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https://www.essence.com/entertainment/debbie-allen-honor-governors-award-emmys-2021/
By Rivea Ruff ·September 19, 2021 Updated
Legendary actress, choreographer, and producer Debbie Allen was honored with The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ prestigious Governors Award during the 73rd Annual Emmy Awards Ceremony on Sunday Night.
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith, director and producer Ava Duvernay, actress Ellen Pompeo, and actor Michael Douglass helped present the honor to Allen in recognition of her lifetime of work on projects such as Fame, A Different World, and countless others.
“Thank you to my friends for being here,” she told them, noting that Smith, in particular, had kept the secret of her attendance while Allen was attending her 50th birthday skate party.
“I am trembling with gratitude and grace and trying not to cry,” she said, holding back tears while accepting her honor. “It has taken a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time. Thank you for this glorious moment in the sun.”
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ board of Governors grants the annual award to an “individual for outstanding achievement in the arts and sciences which is either of a cumulative nature or so extraordinary and universal in nature as to go beyond the scope of the Emmy Awards presented in the categories and areas of the competition,” according to their site.
Allen was selected for her “unprecedented achievements in television and her commitment to inspire and engage marginalized youth through dance, theater arts, and mentorship.” Allen has even choreographed the Emmy Awards Ceremony itself an impressive 10 times.
After jokingly instructing producers to turn off the time clock on her acceptance speech as she had no plans to pay it any attention, she continued on.
“I share this honor with so many people…everyone who has given me the opportunity to BE Debbie Allen; those who understand me and have supported everything I try to do.”
Allen went on to thank multiple people who had helped her pursue numerous philanthropic endeavors over the years, including the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
As her career has inspired so many before, Allen expressed hope that her reception of this honor would inspire women worldwide to let their voices be heard amid injustice.
“Let this moment resonate with women across the world, from Texas to Afghanistan,” she said. “It is time to claim your power, claim your voice.”In addition to this high honor from the Academy, Allen is the most Emmy-decorated Black woman, with a total of 21 nominations and five wins under her belt. She won two of those Emmys just this year for her work on Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.
The post Debbie Allen Honored with 2021 Emmys Governor’s Award appeared first on Essence.
By Rivea Ruff ·September 19, 2021 Updated
Legendary actress, choreographer, and producer Debbie Allen was honored with The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ prestigious Governors Award during the 73rd Annual Emmy Awards Ceremony on Sunday Night.
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith, director and producer Ava Duvernay, actress Ellen Pompeo, and actor Michael Douglass helped present the honor to Allen in recognition of her lifetime of work on projects such as Fame, A Different World, and countless others.
“Thank you to my friends for being here,” she told them, noting that Smith, in particular, had kept the secret of her attendance while Allen was attending her 50th birthday skate party.
“I am trembling with gratitude and grace and trying not to cry,” she said, holding back tears while accepting her honor. “It has taken a lot of courage to be the only woman in the room most of the time. Thank you for this glorious moment in the sun.”
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ board of Governors grants the annual award to an “individual for outstanding achievement in the arts and sciences which is either of a cumulative nature or so extraordinary and universal in nature as to go beyond the scope of the Emmy Awards presented in the categories and areas of the competition,” according to their site.
Allen was selected for her “unprecedented achievements in television and her commitment to inspire and engage marginalized youth through dance, theater arts, and mentorship.” Allen has even choreographed the Emmy Awards Ceremony itself an impressive 10 times.
After jokingly instructing producers to turn off the time clock on her acceptance speech as she had no plans to pay it any attention, she continued on.
“I share this honor with so many people…everyone who has given me the opportunity to BE Debbie Allen; those who understand me and have supported everything I try to do.”
Allen went on to thank multiple people who had helped her pursue numerous philanthropic endeavors over the years, including the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.
As her career has inspired so many before, Allen expressed hope that her reception of this honor would inspire women worldwide to let their voices be heard amid injustice.
“Let this moment resonate with women across the world, from Texas to Afghanistan,” she said. “It is time to claim your power, claim your voice.”In addition to this high honor from the Academy, Allen is the most Emmy-decorated Black woman, with a total of 21 nominations and five wins under her belt. She won two of those Emmys just this year for her work on Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square.
