THE FIRST SUNDAY SERVICE TO HAVE MEDIA IN ATTENDANCE: “It’s not about me, it’s about us,” says Ye
Putting action behind Black Future Month: Hollywood Unlocked CEO Jason Lee and self-made billionaire, YE, teamed up to invite 50 Black journalists for brunch over the weekend.
The Future Brunch was opened by Jason who gave an introduction to YE and shared the purpose for the Sunday event. The business and fashion mogul then led the event with great words about his mission to create a movement rather than a moment during Black Future Month. “This is the future,” said Ye. “There is no looking backward – only forwards.” Ye also played a heartfelt video explaining how he wants to start taking control of his narrative and concluded with a town hall discussion hosted by Jason, and Michelle Mitchell, Strategic Communities Program Manager, Media Partnerships at Meta.
Hesham Abdo)
While speaking about the disparities in black media, the importance of reclaiming the narrative and taking ownership in one’s brand – being 100% black owned — the hosts and journalists also dived into an even deeper conversation about elevating the culture, desegregation in media, the importance of equity and having a seat at the table, redefining black stories and humanizing how we’re portrayed in media, as well as the metaverse, among others. During the great conversation, Ye even stopped the brunch to give Jason his flowers for his continuing efforts in creating a path for Black journalists, building a platform for artists to drive their narratives and spearheading this powerful and much-needed all Black media brunch.
As the crowd clapped for Jason, the nationally syndicated radio host told Ye, “I appreciate you giving me my flowers, but the purpose of this brunch is to give you all your flowers.”
Among the Black journalists at the event were from notable publications such as: Essence, Ebony, Billboard, New York Times, Vibe Magazine, Instyle, Forbes, etc. joined forces with black executives at Amazon Studios, FOX SOUL, BET and Spotify.
Ye talked about Black Future month in the past but recently announced it again at the bringing of the month. It’s clear that he’s on a mission to see how Black media can build a brighter future for the next generation and unionize together to help amplify more Black voices.
“Me and Virgil believed in black design,” said Ye. “Now we need to invest in black media. God uses me as a vessel – we declare Black Future Month. The future – not the past.”
Jason is also continuing his mission as he continues to build his media empire and opens up his new multimedia compound titled Hollywood Unlocked Studios, giving content creators like himself a space to truly express themselves authentically and artistically.
“Today’s conversation with all of the most powerful black people in media and YE was a moment that will define an unstoppable movement,” says Jason Lee.