Watch out now. Rev. Al Sharpton is in the movie business. The renowned civil rights activist is the subject of a documentary, 'Rolling with Rev,' that is making its rounds – in parts – on the film festival circuit.
Sharpton's longtime spokeswoman, Rachel Noerdlinger, confirmed that the final two installments of director Edward J. Harris' film, titled 'Slap the Donkey' and 'Trek to the Holy Land,' have been selected for screening this week in New York City at the Ossie Davis/Ruby Dee Film Festival and the International Latino Film Festival.
Narrated by Danny Glover, 'Slap the Monkey,' which features notable luminaries and public intellectuals such as Percy Sutton, Dr. Ron Daniels and Dr. Cornel West, highlights Sharpton's foray onto the national political scene and his ventures into international human rights dialogues. Meanwhile, 'Trek to the Holy Land' documents the journey of Sharpton; Michael Jackson's former spiritual leader, Rabbi Schmuley Boteach; and journalist Herb Boyd as they head to Israel after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Dionne Warwick has never been one to mince words, and the Grammy Award-winning diva isn't holding back on black radio magnate Cathy Hughes either. The 'Do You Know the Way to San Jose?' singer went to the Huffington Post to verbally lash the Radio One founder about the growing battle surrounding music royalties.
"I was surprised when [Hughes] added my name to the list of African American artists and civil rights activists she's attacked in her vicious campaign against fairly compensating musicians for their work," Warwick wrote. "Then again," she added, "since smearing African American leaders to protect her profits has become Ms. Hughes siren song, maybe I shouldn't be surprised at all."
Hughes, one of the most prominent figures in the ownership of black media, has fought publicly against Congress' proposed performance royalties on broadcast radio, while Warwick strongly supports the move. "Every time we buy a CD or download a song, the artist is paid for their work," Warwick added. "You might not know that this isn't the case when a musician's work is played on the radio. That's because corporate radio CEOs like Cathy Hughes are exploiting a legal loophole that allows them to play these artists' songs without paying them for their work." More of Dionne Warwick's diatribe here.
Gabrielle Union is back at work. Last year, the black Hollywood starlet, who always seems to be fodder for tabloids and gossip blogs, made a memorable turn in 'Cadillac Records,' alongside Jeffrey Wright, Mos Def, Columbus Short and Beyonce Knowles. This year, she's returning to television. It was announced this week that the 'Bring it On' star will join the cast of ABC's new fall drama 'Flash Forward,' a show about what happens when the world's population is given a glimpse of its future. Union will have a recurring role as Zoey, a criminal defense attorney who will have a romantic arc on the show. The show premiers Sept. 24. The Omaha, Neb., native was recently seen on 'Life,' 'Ugly Betty' and ABC's short-lived 'Night Stalker.'
David Alan Grier will make his return to Broadway this fall. The 'In Living Color' star will join the cast of David Mamet's upcoming play, 'Race,' which begins previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on Nov. 16 in New York City. While no plot information has been made public, Kerry Washington and James Spader have already been announced to star in the project. Grier, who was recently seen on 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'Chocolate News,' has appeared on Broadway in 'Dreamgirls' and 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.' In 1982, the Detroit native garnered a Tony Award nomination for playing Jackie Robinson in 'The First.' 
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By: AntBee on 7/31/2009 10:29PM
THANK GOD that we have someone like Ms. Warwick to take a stand for musicians and their hard work!
They are the ones who make the songs "work" the music is just another key to the entire package.
Ms. Warwick, thank you for your support and effort.
Please record again. Those of us who know what a "singer" truly is misses your voice and work.
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By: lafayette on 8/02/2009 7:22AM
i believe that ms/ warkis is enttitle to toher royalties because she is an icon in the business/
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By: TrinaB on 8/02/2009 7:27AM
I really do not care for either women. Especially Kathy- how she dogged President Obama when he was running for office and thru her unconditional support behind Hillary. She of all people should know that we should support our people just like every other race does (Unconditionally). Although I do respect her struggle and rise to the top of her industry. As far as Dionne, she always seemed to be to upidy to me and I have never heard of her giving back or helping other young artist. Again I respect her struggle and many firsts in the industry. In terms of getting paid for each time they play the records, I totally disagree. I think the royalties they now receive and the enormous amounts they are paid for everything else is enough. In todays technology world and the entertainment industry - the possibility of radio royalties have been replaced with ringtones, downloads, etc. That is enough. Should every book writer be paid a royalty every time a person reads their book - maybe in a library or at a friends house. Come on that is just greedy to me.
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By: sdw on 8/02/2009 1:39PM
In the past the only way people would become aware of songs is by hearing them on the radio. If those songs weren't played, the artist would make very little money on his album; this is why certain record companies would pay the radio stations to play the artist's music. I don't think artists should be paid royalties for being played on the radio, they should either agree or disagree to have the radio station be an advertiser for their music. Either be on the radio or don't.
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By: tony on 8/02/2009 3:03PM
WELL STATED .
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By: Unknow Listener on 8/02/2009 7:49PM
Everyone fell to relies that the radio station is where we first hear of any music artist. If they start paying royalties for older music being played we won't be hearing the artist music forever. Then the radio stations may not be able to continue playing any artist music, i.e. 20-30 years from now. I enjoy the oldie but goodie music from the 60's to now. The way the economy is now, radio is the only source for everyone to enjoy music without paying a heavy/big price. So, don't jump the gun too soon.
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By: jackie smurf on 8/03/2009 7:00AM
Having you song played on the radio is FREE ADVERTISEMENT for the artist!They should be glad that they are not being charged by the radio stations! which is exactly what will happen if Warick gets her way. Wake-up and smell the coffee.
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By: ALLEN C FRAZIER on 8/03/2009 6:31PM
"BLACK VOICES", Why do you refer to Dionnes comments, as "diatribe" ?
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By: BOBBY C ROBERTS on 8/03/2009 9:08PM
YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE IN THE BUSINESS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT. ESPECIALLY THOSE MUSICIANS WHO PLAY THE MUSIC BEHIND THOSE ARTIST THAT YOU HEAR. WHAT THEY GET DON'T COMPARE WHERE THE REST OF THE MONEY IS GOING.
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By: Atabah on 8/03/2009 10:49PM
Royalties for music artists will eventually put small independently owned African American stations out of business. These stations are not supported by the big sponsors like their white counterparts; they are not in a position to be able to afford to pay costly royalties. If entertainers are interested in making more money, they need to produce better music and they fans will be happy to pay to see them in concert. Most of the new artists lack talent, they cannot sing or play musically instruments. They do not deserve a dime.
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