The post Debbie Allen Honored with 2021 Emmys Governor’s Award appeared first on Essence.
According to our calculations, these are the best nerdy baby books in the multiverse.
The magic of reading and the powerful bond it can bring is unlike any other. Diving into a world of imagination or discovering facts about the world we live in can be both beneficial and exciting. Geek Baby Clothes has compiled a fantastic list of nerdy-inspired books for families with all sorts of interests. From storytelling books to educational ones, there are many choices to discover to help you curate the perfect library of books! Your little one’s nursery will be filled with action, adventures, and academics, to encourage positive growth, development, and inspiration.
And speaking of nurseries, why not check out Baby Nursery Themes & Decor for awesome ideas to create the perfect room for your little one for all those reading adventures?
Storybooks for Families 
Rocket Bye Baby: A Spaceflight Lullaby
This bedtime story is perfect for tiny space explorers heading off to dreamland. Read to the lullaby tune of Rock a Bye Baby, but in an intergalactic adventure story about a mother and a daughter flying in outer space with their rocket ship.
Your little superhero’s emotions can feel VERY BIG, and that is completely normal. Little Thor Gets Mad is a perfect little tale of coping with emotions like anger and frustration in a healthy and positive way!
Check out this radical list of Marvel Baby Clothes & Onesies for your little superhero to wear while reading Little Thor Gets Mad!
The X Files: Earth Children are Weird
If your family is a fan of The X-Files, then this super precious book is perfect for your little one! Dana and Fox are featured in this child-friendly, not-so-spooky backyard camping tale of mystery and adventures!
The iconic film Shrek has been a favorite of many since its release. Now you and your child can share storytime with this darling baby board book with Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, and Puss in Boots on an adventure to find what will make Shrek happy!
Calling all Trekkies, big and small! Follow along with Captain Kirk and the Enterprise crew in this silly book about tribbles taking over the infamous starship! Vivid illustrations and a zany adventure perfect for Sci-Fi fans all around!
Prepare your little one for their intergalactic mission with Star Trek Baby Clothes & Onesies!
Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Star Wars Little Golden Book
Your little padawan will have amazing adventures in a galaxy far, far away with this darling Little Golden Book filled with action-packed stories from the Star Wars saga!
Fill up your intergalactic nursery library with other Star Wars Baby Books To Train Your Little Padawan!
This Batman parody version of Goodnight Moon presented by MAD TV will deliver a hysterical and enjoyable time with your little reader. Just like the classic story but with superhero antics!
And speaking of superheroes, why not encourage the power of superheroes and the power of superfoods? This touch and feel board book will support healthy eating habits with awesome sensory exploration!
Storytime with Ms. Booksy: Rapunzel
Some of you may know the entertaining Ms. Booksy, the Cool School storyteller on YouTube. In this book, she jumps into the role of Rapunzel and tells a fantastic story that celebrates girl power and giving back to the community!
Fans of magic, fairy tales, and all things Disney, check out this list of the best Disney Baby Books & Other Magical Stories!
ABCs and 123s: Learning Books for Families 
The ABCs of Dungeons & Dragons
You and your little gamer are about to embark on a whimsical journey of learning and fun with this rhyming ABCs book of the beloved tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons. Discover Adventures, Books, Creatures, and more!
The 123s of Dungeons & Dragons
Your tiny dungeon master will be diving into learning the numbers 1 to 10 while discovering the monster manual within Dungeons & Dragons. This book is the perfect pair with The ABCs of Dungeons & Dragons.
A is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z
Musical nerds and drama kids unite with this fantastic ABC book of all the legendary ladies of Broadway! From Audra to Liza with a Z, your tiny future theatre geek will be embracing the stage and spotlight right from their nursery.
100 First Words for Little Geeks
There are many important words that your little reader should know, but why not encourage them to learn all about significant geeky words with this book of 100 First Words for Little Geeks? With many pop culture references, it will have you in a wonderful world of nostalgia as your little one reads.
