The Undisputed Champ’s Undisputed Truth

Born in Brooklyn on June 30, 1966, Michael Gerard Tyson is an all-time boxing great who, in his prime, struck fear in the heart of any opponent he squared off against. He compiled an impressive record of 50 wins, 5 losses and 1 disqualification for biting off an opponent’s ear over the course of an incomparable career in which he became the first undisputed heavyweight champ to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF title belts simultaneously.

Here, the pugilist-turned-actor talks about his latest movie, Scary Movie 5, co-starring a rogues gallery of controversial celebrities including Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan, Katt Williams and Snoop Dogg.  Read the entire interview.

Legendary Filmmaker Discusses His Latest Documentary

Ken Burns has been making films for more than thirty years. Since the Academy Award-nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and to produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made.

Ken’s films have won ten Emmy Awards and two Oscar nominations, and in September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Here, he talks about his latest film, The Central Park Five, co-directed by his daughter, Sarah, and her husband, David McMahon, which premieres on PBS on April 16th, 2013.  Read the entire interview.

Jurnee Smollett-Bell The “Temptation” Interview

Born in New York City on October 1, 1986, Jurnee Smollett-Bell is an award-winning actress and activist of rare talent and conviction. She recently starred in the Emmy Award-winning series “Friday Night Lights” on which she portrayed the character Jess. She’s also been seen on “The Defenders” as Lisa, a new attorney at the law firm.

Among Jurnee’s other charitable causes is the Children’s Defense Fund, where she joined the board at the invitation of her longtime mentor, Marian Wright Edelman. Here, she talks about starring as Judith opposite Vanessa Williams, Kim Kardashian and Brandy in Tyler Perry’s latest morality play, Temptation. ”  Read the entire interview.

Terrence Howard - The “Dead Man Down” Interview

In 2006, Terrence Howard received an Academy Award nomination for his lead role in John Singleton's "Hustle & Flow," and the song which he performed in the film became the first rap song ever to receive an Academy Award. That same year, he was also a member of the all-star cast (along with Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Thandie Newton and Matt Dillon) of Crash, the Oscar-winning Best Picture.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, Davis also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree from her alma mater, Rhode Island College. Here, she talks about her latest outing as Amma in the screen adaptation of the romantic fantasy novel “Beautiful Creatures.”  Read the entire interview.

Viola Davis The “Beautiful Creatures” Interview

Viola Davis is a critically acclaimed actress who garnered her first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her stellar work in "Doubt,” co-starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams. She received her second Oscar nomination, this time in the category of Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her portrayal of Aibileen, in "The Help," based on Kathryn Stockett's best-selling novel. Davis also received a Screen Actor’s Guild Award and an NAACP Image Award for that powerful performance.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, Davis also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree from her alma mater, Rhode Island College. Here, she talks about her latest outing as Amma in the screen adaptation of the romantic fantasy novel “Beautiful Creatures.”  Read the entire interview.

Anthony Anderson - The “34th Annual UNCF: An Evening of Stars”

Accomplished actor Anthony Anderson has appeared in over 20 films, and his stellar work on NBC's "Law & Order" earned him three of his eight NAACP Image Award nominations. Prior to launching his acting career, Anthony grew up in Los Angeles and attended the High School for the Performing Arts, where he earned first place in the NAACP's ACTSO Awards with his performance of a classic monologue from "The Great White Hope." That performance, along with his dedication to his craft, earned him an arts scholarship to Howard University.

Anthony is currently starring on three TV series, “Guys with Kids,” “Treme” and “Golf in America,” and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Alvina, and their two children. Here he talks about hosting the United Negro College Fund’s 34th Annual “An Evening of Stars.”  Read the entire interview.

Meagan Good The “Deception” Interview

Born in Panorama City, California, Megan Good began appearing in commercials at the age of 4 and to date has completed over 60 national television commercials. She made her primetime television debut on the WB nighttime series "Raising Dad," and her first major television role was as a regular on the hit show "Cousin Skeeter." And she has guest-starred on "Moesha," "The Steve Harvey Show," "The Division," "The Parent 'Hood," "My Wife & Kids" and "All of Us," too.

Meagan was recently married to DeVon Franklin, an executive for Columbia Pictures who is also a preacher and motivational speaker. Here, she talks about her new show, “Deception,” which airs Monday nights on NBC at 10 PM ET/PT. (Check local listings)  Read the entire interview.

