Ye and Jason Lee’s Impromptu “Black Future Month” Brunch Was the Truth the Media Needs to Push Black Culture Forward

On Sunday, February 6 in a dark industrial sky-lit warehouse, Kanye “Ye” West and Hollywood Unlocked Founder, Jason Lee, gathered together a room filled with 50 of the top Black journalists and media gatekeepers to declare their movement to shift the construct of Black History Month to “Black Future Month.” I was honored and curious to have brunch with Ye and hear what he had to say – in person – despite past confusion about his motives and authenticity based purely on how the media portrays him.

Photo Credit: Hesham Abdo

At the private brunch, Black journalists from notable publications such as: Essence, Ebony, Billboard, New York Times, Vibe Magazine, Instyle, Forbes, etc. were invited to sit with the superstar and black executives at Amazon Studios, FOX SOUL, BET and Spotify to explore how Black media can build a brighter future for the next generation and unionize together to help amplify more Black voices.

“Me and Virgil believed in black design,” said Ye. “Now we need to invest in black media. God uses me as a vessel – we declare Black Future Month. The future – not the past.”

In a heartfelt call for unity and ownership in black media, celebrity media personality, Jason Lee and Michelle Mitchell, Strategic Communities Program Manager, Media Partnerships at Meta led a roundtable discussion over a seated mediterranean-style brunch to examine disparities in Black Media. The conversation ranged from topics such as building equity and representation on the red carpet, reclaiming the narrative to humanize black voices in storytelling and wiping out cancel culture. Ye also spoke candidly about the struggles he faces as a Black Man, Father and Billionaire in attempting to speak his mind on issues that matter to him most, such as his children. He brought up how all too often Black people are glorified and then villainized, or labeled as “crazy” when they take a stand for what matters to them.

“That’s a trait of a leader, being willing to step out in front of an idea even if they may come under attack for it,” expressed Ye. “It’s a way of being publicly locked up in a prison.” Ye went on to describe how liberating it was when legendary rapper Noreaga actually let him talk on his recent Drink Champs interview, and asserted that the term “Black Lives Matter” feels minimizing and doesn’t resonate with him as well as the idea that “Black Lives Lead” or “Black Lives Built This Country.” I had to raise my mug of iced-coffee in a toast to the sentiment that we ought not be pleading for our right “to matter,” but rather striving to take our positions in a country we built.

As a black woman leaning into taking her place in media, who has worked as both a Media Journalist and a Senior-level Publicist, I’ve seen discrimination and marginalization both on the red carpet as well as storytelling. Readers may be surprised to know how many top events The Hype Magazine, a top ranking media outlet, gets passed over and denied access to cover several top major red carpet events and interview celebrities. Industry gatekeepers in entertainment, fashion, technology have a long way to go to make opportunities in journalism inclusive.

Moreover, as a Black Woman who is a human, a trauma survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence who has gone to great lengths to speak my own truth publicly without being ridiculed or boxed in, I must admit I can relate to Ye. He shared transparently that his recent rants on social media were quite frankly his attempts to keep his daughter from a world that wants to sexualize her at a young age. Ye even went so far as to tap on an issue I’ve built a platform as a public speaker on, which is the issue of abortion, particularly as it relates to systemic racism. A google search of my story will lead you to my personal position on that.

That said, the conversation did go on a few tangents as a result of the mutual fervor Ye and Lee now share for speaking their truth. However, many of the gatekeepers in the room were given the floor to share their thoughts on how we can further the mission of celebrating the truth of our blackness. Several media outlets have since expressed their concern for feeling left out of the conversation, but its certainly one that is intended to continue. The common tone amongst the collective was a need to protect black narratives and shift to focusing on stories centered around Black joy. It was agreed that media can and should do a better job of choosing headlines and story lines that honor the unique challenges we face compared to other races in this country.

Photo Credit: Hesham Abdo

Following the impromptu Black Media town hall meeting, we were treated to the first-ever Sunday Service in which media were allowed in attendance to film and share the intimate experience publicly. The sweeping and angelic voices of the choir made me want to dust off my Berklee College of Music vocal chops and join in the praises to give gratitude for a renewed appreciation for life and purpose.

Being in that room felt inclusive in a way I didn’t know I needed, and breaking bread amongst many of the most powerful media gatekeepers in Black Culture left me feeling reinvigorated in my mission to tell Black stories that matter – stories that uplift, inspire, shift perspectives and humanize us as Black people. It was a divine and well-timed reminder of the role we play as artists, media and change-makers to push us from a focus on “Black History” toward our bright “Black Future.”

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Tags: #BFM, #BlackFutureMonth, Black culture, Black Journalism, Black Media, Jason Lee, Kanye West, sunday service

About the Author

Crystal Willis Crystal Willis is an Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Entertainment Publicist and CEO of The Omni Firm. She is also a Transformational Life Coach and Founder of The Crysalis. Her personal story has been seen by millions of people on media outlets like Marie Claire Magazine, PBS, Blaze TV, Daily Signal and more.