Baby Geek: An ABC Nerd-Stravaganza
The Geekdom universe is presented beautifully in this adorable ABC book! From Androids to Pac Man, to X-Men and Yoda, your baby will learn all about the wonderful geek community while you feel nostalgic reading along.
Resistance is futile! This book is a must-have for any Star Trek-loving family! From Androids to Zetarians, your future Trekkie will be exploring the galaxy while learning their alphabet!
Fallout: You’re S. P. E. C. I. A. L.
For every lone wanderer or sole survivor out there, this replica of the You’re Special board book in Fallout 3 and 4 is perfect for tiny gamers to learn their best traits! Will it be Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Agility, or Luck?
Dracula: A BabyLit Counting Primer
For all the horror geeks out there, this counting book of Dracula is perfect for baby bats to learn all about the vampiric world. From one big castle to 10 garlic flowers, exploring Transylvania will be a spooktacular time!
Introducing the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) early can be beneficial to a baby’s development and learning process. With this coding book, your future scientist will learn all about programming, computers, and more!
Do you and your little one love science? Have a look at this perfect list of Science Books for Babies and Other Stories That Inspire Learning and expand your world!
25 inspirational women in history from around the world are featured in this lovely book empowering little readers! Showcasing big careers and aspirations to inspire your child that they can achieve their goals and dreams.
Flying, laser beam eyes, and super strength are all very strong powers to have as a superhero, but what about emotional skills that are just as important? Teaching your little superhero all about the power of empathy, and learning how to care about the emotions and well-being of others, is crucial for a toddler’s social-emotional skills and development. This book is perfect for lending a helping hand and inspiring others to do the same!
Nerdy Babies Collection 
Your future marine biologist will learn all about the vast underwater world of the ocean! Sea creatures, plants, and unique ecosystem will be discovered in this Nerdy Babies edition of the Ocean!
Blast off into outer space and explore the galaxy! Your little astronaut will be learning all about the planets, the moon, and the sun while diving into the stars with this precious intergalactic board book!
Be sure to grab a shovel, because your tiny geologist is about to discover everything to know about minerals and stones and their formation on mountains, volcanoes, and in the ocean. This book totally rocks!
There are so many different types of weather that can appear on the planet! Your little meteorologist will learn about rain, snow, wind, and sunshine, as well as the difference between temperatures, and the magic of thunderstorms.
The post Best Baby Books for Nerdy Families appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.
We used our Accio spell to summon the best Harry Potter baby shower ideas for your future witch, wizard, or Muggle!
Diving into the world of Harry Potter is a magical experience for every wizard, witch, and Muggle. Creating a baby shower that embodies the beloved book and film series is incredibly exciting! From all the symbols, spells, characters, and themes within Harry Potter, your guests will feel like they just waltz right onto Platform 9 ¾ headed right to Hogwarts!
Geek Baby Clothes has curated the perfect list of Harry Potter Baby Shower Ideas, from decorations and invitations to gift and party ideas, to help you have a magical welcoming celebration for your future wizard, witch, or Muggle!
Before jumping into baby shower ideas, why not check out this awesome list of Harry Potter Baby Clothes and Onesies that are also wonderful ideas for baby shower gifts!
Baby Shower Decorations 
A Baby Wizard is Headed Our Way Banner Set
Preparation for the grand celebration for the baby wizard should be joyous! This banner has all the famous symbols of Harry Potter with the words “A Baby Wizard is Headed Our Way!” This banner even comes with temporary tattoos for maximum celebration.
Glitter Harry Potter themed Cupcake Toppers
Wizards and Muggles of all ages will be famished from all the socializing and Harry Potter baby shower fun, so why not have the sweetest treats on the trolly decorated with the theme too? These Harry Potter glitter cupcake toppers would even delight a Malfoy!
No party is complete without balloons! With a Harry Potter character balloon, two round balloons featuring multiple Harry Potter characters, and two blue stars, these balloons will create the perfect spell for your wizardly celebration!
