Page 26 - Florida Sentinel 12-17-21

Entertainment
Serena Williams To Release Children’s Book Inspired By Daughter’s ‘Qai Qai’ Doll
Nick Cannon Thanks Supporters For 'Outpouring Of Love' Following Infant Son's Death
Last Wednesday's episode of the "Nick Cannon Show," the talk show host and actor opened up about how he's been manag- ing his grief following the death of his youngest child over the weekend.
"People keep asking me how I'm doing. I say, 'I'm vertical, I'm standing and you know that's a good start," Cannon said.
"Yesterday, it was a little eas- ier than today because yesterday I was so laser-focused and even numb," Cannon said about an- nouncing his son's death. "Today, I'm a little torn. I'm a lit- tle confused. Because it's a hurt-
NICK CANNON
ing thing."
The 5-month-old infant, who suffered from hydrocephalus, was Cannon's child with model Alyssa Scott.
Cannon expressed gratitude for the support his family has re- ceived.
"It's just been an outpouring of love that is really unexpected. I didn't expect it from all over the world I really can't thank you guys enough," Cannon said. "I say thank you from Alyssa, Zen's mom, and the rest of our family...She's making it, you know, five minutes at a time. But it's but those words really, the tweets, it's outstanding."
SERENA WILLIAMS AND DAUGHTER ALEXIS
‘The Harder They Fall’ Takes No. 1 Slot On Top 10 Films Of 2021 List
From launching fashion brands to inking production deals, tennis powerhouse Ser- ena Williams has expanded her repertoire beyond the realm of sports, and her next project will be centered on empowering youth through literature. Ac- cording to People, she’s releas- ing a children’s book next year.
The book—titled “The Adven- tures of Qai Qai”—is inspired by her 4-year-old daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.’s doll. After making its debut on social media a few years ago, the beloved toy emerged into a fan favorite, leading the family to
create an Instagram account for the doll in 2018 featuring im- agery of her daily chronicles paired with witty captions. After Qai Qai continued to amass popularity, Williams launched a line of dolls inspired by the toy in 2020.
“The Adventures of Qai Qai”
follows the story of a young girl who is battling with self-doubt before an upcoming dance recital. Qai Qai takes the young- ster on a journey to help build her confidence. The book was created to help youth cultivate a sense of belief within them- selves.
The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has selected “The Harder They Fall” as the No. 1 film on their annual top 10 list.
Written and directed by Jeymes Samuel and pro- duced by Jay-Z, the big-bud- get Netflix western sees Idris Elba, Regina King, Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz and LaKeith Stan- field portray historical Black figures Rufus Buck, Nat Love, Trudy Smith, Stage- coach Mary and Cherokee Bill, respectively.
“Although our top film, ‘The Harder They Fall’ from Netflix is a fictionalized Western,” said AAFCA president and co- founder Gil Robertson “It in-
THE HARDER THEY FALL
troduced the world to an in- credible array of real-life Black cowboys and cowgirls who helped to transform the West, prompting many to discover the prominent role Black peo- ple played in that storied chap- ter of American history that has been a Hollywood go-to
genre.”
In chronological order, the
other nine movies on AAFCA’s top ten list are “King Richard,” “Respect,” “The Tragedy of Macbeth,” “Passing,” “Belfast,” “Who We Are,” “House of Gucci,” “The Power of the Dog” and “West Side Story.”
Black Lives Matter LA Is Sticking Beside Jussie Smollet After Guilty Verdict
While many aren’t standing with Jussie Smollett due to his hate crime hoax scandal, the Los Angeles branch of Black Lives Matter is continu- ing to support the former Em- pire star.
Black Lives Matter LA founder Melina Abdullah released a statement on their website saying the organiza- tion is sticking beside him after he was found guilty of four felony counts of disor- derly conduct for lying to the police with false police reports.
“So let’s be clear: we love everybody in our community,” Abdullah said in a statement on the website for the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. “It’s not about a trial or a verdict decided in a white supremacist charade, it’s about how we treat our com-
JUSSIE SMOLLETT
munity when corrupt systems are working to devalue their lives.”
Abdullah, who is a police abolitionist and former Cali- fornia State University profes- sor, on to praise Smollett for how he handled himself dur- ing the trial, saying that he “has been courageously pres- ent, visible, and vocal in the
struggle for Black freedom.” Even though Smollett has been convicted of lying about a hate crime against himself, Abdullah still doesn’t believe the verdict is justifiable. She felt like he was on trial trying to prove his worth instead of
his innocence.
“In an abolitionist society,
this trial would not be taking place, and our communities would not have to fight and suffer to prove our worth. In- stead, we find ourselves once again being forced to put our lives and our value in the hands of judges and juries op- erating in a system that is de- signed to oppress us, while continuing to face a corrupt and violent police department who has proven time and again to have no respect for our lives.”
PAGE 14-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2021