EBONY Magazine Features “Get on Up” Cast

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EBONY Magazine Features “Get on Up” Cast on September Cover

Exclusive Interview with Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis and Tika Sumpter

CHICAGO (August 12, 2014) — Following the release of the highly anticipated and critically acclaimed film, Get on Up, actors Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis and Tika Sumpter are now the featured cover stars on the September issue of EBONY magazine, exuding the same glamour and style depicted in the James Brown biopic.



Boseman, who epitomized the legendary Godfather of Soul, exclusively tells EBONY he originally didn’t want the role that is now giving him Oscar worthy buzz.



“When my manager brought me the script, I didn’t even want to read it because I knew attempting to play James Brown would just be crazy,” cited Boseman.  However, once he received the role, beating out 20 actors for the part, he was completely dedicated to capturing the essence of Brown.  “He was a complicated man, both good and bad.  Once you understand the reasons for his dichotomy, it’s easier to grasp who he was.”



Boseman’s co-stars also agree that being a part of the film has pushed them to take their acting abilities to a higher level.  In the article, Ellis credits Boseman for being a “working machine” and wanting to keep up at his level.



“I thought, ‘If I’m going to act opposite [Chad], I’ll need to prove myself worthy,’” cited Ellis, who played Brown’s longtime friend and collaborator, Bobby Byrd.  “You’ll see some of the best acting I’ve ever done on this last season of True Blood, and I owe that to Chad,” Ellis continued in reference to his character Lafayette in the hit HBO series.  “I don’t know what people’s reactions will be, but I do want them to see a different side of my acting in this film.”



Sumpter, the sexy powerhouse actress known best for her sultry character in Tyler Perry’s The Haves and Have Nots, plays a noticeable short role in the film but says she values the experience more than anything.



“I wouldn’t take this time back at all.  The talent here elevated my own and has done nothing but push me forward,” she said.  “For me, it’s not always just about the work; it’s also about the connection.”



Sumpter is now leveraging the moment to create her own opportunities, and she is currently starring and producing in her own untitled project.



“Nowadays, you simply can’t wait for someone to give it to you,” she added.  “You have to create opportunities for yourself when nobody else will.”



Inside the September Issue, EBONY presents for the first time, The Eunice W. Johnson 2014 Best Dressed List, curated by fashion industry giants such as Andre Leon Tally, Francisco Costa and Audrey Smatlz.  Celebrity winners include from Lupita Nyong’o, Solange Knowles, Pharrell and Kanye West.  EBONY also presents its annual Beauty & Grooming MVP Awards, and finally readers will have the opportunity to meet the top 10 winners from the 2014 HBCU Campus Queens contest.


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EBONY Salutes Black Music Legends in Special Collector’s Edition

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EBONY Salutes Black Music Legends in Special Collector’s Edition

The four-cover series celebrates Black Music Month

CHICAGO (May 5, 2014) — In celebration of Black Music Month, EBONY magazine pays tribute to the industry’s leaders, pioneers and game changers.  Inside the June issue, EBONY honors both the present-day success stories and the giants who paved the way. 

The issue is presented in a four-cover series, with Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West and Rihanna gracing the covers as a salute to their unprecedented impact on Black music.  One of the most critically acclaimed voices in urban music culture, Kevin Powell, lends EBONY his pen and probes the connection between the ruling musical icons and how they compare with legends of the past. 

“It was an honor to write the four cover stories for EBONY magazine’s Black Music Month special collector’s edition, and to also pen the additional four mini-features inside,” said Powell. “Rarely do you see today’s unstoppable stars like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West and Jay Z packaged with legends like Tina Turner, Donna Summer or Tupac Shakur, but we did it because when it comes to Black music, it is important to note the deep connection between the musicians of yesterday and today,” he added. 

Inside EBONY, Powell paints a picture of the parallels between several music geniuses, regardless of the era they reigned.  For example, Kanye and Tupac are both recognized as the poets who defined their own rules in the industry. 

“They are brothers from another planet – the one they built themselves,” said Powell in the article as he referenced Kanye and Tupac.  “Love them or hate them, there is no denying that these two bad boys of hip-hop make our culture so electric and so hard to ignore.”

Additional artists highlighted include Usher, Prince, Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. 

However, it is impossible to recognize the idols of Black music, without acknowledging those of the jazz era.  EBONY also pays homage to Blue Note Records, the most respected and longest-running jazz label in the world, as the company celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.  Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Art Blakey were just a few of the legendary musicians on Blue Note Records, and now trailblazers such as Robert Glasper are continuing to carry the torch for the prestigious label. 

The tribute continues as EBONY reveals the 10 music artists to watch – with Judith Hill, Childish Gambino and Lecrae on the list to name a few, the seven most epic battles in Black music and a guide to the best festivals, concerts and new music releases for the summer. 

Readers can find the June issue of EBONY on newsstands May 6. 

