American Black Film Festival co-founder talks festival’s 30th anniversary
The American Black Film Festival will again be held in Miami Beach for its 30th anniversary. Ahead of the festival, I spoke with co-founder Jeff Friday about its resilience, especially at a time when Florida has passed an anti-diversity, equity and inclusion that prohibits municipalities from funding cultural events among other restrictions.
For Friday, the national and statewide attacks against DEI and cultural institutions such as ABFF is “just another storm.” For him, it’s about leaning into communities that have supported him even more than before.
Read his interview, the latest in the political shakeup for Florida’s congressional District 20 race, and more in this issue of the 44 percent.
Need to know:
A congressman visited Alligator Alcatraz to see for himself if it’s closing down
DeSantis finally unveils his proposal to cut Floridians’ property taxes
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INSIDE THE 305:
School pride: Booker T. students surprised with $30,000 college scholarships
Two students at Booker T. Washington Senior High School received scholarships from the Kiwanis Club of Biscayne Bay.
Wasserman Schultz to run in former Black-majority district targeted by DeSantis
Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced Friday she’ll be running in Florida’s Democratic 20th Congressional District, a safe blue seat that was historically drawn to ensure Black voters could elect a candidate of their choice.
Potential successors are lining up as Frederica Wilson weighs exit
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, 83, has been weighing retirement, people close to her told the Miami Herald. While she has not announced a final decision, names have been thrown about as to who would potentially vie for her seat.
OUTSIDE THE 305:
Haiti’s World Cup team made history in 1974; can it do better next month?
As Haiti prepares for Group C matches next month against Scotland, Brazil and Morocco, surviving players from the 1974 team hope that they set a foundation and serve as an inspiration.
Clarence B. Jones, Who Helped Shape ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech, Dies at 95
Martin Luther King Jr.’s confidant, attorney and speechwriter Clarence B. Jones died Friday, the New York Times reported. Jones, who was 95, helped plan the March on Washington and draft part of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Byron Allen Closes BuzzFeed Acquisition, Says Company Is Now ‘Officially Chasing YouTube’
Comedian and media mogul Byron Allen has purchased BuzzFeed with the hopes it can rival YouTube in the video realm.
HIGH CULTURE:
‘Keep our foot on the gas’: American Black Film Festival marks 30 years
American Black Film Festival co-founder Jeff Friday spoke about the festival’s 30th anniversary and how they’ve weathered through a recession, a pandemic and attacks on DEI. Friday said it’s important for Black people to “keep our foot on the gas.” The festival runs through Sunday.