We Speak Events
“Claws” Season 2 Red Carpet Premiere in Atlanta Ga
Several fans and various media outlets had an opportunity to meet with the cast of Claws for their season 2 red carpet premiere. The Claws cast consist of Niecy Nash, Jimmie Jean Louis, Karrueche and more. The event took place on May19, 2018 at the Regal’s movie theater at Atlantic Station at 6p.m
I had the pleasure of speaking with both Jimmie Jean Louis who is a Haitian actor and model best known for his role as “the Haitian” on the NBC television series Heroes; and received the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor In Leading Role, and is now apart of one of the new and hottest tv shows, Claws. During the Claws red carpet, Mr. Louis gave a bit of insight on the obstacles he had to come over come due to being a black man from another country entering into the entertainment industry, he said he believed this industry was his way out of poverty so he took it.
I also had the pleasure speaking with the gorgeous, Emmy Award winning actress, Niecy Nash. She too expressed her opinion on overcoming obstacles in such a competitive industry. “You have obstacles in any industry as a black woman but you have to have intuitiveness, believe what God told you to do in your life and push forward with that thing no matter what,” Niecy responded. The actress further explained that’s what she did, and then ended with a word of advice by simply stating, “Make sure you know the difference between the call over your life and a hobby.”
In conclusion, both actors were filled with energy and not only gave insight about some of their personal life views but expressed their thrill for the second season of Claws; which, will air on Sunday, June 10 at 9/8c, the network announced on Thursday. Neither actors spoke solely on the new season of Claws to save from spilling the tea. So be on the lookout. It’s a show you don’t want to miss.
We Speak Events
Atlanta Screening of The Alabama Solution Brings Together Panel of Advocates, Leaders, and Community Voices
ATLANTA, GA — Community leaders, advocates, and residents gathered in Atlanta for a special screening of the Oscar-nominated HBO documentary The Alabama Solution, an evening centered on film, dialogue, and community engagement around issues of justice and incarceration.
Hosted at 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, the event brought together organizations and community members for a formal evening of reflection and conversation following the powerful documentary. The film, co-directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman and co-produced by Alex Duran, offers an intimate and unfiltered look into Alabama’s prison system.
At the heart of the documentary are the voices of justice-impacted individuals Melvin “Bennu” Ray and Robert “Kinetik” Council, whose experiences shed light on the realities inside the prison system while challenging viewers to consider deeper questions about accountability, dignity, and reform.
Following the screening, a panel discussion brought together leaders and advocates working in justice reform and community outreach. The conversation was moderated by Bridgette Simpson of Barred Business, who guided the dialogue with panelists representing several organizations committed to addressing issues within the justice system.
Panelists included Gerald Griggs of the NAACP, Kimberly Jones of Fork the System, Octavious Holiday of the Positive Outreach Development Society, Kevin Marshall of The Marshall Law Group, LLC, Kathryn Hamoudah of the Southern Center for Human Rights, and Christopher Willars of The Life Unit Inc.
Each panelist offered insight shaped by their work in advocacy, legal reform, and community engagement. Their perspectives highlighted the far-reaching effects incarceration can have on families and communities, while also emphasizing the importance of awareness, accountability, and continued dialogue around the issues presented in the film.
The screening was supported by several organizations dedicated to justice and civic engagement, including One for Justice, Dream.org, Barred Business, the Southern Center for Human Rights, The Life Unit, the Center for Civic Innovation, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the Free Atlanta Abolition Movement.
The evening also served as a moment of connection for those in attendance, including family members and advocates whose lives have been impacted by the justice system. Through film and conversation, the gathering created space for reflection and for communities to engage with the realities highlighted in the documentary.
As conversations continued after the screening, the event underscored the power of storytelling to bring people together, raise awareness, and encourage deeper consideration of issues that often remain unseen by the public.
As momentum continues to grow around conversations sparked by the documentary, organizers are encouraging community members to take an additional step by supporting efforts aimed at protecting justice-impacted individuals from discrimination.
Advocates are currently inviting the public to sign a virtual petition card supporting the establishment of a statewide Protected Class Ordinance in Georgia, which would help ensure justice-impacted individuals are protected from discrimination in employment, housing, and opportunity.
You may find and share the virtual petition here:
Statewide Protected Class
https://www.theprotectedclassnetwork.org/sign-our-petition
