Two additional honorees have been added to African-American Women in Cinema’s WES Awards, set to take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 at Morgan Stanley, 1585 Broadway in New York City. Jeanine Daniels and Carla Hunter Ramsey join previously announced honorees Laurens Grant, Genevieve Bryan-Michel, Rosalind McLymont and Flo Anthony. “Artistpreneur” Rasheeda Wallace will provide the evening’s entertainment, while veteran WBLS radio host Bob Lee will emcee this fabulous event. American Women in Cinema was founded by renowned filmmaker Terra Renee.
The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding celebrated its 26th anniversary with a fundraiser at Russell Simmons’ home in Hollywood Sept. 30. The organization aims to promote racial harmony and strengthen relationships between ethnic groups, especially among the Muslim, Jewish and African-American communities. Simmons announced that Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, gave a generous donation to FFEU that will fund meals for the Los Angeles homeless on Christmas.
Speaking of the Smiths, Will has gone back to his roots with the release of his first new song in over a decade. The Oscar nominee teamed with Columbian group Bomba Estereo on a remix of their song “Fiesta.” The former Fresh Prince met the group during a recent trip to Columbia and approached them about collaborating on new material. Smith also did a video and will rap in Spanish in the video. Meanwhile, Smith’s new movie “Concussion” will make its world premiere at AFI Fest Nov. 10 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
There is more trouble for Nick Gordon. RadarOnline.com has learned that a grand jury is being convened in Georgia to bring possible murder charges against Bobbi Kristina Brown’s ex-boyfriend in the wake of her tragic death. Says a source: “The district attorney is convening a secret grand jury, and it’s likely to result in charges against Nick Gordon. It is unknown at this time what those charges will be.”
As one of the most acclaimed music groups of all times, the O’Jays continue to burn up the tour circuit after more than four decades, and they recently announced their upcoming performance schedules. The tour began Aug. 7, and now continues through Feb. 12, 2016. While the powerhouse vocalists are performing their legendary music coast to coast, group member Eric Nolan will also be releasing his third single, “Cologne,” off his first solo album, “Mood Swing.”