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A New Book By 'A Vibe Called Tech' Founder, Charlene Prempeh Spotlights Black Pioneers From Across the History of Design via Vogue (click) Photo: Marlboro advertisement, “Where the flavor is,” by Emmett McBain, 1972.

#black culture #black history #black design #emmett mcbain #vintage black glamour #design

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Music in Film: Summer of Soul (… Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021) dir. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

#summer of soul #questlove #ahmir Thompson #black music #soul music #soul

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Marpessa Dawn in Paris wearing a dress from Leonard’s spring/summer collection (1968).

#marpessa dawn #vintage black glamour #marpessa hennink

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The Blood Of Jesus (1941)- Dir. Spencer Williams

In the rich history of low budget Black cinema, there are a few rare gems that I feel every Black person should see in their lifetime. Among them is "The Blood of Jesus" (1941), a groundbreaking film directed by the multi-talented Spencer Williams. This film lays the groundwork for Black indie films with its ghastly folk aesthetic, non linear storytelling and angelic imagery. "The Blood of Jesus" remains an essential cinematic experience even after more than eight decades.

Now why THIS film?

"The Blood of Jesus" holds a special place in the annals of Black cinema as one of the first feature-length films to be produced and directed by a Black filmmaker. This milestone not only paved the way for future filmmakers but also provided a platform for authentic representation and storytelling.

The storyline is the classic “in between heaven and hell” trope and it is executed in such a stylistically sound way that it kept me glued to the screen. It reminded me surrealism and Dadaism which was huge in white cinema and literature at the time. This is early Afrosurrealism, dare I say. We see masterful interaction with atmospheric lighting, symbolic dream sequences, and breathtaking slow dissolves. It has lots of non-linear storytelling which is seen in many different Black indie films, especially from the 90s and it was fun making this connection.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

The film tells the story of a young woman named Martha, played by Cathryn Caviness, who is accidentally shot by her husband, Razz Jackson, portrayed by Spencer Williams himself. As Martha lies between life and death, her soul is caught in a cosmic struggle between the forces of good and evil. The narrative takes the viewers on a spiritual journey, as Martha's soul encounters various characters, symbolizing the temptations and choices she must confront. The film skillfully weaves together elements of Christianity and African American spirituality, highlighting the interconnectedness of faith and culture.

Written by your favorite Black film head, welcome to Nigga Mag.

-M

#vintage black glamour #black films #black american films #black american cinema #black spirituality #black storytelling #black stories #surrealist writing #surrealism

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The incomparable Ms. Lynn Whitfield 🤍

#lynn whitfield #vintage black glamour #black glamour #black women #black beauty

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#ThisWeekInJET inspired by @byshefon on Twitter. Marian Anderson, African American opera singer is on the cover of Jet Magazine in February 7, 1952. Google books has archived editions of magazines such as Jet, Ebony, and Negro Digest.

#black culture #black american #african american #black history #marian anderson #african american culture #african american history #vintage black glamour #black american history #black hollywood #classic hollywood #opera #American opera #black opera singers

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Marian Anderson broke the color barrier at the Metropolitan Opera in 1955 when she starred in Verdi’s Un Ballo en Maschera. A new live recording of her performance has just been released. To hear her sing phrases like “Il tetto mio penetra,” in her big Act 1 aria, is to hear a voice that Arturo Toscanini said comes around only once in a century.

Listen now.

#marian anderson #verdi #metropolitan opera #black culture #black american #african american #black history #african american culture #african american history #vintage black glamour #black american history #black American culture #African American history #African American culture

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Marian Anderson, American opera singer. France, circa 1955

#marian anderson #opera #black opera singers #african american #black culture #black american history #black American culture #African American #African American history #black american

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Addison Scurlock (June 19, 1883 – December 16, 1964) was an African American photographer, founder of The Scurlock Studio, and businessman who became prominent in the early and mid-20th century for photographing Black Washington.

#addison scurlock #books #scurlock studios #photographers #photography #african americans #black history month #duke ellington #w. e. b. du bois #washington dc #black history #black american history #black americans #black American culture

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Lena Horne & Hazel Scott .

