Aretha Franklin

Champion® Athleticwear Unveils New Global Brand Campaign: “Champion What Moves You” Calling on Diverse Creators as Face of the Campaign

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 13, 2023

“We firmly believe that we are not defined by what we make, but by what we do with it,” said Vanessa LeFebvre, President of Global Activewear at Champion. “In this next chapter of our brand story, we are redefining what it means to Champion -- for us it is no longer a title or indication of winning, but rather, a means to take action and create something with real impact. To be a Champion is to pursue your passion, to create, and to Champion What Moves You.”

Key Points: 
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230913706422/en/
    The “Champion What Moves You” campaign spotlights six diverse creators from around the world.
  • To Champion, a “Creator with Purpose” is someone that blurs the lines between personal passion and impactful contribution.
  • “We firmly believe that we are not defined by what we make, but by what we do with it,” said Vanessa LeFebvre, President of Global Activewear at Champion.
  • Creators interested in applying can visit Champion.com/creators for program details and to apply beginning September 20.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Honors Kem, Blake Corum, Rabbi Syme, Bishop Charles Ellis, Rev. Watson and Mama Shu Harris on MLK Day

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Six individuals whose work have shined the light on humanity and expound the life of Dr. King will be honored.

Key Points: 
  • Six individuals whose work have shined the light on humanity and expound the life of Dr. King will be honored.
  • He fed the homeless and raised funds for that community," said Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr, founder and president of Rainbow Push Coalition. "
  • "  Through Kem's music, he persuaded society to look at homelessness through an impartial lens, and we are better because of it."
  • The event is free to the public, and tickets will go on sale on Thursday, January 5 at 10 a.m. at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com.

36th Anniversary Stellar Gospel Music Awards Nominations Announced: Jonathan McReynolds Tops The List With Eight, Followed By Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Kierra Sheard, Maverick City Music, And Pastor Mike, Jr. All Tied With Seven Nominations

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 20, 2021

"\nEach year, the preeminent industry event recognizes the year\'s best album releases and pays special tribute to those Gospel trailblazers who continually set the bar higher.

Key Points: 
  • "\nEach year, the preeminent industry event recognizes the year\'s best album releases and pays special tribute to those Gospel trailblazers who continually set the bar higher.
  • Lady Tramaine Hawkins will be honored with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award as a testament to her 50+ years in the industry.
  • Pastor Shirley Caesar will receive the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award for her 70+ years of longevity in the industry.
  • Although great strides are being made to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is not yet back to normal.

All Episodes of National Geographic Short-Form Digital Series ‘Composing Genius: Aretha’ Available Now on @NatGeoGenius Facebook

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 31, 2021

To continue the celebration of the Queen of Soul, National Geographics new short-form digital series Composing Genius: Aretha is available now on the National Geographic Genius Facebook page.

Key Points: 
  • To continue the celebration of the Queen of Soul, National Geographics new short-form digital series Composing Genius: Aretha is available now on the National Geographic Genius Facebook page.
  • The short-form series follows the critically acclaimed premiere of the third season of the GENIUS anthology series.
  • Composing Genius: Aretha episodes include the following:
    Go behind the scenes of GENIUS: ARETHA with the director, DP, and actors as they break down the transformative scene of Arethas first solo.
  • The team behind GENIUS: ARETHA discusses the different ways that Aretha spoke out against racial injustice during the civil rights movement.

National Geographic and Watch The Bands Name the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as the Winner of ‘All Hail The Queen: HBCU Band Tribute’

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 25, 2021

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Marching Band was awarded the $5,000 grand prize for their performance of one of Franklins greatest hits, Freeway of Love.

Key Points: 
  • The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Marching Band was awarded the $5,000 grand prize for their performance of one of Franklins greatest hits, Freeway of Love.
  • Their performances were judged on their musical and visual presentation, creativity, auxiliary and percussion.
  • Judges included GENIUS: ARETHA cast Patrice Covington, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Malcolm Barrett, choreographer Dondracio Johnson and costume designer Jennifer Bryan.
  • Watch The Bands is a community preserving and promoting the band and dance culture of historically Black colleges and universities.

