Mediaboss Marketing

Ashley Bembry-Kaintuck is enjoying her own winning season.

The filmmaker celebrated the debut release on March 14 of the documentary On & Coppin, which she co-directed with her father, renowned sports journalist Jerry Bembry.

She also attended the 94th Academy Awards on March 27,where she won an Oscar for her work as an associate producer on Summer of Soul (Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), directed by Ahmir Questlove Thompson.

Before the Oscars, I thought This should be cool, Bembry-Kaintuck said. Being there makes me want to be in a position where Ill be there again.

Bembry-Kaintuck was legit rubbing elbows with famous actors, artists and celebrities at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood. She watched Questloves acceptance speech and met actors Will Smith, Tracee Ellis Ross, Bill Murray, Sam Jackson and John Leguizamo.

Leguizamo congratulated me on the Oscar, said Bembry-Kaintuck, who also spoke to musician Sheila E and civil-rights activists Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, among other celebrities, while discussing Summer of Souls depiction of the almost two-month-long 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, which celebrated black history, culture, music and fashion.

The On & Coppin experience was probably the most exciting project Ive worked on even more so than Summer of Soul because it was a chance to work with my father on something that weve talked about for years, said Bembry-Kaintuck. For both of us, it was very personal. We know all the guys from those teams because I went to those games when my dad covered Coppin for The Baltimore Sun.

Narrated by The Wires Felicia Snoop Pearson, On & Coppin chronicles the unlikely first-round upset of South Carolina by Coppin State University of Baltimore on March 14, 1997, when the Eagles became the first team from the historically black Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to win an NCAA mens basketball game.

Bembry-Kaintuck discussed her journey with Zenger.

Zenger: Where did you grow up? What is your educational background?

Ashley Bembry-Kaintuck: I graduated from North Penn High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and later went to American University in Washington, D.C.

I ran track in high school and for two years in college. I ran sprints and did the long jump and triple jump. I majored in film, minored in African-American Studies and graduated in 2012.

Zenger: How does it feel to be called an Oscar winner?

ABK: Thats a hard one to answer. It feels weird because it was such a small project to start, so I didnt think it was actually going to be a thing. Its the first feature film I ever worked on, and I never thought when I started down this path I would be attending the Oscars or working on a film that won an Oscar.

Zenger: When did you feel like Summer of Soul might be in the running for an Oscar?

ABK: Probably the week before, when The New York Times ran a story that said we were the favorite to win. I had no expectations about it. When The New York Times predicts youre going to win, its a good gauge.

Zenger: What was the atmosphere like at the Oscars?

ABK: Exciting. I didnt know what to expect, and we had a lot of fun.

Zenger: What was it like walking the red carpet?

ABK: It was cool to see all the different celebrities. That was exciting.

Zenger: Who were the most exciting people you were able to meet?

ABK: John Leguizamo and Wesley Snipes, the stars of To Woo Fong, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, which is one of my favorite movies.Ive been watching that since I was young. Seeing the two of them they were both so nice and receptive. John Leguizamo congratulated me on the Oscar.

Zenger: What exactly was your role in Summer of Soul?

ABK: I was an associate producer. I pretty much found all the festival goers that appeared in the documentary and built up relationships with them. They felt comfortable when they were interviewed. I also helped out on the edit.

Zenger: Which of the musicians from the documentary did you meet?

ABK: Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. from The 5th Dimension, the drummer from Sly and the Family Stone, one of the women from the Edwin Hawkins singers and the people we interviewed about the concert, such as Sheila E, Chris Rock, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.

Zenger: Was it exciting to work on that project?

ABK: It was a part of history. Some people, of course, I didnt know because that festival happened when my dad was a young boy. The real excitement for me was connecting with the festival goers, especially the Black Panther who was there just because my minor in college was African-American studies. So it was great to meet people who were a part of history.

Zenger: How important was Summer of Soul from a historical standpoint?

ABK: It was very important. It brought to light something that people have forgotten about, except for people who were in Harlem. There was no social media during that time, so the knowledge of what happened that summer stayed in Harlem.

While everyone equates music and 1969 with Woodstock, it was nice to work on a project where we were able to showcase another event that was just as important but not publicized.

Zenger: How rewarding was doing On & Coppin with your father?

ABK: It was probably the most exciting project Ive worked on, even more so than Summer of Soul. It was a chance to work with my father on something that weve talked about for years.