#lena horne #hazel scott #famous black women #beautiful black women #vintage 40s #black actresses #classical jazz #vintage black glamour #african american #black American

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Rest in paradise to Cicely Tyson. What a full and beautiful life. I can only hope that I am blessed to live half as beatifully as her. Tyson, who was known for playing strong Black leads and refusing to play roles that were demeaning to Black women, was nominated for an Oscar for her role as the sharecropper’s wife in Sounder and a Tony Award in 2013 at age 88. Tyson was also nominated for 2 Emmy awards.  (December 19, 1924 – January 28, 2021)

#Cicely Tyson #vintage black glamour #black women in hollywood #classic hollywood #old hollywood #Golden Age of Hollywood #black history #black culture #black american history #african american #african american history #african american culture #vintage black women #black hollywood

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– Diahann Carroll & Sidney Poitier in Paris Blues (1961)

#Diahann Carroll #sidney poitier #paris blues #black american cinema #black american culture #films #movies #classic hollywood #vintage black glamour #vintage black women #black hollywood #black culture #1960s #60s

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Rest in paradise to Oscar nominated trailblazer and icon Diahann Carroll. She was the first Black woman to star in a non-servant role on television in Julia She broke many barriers and stereotypes set for Black women. She was the first Black person to win a Tony Award for a leading role. She was a true pioneer and made many significant contributions to Black American cinema. (17 July 1935 - 04 October 2019)

#Diahann Carroll #vintage black glamour #black women in hollywood #classic hollywood #old hollywood #golden age of hollywood #black history #black culture #black american history #african american history #black american #african american #african american culture #vintage black women #black hollywood

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Toni Morrison has died at 88. The Nobel Prize–winning author had also been a teacher, an editor and a cherished friend and mentor to other writers. “So much of the history of black literature has been embroiled in the debates about whether one is a writer and what race has to do with it. She readily embraced those identities: black female writer,” Angela Y. Davis told us earlier this year. 

#toni morrison #angela davis #black women #black feminism #black womanism #womanism #feminism #black culture

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Toni Morrison, a Nobel Laurete, an icon of the literary world, and an elder in the womanisn movement has died at the age of 88. Born Chloe Ardelia Wofford, Morrison was an unfailing leader in the push for Black women narratives and wrote such classics as Song of Solomon, Sula, and Beloved, the latter of which earned her a Pulitzer Prize. Much can be said about the transformative power of her works, but I’d rather leave you with her own words right now:

“You can’t fly with regrets of yesterdays on your wings.

You can’t fly if you’re still in love with that ex that’s bad for you. Give that shit up!

You can’t fly if you’re afraid of standing up and taking power. Give that shit up!

You can’t fly if you’re spending the time you should be using to fly on other less important things. Give that shit up!

Focus on flying, if you wanna to fly. Because if you really wanna fly, nothing should be able to stop you. And if you’re not flying, realize something is. And lose that shit!”

Rest in Power, Toni Morrison. Thank you for the gift of your words and the beauty of your life.

#toni morrison #rest in power #literature #black lives matter #womanism #feminism #civil rights #history #news #quotes #twitter #power #rest in peace

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Rest in peace to author and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison! She was the first Black American woman to win a Nobel Prize. She was a towering force who spoke about the Black American experience. She has such a special place in my heart and she’s an inspiration to so many. (18 February 1931 - 05 August 2019)

#toni morrison #black culture #african american culture #black american culture #literature #black american literature #african american literature #American literature #american culture #black american history #black history #african american history #american history #black american #african american #black experience #well read black girl

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I’m so happy to be able to have witnessed two landmark wins in Black history. Ruth E. Carter became the first Black person to win an Academy Award for Costume Design. Hannah Beachler became the first Black person to win an Academy Award for Production Design. They are 2 of 3 Black women who have won Academy Awards for things besides acting and they brought home Marvel’s first two Oscars ever! Black Americans continue to break barriers and this is such an impactful moment for Black American women, especially those interested in film! Congratulations to Black Panther!

#oscars #91st academy awards #black panther #ruth e. carter #hannah beachler #ruth e carter #ryan coogler #black culture #african american #black american #black history #african american culture #african american history #black american culture #black women #black american history #academy awards #costume design #production design