Black excellence took over Disney’s D23 Expo and we’ve got the flicks. Meanwhile, Russell Simmons brought his daughters Ming Lee and Aiko Lee Simmons as his dates for his Art For Life charity event. More inside…
Black excellence was all up and through Disney’s D23 Expo 2017 that was held at the Walt Disney Studios in Anaheim, California.
The cast and crew of A Wrinkle In Time -- including directress Ava DuVernay, Oprah, Storm Reid, Mindy Kaling and more -- were front and center for all of the magic and excitement of Disney entertainment.
The film's lead star Storm Reid and directress Ava DuVernay hit the stage to chat about the upcoming fantasy film that's set to take over the box office in march 2018.
The adventure fantasy film will follow a teenager named Meg (Storm Reid) who goes on a cosmic adventure to find her missing scientist father. Meg will find help in three celestial beings, Mrs. Which (Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling), and Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), who help her “wrinkle” time and space.
The first trailer for the upcoming film was just released and you can get lost in the fantasy below:
Also at the expo...
Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman was on the scene for the Avengers: Infinity War portion of the event alongside his castmates. Yes, Black Panther (T'Challa) will be making a cameo in the Disney/Marvel magnum opus.
So fine.
Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Stars Wars actor John Boyega, Don Cheadle (War Machine) and Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) linked up for an epic shot during the expo.
Disney's Princess and the Frog star Anika Noni Rose kept it fierce in a printed one-shoulder number.
"The View" co-host Whoopi Goldberg nabbed a photo-op with Avengers: Infinity War star Samuel L. Jackson.
The Oscar winner was named a Disney Legend during the expo.
“Disney and I go way back, since I was a little kid, I mean way back,” Whoopi said in a statement. “So it’s beyond an honor and a joy to become a Disney Legend because everybody knows I love Disney, Disneyland, Disney World, Disney movies, Disney toys and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! What’s better than this for a Disney-phile? Absolutely NOTHING!”
Congrats Whoopi!
At another event...
Russell Simmons, his brother Danny Simmons (below) and his Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation hosted the Art For Life Benefit event at Fairview Farms in Water Mill, New York. And he brought his gorgeous daughters, Ming Lee and Aiko Lee Simmons as his dates.
They have grown into some beautiful young ladies.
The charity event honored Sanford Biggers Art For Life 2017 Featured Artist, Esi Eggleston Bracey, Chuck D, Stephen G. Hill, and Bozoma Saint John at this years’ shindig.
Stephen G. Hill and Bozoma Saint John hit the carpet before being honored.
Soledad O'Brien was tapped to host the event.
Other attendees included, singer Elle Varner, "Daytime Divas" creator Star Jones, "Real Housewives of Potomac" star Gizelle Bryant, music exec Kevin Liles and his wife Erika Liles, "Luke Cage" actress Simone Missick and her actor husband Dorian Missick and reality star Miss Lawrence came out to party it up for charity:
Oh Lawrence.
Broadway starlet Cynthia Erivo and rap legend Chuck D hit the stage for performances:
And Bevy Smith was on the scene to chop it up with attendees.
By the end of the night, the event raised over $1 million for children’s programs in NYC and Philadelphia. Nice!
Fab times!
Photos: Getty/Erika's IG/Bevy's IG
