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STREET LIT GOES LEGIT By Mark Allwood Columbia News Service, 3/17/06 In the world of rap music, street credibility is everything. The same is true in the growing genre of writing known as street fiction. With titles like “Gangsta Lean,” “No More Baby’s Mama Drama” and “Blood Money,” street lit is often written by authors who come from hardscrabble backgrounds, some having served time in jail. And mainstream publishers have started to take notice of what street vendors and readers across the country have known for several years. K’wan Foye published his first novel, “Gangsta,” with Triple Crown Publications, which was founded by Vickie Stringer, who penned her first book, “Let That Be the Reason,” while serving a 7-year sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering. Foye’s last two releases, “Hoodlum” and “Street Dreams,” were published by St. Martin’s Griffin Press. Other street lit publishers include Q Boro Books, GHETTOHEAT® and Urban Books. A sure sign that street lit is going mainstream is that rapper 50 Cent just inked a deal with Pocket/MTV Books to distribute his G-Unit Books, which will specialize in urban fiction. Some authors and readers, though, feel the explosion of street lit has been detrimental to traditional black literature. Violence, sex and drugs are usually at the core of street lit. In “Gangsta,” for instance, two members of the Crips gang move from Los Angeles to New York, one to start his life over as a writer, the other to become a criminal kingpin. “I was sitting in my house one day and my baby’s mother was yelling at me about something totally irrelevant, so I started to spin this female character in my head,” said Harlem native Foye. “She needed a cast of characters, so I ripped off a piece of a paper bag and I started writing ‘Gangsta.’” In downtown Brooklyn’s bustling outdoor Fulton Mall, a street vendor who gives his name only as Ray, sells street books for $5 a piece. He says he usually sells 200 or more books a day and current popular titles include “Dogism,” “Money, Power and Respect” and “Going Broke.” Street vendors selling urban fiction are also abundant on 125th Street in Harlem. “They have a lot to do with people’s lives and what’s going on now in the projects,” said Ray, who added that most of his customers are young black women. Brooklyn resident Shawn Carter bought “CONVICT’S CANDY” for his wife, but he said he does not read street lit. “The story lines are good to her,” Carter said. “She likes most of the ones with drugs, prostitution and gangsters.” Street vendor Luis Laboy, standing a block from the famous Junior’s restaurant in downtown Brooklyn, said his top sellers were “Grimey,” “Blinded” and “Dutch.” “Mostly street books are what they’re into,” he said of his customers. About 50 other readers gathered at the Society Coffee Bar in Harlem on a frigid night in early March. These literary fans sat down to hot bowls of chicken tortilla soup, steaming cups of cappuccino and tall flutes of red wine for a reading by author Kenji Jasper, 30. He read from his first work of nonfiction, a memoir about his grandfather titled “The House on Childress Street.” Jasper’s first three novels, “Dark,” “Dakota Grand” and “Seeking Salamanca Mitchell” deal with the same gritty urban environment that street fiction often portrays, but he is not lumped into the same category. “On his fiction side, his milieu is very dark, very street,” literary agent Mannie Barron said of Jasper. “He reminds me of a modern day Raymond Chandler in his depiction of the streets and the underbellies, but like Raymond Chandler, he presents it in a very literary way.” Signed to Harlem Moon/Random House, Jasper has seen firsthand the effect that street fiction has had on traditional black literature. “It’s eclipsed it almost completely,” he said. “Mainstream authors and traditional publishing are taking a beating right now in the black community. I know authors who had great success three or four years ago but are now struggling or writing under pen names. They’re