Written by | Ray Cornelius
Actors Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Taye Diggs, Chef G. Garvin and children’s book illustrator Shane W. Evans helped MACY’s Celebrate Black History Month Friday night at the Lenox Square Mall store in Atlanta, GA. The foursome were part of an intimate conversation about African-American history, influence, and culture. In addition to the discussion, Smollett shared a sneak peek of her upcoming WGN television series “Underground” while Diggs and Evans read excerpts from their new children’s books “Chocolate Me” and “Mixed Me.”
“Underground” is a made-for-television movie that focuses on a group of slaves planning a daring 600-mile escape from a Georgia plantation. The series is executive produced by Grammy and Oscar winning-performer John Legend and features an all-star cast including Smollett-Bell along with Aldis Hodge, Christopher Meloni, and Mykelti Williamson. For her, this was a story that she had never seen on television and thought its message was both timely and purposeful.
“There’s never been a film or television show about the Underground Railroad, which is an incredible part of our history. It’s mainly been about Harriett Tubman and then they move on. For me, this was the first integrated civil rights movement and the first time that people from all walks of life—-Blacks, Whites, Native Americans—-all came together to tear the system down. And that grassroots movement is what makes our country great. We’ve seen the occupation of slavery told brilliantly. Now its time for us to see the revolution,” said Smollett-Bell about her new series ‘Underground’ which airs March 9 at 10 p.m. on WGN.
Diggs also shared with the audience why he and Shane decided to collaborate on the two children’s books which were written and inspired by Diggs’ Biracial son Walker Nathanial Diggs.
“I remember going out and playing with the other kids that were my age and innocently they looked at me and said, ‘Why is your skin that color? Are you dirty? Does it wash off?’ That tripped me out, so I ran inside and told my mother. That’s when she started going to work on my self-esteem and self-confidence and told me that Black was beautiful,” said Diggs. “So that time came back to me when I was in college and Shane asked me to write some words about Blackness and what it meant to me. Wonderfully enough it came, some years later, in the form of these children’s book and now Shane [Evans] and I have started a new partnership as writer, illustrator, and brothers.”
After the book reading and musical performance by Diggs and Evans was a meet and greet where Macy’s customers who spent $75 or more were able to get their books signed and photos with the celebrities. Southern treats were also available for attendees compliments of Chef G. Garvin. Check out more images below from the celebration below:
“Big Tigger Show” Producer Patricia Campbell served as the evening’s moderator
Shane W. Evans is a the author of more than 30 children’s books
Chef G. Garvin provided words of wisdom and delightful treats for the audience
Jurnee Smollett-Bell holding a copy of the children’s book “Underground”
Shane W. Evans performs while Taye Diggs reads from “Chocolate Me”
Taye Diggs signing copies of “Chocolate Me”
Shane W. Evans and Chef G. Garvin posing for the camera
The stars posing with MACY’s customer Linda Phillips
Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com
