Source: miumiu.com

If you’ve ever seen director Ava DuVernay’s work in either I Will Follow or Middle Of Nowhere, you know that she is immensely talented and has a knack for filming people of color in a way that has them looking absolutely regal. Recently, DuVernay partnered with high fashion brand Miu Miu, a subsidy of Prada, to produce a short film featuring the brand’s clothing. The film, called “The Door,” does not include any dialogue but it tells a story of a woman whose friends are trying to help her cope with and overcome a recent breakup.

In addition to Gabrielle Union, the woman whose going through the breakup, the film also features Adepero Oduye, from Pariah and Steel Magnolias, Emayatzy Corinealdi from DuVernay’s Middle of Nowhere, (which was an awesome film by the way), singer Goapele and veteran actress Alfre Woodard. DuVernay explained that the film got its title “The Door” because: “In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves. Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.”

Check out this beautifully made 9-min film below. (If you’re not at work, make it full screen so you can bask in the beauty. )

In the African American community, Christianity is definitely the most common religion. Though you don’t see it much, there are blacks who practice other religions, including Judaism. Here are 15 famous faces who are proudly black and Jewish.

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Lauren London

Actress Lauren London has a Jewish father.

Madame Noire caught up with singers Goapele, Leela James and Kenny Lattimore at the Eye on Black event in Los Angeles, which celebrated Black directors like Haile Gerima, Debbie Allen and Chris Robinson. The singers were there to provide musical inspiration and entertainment for the star studded event. Check out what they had to say about the state of Black cinema and also what they had to say about their own careers.

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We had the pleasure of catching up with the very talented, equally gorgeous songbird Goapele. The songstress shared the journey she took completing her latest studio project, her dream collaborations, the truth behind those intricate hair styles and her diva daughter.

Do you know  the name Mateo? If you don’t, you will soon. He’s actually been around for a minute, but you know how folks don’t always get the shine they deserve. Let’s say you meshed the range and soul of Van Hunt with the rock/hip hop sensibility of Travie McCoy. There you have Mateo! The talented cutie pie crooner sat down with Madame Noire to chop it up about his music, his influences and of course his love life. We got chu! Funny dude–good times in this interview.

Check out the video!

Mateo will be releasing his mixtape “Love and Stadiums,” a collaboration with Kerry “Krucial” Brothers on March 30, 2011. I had the pleasure of attending a listening session for the mixtape and I have one word for it: dope.  Check out a video for one of tracks on there called “Don’t Shoot me Down” featuring the outrageously talented and gorgeous Goapele.

Natural hair is making a comeback and we love it! In the past few years, singers, actresses, films, ads and commercials have been showcasing the beauty of natural hair. With the pressures on women to fit the ideal standard of beauty- thin, long hair and blue eyes- it is great to see more and more women redefining what beauty is. Madame Noire celebrates all forms of beauty including these the veteran natural ladies and those who have rocked with the natural manes long before it was considered cool.

Goapele traveled thousands of miles to work on her current single “Victory”. A California–by way of South Africa– resident, going to the Motherland was nothing short of a family reunion for the singer. Having traveled there several times growing up, her last trip was a lot different being in the midst of the monumental 2008 US election. Barack Obama’s presidency coupled with the excitement of the World Cup (once the project was wrapping up) inspired her song with South African rapper, Hip Hop Pantsula.

Now, she’s shifting focus to her anticipated album Milk & Honey, that has been in the works for two years. She chatted with us about South Africa, her new album and balancing everything with a daughter and family.

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