having trouble penetrating a marketplace that’s overrun. At least ten new [street] books come out a month, maybe more, and they’re being purchased by an audience that doesn’t necessarily read about books in magazines.” Millory Polyne, who attended Jasper’s reading, said he was dismayed that young blacks were reading street literature. Although he stopped short of criticizing urban fiction because he does not read it, Polyne said that readers of the genre need to understand the foundations of black literature and what came before. “They should understand how to hustle and how to get your stuff out there by all means necessary, but there’s a long legacy of writers who have worked really hard and their stuff is phenomenal,” he said. “People need to realize that they’ve paved the way and opened the doors for a lot of people to write their own literature.” Barron, an agent with the Menza Barron Agency, believes that there is room for all forms of fiction and that street lit has actually helped add to the diversity of black literature. He doesn’t buy into the argument that urban fiction is degrading to the black experience. “Equality gives us a right to mediocrity, so therefore not everything has to uplift the race,” he said. “This is our pulp fiction, and people forget you need to have this full spectrum. Just like in the broad society with a James Patterson or a Danielle Steele, nobody thinks that they are going to be the cause of the decline of the white race. There’s a time and a place for it. There are times when you just want junk food.” CONVICT'S CANDY WRITTEN BY DAMON "AMIN" MEADOWS & JASON POOLE CONVICT'S CANDY EDITED BY HICKSON CONVICT'S CANDY A GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTION EBOOK & PAPERBACK: SOLD & DISTRIBUTED EXCLUSIVELY AT GHETTOHEAT®! HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV! GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS: GHETTOHEAT® CONVICT’S CANDY HARDER AND GOD CREATED WOMAN LONDON REIGN SONZ OF DARKNESS TANTRUM HICKSONBELIKE... LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY THICKNESS GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS BANJEE CUNT ULTRAFABNABULOUS BROTHERS BEHIND BARS SO SEXY TOUGH MR. GHETTOHEAT® SKATE ON! GHETTOHEAT® EATS TURF GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE! GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. BOX 2746 | NEW YORK, NY 10027 GHETTOHEAT®: THE HOTNESS IN THE STREETS!!!™ #GHETTOHEAT #THEHOTNESSINTHESTREETS #HICKSON #CEOOFGHETTOHEAT #TEAMGHETTOHEAT #HICKSONHOTNESS #PEACEANDGHETTOHEAT #HICKSONBELIKE #GHETTOHEATBOOKS #GHETTOHEATMAGAZINE #GHETTOHEATTV #GHETTOHEATMOVEMENT #INSTAHICKSON #MAMAGHETTOHEAT #HOUSEOFGHETTOHEAT #GHETTOHEATSALUTE #PAZYGHETTOHEAT #GHETTOHEATHOTNESS #IAMGHETTOHEAT #GHETTOHEATPRODUCTION #MOVIMIENTODEGHETTOHEAT #BABYGHETTOHEAT #INSTAGHETTOHEAT #GHETTOHEATWORLDWIDE #SALUDODEGHETTOHEAT #MRGHETTOHEAT #GHETTOHEATGLOBALGROUPHUG #LACASADEGHETTOHEAT #GHETTOHEATEATS #GHETTOHEATCOM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION NAMES MOONLIGHT THE TOP FILM OF HISTORIC 2016 QUEEN SUGAR NAMED THE TOP TV SHOW Denzel Washington, Ruth Negga, Mahershala Ali and Viola Davis Receive Acting Wins from the Nation’s Premiere Black Critics Group Ava DuVernay's 13th and Beyonce's Lemonade also take key honors AWARDS GALA WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE TAGLYAN COMPLEX IN LOS ANGELES FEBRUARY 9th AT 9PM ET/ 6 PM PT Los Angeles, CA (December 13, 2016) – Movies, documentaries and TV shows about the black experience were in abundance in 2016 making it a truly historic year in terms of the number of movies, documentaries and TV shows released and number of blacks represented in front and behind the camera. “Our members had a plethora of outstanding movies, documentaries and TV shows to choose from this year," says AAFCA Co-founder Shawn Edwards. "It was an exceptional year in terms of the quantity and quality of films about the black experience. And while this by no means solves the diversity issue in the film industry it was definitely refreshing to have such