For both of us, it was very personal. We know all the guys from those teams I went to those games when my dad covered Coppin for The Baltimore Sun. Theyre like family. It was a very big deal.

Zenger: What was the significance of Coppin, as a historically black college and university [HBCU], beating South Carolina?

ABK: No one knew who Coppin was, so for this tiny HBCU to go into the NCAA tournament and beat a powerhouse like South Carolina was big.

Its something that people should know about because a lot of times, like Summer of Soul, those moments are lost in history.

That win in 1997 was big, and Fang Mitchell the Coppin coach made a difference in the lives of a lot of student athletes. To bring that story to life and to ESPN was very important.

Zenger: How did the work process on the Coppin documentary differ from what youve done on other projects?

ABK: It was different because I did everything. I handled the money, I worked on scripts, I organized shoots. I had my hands on a bit of everything.Doing that was rewarding because I got to experience sides of a production that I [otherwise] wouldnt have. It gave me further appreciation of everyones role in a project.

Zenger: Describe your relationship with your father, his guidance and creative influence on you.

ABK: He had a big influence on the fact that I wanted to be a storyteller. I went to work with him so often and saw what he did. Originally, I was going to go to school for journalism, and he told me that it probably wasnt the best route to pursue. So I studied film at American University, and I went into this field because of him.

Zenger: Do you want to work with your father again?

ABK: Yes, 100 percent, yes! And we will.

Edited by Fern Siegel and Sin Speakman

More:
'Summer Of Soul' Oscar Winner Bembry-Kaintuck's Star Is On The Rise - MSR News Online

Jackson took aim at SB 202 signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp last year, allowing state takeovers of local elections, shorter absentee ballot deadlines and new voter ID requirements for absentee ballots.

Rather than discouraging people from voting, Jackson said he hopes instead the law will spur more voters to cast their ballots.

McDonald said people are circling the wagons. I havent been engaged in action like this in probably 20 years.

While he cited tremendous advances last year in clear reference to the elections of President Joe Biden and Senators Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael G. Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, he added, Weve got to keep this ball rolling up the hill.

Also on Tuesday, Marc Morial, the former mayor of New Orleans and now president of the National Urban League, will be in Atlanta to release the 2022 State of Black America report.

The report Under Siege: The Plot to Destroy Democracy will be unveiled at 10 a.m. at Clark Atlanta University. There will be series of panel discussions that include the Rev. Al Sharpton, who will attend virtually, and MSNBCs Tiffany Cross, who will attend.

Link:
Voting will be top at the agenda for faith leaders during upcoming rally - The Atlanta Journal Constitution

Europe's youngest nation, Liberland, will be the first physical/hybrid country - an extension of the real-life land for citizens to live, work, and play

MIAMI, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mytaverse, the immersive platform known for delivering true-to-life 3D experiences, announced today a collaboration with Liberland and global design firm Zaha Hadid Architects to build "Liberland Metaverse" - an extension of the real-life country for its citizens to live, work and play.

A view of the Liberland Metaverse as powered by Mytaverse

The unique Mytaverse technology creates a space where Liberlanders feel like they're physically together when actually not. The virtual space leads to reduced carbon emissions thanks to a reduction in travel, and business becomes more sustainable, streamlined, and even convenient. This unprecedented move into the metaverse marks the first time a country is offering a hybrid of both the physical and virtual to its citizens thus resulting in a permanent existence on the Mytaverse platform.

For the past six months, Mytaverse has worked with Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) to bring the Liberland project into what is called a "cyber-urban" metaverse. The virtual city both enables and empowers novel use experiences, a trait that has made the firm of Zaha Hadid Architects famous. Today, visitors to Liberland Metaverse can experience a 5-story "Cyber Incubator" currently being used - in place of a traditional urban planning committee - for Liberland officials, investors, and architects to meet to discuss and design buildings for the physical and virtual space while tracking ownership on blockchain technology.

"The high-fidelity and photo-real Liberland Metaverse anticipates the physical realization of Liberland. It is not either a game or fiction. The physical and virtual together form a continuous social reality. That's one of the core premises of the project," explains Patrik Schumacher. "One of the main draws of Liberland Metaverse is that it is, like a city, a shared platform and caters to an evolving, diverse, and self-organizing community of those deeply interested and invested in Liberland".

