Latest news with #HotterThanJuly
Black America Web
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Stevie Wonder's MLK Holiday Journey To Be A Documentary
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty The story behind how the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became a federal holiday with the help of legendary musician Stevie Wonder will now be the subject of a documentary. The multiple Grammy Award winner is partnering with TIME Studios to produce the unnamed documentary film, which will explore Wonder's personal tie to the movement to get a national holiday to recognize Dr. King's birthday, which became official when then President Ronald Reagan signed the bill making it a law in 1983. Stevie Wonder will appear on-screen in the film to share his experiences during that time, which will also include archival footage that has never been seen by the public. One key element of the documentary will be the making of 'Happy Birthday,' a song crafted as an ode to Dr. King on the 1980 Hotter Than July album. The song is now a fixture at birthday celebrations across the globe, no matter the scale. Oscar nominee Traci A. Curry, who has directed the powerful documentary ATTICA as well as the NatGeo mini series Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time , has been tabbed to direct the film. Stevie Wonder's Eyes 'n' Sound production company will serve as executive producers along with Time Studios. In a statement, the musical icon said: 'I'm excited to tell the story of the making of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. More importantly, I want us to learn and remember this story with today's eye and understanding. If we truly understood how this bill came to be, then we will really appreciate the power of the people.' Lynne Benioff, co-owner and co-chair of TIME Studios expressed their gratitude in working on the project as well in a statement, adding: 'We are honored to help bring this important chapter of history to light and to work with Stevie Wonder in telling the story of how his artistry and activism helped shape a national movement. We believe this film will spark meaningful conversations about the profound impact one person's voice and vision can have on our culture and world.' SEE ALSO Stevie Wonder's MLK Holiday Journey To Be A Documentary was originally published on
Time Magazine
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
TIME Studios and Eyes ‘n' Sound LLC Partner to Produce Stevie Wonder Documentary Chronicling His Pivotal Role in the Fight for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Produced in collaboration with legendary artist Stevie Wonder, the untitled feature-length documentary provides unprecedented access, including rare, personal, and never-before-seen archival footage in Wonder's first authorized on-screen exploration of his own legacy. TIME Studios, the Emmy Award-winning television, film, audio and immersive division of TIME, and Eyes 'n' Sound LLC have partnered to produce a landmark feature documentary that chronicles the cultural, political, and musical journey to make Martin Luther King Jr's birthday a federal holiday. The film explores Stevie Wonder's personal connection to the efforts to get a national law recognizing the birthday of Dr. King. It highlights the inspiration that fueled a years-long campaign culminating in President Ronald Reagan signing the bill that established Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday in 1983. Central to the film is the story behind 'Happy Birthday,' the iconic song released on Wonder's 1980 album Hotter Than July. While now a staple at global celebrations, few realize its original purpose: to drive national momentum behind honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday. The film will feature rare and never-before-seen archival footage, as well as Wonder himself on screen, offering personal insights into this pivotal chapter of American history. 'I'm excited to tell the story of the making of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday,' said Wonder. 'More importantly, I want us to learn and remember this story with today's eye and understanding. If we truly understood how this bill came to be, then we will really appreciate the power of the people.' 'We are honored to help bring this important chapter of history to light and to work with Stevie Wonder in telling the story of how his artistry and activism helped shape a national movement. We believe this film will spark meaningful conversations about the profound impact one person's voice and vision can have on our culture and world,' said Lynne Benioff, Co-owner and Co-Chair of TIME and Executive Producer. 'This is a story of art as activism, and Stevie Wonder as an artist whose music has truly changed the world,' said Loren Hammonds, Head of Documentary for TIME Studios. 'It's also a fun cinematic glimpse into the creation of an iconic song that we know will surprise and move audiences.' The film will be directed by Academy Award nominee Traci Curry (ATTICA) who recently helmed National Geographic's documentary series Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time. 'What's most exciting about the opportunity to look deeper into Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday' and the creation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday is how this story might offer insight and guidance for the political moment we're in now,' said Curry. 'In exploring the making of the holiday and the conviction behind Stevie's creativity, I've discovered there is so much more to the work, the song, and this iconic artist than most people realize. I am profoundly honored to help bring that deeper story to life in this film.' The untitled film is currently in production and marks the first time Stevie Wonder has participated in a documentary focused on his own career and activism. The film will be a production of Eyes 'n' Sound LLC, a Stevie Wonder production company and TIME Studios. Stevie Wonder is producing on behalf of Eyes 'n' Sound LLC in conjunction with Theresa Cropper. Stevie Wonder and TIME Studios are both represented by CAA. Traci Curry is represented by WME. TIME Studios has established itself as a leading force in music and cultural icon documentaries, producing critically acclaimed projects such as Frida, Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words, the Aretha Franklin concert film Amazing Grace, and John Lewis: Good Trouble, which chronicles the life and legacy of the civil rights leader and congressman.
Axios
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trail Mix: LGBTQ+ communities and the mayor's race
Welcome back to our weekly roundup of election news. Event curator Lesbian Social, one of the strongest forces in Detroit's LGBTQ+ scene, is hosting a conversation with Council President Mary Sheffield on Tuesday about her mayoral campaign, alongside a group called LGBTQIA 4 Mary. The panel will discuss "asset protection and affordable housing for the queer community," per an Instagram post. In more queer politics news, Hotter Than July and LGBT Detroit are planning a mayoral candidate forum for July 25, per Facebook. The discussion is part of a larger day-long gathering discussing LGBTQ+ issues during Hotter than July, the 30-year-old Black LGBTQ+ pride event taking place July 22-27. 🔮 What we're watching: Look out for future news on LGBTQ+ organizers getting involved with election education — these two events signal that Detroit's queer and transgender residents are a notable block of voters to court. Always more endorsement news: A progressive collective — the Working Families Party, activist organization Detroit Action, Michigan Liberation and others — has endorsed District 6 City Council member Gabriela Santiago-Romero for re-election and former City Clerk candidate Denzel McCampbell for District 7, which lacks an incumbent.