a wide-range of exceptional work to choose from to honor and celebrate with our approval." There were several movies released this year that are considered masterpieces. However, it was "Moonlight" that dominated this year’s voting for the 8th AAFCA Awards. The independent film which chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami completely resonated with the majority of the members of the association. The A24 Pictures film earned multiple awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor. Awards were also given to singer Janelle Monae for Breakout Performance. She delivered star-making performances this year in both "Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures." The top acting honors went to Denzel Washington and Ruth Negga for their roles in Fences and Loving. AAFCA will hold its 8th annual awards ceremony on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, CA. "2016 provided our membership with many great films to choose from,” says AAFCA President and Co-founder, Gil Robertson. "Every movie and TV show on our Top 10 Lists could have easily been number one. The number of incredible performances by black actors and actresses added to a very competitive field of performances and represents a step towards inclusion that our membership warmly embraces. We look forward to what 2017 has in store." The following is a complete list of 2016 AAFCA Awards winners. FILM BEST PICTURE: MOONLIGHT – (A24) BEST DIRECTOR: BARRY JENKINS, MOONLIGHT – (A24) BEST ACTOR: DENZEL WASHINGTON, FENCES– (Paramount) BEST ACTRESS: RUTH NEGA, LOVING – (Focus Features) BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: MAHERSHALA ALI, MOONLIGHT – (A24) BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: VIOLA DAVIS, FENCES (Paramount) BEST ENSEMBLE: THE Cast of HIDDEN FIGURES (20TH Century Fox) BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE 2017 – Janelle Monae for MOONLIGHT AND HIDDEN FIGURES BEST INDEPENDENT FILM: “MOONLIGHT” (A24) BEST ANIMATION FILM; ZOOTOPIA (Disney) BEST SONG – “VICTORY” from HIDDEN FIGURES (20th Century Fox) BEST DOCUMENTARY – 13 (Netflix) BEST FOREIGN FILM – TANNA (Lightyear Entertainment) BEST SCREENPLAY – AUGUST WILSON, FENCES – (Paramount) TV BEST TV SHOW (Drama) – QUEEN SUGAR – OWN BEST TV SHOW (Comedy) – ATLANTA – FX BEST TV SHOW (CABLE/NEW MEDIA – UNDERGROUND – WGN BEST TV SHOW (Special/Limited Series) – LEMONADE – HBO AAFCA Top Ten Films of 2016 are as follows in order of distinction: 1. MOONLIGHT – A24 2. FENCES – Paramount 3. HIDDEN FIGURES – 20th Century Fox 4. LION – The Weinstein Company 5. LALA LAND – Lionsgate 6. BIRTH OF A NATION – Fox Searchlight 7. LOVING – Focus Features 8. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA – Roadside Attraction/Amazon Studios 9. HELL OR HIGH WATER – Lionsgate/CBS Films 10. QUEEN OF KATWE – Walt Disney Pictures/ESPN Films AAFCA Top Ten TV shows of 2016 are as follows in order of distinction: 1. QUEEN SUGAR – OWN 2. UNDERGROUND – WGN 3. ATLANTA - FX 4. INSECURE - HBO 5. LUKE CAGE – NETFLIX 6. THIS IS US – NBC 7. BLACKISH – ABC 8. THE GET DOWN – NETFLIX 9. WESTWORLD – HBO 10. SURVIVOR’S REMORSE - STARZ As previously announced, AAFCA’s Special Achievement Honors, presented by Morgan Stanley, will presented on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at the California Yacht Club. This year’s honorees include director, Anthony Hemingway; producer/director, Lee Daniels and animator, Floyd Norman. Chicago Tribune film critic, Michael Phillips will receive the organization’s Roger Ebert Award and Fox Animation President, Vanessa Morrison will receive the Ashley Boone Award. About AAFCA The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is the premiere organization of African-American film media professionals. Founded in 2003, AAFCA’s members represent a geographically diverse cross-section of media covering the cinematic arts. The organization honors excellence in cinema by creating awareness for films with universal appeal to black communities, while emphasizing film about the black experience and those produced written, directed and starring performers of African descent. The association actively reviews the quality and standard of black talent, content and media coverage. AAFCA also supports the development of future black film critics and filmmakers. CONTACT: Jeaunine Askew 323-878-2399 | info@aafca.com