Marlon Wayans “A Haunted House” Interview

Multi-talented Marlon Wayans graduated from the prestigious High School of
Performing Arts in New York and Howard University’s Film School. He is best
known for getting his start in Hollywood as a cast member of the Emmy
Award-winning comedy series, In Living Color. Marlon then went on to create
executive produce and star in The Wayans Bros on the WB.

Here, he talks about his latest film, A Haunted House, a spoof of the
Paranormal Activity franchise.  Read the entire interview.

Jamie Foxx “Django Unchained” Interview

Academy Award-winning actor, talented Grammy Award-winning musical artist and comedian Jamie Foxx is one of Hollywood's rare, elite multi-faceted performers. He was last seen in Horrible Bosses and also recently lent his vocal talents to the popular animated adventure RIO, as a canary named 'Nico.'

Here, he talks about playing the title role of slave-turned-bounty hunter Django opposite Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington and Leonardo DiCaprio in Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. Read the entire interview.

Tamala Jones The “Castle” Interview

Tamala Jones has created a varied career based on her prodigious talent, working steadily in comedic and dramatic projects for both film and television. At 20 she made her feature film debut in How to Make an American Quilt as the great-grandmother of Maya Angelou's character. That same year, she racked up television roles in The Wayans Bros., The Parent 'Hood and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as a recurring role as Joanie on ER. From there she joined the regular cast of the ABC drama Dangerous Minds, which gave her a chance to show her dramatic chops as a teenage mother facing parenthood and an abusive spouse.

Here,Talama talks about her role in the TV Series "Castle", and her career.  Read the entire interview.

Naomie Harris - The “Skyfall” Interview

Naomie Harris was born on September 6, 1976 in London, England where she was raised as an only child by Lisselle Kayla, a single-mom and TV scriptwriter of Jamaican extraction. The accomplished young actress has already made a name for herself in film, television and theatre, and just completed production on A Long Walk to Freedom, a biopic in which she portrayed Nelson Mandela’s wife Winnie.

Here, she talks about her latest outing as a Bond girl opposite Daniel Craig as 007 in Skyfall. .  Read the entire interview.

Yolanda Adams - The “How Sweet the Sound” Interview

Ever since her late-Eighties debut, “Just as I Am,” Yolanda Adams has triumphantly carried the torch for contemporary gospel and inspirational music via a dozen glorious albums. Stunningly beautiful, exceptionally educated, filled with the spirit and blessed with one of the most powerful voices in any genre of music, this former schoolteacher is a stately beacon of God’s light.

Here, she talks about her life and career, and about hosting Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound,” the country’s most prestigious gospel music celebration and competition. Now, in its fifth year of celebrating the community and the power of gospel music, “How Sweet the Sound’s” national finale will be staged in New York on November 4th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Read the entire interview.

Quvenzhané Wallis The “Beasts of the Southern Wild” Interview

Quvenzhané “Nazie” Wallis was born on August 28, 2003, in Houma, Louisiana where she attends Honduras Elementary School. She is the daughter of Venjie and Qulyndreia Wallis, and sister to Qunyquekya, Vejon and Venjie Jr.

Here, she talks about her Oscar-worthy performance as Hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild, a visually-enchanting modern parable issuing a dire warning about the threat to the planet posed by civilization and corporations if left unchecked.  Read the entire interview.

Carmen Ejogo - The “Sparkle” Interview

Carmen Ejogo was born in London on New Year’s Day 1974 to Elizabeth Douglas and Charles Ejogo, a couple of Scottish and Nigerian extraction, respectively. She made her U.S. film debut opposite Eddie Murphy playing Veronica 'Ronnie' Tate in the 1997 comedy Metro.

Carmen and her husband, actor Jeffrey Wright, live in Brooklyn which is where they are raising their two children. Here’s she talks about her latest role as Sister in Sparkle opposite Jordin Sparks and the late Whitney Houston.  Read our interview with Carmen Ejogo.

Sugar Ray Leonard - “The Big Fight” Interview

One of the most prodigious pugilists of all time, Sugar Ray Leonard was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina on May 17, 1956 to Cicero and Getha Leonard. The fifth of seven kids, his family moved to Washington, DC in 1959 before settling down seven years later in Palmer Park, Maryland where his father was employed as a supermarket night manager and his mother as a nurse.

Ray retired from the ring in 1997 with a record 36-3-1, with 25 of those wins coming by knockout. Today, he lives in California with his wife, Bernadette, and their children, Camille and Daniel. Here, he discusses his moving memoir, “The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring.”  Read our interview with Sugar Ray.

