June 19, 2021
The Paley Center for Media is proud to celebrate that Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, honoring the important legacy of freedom for African Americans, is now recognized as a United States national holiday. To commemorate our newest holiday, we present a salute to African American creators, producers, and stars who have told African American stories with an honesty and authenticity on television. The Paley Center has a long history in recognizing influential African American storytellers and creative talent who have broken barriers, shattered stereotypes, and raised awareness around the importance of authentically presenting the African American experience in America. Our celebration includes a focus on some leading African American chefs and special recipes they have shared with us.
Paley Center Programs
In the curated list of events below, you will hear the invaluable expertise and wisdom from many of the most prominent African American creators working in television today, including: Ava DuVernay, Misha Green, Soledad O’Brien, Lena Waithe, Mara Brock Akil, Larry Wilmore, Tracy Oliver, and many more.
Paley Front Row: Queen Sugar (2021)
Panelists: Ava DuVernay, Creator; Dawn-Lyen Gardner; Kofi Siriboe; Rutina Wesley; Moderator: Michele Norris
PaleyFest LA 2021 Lovecraft Country
Panelists: Misha Green, Executive Producer, Writer, and Developer; Jurnee Smollett; Michael Kenneth Williams; Aunjanue Ellis; Wunmi Mosaku; Jamie Chung; Abbey Lee; Moderator: Dominic Patten
PaleyImpact: Uncovering Racial Injustice with BET's Disrupt and Dismantle (2021)
Panelists: Soledad O'Brien, Award-winning Journalist, Producer, and Host of BET's documentary series Disrupt and Dismantle; Moderator: Scott Mills, BET President
PaleyImpact: Choosing to Challenge: How Women Are Leading the Way (2021)
Panelists: Phylicia Rashad, Actor and Director; Misty Copeland, Ballerina, Author, and Philanthropist; Cynthia Erivo, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award–Winning Actor, Singer, and Producer; Norah O'Donnell, Anchor and Managing Editor, CBS Evening News; Val Demings, U.S. Representative from Florida; Julie Foudy, espnW Writer, ESPN Soccer Commentator, and Two-Time World Cup Champion; Rita Moreno, Actor and Activist; Moderator: Alicia Menendez, MSNBC
Running the Show with Lena Waithe (2020)
Panelists: Lena Waithe, Executive Producer/Creator/Writer, Boomerang and Twenties; Dime Davis, Coexecutive Producer/Director, Boomerang; Angeli Millan, Coexecutive Producer, Boomerang; Susan Fales-Hills, Executive Producer, Twenties
PaleyFest NY: Girlfriends (2020)
Panelists: Mara Brock Akil, Creator; Golden Brooks; Persia White; Tracee Ellis Ross; Jill Marie Jones; Reggie Hayes; Moderator: Joi-Marie McKenzie
Paley Front Row: BET: Tracy Oliver (2020)
Panelists: Tracy Oliver, Writer, Girls Trip, Creator, First Wives Club; Moderators: Actors Meagan Good and Grace Byers
Paley Front Row: Jingle Jangle (2020)
Panelists: David E. Talbert, Director and Writer; Lyn Sisson-Talbert, Producer; John Legend, Producer and Composer; Mike Jackson, Producer; Moderator: Tre’vell Anderson
PaleyFest Fall Previews: Peacock’s Wilmore (2020)
Panelists: Larry Wilmore, Host and Executive Producer, Wilmore; Moderator: Al Roker, Today
They Run the Show: African-American Creators and Producers in Conversation (2018)
Panelists: Prentice Penny, Executive Producer/Showrunner, Insecure; Cheo Hodari Coker, Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner, Luke Cage; Janine Sherman Barrois, Executive Producer, Claws; Justin Simien, Creator, Dear White People; Karin Gist, Executive Producer/Showrunner, Star; Courtney Kemp, Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner, Power; Moderator: Nischelle Turner, Host, Entertainment Tonight
African American Chefs on TV
The Paley Center is proud to celebrate this important American holiday by inviting some of the most influential African American TV chefs to share fun recipes that you and your family can make at home. Television and food each have the power to bring people together, make us feel something and affirm the importance of maintaining cultural heritage.
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Kombucha SpritzerRECIPECelebrating with FamilyActivity Sheet
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Red Velvet Bundt CakeRECIPE
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Teamwork CornbreadRECIPE
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