PEACE & GHETTOHEAT®! HELLO WONDERFUL, WORLDWIDE MEMBERS OF THE GHETTOHEAT® MOVEMENT! :0) I, HICKSON: CEO OF GHETTOHEAT®, AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE THIRD GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS BOOKCLUB DISCUSSION WILL BE ON THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016, 7PM SHARP, WHERE WE’LL REVIEW THE DRAMATIC URBAN TALE, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN BY MIKA MILLER: AT THE END OF WOMEN'S MONTH 2016 (HARDER & LONDON REIGN WERE PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, & WILL BE REVISITED, ALSO)! AS ALWAYS, I’LL BE THE HOST OF THE EVENT! AND GOD CREATED WOMAN IS A SPICY STORY FOCUSING ON FOUR BLACK WOMEN IN PHILADELPHIA, WHO ARE ALL EXTREMELY INTERESTING, STRONG CHARACTERS, COMPLEX & VERY DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER, REVEALING THE DYNAMICS OF EACH, AS THE FOUR VENTURE ON THEIR EVOLUTIONARY JOURNEY OF WOMANHOOD! AND GOD CREATED WOMAN IS AN EXCELLENT READ THAT’S ALSO AN ESSENCE BESTSELLER, ONE THAT I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED EDITING & PUBLISHING! IF YOU’VE ALREADY READ AND GOD CREATED WOMAN: FABULOUS! BE FULLY PREPARED WITH GREAT ANTICIPATION TO CHIME IN DURING THE LIVE ONLINE CHAT! IF YOU HAVEN’T & WOULD LIKE TO OBTAIN PAPERBACK COPIES OR THE EBOOK, SEND EMAIL INQUIRIES TO HICKSON@GHETTOHEAT.COM FOR MORE DETAILS! FOLKS, I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING WITH YOU ALL DURING THE BOOKCLUB MEETING FOR AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, YET IF BY CHANCE YOU’RE UNABLE TO JOIN IN DURING THE LIVE CHAT, NO WORRIES, THE DISCUSSION AS ALWAYS WILL BE POSTED FOR YOU TO READ, AS WELL AS TO ADD ON TO, & WE’LL JUST CONTINUE ON FROM THERE—THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF THE GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS GROUP: WE KEEP IT GOING, PEOPLE! :0) UNTIL THEN, READ THE SYNOPSIS BELOW FOR AND GOD CREATED WOMAN! A BITCH, A WHORE, A BASKET CASE AND A DYKE! AND GOD CREATED WOMAN—a provocative, sophisticated story that chronicles the evolutionary journey of four flawed African-American women, as they overcome their individual struggles, and survive to become beautiful and stronger. Meet the feisty, fascinating females: Tristan, a beautiful, successful, financial guru who’s emotionally bankrupt: “Men call me a bitch! Because when it comes to business, I’m a man-eater.” Mekka, the bold, sexy, exotic dancer, and a single-mother of two: “Some people call me a hoe…because I strip for niggas and hustle for cash.” Shawn, an Afrocentric, neurotic, neo-soul goddess who’s an elementary school teacher with substance abuse issues: “Some people call me desperate. The truth is, I’m a basket case, a borderline alcoholic—I hate being by myself…” Melanie, the cool, sassy, hardcore “‘round-the-way girl” with a sexual identity crisis: “I can see that he’s trying to figure out whether I’m a girl or a guy. It’s not easy to tell.” AND GOD CREATED WOMAN is a groundbreaking tale of perseverance, filled with many moral messages. Taking readers on an emotional journey with enticing plots, twists and turns, Tristan, Mekka, Shawn and Melanie are forced to realize the true essence and beauty of a woman. #AUTHOR #PUBLICLIBRARY #URBANFICTION #BLACKWOMEN #DRAMA #URBANLIT #SEXUALITY #URBANFICTIONAUTHOR #GHETTOHEATBOOKS #GHETTOHEATPRODUCTION #WOMENSINTEREST #SUSPENSE #CHICKLIT #NOVEL #BOOK https://www.facebook.com/groups/ghettoheathotness https://www.facebook.com/Ghettoheat-And-God-Created-Woman-907544869269784/?ref=br_tf HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV! GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS: GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, HICKSONBELIKE, LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY, THICKNESS, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, ULTRAFABNABULOUS, SO SEXY, TOUGH, MR. GHETTOHEAT®, SKATE ON!, GHETTOHEAT® EATS, TURF, & GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE! HICKSON: CEO of GHETTOHEAT® & GHETTOHEAT® TV! GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTIONS: GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, HICKSONBELIKE, LOVE DON’T LOVE NOBODY, THICKNESS, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, ULTRAFABNABULOUS, SO SEXY, TOUGH, MR. GHETTOHEAT®, SKATE ON!, GHETTOHEAT® EATS, & GHETTOHEAT® MAGAZINE! GHETTOHEAT® | P.O. 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Plus they always seems to get a Brothers to don a dress at some point. Even action hero Wesley Snipes has worn a dress in a film, we don't even have to discuss the explopit of Tracy Morgan and Shawn Wayans. I know it is my New York City sensibility, but why do we care about Jason Collins sexuality?! Is being gay still news? I remeber when Sheryl Swopes "came out", after being married to a man, according to Wikipedia she is engaged to a man now now. Again why someones sex life is news is lost on me?! I read, on Facebook (the worlds news source) it is hard to avoid reading this crap, that Jason Collins dated a women for years. The woman claimed he had no idea Jason was gay. Again who cares, really... As a culture was are so stupid.

Tracy Morgan and Shawn Wyans have done a poor job of representing for the sex appeal of black men, but the trade-off for these goof ball buffoons is that they're popular and rich. A new breed of white guys have emerged and perfected the pseudo cool image associaed with black hipness. Hangin out with his cronies Timberlan and Jay-Z has rubbed off on JustinTimberlake who has done a pretty good job of developing his swagger, especially when he hooks up with either the very talented Jimmy Fallon or Andy Samburg, who exudes a whole lot of kosher sexiness. Oy Vey! Let's face it. The only people who think black men have a monopoly on sexiness is - black men. It's been said that power is a great aphrodisiac. 'Nuff said. See ya later, Bruh. And then there Jason Collins, ex Washington Wizards basketball center whose annoucement that' he's gay has given the Boston Marathon bombings a run for their money with the maudlin flood of media swill that Americans seem to have a need to lap up. . It's a wonder President Obama didn't nominate Jason for the congressional medal while jumpin on the bandwagon to praise the balls it took for him to come out of the closet. Like, who gives a crap whether this over-the-hill hoopster called off the wedding to his 7 ft tall white fiancee because he 'd rather slam dunk the hunky power forward he'd been eyeing during his last season. I'm so sick of America 's need to feel good about itself with its latest outpouring of support for surrepticious gays and the wave of super patriotism that erupted to show their gratitude to Boston for providing something else besides 911 to swallow back tears and wave the flag about.

Black Bloggers Connect™ has teamed up with Codeblack Films to launch The “Free Angela” Blogging Contest. Codeblack Films is a division of Lionsgate Entertainment, distributor for the highly anticipated film, “Free Angela And All Political Prisoners”. The film, about the life of Angela Davis, was written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Shola Lynch. Free Angela is produced by Shola Lynch, Carole Lambert, Carine Ruszniewski and Sidra Smith. The film's executive producers are Jada Pinkett Smith with Overbrook Entertainment and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter's Roc Nation. Presented by BET Networks, the film will open in select AMC theatres on April 5th 2013. BlackBloggersConnect.com and Code Black Films will present a $1000 cash prize to the blogger that best blogs about why the “Free Angela” film is necessary. The contest runs from March 7th to April 1st. The winner will be announced on April 5th. Early entries are highly recommended. Sign up for the contest here .