Story continues

Liberlanders will create personalized hologram avatars that can run, jump, wave, dance, and more. Webcams on avatars can be activated, thus allowing for private, face-to-face conversations between small groups or live presentations. The high-quality content on the Mytaverse's unique pixel streaming technology enables citizens to enter using only their browser on their PC or Mac - no need to install an app, no need for any fancy hardware. Anyone can access their land, join meetings, or events just like being there - regardless of their computing power.

"Today will be long remembered as we break ground in the metaverse," said Vit Jedlika, President of Liberland. "We're building a dynamic space where we can continue to contribute to the economic development of Liberland and let citizens feel the urban development progress. Liberland Metaverse will be our citizens' virtual home, drawing all our engaged communities together in an enriched extension of our country."

Thousands of Liberlanders will have 'anytime-anywhere' access to the platform via one click, move seamlessly from activity to activity, and have true-to-life interactions with each other. For example, their virtual self might walk to pitch a small business idea at the Cyber Incubator, then to a conference at the auditorium, and next to their digital plot of land. Experiences will mirror the physical Liberland world - from cultural/social events and sports to education and essential government functions.

"We built Mytaverse to offer a lifeline for businesses facing travel restrictions during COVID. Having proven our concept with very successful projects revolving around conferences and trainings last fall, we are now expanding to offer companies more sustainable and comprehensive metaphysical solutions similar to what we have created in Liberland," said Kenneth Landau, CEO, and co-founder of Mytaverse. "We're at an exciting point where we've had incredible growth and now looking at the next level of impact for our platform by further evolving it to bring this new country to life."

Liberland Metaverse is now live on Mytaverse. Beginning April 16, Liberland citizens will be able to register businesses, order passports, and e-Residency cards, or rent an office space in the central business hub in Liberland Metaverse. For more, visit mytaverse.com and the Mytaverse YouTube channel. View the Mytaverse press kit here.

ABOUT MYTAVERSE

Founded in 2020 by Kenneth Landau and Jaime Lopez, Mytaverse is a platform radically changing how we do business, enabling people to meet in an immersive, true-to-life 3D world. Built to meet the demand for hybrid and augmented reality meetings and workspaces, Mytaverse uses best-in-class technology to deliver fully immersive environments. The hardware-agnostic approach enables users from anywhere to enter through only a browser on a PC, Mac, or mobile device. For more information, visit http://www.mytaverse.com.

ABOUT ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS

Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) redefined architecture for the 21st century with a repertoire of projects that have captured imaginations across the globe. Receiving the highest honours from civic, professional, and academic institutions worldwide, ZHA is one of the world's most consistently inventive architectural studiosand has been for four decades. These 40 years of research are inscribed within every design that encompass an unwavering optimism for the future with concepts of inclusivity and integration. Marrying innovative design methods with ecologically sound materials and sustainable construction practices, ZHA does not look at the disparate parts, but works to understand them as a whole.

ABOUT LIBERLAND

The Free Republic of Liberland (hereinafter "Liberland") is a sovereign state located between Croatia and Serbia on the west bank of the Danube River. On some maps, this area is referred to as "Gornja Siga". The nearest towns are Zmajevac (Croatia) and Baki Monotor (Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia). This parcel of land came into existence due to a border dispute between Croatia and Serbia. This area is not claimed by Croatia, Serbia, nor any other nation or private entity. Furthermore, it remained unclaimed since the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991. In fact, for many decades, it has been uninhabited and no claim was ever made to this piece of land. It was therefore terra nullius a no man's land until Vt Jedlika and Jana Markovicova proclaimed it as the Free Republic of Liberland on 13 April 2015. Liberland has set its boundary with ample margin from neighboring countries to ensure that it does not infringe upon the territory of Croatia or Serbia. The total area is approximately 7 km and is now the third-smallest sovereign state, after the Vatican and Monaco.

Press Contact:Melissa WhitworthLightspeed PR/Mmelissa@lightspeedpr.com

Mytaverse Logo (PRNewsfoto/Mytaverse)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mytaverse-and-zaha-hadid-architects-build-first-libertarian-city-in-the-metaverse-301519795.html

SOURCE Mytaverse

Here is the original post:
Mytaverse and Zaha Hadid Architects Build First Libertarian City in the Metaverse - Yahoo Finance

The deadline to register to vote in the upcoming May General Primary Election is fast approaching. Voters must register by Monday April 25. Morgan County residents can register to vote through the Morgan County Board of Elections and Registration (BOER) office, located at 237 North Second Street in Madison.

