This is actually from a few years back. This is outside the hotel suite before I interviewed Barack Obama for THE BLACK GODFATHER.
I don’t do resolutions, but I do like to look back and remember highlights of the year that passed. I encourage others to do the same.
1. THE POPULARITY OF BLACK GODFATHER
Me interviewing the legendary Cicely Tyson for THE BLACK GODFATHER. Me interviewing music industry legends for the BLACK GODFATHER documentary.
So many great screenings, from Harvard University in Cambridge to the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in Martha’s Vineyard to Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta to multiple events in Los Angeles, I haven’t gotten so much love for the film. The African American Film Critics Association named us the Best Documentary of The Year; and the National Board of Review named us Best Documentary of The Year. Not to mention all the compliments from people from every walk of life. This movie has changed lives, no doubt about it. Two nominations from the NAACP Image Awards is really wonderful. I did not all expect the best director nomination, which is otherwise full of directors of scripted films. Really nice!
2. THE CRITICAL AND COMMERCIAL SUCCESS OF BLACK MOVIE SOUNDTRACK AT THE BOWL
Biggest crowds yet. Folks flew in from all over. The innovator MeShell NdegoCello rocks the house at the Hollywood Bowl. Dionne Ferris wows the crowd singing Hopeless from the Love Jones soundtrack.
The third edition of the salute to Black Movie Soundtracks was the first one without the support of the Academy of Motion Pictures, but we ended up selling more tickets and getting even more critical acclaim. The show has become a staple of Los Angeles summers, and we are getting requests to bring the show to other cities. We had an all star line up with Snoop Dogg, Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, MeShell Ndgeocello, Raphael Saadiq, El DeBarge, Bebe Winans and Dionne Farris. We are already in the planning stages for the next show at the Hollywood Bowl for 2021.
3. SAFETY
Prepping for the big shoot at Clemson Stadium with brilliant DP Shane Hurlbut. Subject of the film Ray McElrathbey, director Reggie Hudlin, star Jay Reeves.Me and my amazing cast. Love every single one of them!
Sometimes things come together perfectly. Such was Safety. My agent sent me the script and I loved it. After a quick series of meeting with the producer and the studio, we were making the film. The shoot was a dream, so much fun, and we did really good work that pleased the cast, crew and studio. Now we’re editing and I can’t wait for the world to see the film.
I also got to spend time in Atlanta and see old friends like college roommate Dr. Clinton Carter, and dear friends Steve and Terri Ewing. But my favorite day off from work was probably spent on a school field trip with my young start TJ Mixon and his dad, who should be a role model for show biz dads. Here we are at the birth home of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. We saw all the Museums and monuments to Dr. King that day, and I strongly encourage you to do the same. Each location is unique and full of knowledge you need to be an enlightened citizen. TJ ate it up. Lobby of the Human Rights and Civil Rights Museum in Atlanta. Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Sr. and Jr preached.
4. THE 50TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS
I am very proud of my work over the years on the Image Awards, and I am particularly proud of bringing the show to the Dolby Theater, home of the Oscars, for its 50 anniversary. It’s important that we celebrate our own triumphs, and document our achievements. So even though I still haven’t won an Image Award, I am glad to make sure other people get theirs in a way they deserve.
5. I DIRECTED A COUPLE OF HOURS OF TV AS WELL
I almost forgot these shows I directed aired this year as well! I got to work with the ridiculously talented Don Cheadle, Regina Hall and the amazing cast, crew and producers of BLACK MONDAY! What a total blast! On set with the hilarious Tracy Morgan. Needless to say, we coordinate!
If that wasn’t enough I also directed several episodes of THE LAST O.G. with Tracy Morgan, Tiffany Haddish, another amazing cast, and my alter ego Saladin Patterson at the helm as showrunner, and finally got to direct funny words written by old friend Angela Nissell! What a great year! Tiffany and I on set in a Brooklyn park. She saw some girls playing in the distance…she went over to say hi! So nice!
6. THE SUCCESSFUL TEST SCREENING OF EMPEROR
I produced a movie last summer and we are finishing it up now. The last days of editing can be very intense, but we ultimately got the movie to a hugely successful test score where the audience applauded multiple times during the ending. I can’t wait for you to see it!
7. TAKING CARE OF FAMILY
Jaqueline Jenoure with her granddaughter Helena on Thanksgiving.
While I was off hunting and gathering, my wife took care of the kids and took the epic step of moving her mom to Los Angeles. Now the kids have two grandmas in full effect and she gets full time Cali sunshine. Everyone wins.
8. OUR TRIP TO HARVARD
Helena in front of a statue of John Harvard in the middle of Harvard Yard. The snowstorm didn’t stop our fun, but it did detour some tourists for a short while. A bust of W.E.B. DuBois, one of America’s foremost intellectuals, and the first black man to graduate with a PhD from Harvard.
When I finally made it home, I was so happy to spend quality time with my family. When I went back on the road to have a screening of my movie BLACK GODATHER at my alma mater, I brought my daughter. I showed her my freshman dorm building, she had lunch with a friend of hers who is a student, and we had dinner with some friends of mine. It was great for her to see a part of the world that meant a lot to me. Me with great documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee, who was my senior thesis advisor for my senior project…a short film called HOUSE PARTY!
9. ALEX DOING NEW THINGS
Once she dropped out of the race, it immediately became apparent she was the best candidate for President. Once you could no longer take her for granted, and folks took a hard look at the remaining options, there was a deeper appreciation of what she brought to the table: practical but innovative solutions to problems, the toughness required to take on Trump, and inclusion of everyone in America. Lucky for us in California, she’ll still be our senator and she will continue to be a national force for good.
10. SEN. KAMALA HARRIS FOR PRESIDENT
Once she dropped out of the race, it immediately became apparent she was the best candidate for President. Once you could no longer take her for granted, and folks took a hard look at the remaining options, there was a deeper appreciation of what she brought to the table: practical but innovative solutions to problems, the toughness required to take on Trump, and inclusion of everyone in America. Lucky for us in California, she’ll still be our senator and she will continue to be a national force for good.
