In an address to the National Urban League Conference, Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the civil rights organization, introduced what he called the next phase of advocacy and activism: Empowerment 2.0.

The new initiative builds on the framework of the five-part Empowerment Agenda, which Morial first revealed in his inaugural State of the Urban League speech two decades ago.

Empowerment 2.0 focuses on the organization’s core pillars: Employment, Education, Housing, Healthcare, and Justice.

However, it also encompasses what Morial called The Three Ds: Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Defeat Poverty.

Morial emphasized the critical importance of this new phase, stating that the nation is facing challenges to the hard-fought progress made since the Brown decision.

He expressed concern over assaults on justice in the Supreme Court and within state legislatures influenced by right-wing ideologies.

Morial took a firm stand against the policies of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, criticizing them for promoting voter suppression, gerrymandering, censorship of history, and restrictive reproductive rights measures.

He underscored the need for advocacy and activism in the face of such regressive policies.

Reflecting on his 20-year leadership of the National Urban League, Morial highlighted the organization’s transformation from an iconic 20th-century civil rights movement to one fit for the challenges of the 21st century.

He pointed out the shift from confronting Jim Crow to combating a new adversary, “James Crow, Esquire,” who employed subtler tactics to undermine progress.

Morial noted a new threat had emerged: “Jimmy Crow,” the son and grandson of the previous adversaries.

“Jimmy’s not content with suppressing Black votes; he wants the power to ignore election results altogether,” Morial asserted. “He fiercely guards the symbols of white supremacy his grandfather erected on town squares and courthouse grounds to intimidate Black Americans. He rants about ‘replacement theory’ and ‘Critical Race Theory.’”

The post National Urban League unveils empowerment 2.0 in fight for justice and democracy appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

Is it really summer in NYC without Shakespeare in the Park? We’re about to find out. 

The Delacorte Theater—the Central Park sister to the Public Theater in the East Village—has been putting on free productions of the Bard’s plays every summer for the past six decades, with a musical adaptation of The Public’s The Tempest closing out the 2023 season next month, running in the 1,800-seat open-air theater for one week only from Sunday, August 27 through Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023.

RECOMMENDED: How to get free Shakespeare in the Park tickets

It won’t just be the final production of 2023 for the historic performance space; it will be the Delacorte’s final production for the next two years. That’s because the Public Theater, in partnership with Central Park Conservancy and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, is embarking on a revitalization project of the 61-year-old theater, beginning in the fall of 2023 and reportedly culminating in time for the 2025 summer season. 

The project—which is estimated to cost $77 million, with $41 million contributed by the offices of the mayor, City Council and Manhattan borough president, another $1 million from the state budget and the remainder privately funded—was first announced back in December 2021 but the renovation faced pandemic-related delays. Proposed plans would benefit both the performers and the patrons: increased access for people living with disabilities, new audience seating, improved lighting, modernized back-of-house operations, among others. 

“Now, it is time for us to ensure that our beloved Delacorte will continue to be a home for artists and audiences for generations to come. This 18-month renovation will create a Delacorte that is more accessible, more sustainable, more able to create extraordinary theater, and more a palace for the people of this city than ever before,” said artistic director Oskar Eustis and executive director Patrick Willingham in a statement. 

“When we gather together in summer 2025, it will be at the magnificent, refreshed Delacorte Theater built by and for the people of New York, to be treasured as our shared home for Free Shakespeare in the Park for generations to come. We look forward to sharing it with you all.”

Check out renderings for the proposed new Delacorte Theater space below:

* This article was originally published here

Bow down, because the queen is here—well, Queen Bey, that is.

New Yorkers are gearing up for Beyoncé at MetLife Stadium, with the “CUFF IT” crooner bringing her Renaissance Tour to the East Rutherford venue on Saturday, July 29 and Sunday, July 30 (here’s how to get Beyoncé tickets, if you don’t have the already), but Bey fans can get an even earlier peek at the iconic performer at Madame Tussauds New York.

On Thursday, July 27, the wax museum debuted a brand-new iteration of Beyoncé’s wax figure (one that thankfully doesn’t make the list of the worst-looking wax sculptures at Madame Tussauds in NYC). The new statue is a recreation of the Queen Nefertiti-inspired look that the superstar wore during her historic Coachella performance from 2018 (Bey was the first Black woman to ever headline the music festival), including replicas of her Balmain bodysuit and coordinating cape, ornate headpiece, statement necklace, diamante earrings and metallic booties. The Beychella effect is complete with a commanding pose, accessorized with a cane. 

To successfully achieve Beyoncé’s likeness, the museum enlisted the efforts of 20 Madame Tussauds studio artists, sculptors and designers in London, who researched hundreds of images, videos and magazine spreads of the singer before completing the statue in six months. 

The wax figure is available for view at The Edge, the 100-story-high, glass-floored observation deck at Hudson Yards, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It’s a fitting spot for someone whose success is as towering as Beyoncé’s. (The artist has sold over 200 million records worldwide and holds 32 Grammy Awards, the highest of any musician.) 

“As one of the most significant, influential performers of the 21st century, we wanted to capture one of Beyoncé’s most impactful moments in her inspiring career,” said Tiago Mogadouro, Head of Marketing at Madame Tussauds New York. “She’s a visionary in music, art and fashion and we felt her look at Coachella 2018 was an embodiment of her spirit as the ultimate entertainer. What better way to celebrate Beyoncé than to immortalize that moment in wax for fans to enjoy for years to come?”

* This article was originally published here