The General Primary Election is slated for Tuesday, May 24, but local voters will have the opportunity to cast ballots early with Advance Voting kicking off on Monday, May 2 and ending on Friday, May 20.

Early voting hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with early voting available on two Saturdays, May 9 and May 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All early voting is done at the BOER office.

On election day, Tuesday, May 24, there is no voting at the BOER office and all voters must cast ballots at their assigned polling places in the county.

Your county polling location may have changed since the 2020 elections. You can confirm your election day polling place by going to mvp.sos.ga.gov or calling the BOER at 706-343-6311.

Morgan County voters will be able to cast ballots on several high-profile statewide races in 2022, including the race for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, a U.S. House of Representatives seat, and one of Georgias U.S. Senate seats. Local voters will also decide two State Senate seats for District 17 and District 25 along with one State House of Representatives seat for District 114.

Locally, voters decide two contested races, one for a county commissioner seat and the other for a board of education seat.

As long-time County Commissioner Andy Ainslie retires from office this year, three candidates have filed to run for his seat in District 2 two Republicans and one Democrat.

Republicans Keith Wilson and Blake McCormack will face off in the upcoming primary election on Tuesday, May 24. The winner will run against Democrat Bob Baldwin in the Nov. 8 General Election for the open seat on the Morgan County Board of Commissioners.

In November, Democrat Dr. Claudia Crenshaw will square off against Republican Incumbent Dr. Forest Pagett for the District 5 Board of Education seat.

Morgan County voters will have to make choices on several state and federal races, with no shortage of candidates running for the seats.

In the race for Georgia Governor, two Republican titans will face off in the May 24 Primary Incumbent Brian Kemp and former U.S. Senator David Perdue. Other Republicans have also qualified to run, including Catherine Davis, Kandiss Taylor, and Tom Williams.

The winner will take on Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams in the Nov. 8 General Election, as well as Libertarian Shane Hazel and Independent Al Bartell.

One of Georgias U.S. Senate seats is up for grabs, as Democratic Incumbent Raphael Warnock faces Democratic challenger Tamara Johnson-Shealey. Republican challengers have lined up as well for the seat, including Gary Black, Josh Clark, Kelvin King, Jonathan McColumn, Latham Saddler and Herschel Walker. One Libertarian has qualified for the Senate seat, Chase Oliver.

In the race for Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Democrats Erick Allen, Charlie Bailey, Tyrone Brooks Jr., Tony Brown, Kwanza Hall, Jason Hayes, Derrick Jackson, R. Malik, Renitta Shannon have qualified to run. On the Republican side, Burt Jones, Mack McGregor, Butch Miller, and Jeanne Seaver qualified. Libertarian candidate Ryan Graham also qualified.

In the race for Georgia Secretary of State, Republican Incumbent Brad Raffensperger will square off against Republican challengers Jody Hice, a former U.S. Congressman, David Belle Isle, and T.J. Hudson. Democrats running for Georgia SOS include Dee Dawkins-Haigler, John Eaves, Floyd Griffin, Bee Nguyen, and Michael Owens. Libertarian Ted Metz is also running.

Congressman Jody Hice is vacating the U.S. House District 10 to run for Georgia SOS. A crowded field of candidates has emerged to win his seat. Republicans running include Timothy Barr, Paul Broun, Mike Collins, David Curry, Vernon J. Jones, Marc McMain, Alan Sims, and Mitchell Swan. Democrats running include Jessica Allison Fore, Tabitha Johnson-Green, Phyllis Hatcher, Femi Oduwole, and Paul Walton.

In the local state representative races, candidates have lined up to compete for two State Senate seats and one State House of Representatives seat.

For State Senate District 25, currently held by Burt Jones who is vacating office to run for Lt. Governor, candidates running to replace him include Republicans Rick Jeffares, Leland Jake Olinger II, Daniela Sullivan-Marzahl, and Ricky Williams, and Democrat Valerie Rodgers.

For State Senate District 17, Republican Incumbent Brian Strickland is running for reelection, facing Republican challenger Brett Mauldin. The winner will go to run against Democratic challenger Kacy Morgan in the Nov. 8 General Election.

State Rep. Dave Belton will not seek reelection for District 114. Republicans Wendell McNeal and Tim Fleming will face off in the May primary election for their partys nomination. The winner will face Democratic Challenger Malcom Adams in November.

