Tag Archives: Netflix

Derek Luke Launches Foundation to Empower Youth

Derek Luke may have played a guidance counselor on TV, but he’s putting in work off screen too.

The 13 Reasons Why star launched Derek Luke Foundation to steer kids toward their dreams in his hometown of Jersey City. Why?

“People talked to me about how to get a job. No one had ever talked to me about how to pursue my dream,” Derek told NJ.com.

Now he’s passing that recipe of success on by supporting programs and initiatives that focus on African American issues with his Foundation.

The Hershey’s kiss coated cutie (can’t help it, guys) kicked off the Foundation with four days of festivities in the Garden State.

Starting on Wednesday with free haircuts and school supplies for kiddies at David’s Barbershop on Kennedy Blvd.

Friday was Kings Night, a men’s empowerment forum at New Jersey Armory, where Derek served as keynote speaker. He plans to hold one every other Friday going forward.

Saturday was an all day activities fest filled with education based games, including using hip hop as a learning tool.

The Foundation wrapped on Sunday with Jersey’s Derek Luke Day with a Love Unity in the Community theme at Audubon Park. Sunday funday had bouncy houses, petting zoo, raffles, prizes, face painting and more. How could it get better? With spa services for moms, thanks Luke.

Good time for a good cause.

‘Luke Cage’ Star Simone Missick Promotes S.T.E.M Education

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Luke Cage’s body may be dipped in the armor of a God (those bulletproof biceps are perfect for shielding a child from harm!) but he’s not the only life-saver.

Misty Knight is the real shero for teaching kids the gems of a S.T.E.M– Science, Technology, Engineering and Math–education at Paley Center’s ‘Stem to Screen’ Q & A event over the weekend.

 

Unlike Misty, whose free ride to college was basketball, Detroit-bred Simone Missick nabbed an engineering scholarship to Howard University.

 

It was the first step toward achieving her dreams.

Although, she was never one to cower from a challenge as she explained to Jet Blame it on growing up in 3-1-3.

“Detroit was where I first did theater, interestingly enough. Just really growing up with such a strong foundation in Black culture, Black history and Black pride made me the woman that I am. I was never ever anywhere in the world where I felt less than because I was Black. I feel like to know who we come from, knowing who my grandmother was, who my mother was as women growing up in Detroit  was so influential to me. And to be able to see my teachers, who were strong successful Black women with a  little sass, bit of humor and loved God.  I mean it’s Black Girl Magic all wrapped up in a Detroit woman.  Then you’ve got the history and soul of Motown wrapped all around that. So, that helps you go into any character.”

Simone emphasized to media students those same roads can be traveled to accomplish their goals.

Who knows maybe a new hero will rise from the ashes.

For now Simone is our WCW.