The four Houses of Hogwarts signify the classic elements and states of matter. Gryffindor -Fire and Plasma, Slytherin – Water and Liquid, Ravenclaw – Air and Gas, and Hufflepuff- Earth and Solid. The houses also value specific qualities such as courage, ambition, intelligence, and loyalty. These 5 banners represent the houses and make pretty awesome decorations as well!
Platform 9 ¾ Brick Wall Curtain
Every Harry Potter fan knows the iconic Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station, and this curtain is perfect to transform any room into the railway to Hogwarts.
Wizard and Witches Celebration Streamers
Quidditch, Sorting Hat, and Harry—Oh my! There are many symbols in Harry Potter and these streamers use them as dangling decorations, like the Deathly Hallows, the House Cup, “Wizard School” signs, and more!
Perfect for party favor bags or even just decorations, these Hogwarts House Uniform gift bags of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff are perfect for your Harry Potter baby shower!
This Hogwarts tablecloth is perfect for decorating a table full of presents and treats for any Harry Potter-themed baby shower party. With the symbols of the 4 Hogwarts Houses, every future witch or wizard will be fully celebrated!
Baby Shower Invitations 
Quaint and delightful, these darling Snowy Owl Invitations are a great way to invite your guests to your baby shower. Resembling Hedwig, the snowy owl, these will surely bring a smile to everyone you invite. This set comes with 10 cards and 10 envelopes.
Muggle Baby Shower Editable Invitations
Perhaps your baby isn’t a witch or a wizard but a Muggle, which is certainly okay! Manage some mischief with this gorgeous editable template, available as a digital download.
Wizard Baby Shower Invitation Bundle
Whether you are expecting a little wizard or a tiny witch (or perhaps both!), this invitation will be perfect for the party! “A Magical Bundle is On the Way” is presented with a beautiful owl. These invitations are for digital download and come with “Thank You” cards, “Diaper Raffle” cards, “Free Dobby—Bring a Pair of Socks for the Baby” cards, and “Books for Baby” cards.
Magical Celebration Invitation Bundle
Showcasing the bountiful excitement for your future little Harry Potter fan will be expressed with these gorgeous invitations for the magical occasion. These invitations come with “Diaper Raffle” cards, “Books for Baby” cards, and “Wishes for a Charmed Life” cards as a digital download.
Baby Shower Gift Ideas 
Baby Monthly Milestones Blanket
Wizards-in-training indeed grow up incredibly fast, so why not give the gift of a baby milestone blanket? Perfect for photoshoots for each month while creating memories of growing up! Comes with a blanket, star wreath counter, black frame glasses, and a magic wand for the full experience.
Soft and Cuddly Harry Potter Blanket
This soft plush blanket is perfect for every Harry Potter fan, new and old alike! A wonderful addition for the nursery or cuddling up and watching Goblet of Fire again.
If you have ever dreamed of having a Harry Potter-themed nursery then check out this excellent, curated list of Harry Potter Baby Nursery Ideas.
Harry Potter Swaddle Blanket Set
Extreme cuddles await with this set of 4 Harry Potter-themed swaddle blankets. Fantastic for every baby wizard or witch to feel safe and secure.
Mealtime and drool need ultimate protection, which these 5 Harry Potter bibs provide. Who can resist “Snuggle this Muggle” and all the other fun designs?
These soft burp cloths are a must-have for every parent of a baby wizard, witch, or muggle. Choose a fun Harry Potter-themed phrase, like “She Who Must Be Burped” or “Expecto Vomitus!” and personalize it with your lil’ one’s name, your choice of thread colors, and more!
Baby Wizard Sensory Tag Blanket
Having items to promote a baby’s learning of senses is a necessity. With this sensory tag blanket, tiny wizards will be utilizing their senses to provide cognitive, social, and emotional development as well as having a wonderful security blanket.
While on the road, it’s important to be safe. This Baby on Board Decal is perfect for cars or broomsticks alike. There are a few choices to choose from such as Baby Wizard, Baby Witch, or Baby Muggle.
Beautifully handcrafted with soft velvet yarn, this Dobby crochet plush doll is perfect for every Harry Potter fan who adores the delightful house elf.