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ACTRESS ANGELA BASSETT GRACES EBONY MAGAZINE COVER

                                                  IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    

EBONY Talks to Angela Bassett About Insecurity and Success and Reveals Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Portfolio of Celebrity Icons for Annual Hollywood Issue

 Magazine Explores the State of Black Feminism; Launches White House Partnership and Counts Down Spring’s Hottest Fashion Trends

CHICAGO (February 5, 2013) — EBONY magazine salute’s Black Hollywood with actress Angela Bassett gracing the cover, reveals never-before-seen images of our biggest celebrities and crowns the next generation of stars. Bassett is currently mesmerizing her fans in her captivating role as voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau, on the FX series American Horror Story: Coven, while also receiving acclaim for her role in Black Nativity during the holiday season.  Many know Bassett for being strong, poised and resilient; however, the talented actress opened up to EBONY magazine and revealed that she also has moments of doubt and insecurity. However, she gives readers the scoop on how to exude the same sense of confidence that she possesses while also keeping her feet firmly on the ground.  As the actress reflected on moments when it was hard to secure a role, she offers the following advice on how to keep going: “You’ve got to keep a good attitude.  You can’t think, ‘This is it [during the lean times], because that’s when it’s going to break open for you. You’ve got to be ready; you’ve got to be prepared.” “Whatever you’re dealing with seems like a mountain to you, but we truly aren’t in it alone. Sometimes we need others to talk us off the cliff or to just talk to us or to be there with us [in order] to support us or love us.”Despite being a part of Hollywood’s elite and being armed with an Ivy League degree from Yale University, Bassett discusses why pursuing excellence and staying grounded is so important to her. “I understand where I come from; the strength and the people I come from. I know what has been endured and sacrificed.” This issue also features a salute to young Hollywood’s hottest new game-changers like  Lupita Nyong’o, Quvenzhane Wallis, Zendaya Coleman and Michael B. Jordan just to name a few.  Plus, EBONY magazine’s photo director Dudley Brooks opens the archives to share exclusive behind-the-scenes images of some of our biggest stars like Beyonce, Gabrielle Union and Denzel Washington as you’ve never seen them before.

Also featured in the March Issue:

·         Black Feminism Today: Thanks to social media and a host of brave new voices in pop culture, America is engaging in a robust new dialogue about the state of Black women and the fight for equality.

·         Spring Fashion Workbook: Get the inside scoop on the hottest new beauty, style and grooming trends for women and men

·         Diary of a Sex Addict: EBONY uncovers the secret world of women struggling with an addiction few people understand and explores how women can get help for this debilitating condition.

·         Financial Success Stories: Real people share their blueprints for going from broke to blessed by launching a million dollar home-based business, building a perfect credit score and going to college for free.

·         EBONY’s Top Chefs: With a celebrity panel of judges EBONY salutes the best chefs in America.

·         White House Partnership: EBONY announces a groundbreaking partnership with the Obama administration to explore the magazine’s six-part “Saving Our Sons” editorial package with a series of town hall discussions and workshops.

The March issue of EBONY magazine hits newsstands on February 4th.     

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EBONY BLACK/BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEATURED ON EBONY MAGAZINE COVER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EBONY Celebrates Black Love in the February Issue

The magazine also pays homage to the legendary Nelson Mandela

CHICAGO (January 7, 2014) — To usher in Valentine’s Day, EBONY magazine is showcasing the love among three African-American power couples in its February 2014 issue.  Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey, Carmelo and La La Anthony and David and Tamela Mann will each have their own cover,and inside the magazine, readers can learn about the spouses’ love stories, how they knew they had found “the one,” and what they do keep the fires burning.

This is the first time each of the celebrity power couples will grace a magazine cover with his or her spouse and offer exclusive insight into their relationship. The photo layouts show Nick and Mariah up-close and sexy as never seen before, and the same can be said about Carmelo and La La as they reveal their intimate and sensual sides.  David and Tamela give readers a peek at how sweet and playful they are with each another. 

When asked what ignites their love and how they maintain the passion in their relationships, the following responses were given:

“It was early on when I found out how spiritual she was, and we had conversations about kids and how to live life.  For her to share these values, it instantly let me know this is the person I’ve always wanted.”

–Nick Cannon

“Having babies definitely strengthened our bond because all the love that you have for each other is manifested into these two incredible beings.” –Mariah Carey

“There were people coming in and out of my life, and I didn’t really know whom to trust.  She was one of the people who stood by my side through thick and thick.  Even to this day, she’s always right there.”

–Carmelo Anthony

“…We knew no matter what, we wanted each other.  We needed [to be] in each other’s life, and that’s what’s been able to sustain this relationship all those years.” –La La Anthony

“Stay in love because when you’re in love, it covers a multitude of fault.  Our relationship wasn’t based on good sex or having a lot of money.  It was based on just straight friendship.  That’s what has kept us.”

–David Mann

“I pray and ask God to keep my heart and my eyes burning only for David Mann.  I speak his name in my prayers, because I want the desire to stay, so when he touches me, I get chills.” –Tamela Mann

The issue also features a special editorial tribute to Nelson Mandela.  Inside, readers will find:

·         Reflections on the life of Mandela

·         Exclusive photos from the EBONY archives

·         Stories of Mandela’s experience in prison

·         An account of the anti-apartheid protests in America

·         Articles on Mandela as a revolutionary, a hero and a legend by notable figures such as Michael Eric Dyson and the Rev. Jesse Jackson

Courtesy of:

Vanessa Arbon 0f Johnson Publishing Company

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