National Geographic and Watch The Bands Host Virtual HBCU Marching Band Competition in Celebration of GENIUS: ARETHA, Honoring the Musical Legacy of Aretha Franklin

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 22, 2021

The virtual competition will feature four HBCU bands that will go head to head and compete for a $5,000 prize by performing some of Aretha Franklins greatest hits.

Key Points: 
  • The virtual competition will feature four HBCU bands that will go head to head and compete for a $5,000 prize by performing some of Aretha Franklins greatest hits.
  • The winning band will be announced via Nat Geo and Watch The Band/Watch The Yard social platforms on March 25.
  • This marketing activation also included a screening of GENIUS: ARETHA at 15 colleges across the country on March 18.
  • Watch The Bands is a community preserving and promoting the band and dance culture of historically Black colleges and universities.

Iconic Marquees Across 20 Music Venues Nationwide Honor the Legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 19, 2021

National Geographics GENIUS: ARETHA partners with Live Nation for a nationwide marquee takeover to honor the legacy of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Key Points: 
  • National Geographics GENIUS: ARETHA partners with Live Nation for a nationwide marquee takeover to honor the legacy of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.
  • These marquees will once again place Franklin in her rightful spot as a headliner with All Hail The Queen #GeniusAF 3.21.21.
  • During an unprecedented time in history, this GENIUS: ARETHA activation not only spotlights the indisputable Queen of Souls legacy, but also uplifts live music venues across the nation.
  • The GENIUS: ARETHA will feature a marquee takeover on the outside of some of the nations most iconic venues for ten days.

National Geographic Runs First-Ever National Grammy® Spot for Premiere of Genius: Aretha Next Sunday

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 15, 2021

GENIUS is National Geographics critically acclaimed anthology series that dramatizes the fascinating stories of the worlds most brilliant innovators and their extraordinary achievements with their volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships.

Key Points: 
  • GENIUS is National Geographics critically acclaimed anthology series that dramatizes the fascinating stories of the worlds most brilliant innovators and their extraordinary achievements with their volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships.
  • This third season will explore Aretha Franklins musical genius and incomparable career, as well as the immeasurable impact and lasting influence she has had on music and culture around the world.
  • Imagine has partnered with Warner Music Entertainment for this third season, which will again be executive produced by Imagines Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.
  • Pulitzer Prize recipient, MacArthur Genius grant receiver and Tony Award winner Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) is showrunner, executive producer and lead writer.

National Geographic and Double Oscar® Nominee Cynthia Erivo Reveal Highly Anticipated Premiere Date and New Trailer for the Emmy® Award-Winning Anthology Series, GENIUS: ARETHA

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 9, 2021

National Geographic and Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, The Color Purple) revealed today during the networks TCA session the highly anticipated premiere date and official series trailer for the multiple Emmy award-winning anthology series GENIUS: ARETHA.

Key Points: 
  • National Geographic and Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, The Color Purple) revealed today during the networks TCA session the highly anticipated premiere date and official series trailer for the multiple Emmy award-winning anthology series GENIUS: ARETHA.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210209006051/en/
    "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin, played by Cynthia Erivo, performing on stage in National Geographic's GENIUS: ARETHA.
  • They discuss the process of recreating and honoring key and iconic moments in Aretha Franklins life that will be covered in GENIUS: ARETHA.
  • GENIUS: ARETHA will be the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted series on the life of the universally acclaimed Queen of Soul.

Paul Stanley's Soul Station Release New Video

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 29, 2020

"Long before I ever heard the great British bands, I grew up listening to Philly Soul, Motown and so much more.

Key Points: 
  • "Long before I ever heard the great British bands, I grew up listening to Philly Soul, Motown and so much more.
  • While it's hard to connect physically, some of Soul Station decided to reach out make a virtual and emotional connection on a great Motown and Smokey Robinson classic, Ooo Baby Baby."
  • Reviews from Soul Station U.S. shows:
    "Stanley and company crackled life into more than a dozen soul and Motown classics in versions that featured arrangements mostly faithful to the studio versions while gaining an additional edge played live.
  • Papenbrook has played lead trumpet with Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Paul Anka and Frankie Avalon to name a few.