Harry Potter Cartoon Burp Cloth
This soft and colorful burp cloth is perfect for baby’s teething time and surprising spit-ups. With a flannel pattern of the Hogwarts animals on one side and a soft pattern on the other, it is quite a charming design for any magical family.
Harry Potter Nursery Alphabet Poster
This handmade Harry Potter Alphabet poster is a perfect gift for a baby shower or a decoration for a nursery. Help future Harry Potter fans learn their ABCs from Albus Dumbledore all the way to Zonko’s Joke Shop. Comes in a variety of sizes.
Keeping memories of your baby’s developments and “firsts” are important, and these baby milestone cards are perfect for every new family to have! Comes with 30 different cards with journaling space, so your Harry Potter-loving family will remember all the important times.
Baby Shower Party Ideas 
Sorting your guests into their respective Hogwarts House can be an exciting way to start off the baby shower festivities. There are many fun sorting hat quizzes that can be taken, or you can pick a random house name from the sorting hat itself. Whether you’re a Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or a Hufflepuff—like myself—your guests will truly feel like they are in the wizarding world of Hogwarts with this incredible looking sorting hat on their heads. Or, for the more budgetary minded, try this sorting hat as an alternative.
This free tutorial from Holly’s Home shows how to easily create Wizard wands from wooden skewers, paint, and glue. It’s a fun craft that can also be taken home by your guests to remember the baby shower!
Looking for some recipes to immerse your guests even more? Learn how to make butterbeer and other recipes, or, go here for a fun and easy tutorial about how to make Harry Potter chocolate frogs (spell to animate frogs not included).
Wizard Party Baby Shower Games
These 12 Harry Potter-themed baby shower games are a perfect collection of activities to do with guests. From Baby Predictions, Baby Bingo, and many more, there will be plenty of socializing and fun with these party games.
The post Harry Potter Baby Shower Ideas appeared first on Geek Baby Clothes.
Let's get ready to rumble, folks! Or perhaps a better quip would be from one of my heroes, Bruce Lee-"Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water." In the case of our Afronerd Radio "steam engine," allow yourself to just absorb the information. Welcome to another edition of our Grindhouse broadcast-airing every Sunday at 6 p.m. eastern on BTalk 100. Join your stalwart AFROnerdist hosts as they wax about the following topics: noted scholar and Black masculinist, Dr. T. Hasan Johnson (Associate Professor of Africana Studies, CSU), stops by for another undoubtedly stellar visit to discuss his expanding Black masculinist universe-i.e. his new Institute for Black Male Studies channel. And of course, we will pick his brain on how blerd and Black pop culture plays a role in the perception of the Black diaspora; legendary actor, LeVar Burton, apparently has lost interest in the Jeopardy gig (we're not sure his fans have gotten that email) but the loss of the job might have garnered him greater opportunities, including his own "Jeopardy" game show; our thoughts about two new Marvel comics further worldbuilding Black Panther's canon, The Last Annihilation: Wakanda (released last Wednesday) and the forthcoming Black Panther: Legends;
Dburt has some thoughts about a recent uninformed exchange on the conservative Daily Wire Backstage podcast, asserting that former President Barack Obama somehow erased "white male teenage angst," and therefore, removed the fuel for Rock 'n' Roll music...ok..riiiight: Listen at the 1hr, 22-minute mark:
And if time constraints permit, we will address the growing interest in the Substack online publishing platform and how it is pulling away popular graphic novelists from DC and Marvel with the promise of better financial opportunities and IP ownership; Oh and the casting for the Fresh Prince dramatic retelling/reboot has started,,,,
One thing that Dburt is doing (finally) is investing in cryptocurrency, courtesy of Roundlyx. We would implore our followers to investigate, discern and then explore by using our referral code: afro-87A4BF
Call us LIVE at 508-645-0100. AFTER CLICKING ON THE HIGHLIGHTED LINK, GO DIRECTLY TO AFRONERD RADIO!!!
or This link below.....
Also, Afronerd Radio's podcast format can be heard via BTalk 100 Pandora, Spotify and, IHeartRadio....more formats to follow!