Georgians will vote on the next Attorney General, with Republican incumbent Chris Carr running for reelection, facing challenges from Republican John Gordon, Democrats Jennifer Jordan and Christian Wise Smith, and Libertarian Martin Cowen.

Georgians will also vote for Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Insurance, State School superintendent, and Commissioner of Labor.

Read this article:
Register to vote in the May Primary before the April 25 deadline - Morgan County Citizen

As Keene resident and libertarian activist Ian Freeman awaits trial on federal charges related to his bitcoin-exchange business, two of his alleged co-conspirators have signaled they will enter guilty pleas.

Renee and Andrew Spinella, both of Derry, are scheduled for change-of-plea hearings Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Concord. Their shift from not-guilty pleas to pleading guilty would mark the first time any of the six alleged co-conspirators have admitted wrongdoing.

Freeman, Colleen Fordham of Alstead, Aria DiMezzo of Keene and a Keene man who legally changed his name from Richard Paul to Nobody have all pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecutors claim Freeman and his alleged co-conspirators violated federal law by running an unlicensed virtual currency-exchange business that handled more than $10 million in transactions over several years.

According to the government, Freeman and other co-defendants used personal bank accounts and accounts in the names of purported religious entities like the Shire Free Church, the Crypto Church of NH, the Church of the Invisible Hand and the Reformed Satanic Church to conceal the nature of their business while directing customers to falsely report that they were donating to churches or buying rare coins, not purchasing cryptocurrency.

The government arrested the six in March 2021. The FBI conducted several searches in Keene one day that month, including at 73-75 Leverett St. and at two properties on Route 101.

Those properties are linked to the libertarian activist group known locally as Free Keene, which has ties to some of the defendants. The Route 101 searches were at 661 Marlboro Road, at a business called Bitcoin Embassy N.H., and 659 Marlboro Road, which is owned by Shire Free Church Holdings LLC. The FBI also conducted an operation at a local convenience store, with an employee at the time telling The Sentinel agents removed a Bitcoin ATM.

Court records indicate the defendants trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 1.

All six alleged co-conspirators were charged with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business, and all but DiMezzo also face a charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Renee Spinella additionally faces two charges of wire fraud and Andrew Spinella faces a single additional charge of wire fraud. Court documents do not indicate what charge or charges they are expected to plead guilty to.

Freeman also faces charges of operation of an unlicensed money-transmitting business, continuing financial-crimes enterprise, money laundering and six counts of wire fraud. The continuing financial-crimes enterprise charge carries a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence.

Unfortunately the way the federal government works is they do their best to intimidate people by stacking on as many charges as possible, Freeman said Saturday.

Freeman said he has not been allowed to talk to his co-defendants, but has heard that the prosecution threatened the Spinellas with additional charges to force them into a plea deal. The Sentinel has not been able to confirm this. Court documents do not indicate any additional charges. Renee Spinella was not immediately reachable by phone. Neither Andrew Spinella nor his attorney were immediately reachable Saturday for a request for comment.

Freeman said he does not expect that the Spinellas will cooperate with the government, despite the scheduled guilty plea.

Nobody here did anything wrong. These are victimless so-called crimes, he said. I expect they will not be cooperating with the state because we all believe the state is evil.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Georgiana L. MacDonald has previously alleged that hordes of cybercriminals bought virtual currency from Freeman in an effort to avoid detection by banks and government regulators.

The government also claims in court documents Freeman allowed an undercover agent to exchange around $20,000 in cash for bitcoin after the agent told him he was dealing drugs. Freemans lawyer, Mark Sisti, has previously told The Sentinel he doesnt know where the governments claim about an undercover agent is coming from. He said he has seen evidence of Freeman refusing to deal with criminals.

DiMezzo, also reached by phone Saturday, said the Spinellas have to do what is best for themselves even if that means entering a plea deal with the government.

In the libertarian philosophy as long as they are making the decision that is best for them the world is best served, DiMezzo said.

While she said she believes a jury will find no evidence of the alleged crimes, certainly, if they agree to be star witnesses to the prosecutors, that certainly will have an effect on other peoples cases.

But a guilty plea is not evidence of guilt, DiMezzo argued, claiming, as Freeman did, that the federal government stacks charges against defendants to bully them into pleas.

Its hard to accept a guilty plea as an actual confession of guilt in the modern court system, she said. Whether theyre guilty or not, [defendants] accept the deal to make the bigger threat go away.

Continue reading here:
Two expected to plead guilty in cryptocurrency case - Concord Monitor