Could it be that they believed my story and did not want anyone else to know it? What if I said that DaShawn and Moekweesha were the first and only two people in this world....before they had children. Two boys... Lil Shawn-Shawn and Earl...and Lil Shawn-Shawn killed Earl...but here's the kicker... Lil Shawn-Shawn had kids.....If his parents were the first two people in this world and they had only two children, with whom did Lil Shawn-Shawn have children? Oh snap, Lil Shawn-Shawn made whoopie with Mommy? Well now, that would explain why the world is so screwed up....at least it would explain it much better than the eaten-apple thing~

Cynique, I'm going to share some words with you that are some of the realest words that I have ever heard: "we can change reality. Before we know it, after a few cycles, true social change will happen." -Shawn McKie, social entrepreneur Those things that you have said about the conditions and the cycles are very real and, by the same token, those words offered by McKie are also very real. When we look around, we see things that have happened as a result of cycles. These things that we are facing did not just happen overnight. However, the reality is that we are now here and on the flipside, our present reality does not have to be our future reality. Perhaps if we could get past the fear of being labeled as "bitter" , "divisive", or whatever else we are called when we have sense enough to learn and learn FROM the past by analyzing it and connecting it with the present in order to strategize for the future, we would be well on our way to changing reality. I digress for now. You know, the thing about America is that it is changing so much and no amount of resistance to this change can stop it. No amount of redistricting can change the fact that America is changing. The majority is rapidly becoming the minority and the anxiety about this can be seen in legislation, in the news, in books (LOL i.e. Pat Buchanan LOL), all over. This population control mania is very telling, as many of the staunchest advocates for population control can also be observed lamenting the declining birth/fertility rates of Europe and America and moaning about immigration. Hmm... Control of "which" populations, then? The birth rates in Africa and Asia are soaring. Many immigrants from the Americas are already here and are still pouring in. A combination of arrogance, anxiety, and straight up denial would continue to make a soon to be minority demand that the "others" assimilate. Anyway, in my opinion, it has not really been about survival of the strongest here, rather the survival of whoeva got da most powerful weapons. Things are changing and I am convinced that they are changing for the better. What a world it will be when children don't look at what we are looking at without understanding that there is a different way.

For Immediate Release Media Contact: Evelyn Santana, BazanPR evelyn_santana@bazanpr.com 212-643-4664 X702 “THE HELP” NAMED BEST FILM OF 2011 BY THE BLACK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE New York, NY (December 20, 2011) – The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) has voted “THE HELP” Best Film of 2011, Dee Rees Best Director for “PARIAH”, Viola Davis Best Actress for “THE HELP” and Olivier Litondo Best Actor for “THE FIRST GRADER”. The announcement was made by today by Mike Sargent, co-president, BFCC. Votes were cast and tabulated in NY at the organization’s annual meeting on December 19, 2011. Recognizing achievements in theatrical motion pictures, the BFCC awarded prizes in 13 categories including best picture, best director, original and adapted screenplay, best actor, best actress, best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best animated feature, best independent film, best documentary feature, best foreign film and best ensemble. Special Signature awards are also given to industry pioneers and rising stars. “This year was a very engaging one in cinema,” says Sargent. “Both commercial and independent fare illustrated the continued ability of Hollywood to entertain, spotlight new talent, show fresh perspectives and move audiences. Congratulations to all of the winners.” The complete list of award winners include: Best Picture - THE HELP Best Director - Dee Rees for PARIAH Best Actor - Olivier Litondo for THE FIRST GRADER Best Actress - Viola Davis for THE HELP Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks for DRIVE Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer for THE HELP Best Independent Film - PARIAH Best Original Screenplay - Dee Rees for PARIAH Best Adapted Screenplay - Tate Taylor for THE HELP Best Documentary - BEING ELMO: A Puppeteer's Journey Best Foreign Film - LIFE, ABOVE ALL Best Animated Film - RANGO Best Ensemble - THE HELP BFCC Signature Awards include: Pioneer - Harry Belafonte A renaissance artist who brought his unique talent to all areas of entertainment in a career that has spanned nearly 60 years, Belafonte is a multi-Grammy© winning artist, an Emmy© Award winner with the distinct designation as the first African American television producer, a Tony© Award winner, motion picture film actor and producer, Civil Rights Activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. From his music, films, and humanitarian work, Harry Belafonte has continued to embody the very essence of the word Pioneer. Rising Star - Adepero Oduye Adepero’s performance in PARIAH is a moving, powerful unforgettable portrayal of a young woman of color coming to terms with herself, her sexuality, and her family. We believe she is truly a Talent to Watch. Special Mention - Attack the Block: Attack is a genre film that defies a number of conventions, not only by having a primarily black cast but portraying each character with a dignity seldom seen on screen and even more rarely in a Science-Fiction film. BFCC's Top ten films of 2011 1. The Help 2. The Artist 3. Pariah 4. Drive 5. The Descendants 6. Attack the Block 7. Tree of Life 8. Hugo 9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 10. Warrior Founded in 2010, the Black Film Critics Circle is a membership organization comprised of film critics of color from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, radio, television and qualifying on-line publications. The organization is dedicated to honoring excellence of professionals in the theatrical motion picture industry in U.S. and World Cinema. Its mission is to celebrate contributions and achievements in film by people of the black Diaspora who work in front of and behind the camera, maintain the integrity of a true Critics organization and advance a collective vision of journalists of the black Diaspora. BFCC assists in the development of new talent in the field of entertainment journalism through educational opportunities, mentoring and strategic partnerships and raises awareness of the significance of black film and black film history as a critical part of film culture and preservation. The organization meets annually in December to vote on the year’s films. BFCC’s Founding Members are journalists Mike Sargent (WBAI-FM NY/Tor.com), Wilson Morales (Blackfilm.com), and Shawn Edwards (WDAF-TV Fox Affiliate Kansas City, MO). For more information, visit us online @ Blackfilmcriticscircle.org or visit us on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/BFCC/215361925204008 ###

GHETTOHEAT® HOTNESS: MIKA MILLER AND GOD CREATED WOMAN DC BOOKDIVA: Can you tell our readers a little about your most recent book? MIKA MILLER: What do you get when you throw a “Bitch”, a “Whore”, a “Basketcase”, and a “Dyke” together? You get GHETTOHEAT's latest page turner, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN. AND GOD CREATED WOMAN chronicles the evolutionary journey of four feisty, fascinating, yet flawed African-American females, as they overcome their individual struggles to become beautiful, stronger, and phenomenal women. Melanie is a sassy, hardcore 'round-the-way-girl, with sexual identity issues, and more hang-ups than the local cleaners. Mekka is a bold,sexy exotic dancer, who tricks more then she treats, in her desire to create a better life for her kids; not realizing that without an "exit" strategy, the road she travels leads her nowhere. Shawn a private school teacher, with a weed habit that puts Snoop to shame, is letting her fourth graders run wild while she tries to smoke and sip her problems away. Then there's Tristan, THE BITCH, with a Magna Cum Laude Harvard Degree, and killER Manolos to prove it! Tristan, who's icy," I got all the right answers" demeanor, may prove to be the catalyst of her fall from the top, in both her professional and personal life. AND GOD CREATED WOMAN is an excellent marriage of both the Urban and Contemporary lit genres. It's a book about real womens' issues, told from a woman’s perspective. The story is told with an urban contemporary flair...it's gritty, contains profanity, and has sexually graphic imagery, but I implore you to delve deeper...because beneath the surface of the provocative language is reality, truth, beauty and inspiration. DC BOOKDIVA: What other books, if any, have you