Tyler Perry The “Madea’s Witness Protection” Interview

Tyler Perry’s inspirational journey from the hard streets of New Orleans to the heights of Hollywood's A-list is the stuff of American legend. Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, Tyler fought from a young age to find the strength, faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his much-acclaimed plays, films, books and shows.

Tyler Perry practices what he preaches, and what he preaches has endeared him to millions of fans drawn by that unique blend of spiritual hope and down-home humor that continues to shape his inspiring life story and extraordinary body of work. Here, he talks about his latest film, “Madea’s Witness Protection, ”which he not only wrote, directed and produced, but also stars in, playing three roles, including the sassy, straight-talking title character.   Read our interview with Tyler Perry. 

Emmy-Winning Director Invites Investors in Black Panther Biopic

Dante James is an Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker who has produced and directed critically-acclaimed documentary and dramatic films. He is also the assistant director of the African Cultural Center at North Carolina State University (NCSU).

During the summer of 2010 he served as a guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. And he plans to return to Cape Town to make a film with a black South African resident of the Khayelitsha Township. A member of the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America, Dante is currently developing an independent feature-length documentary about Huey P. Newton and the Black Panther Party.  Read our interview with Dante James.

Ziggy Marley The “Marley” Interview

David Nesta “Ziggy” Marley was born in Trenchtown, Jamaica on October 17, 1968 to Bob and Rita Marley. A five-time Grammy-winning musician, actor, artist, activist and humanitarian, Ziggy has enjoyed a prominent presence on the public stage for over a quarter-century.

The title of his latest album, Wild and Free, is a little ironic, given his time-consuming commitments to family, philanthropy, songwriting, producing, studio work and touring. Ziggy also continues to head Tuff Gong Worldwide in honor of his father’s own music label Tuff Gong Records, working on the re-launch of the official Bob Marley website and an exhibit at the Grammy Museum in L.A.   Read our interview with Ziggy Marley.

Steve Harvey The “Think Like a Man” Interview

Born in Welch, West Virginia on January 17, 1956, Steve Harvey is a media conglomerate personified whose career began doing stand-up in the mid-1980s. His success as a comedian eventually led to a long stint as host of It’s Showtime at the Apollo, multiple TV shows and movies, assorted acting roles, and to hosting, writing and producing.

Here, Steve talks about the opus’ screen adaptation titled, Think Like a Man, starring Taraji P. Henson, Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union and Kevin Hart.  Read our interview with Steve Harvey. 

Production Designer Wynn Thomas
Interviewed by filmmaker Booker T. Mattison

Production designer Wynn Thomas started working in theatre as a teenager growing up in Philadelphia. Upon graduation from Boston University, Thomas went to New York where he was a production designer for the Public Theatre and the Negro Ensemble Company before transitioning into film production. Thomas apprenticed under production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein (Academy Award winner for “Amadeus,” 1984) before starting a longtime collaboration with director Spike Lee.

Yo! Ne-Yo!

Shaffer Chimere Smith, aka Ne-Yo, was born in Camden, Arkansas, but raised in Las Vegas, Nevada by his mom, a musician of Chinese and African-American descent.  He began making a name for himself as a singer/songwriter in 1999, going on to compose hits for Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Christina Milian, B2K, Mario and others, and also to record four solo albums.

In 2006, he added acting to his repertoire, making his screen debut in Save the Last Dance, later appearing in Stomp the Yard and, more recently, in Battle: Los Angeles. Here, he talks about his co-starring opposite Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard as Andrew “Smoky” Salem in Red Tails, a World War II saga recounting the daring exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen in the skies over Europe.   Read our interview with Ne-Yo.

How You Doin'?

Born in Asbury Park, New Jersey on July 18, 1964, Wendy Joan Williams burst onto the TV landscape in July 2009 with the launch of her own nationally-syndicated talk show. Dubbed a "breakthrough in daytime" by The New York Times, "The Wendy Williams Show" is now in its third season and airs in 52 countries around the world.  "The Wendy Williams Show" is a reflection of its host; with its vibrant colors and upbeat soundtrack matching Williams' own personality and energetic sense of humor. And the show's focus on entertainment reflects her passion for pop culture.

Wendy resides in Northern New Jersey with her husband, Kevin, and their 11 year-old son, Kevin, Jr. Here, she talks about her life and career.  Read our interview with Wendy Williams.