HBCU Alumni & Divine 9 Members Unite to Produce ‘The Black Hamptons’ and ‘The Family Business’ on BET+

Oct 17, 2022 | Entertainment, Entertainment Industry

Written by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

Alumni of two historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s ), and members of the Divine 9 have come together to produce two TV Series both on BET+.

“Carl Weber ‘s  The Black Hamptons” a new four-part original limited series premieres on BET+ starting on Aug. 25 , while Season four of “Carl Weber’s  The Family Business” premieres on BET+ on Sept. 1 . Episodes of Seasons one, two, and three are available to catch up on now ON DEMAND on BET the network and on BET+, according to a press release .

“The Black Hamptons” and “The Family Business” are based on The New York Times  best-selling author Carl Weber’s  books.

The HBCU Alums / Divine 9 members include: From Virginia State University (VSU): Carl Weber (showrunner, executive producer, writer) / member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. From Florida A&M University (FAMU ): Nikaya D. Brown Jones (showrunner, executive producer) / member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. , Greg Anderson (producer) / member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. , and Veronica Nichols (producer.)

“The Black Hamptons” is a family drama set in the quaint town of Sag Harbor known as “The Black Hamptons” that follows the brewing feud between the Brittons and Johnsons where the difference between old money and new money is very apparent.

“The Family Business” follows the Duncans, a prominent family running one of New York’s  most respected car dealerships. But in reality, they’re leaders of the black mafia who control most of the East Coast underworld. No matter which job is at hand, one thing is true about the Duncans: there is nothing they won’t do for family.

The cast of “The Black Hamptons” includes Lamman Rucker , Vanessa Bell Calloway , Elise Neal , Brian White , Karon Riley , Mike Merrill , Blac Chyna , Aaron D. Spears , Daya Vaidya , Cameo Sherrell , Franklin Ojeda Smith , Jordan Smith , Jennifer Freeman , William Johnson , David Andrews , and more.

The cast of “The Family Business” Season four includes Ernie Hudson , Valarie Pettiford , Darrin DeWitt Henson , Miguel A. Nunez Jr. , Tami Roman , Sean Ringgold , Arrington Foster , LisaRaye McCoy , Brely Evans , Ben Stephens , Yadi Valerio , Emilio Rivera , Christian Madsen , Frankie G, Amani E. Boyd , Dylan Weber , Michael Jai White , Anthony Montgomery , Stan Shaw , BernNadette Stanis , Nayirah Teshali , Sacaiah Shaw , Flex Alexander , Treach , Travis Winfrey , Louie Ski Carr , Brandee Evans , Kimberly Patterson , Dawn Halfkenny , and more.

“Carl Weber’s  The Black Hamptons,” is executive produced by Nikaya D. Brown Jones  for Tri Destined Studios and Carl Weber  for Urban Books Media who also serve as the series showrunners. Additionally, BET’s Maureen Guthman  and BET Plus’s Devin Griffin serves as executive producers. Trey Haley  serves as director and co-executive producer for Tri Destined Studios. Tri Destined Studios Execs serving as producers are Abe Brown , Greg Anderson , Veronica F. Nichols ; co-producer, Jeff Lam  and Dr. Lana Bettencourt , and associate producers, Dondi Jones and Ben Stephens  along with Lamman Rucker and Vanessa Bell Calloway . Urban Books execs serving as producers are Walter Nixon and  Jeffrey Dumpson . BET execs serving as consulting producers are Lorisa Bates , Rose Catherine Pinkney , Michelle Suite , and John Baldasare .

Trailer : Old money faces new money on Carl Weber’s The Back Hamptons.

“Carl Weber’s The Family Business,” Season four is executive produced by Nikaya D. Brown Jones  for Tri Destined Studios and Carl Weber  for Urban Books Media who also serve as the series showrunners. Additionally, Ernie Hudson , BET’s Maureen Guthman  and BET Plus’s Devin Griffin  serve as Executive Producers. Trey Haley serves as director and co-executive producer for Tri Destined Studios. Tri Destined Studios execs serving as producers are Abe Brown , Greg Anderson , Veronica F. Nichols ; co-producer Jeff Lam  and Dr. Lana Bettencourt , and associate producers Dondi Jones and Ben Stephens . Urban Books execs serving as producers are Walter Nixon , Jeffrey Dumpson , and Sean Ringgold . BET execs serving as consulting producers are Lorisa Bates , Rose Catherine Pinkney , Michelle Suite , and John Baldasare .

Watch the Family Business Season four Trailer here .

Shared from Black Enterprise @blackenterprise

Comedian Kevin Hart Opens His First Hart House Vegan Restaurant In Los Angeles

Sep 13, 2022 | Entertainment, Entertainment Industry

Written by Derek Major

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart officially opened his first 100% plant-based fast-food restaurant, Hart House, in Westchester, California. Secret Los Angeles reports the restaurant opened on Aug. 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to thank the Westchester Chamber of Commerce, and 10% of receipts that day went to Inner City Arts , which provides a high-quality arts education for elementary school students in Los Angeles.

A post shared by Hart House (@myharthouse)

Hart House offers burgers, chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, salads, and sides, including french fries and tater tots. The fast food spot also serves drinks and milkshakes.

All Hart House food is 100% plant-based and free of preservatives, corn syrup, hormones, antibiotics, and artificial flavors and colors.

“We’ve curated delicious, craveable food you know and love like burgers, shakes, nuggets and more,” Hart House CEO Andy Hooper said in a statement.

In addition to offering good food, Hart House also takes care of its employees, providing them with living wages and top-class benefits. In addition to Hooper, Hart is working with Chef Michael Salem . The men say their overall goal is to defeat the negative connotations that come with the word “vegan.”

“Ultimately what we’re trying to accomplish is converting folks that have traditionally been carnivores and eating at other quick service fast food restaurants to come here, not because we’re vegan, but because we’re just better in terms of the flavor and the crave-ability. Now, the benefit is we happen to be vegan,” Chef Mike with Secret Los Angeles said. “And what it is, you can drink the milkshakes, you can eat the burgers, you can eat the chicken nuggets, but you got no cholesterol.”

Raised in Philadelphia, Hart has long been an advocate of health and fitness, signing an endorsement deal with Nike and constantly posting his workouts on social media. A second Hart House is expected to open in Hollywood later this year, as well as one more location in the US, which hasn’t been disclosed yet. In addition to Hart House, the comedian also opened a reading center in Harlem last month.

Shared from Black Enterprise @blackenterprise