written? MIKA MILLER: Although AND GOD CREATED WOMAN is my debut novel, I have already penned the sequel; scheduled for release in time for Christmas 2007. On the heels of AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, I am excited to present several future projects that are currently in the works: Erotica, Conspiracy Theory, a soulful love story, a motivational book for women, as well as a line of childrens books. The sky is the limit for me!!! Writing is my passion, and it is my intention to make my mark by producing authentic, quality, entertaining, realistic, inspirational stories, that are trendsetters, and not limited to any genre, age, or ethnic demographic. DC BOOKDIVA: What inspired you to write? MIKA MILLER: My elementary school principal was an advocate of reading. He was an award-winning educator who emphasized not only reading for entertainment sake, but to further literacy in the African American community…to educate and empower. As a young child, delving into the fantasy world of books of all genres, nurtured my desire to write creatively. I began journaling my thoughts at a young age, which turned into poetry and short stories; which, as I grew older, transformed into plays and novellas. Writing is my true passion, and a vocation that I would do for free, because it's what genuinely makes me happy. It was a natural evolution for me to leave the corporate world behind to pursue my dream of writing. DC BOOKDIVA: Is your storyline based on a past experience. MIKA MILLER: No, my storyline is entirely a work of fiction. The four women in this book are intended to be a general representation of African-American women of varying ages, social status, and cultural experiences. AND GOD CREATED WOMAN is about the essence of a woman. It is not a representation of my life, nor any one woman in particular. DC BOOKDIVA: How did you come up with the title? MIKA MILLER: The title was inspired by the book of Genesis in the Bible. I wanted AND GOD CREATED WOMAN to showcase the beauty, the vulnerability, strength, tenacity and vivaciousness of African-American women…because that's the way God created us. The title is intended to inform readers that although women may have flaws, we must remain balanced, beautiful, and brave, even if life, people, or circumstance challenges who we think we are, and pushes us beyond what we believe are our limits. DC BOOKDIVA: What authors or novels do you admire most? MIKA MILLER: A few of my favorites are Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Arthur Golden, Ntozake Shange, James Baldwin, Shakespeare, Sonia Sanchez, Nabakov, Mario Puzo, Eric Jerome Dickey, Dan Brown, Thomas Harris and their respective works…the list goes on-and-on-and-on. DC BOOKDIVA: What can we expect from you in the future? MIKA MILLER: Great things!!! (Smile) With me, it’s not just about writing a good book. It extends much further than that. It is about a movement; which is what drew me to HICKSON of GHETTOHEAT. For me, the future holds merging my literary works into college curriculum, motivational speaking, empowerment seminars, mass media, merchandising, and much much more. DC BOOKMAN. What is your favorite pastime? MIKA MILLER: I enjoy live music and live theater venues. I love to cook. And shoe shop! I’m really into vintage stores, flea markets, and art galleries. I am very family oriented. I love spending time with my son at museums, bookstores, the waterfront and playgrounds …and oooh, I love the outdoors, especially going to the shore and laying on the beach with a good book; a cool drink and the man I love. Corny, right? DC BOOKDIVA: Did you self publish or are you with a publishing house? MIKA MILLER: I am with the greatest publisher on the planet: GHETTOHEAT, and I say that with the utmost respect and sincerity. HICKSON, the founder of GHETTOHEAT, is not only a mastermind at what he does, but he's also a pleasure to do business with, because HICKSON's heart is in everything he does; and he truly respects his artists and their vision. I have never seen any other publisher out there on the frontlines with their artists, and HICKSON is out there not because he has to be, but because he wants to be. Mark my words, the other so-called “major publishing houses” better watch out for GHETTOHEAT, because HICKSON is a rising star, and The GHETTOHEAT MOVEMENT is a force to be reckoned with! S-S-S-S-S-S can you feel the "HOTNESS" rising in the streets? ...I can! MIKA MILLER is author of Essence Bestseller, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN. Contact her at MIKA@GHETTOHEAT.COM