ESSENCE & Ford's My City 4 Ways Is Reppin' For The Culture
If I don't know anything else, I do know one thing, whenever Ford comes through the city, it's a lituation!
In partnership with media company ESSENCE Magazine, Ford made their presence known once again – this time in Atlanta for their annual Ford My City 4 Ways Atlanta Culture Festival experience. The one-day event acts as a mecca where music, food, art, and style culminate. And this year, the automaker made it a point to emphasize that Atlanta is truly where the culture is by celebrating the many facets the A has to offer.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sheriden Chanel
The weekend festival kicked off with a special dinner held at the Beltline Studios where innovators and tastemakers were invited out to preview what Ford had in store, including enticing guests to "go further" with the rollout of their 2018 Ford Mustang. With its 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engine, I was instantly reminded of my ride and drive experience with Ford during ESSENCE Fest when I got behind the wheel and experienced that baby's purr and roar up close and personal.
[ia_video https://s3.amazonaws.com/roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/runner%2F6439-IMG_7621.mov source="https://s3.amazonaws.com/roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/runner%2F6439-IMG_7621.mov" autoplay=true feedbacks=true shortcode_id=1537381268110 expand=1 ]Guests were treated to a special menu curated by Chef Aleem on the rooftop of the studios, so we got a taste of a delicious feast while overlooking views galore, compliments of the city of Atlanta. (Sidebar: the rose roasted chicken with the sweet potato mash and wilted spinach was divine). The thing that speaks to me most about Ford is its constant dedication to making sure they tap into an urban market. Being surrounded by ladies and men who represented different aspects of the media, as well as multiple shades of blackness, was a personification of community. And it was amazing to be a part of.
PHOTO CREDIT: Sheriden Chanel
PHOTO CREDIT: Sheriden Chanel
PHOTO CREDIT: Sheriden Chanel
The next day the actual cultural festival took place, and although not as intimate as the dinner the night before, it was still a show of community and a celebration of love, for each other, as well as Atlanta. Held at the Mason Fine Art Gallery, it was a bigger version of the previous night's festivities, as even more cultural leaders were invited to show up and show out. ATL's own R&B Queen Monica reminded festivalgoers to "Don't Take It Personal" as she gave us the gift of hearing some of greatest hits live and in living color, flawlessly as ever. An electric violinist named Joy Black also amped up the mood throughout the gallery, assisting with the soundtrack of the day.
PHOTO CREDIT: Nigel DeGraff
The hostess with the mostess for the night was none other than emcee extraordinaire, MC Lyte. Hors d'oeuvres prepped by Chef Aleem and musician turned celebrity chef Kelis circulated throughout the room as guests vibed. The Ford "Ride & Drive" experience was back in full effect, allowing guests and consumers to get a one-on-one experience with the product by test driving the Mustang, the F-150, and of course, the new 2018 Ford Expedition.
In addition to music, food, and vibes, attendees got the pop up shop experience thanks to the contributions of art influencer Melissa Mitchell, lifestyle influencer Kenya Freeman, and entrepreneur Milan Amani. Lip Bar founder Melissa Butler added a little variety to the mix by putting attendees onto the Lip Bar experience where guests could become familiar with the bold and fearless array of colors her lipstick brand has to offer.
I swear to God, I love my city.
Check out some of our favorite moments from the festival by clicking through the gallery below:
To learn more about future Ford My City 4 Ways events, click here and RSVP.
Featured image by Nigel DeGraff
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Tubi has been gaining popularity due to its free sign-up and a vast selection of series and films. According to Deadline, the FAST (free ad-streaming television) service has seen a 14.7% growth from May and now has similar numbers to Disney+. So while many people have joked about Tubi having low-budget movies, the numbers don't lie.
In fact, I was one of those people who didn't get the appeal of Tubi, but the more I watched it, the more I enjoyed the content. They have some of our favorite TV series, such as Scandal and Star, as well as big films like the Fast and Furious franchise and cult classic Love & Basketball.
Tubi even has its own original movies and series that are just as entertaining. But while Tubi is on the come up, some of the low-budget movies and hood movies are still a must-watch. From Tubi originals to the hood movies, we've put together a list of shows and movies to add to your watchlist.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an original Tubi movie that stars Hailey Kilgore (Juke from Power Book III: Raising Kanan), Damon Wayans, and Pam Grier. It's a love story gone awry after a robbery turns deadly, and a young couple faces many challenges to make it out alive.
The Dirty D
The Dirty D is one of the first things I watched on Tubi, as many people highly recommended it. It's a series set in a Detroit club, and it has all the drama you can think of. Murder, drug dealing, cheating, greed, and more.
Black Men Don't Cheat
In this film, a young woman grapples with the death of her husband while also discovering his secret life, which puts her in danger.
Mother May I
This movie fully captivates the overbearing mother. However, the ending will shock you as she goes a little too far.
The Stepdaughter
When a young girl moves in with her dad and his new wife, a series of unfortunate events occurs. This Tubi original will keep your attention with every turn.
These Men For Everybody
These Men For Everybody is a film that highlights the tangled web of friendships and relationships and how you can't trust anybody.
Best Friend
What happens when your best friend is obsessed with you? This movie, which stars Serayah and Marques Houston, answers this very question and takes us on a ride in the process.
What's Done After Dark
What's Done After Dark shows us that everything isn't always what it seems. The twist at the end is a real doozy.
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