Ebony and Apple iTunes Celebrate Black Hollywood on Eve of the Academy Awards

February 2016. Hollywood, NeueHouse

On Saturday, February 27, Empire was proud to work with Ebony and Apple iTunes to present Celebrate Black Hollywood on the eve of the Academy Awards.

This inaugural event took place within the historical and repurposed Studio A, located within the brand new industrial co-working space, the NeueHouse Hollywood, which occupies the landmarked 1938 CBS Radio Building.

Following a packed red carpet and guest check-in via iPads, a brief and moving speaking program was presented to the room full of black actors, directors, producers, writer, executives, and entertainment industry veterans.

The program included remarks by Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman of the Johnson Publishing Company, Bozoma Saint John, head of global consumer marketing, iTunes and Apple Music at Apple, and EBONY magazine Editor-in-chief, Kierna Mayo.

Following the executive remarks, actor Anthony Anderson, star of Black-ish, took to the stage to share his experiences in Hollywood, and introduced Nate Parker, the writer, director, producer and star of The Birth of a Nation, which premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival and set a new record for selling price. Parker spoke about Black Hollywood banding together to win success at its own terms.

After a celebratory toast, celebrity DJs Nick Cannon and D-Nice kept the room dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Empire Entertainment is a leading producer of high-profile events and is proud to have been chosen to support this remarkable event for EBONY Magazine, The Johnson Publishing Company, and Apple iTunes.

For additional editorial coverage, please visit http://www.ebony.com/photos/entertainment-culture/embracing-black-hollywood#axzz41lmU0wKA

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