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ALLBLK Showrunners Deshawn Plair and Sade Oyinade Are Thriving in Their Roles
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Deshawn Plair and Sade Oyinade co-own Flower Ave. Films, where they create compelling original stories with broad appeal to reflect their diverse backgrounds. Plair and Oyinade serve as executive producers, showrunners, and writers of the ALLBLK comedy series “For the Love of Jason.”
The post ALLBLK Showrunners Deshawn Plair and Sade Oyinade Are Thriving in Their Roles first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Creative pair wears multiple hats for comedy series
By Malik Brown | Rolling Out
Deshawn Plair and Sade Oyinade are two dynamic African American female writers and producers based in Los Angeles. The two co-own Flower Ave. Films, where they create compelling original stories with broad appeal to reflect their diverse backgrounds. Plair and Oyinade serve as executive producers, showrunners, and writers of the ALLBLK comedy series “For the Love of Jason.”
What is the role of a showrunner?
Sade Oyinade: In a sense, [we] kind of are the people responsible for running the show and overseeing everything. That can vary because when you have multiple showrunners, you can all take on different responsibilities. It’s usually kind of overseeing the whole project from the casting and crew, and kind of day-to-day, [to] dealing with whatever issues come up, and just kind of overseeing it. We also make sure that as we’re writing and as we’re shooting, that the story is staying in line with the arcs that we already set out for the characters.
Deshawn Plair: We make sure things are right as far as budgeting, staffing, and making sure that all the elements get delivered at the end to post to the network. There are so many factors from pre-production to post-production, and you stay on until the show is delivered. We also make sure that the integrity of the script is maintained throughout production.
How does it feel to know that you two are breaking the stereotype that women of color can’t get along in the workplace?
DP: It’s important to break down those stereotypes that Black women can’t get along. It all boils down to trust. There would be times when we’re writing, and I’ll just be like, “Sade, I’m going to trust you” and the same thing with her. This season I had to direct, so I had to wear multiple hats. I had to step on the set as a director, so during those times, I had to trust that Sade had my back, held it down, gave notes, and did those different things that we normally would have done together. We need to make sure that we show that women can get along, that women can work together, and that women want to work together. Some people prefer to work as a team. This industry is tough. So, going at it alone — nobody wants to do that.
What do you like about being on the set?
SO: Even though I know it’s strange that people will look at it like I’m on [the] set for long hours, I still enjoy it. I’m not a morning person, but something about it is just invigorating. I may not want to get up at like 5 o’clock [in the morning], but it’s something about once you get there and you’re seeing everybody arriving or people who are already there on [the] set, that feels good. I remember the first time I was on a set, I felt like I was at home and I was where I belonged.
The post ALLBLK showrunners Deshawn Plair and Sade Oyinade are thriving in their roles appeared first on Rolling Out.
The post ALLBLK Showrunners Deshawn Plair and Sade Oyinade Are Thriving in Their Roles first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.
Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”
The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”
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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”
But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”
Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”
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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event
Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed
May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.
But what has happened since?
Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?
This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.
Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:
Panelists:
- Medaria Arradondo – Former Minneapolis Police Chief
- Nekima Levy Armstrong – Civil Rights Activist & Attorney
- Dr. Yohuru Williams – Racial Justice Initiative,
- UST Mary Moriarty – Hennepin County Attorney
- Fireside Chat with Andre Locke – Father of Amir Locke
Special Guests:
- Kennedy Pounds – Spoken Word Artist
- Known MPLS – Youth Choir bringing purpose through song
This podcast episode looks at the past five years through the lens of grief, truth, and hope—and challenges us all to do more.
Subscribe to Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real wherever you get your podcasts or follow @mnspokesmanrecorder for more.
Visit https://spokesman-recorder.com for more coverage and stories from Minnesota’s trusted Black news source.
#GeorgeFloyd #BlackPress #SpokesmanRecorder #Minneapolis #BlackHistory
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