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Why Is It So Hard to Show Black Women’s Musical Genius Onscreen?

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Oscar history has been made, again. For just the second time, two Black women — Viola Davis (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”) — are nominated for best actress in the same year. This last happened in 1973 when Cicely Tyson (“Sounder”) and Diana Ross (“Lady Sings the Blues”) were up for the Academy Award, only to lose out to Liza Minnelli for her starring role in “Cabaret.” While we do not know who will take home the gold statue on Sunday, it is undeniable that Davis and Day gave two of the most mesmerizing performances of the year.

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April 19

Bookin' w/ Jason Jefferies

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April 24

The 2nd Annual National Antiracist Book Festival