown for Steed Media

Actor Dondre Whitfield and his wife Salli Richardson-Whitfield were recently honored at the Black Women in Film Untold Stories Luncheon. As veteran actors in the business, it was very refreshing and inspirational to hear words of wisdom coming from this couple who has managed to do the impossible — remained married for more than 16…

Actor Dondré Whitfield is showing up everywhere. The newest member of the “Queen Sugar” cast will be celebrated on Friday, March 3 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, alongside his wife Salli Richardson-Whitfield, at the 2017 Black Women Film Summit’s Untold Stories Awards Luncheon. They will receive the Black Women Film Network’s Power Couple Award for…

Ava DuVernay is currently filming her $100 million Disney movie, A Wrinkle in Time, that’s sure to be a blockbuster and stars Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon, to name a few. While on set, she took the time to interview with The Hollywood Reporter where she dropped nuggets about women and people of…

The OWN Network dominated amongst TV contenders this past weekend at the NAACP Image Awards. Not only did “Queen Sugar” win for Best drama series; Ava DuVernay received the Outstanding Writing award for Best Drama Series, as well. The icing on the cake was for the female writer/director to also receive an award for Outstanding…

This past year proved to be a creative surge for Blacks in TV entertainment. After years of being absent from the conversation at top TV networks, Black-themed TV shows became major hits in 2016. Here are the most impactful Black moments on TV in 2016. Insecure Issa Rae expanded her “Awkward Black Girl” web series…

Actress Khaneshia “KJ” Smith has been grinding and knocking her auditions out the box, getting cast with roles in television hit series like “Queen Sugar”, “Survivors Remorse”, “Family Ties” and her latest project, the Bounce TV series “Saints & Sinners.” Check out what motivates the life of Khaneisha “KJ” Smith.

Actor Omar J. Dorsey refers to this time period in Black television and film as the Ava DuVernay generation, partly due to the opportunities that are being extended primarily to female filmmakers and directors. The cast praised DuVernay for the opportunities she has extended in the tv/film industry.

Last night, the OWN Television Network’s hit series “Queen Sugar” was trending on social media in Atlanta, and the screening party hosted by star actor Omar J. Dorsey was largely responsible. We’re down to the final two episodes of season one and Doresy, who’s from Decatur, Georgia, decided to kick off Thanksgiving Eve with a…

It’s getting down to the final days to vote. “Queen Sugar” actor Omar Dorsey explains how being on set of the movie Selma helped him appreciate what black people had to go through in order to vote. Dorsey explains this should continue even after the election on local levels.