NPR Presents: “El Tiny” Desk Concert Series
We’re so excited to have the “El Tiny” Desk Concert Series as our soundtrack for the month! NPR Music will celebrate Latinx and Hispanic Heritage month by presenting, “El Tiny,” a special version of their critically acclaimed and wildly popular Tiny Desk Concert series. El Tiny will feature all Latinx artists, and the first concert kicked off with Colombian reggaeton sensation J Balvin.
Tune in and tune out!
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/16/1038071967/why-were-so-excited-about-j-balvins-el-tiny-concert
A 70-Year Old Bat Girl Lives Out Her 60-Year Old Dream
As avid baseball fans, this story hit us right in the feels. Rejected by the Yankees at age 10 because she was a girl, Gwen Goldman finally got her major league moment—six decades later. Not only did she accompany coaches in pregame preparations and chat with players—all of whom, she said, had been so kind, and thanked her for her story and supporting them--She was even invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch! Proudly wearing a full Yankees uniform made just for her, Gwen Goldman and the Yankees organization taught us all a beautiful lesson about the power of sport, inclusion, and belonging.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/29/sports/baseball/yankees-bat-girl-gwen-goldman.html
Maia Chaka Makes NFL History
Native Upstate New Yorker and HBCU alum, Maia Chaka, made history during the opening weekend of the NFL season when she became the first Black woman to officiate an NFL game.
Chaka is the third on-field female official in the NFL, joining Sarah Thomas, the first permanent female game official, and Shannon Eastin, who was the first woman to officiate an NFL game. We can’t wait to see her on the field this season! In the infamous words of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, aka Notorious RBG, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.”
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/12/sport/maia-chaka-first-nfl-black-woman-official/index.html
Debbie Allen’s Emmy and end with her fantastic quote
In a career that has spanned nearly four decades, the name Debbie Allen has always been synonymous with dynamic energy, brilliant creative talent, and innovation. She. Is. Legendary.
For her vast body of work, she has earned innumerable prestigious honors, including three Emmy Awards, four honorary Doctorate degrees, a Golden Globe, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout her illustrious career, Allen made it her mission to create opportunities for BIPOC artists and creatives in television, film, and theater. And she has courageously blazed trails so that others can follow. At the rousing close of her acceptance speech, she speaks directly to young people and encourages them by saying, “It’s time for you to claim your power. Play your voice, sing your song, tell your stories. It will make us a better place. Your turn.” And we’re proud to enthusiastically answer the call. “Challenge, accepted!”
https://people.com/tv/2021-emmy-awards-debbie-allen-accepts-governors-award/