By RON WYNN | Nashville Voice

With about a week remaining in Black History Month for 2019, anyone who hasn’t checked out a trio of Netflix series has missed the boat on some vital programming.

From classic soul to current politics and vintage history, the network has something for everyone. Three prime choices are “The Two Killings of Sam Cooke,” Killer Mike’s “Trigger Warning,” and Kevin Hart’s “Guide To Black History.”

“The Two Killings of Sam Cooke” is the latest in an ongoing documentary/investigative reports series created by Emmy and Peabody award-winners Jeff and Michael Zimbalist under the overall banner of “Remastered.” The duo previously covered Jam Master Jay, Bob Marley, and Johnny Cash among others.

Their spotlight on Sam Cooke combines a retrospective examination of his musical and cultural impact with a probing, often disturbing look at the circumstances of his death and the still unanswered questions that remain regarding it.

The program debuted Feb. 8, and even those who’ve read previous comprehensive Cooke biographies by Daniel Wolff or Peter Guralnick may still discover some things about the vocal great they didn’t previously know.

Cooke saw the link between cultural, political and economic empowerment, and maintained control over his music by establishing a record label and publishing company. He was a giant in both gospel and secular music. He also openly supported the Civil Rights Movement, produced a spoken word album featuring Muhammad Ali long before he became a globally popular icon, and included Malcolm X in his immediate circle of friends. Cooke wanted to create a national union of Black performing artists, and he constantly preached Black self-reliance and creative control.

But what the show’s directors can’t definitively do is prove Cooke was murdered. They revisit his controversial shooting and interview friends, family, academics and cultural historians.

But no one’s still able to conclusively show Sam Cooke was set up and murdered by folks unknown, which has long been the prevailing conspiracy theory.

However, they do show he was way ahead of his time, made major contributions both inside and outside the music industry, and was not just a great performer, but someone who helped lots of others behind the scenes and without fanfare or public recognition.

Killer Mike’s six-episode series, “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike,” which debuted last month, raises plenty of explosive and controversial topics and offers some intriguing and inventive solutions.

Every episode covers a specific issue, from the necessity of black investment and participation in African-American communities to whether education is being discouraged by young blacks, or whether gangs are the menace they’re portrayed by mainstream media and society.

Whether you share his perspectives, Killer Mike’s careful to explore multiple sides of every issue. While discussions range from measured evaluation to emotional outburst, every episode will leave viewers with ideas to carefully evaluate.

One episode that’s generated plenty of reaction was about the color of Christ. It offended some Christians to even ponder the issue, even though there have been many studies and books written about this question.

Another episode included the use of pornography as an educational tool, something that disturbed some feminists and fundamentalists. But the show doesn’t concern itself with either consensus or affirmation. Its aim is consciousness-raising and offering fresh, unconventional and often radical solutions to complex, long-term problems.

Those easily upset by blunt, sometimes profane language, suggestive dialogue or confrontational verbal approaches might not find “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike” to their liking, but I recommend it as a good window into 21st century political and cultural thought among the Hip-Hop generation.

Kevin Hart’s “Guide to Black History” downplays humor and emphasizes scholarship while focusing on Black History figures and accomplishments. Hart has geared this towards children and teens, but doesn’t present it in such a simplistic manner it will turn off adults.

The funny man includes a handful of jokes about people like pioneering agriculturalist George Washington Carver or world class pilot Bessie Coleman, but they are done in a fashion that won’t upset any parents watching this with their children.

It is especially good to see such names as Robert Smalls, an escaped slave who was both a Civil War hero and five-term Congressman well before it was a familiar thing for blacks to hold legislative office, or George Crum, whom many are unaware invented the potato chip.

There’s also more personal information included about the great Josephine Baker, who moved to France and was an Allied special agent during World War II. Less known is that she was very involved in the Civil Rights Movement and was the matriarch of a family that had 12 adopted children from various countries around the world.

Lately, Kevin Hart has tried to broaden and enhance his image, even as he fights to overcome the unfortunate Oscar hosting mess. “Guide to Black History” is another step in that process, and the third in a trio of topflight shows all fans and students of black heritage and culture should see and savor.

By Sandra Gonzalez | CNN Newsource

In one way, we all owe thanks to Sally Field for the wonder that is Regina King.

You see, it was Field’s work in “Sybil” and “Norma Rae” that started King on a path toward acting.

King remembers watching Field in those two projects and thinking that the roles, so vastly different, didn’t even feel like they were being played by the same person. But they were one magical performer.

“She made you laugh. She made you cry. She was sexy, she was charming,” King says. “I felt so many emotions watching both of those movies, and I just was like, ‘I want to make people feel like that.'”

These days, it’d be hard to find a person in film or television who hasn’t at least once been thrown into an emotional blender because of King’s work.

By Sandra Gonzalez | CNN Newsource

It’s late November and Michael B. Jordan is preparing to head overseas. He leaves on Thanksgiving for an international leg of press for his film “Creed II.” His travels were going to take him to places like London and Africa. Then his schedule had him diving into award season here in the states. March, he said, would bring a breather.

Hard work has, of course, never scared Jordan.

Born in California, he was raised in Newark, New Jersey, with his older sister and younger brother among self-described humble beginnings.

He loved books and “Dragon Ball Z,” especially Goku.

His parents loved knowledge and were tenacious, working multiple jobs.

By Eliott C. McLaughlin, Amanda Watts and Brad Parks  |  CNN Newsource

Jussie Smollett paid two brothers $3,500 to stage an attack on him last month, taking “advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career,” Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson alleged Thursday.

The revelations necessary to charge Smollett came during the 47th hour of a 48-hour holding period for the brothers, who eventually confessed to the alleged plot, Johnson said. Had they waited another hour, the superintendent said, authorities would have been forced to release them.

“We just didn’t have the total package to support that it was a hoax,” he said. “This investigation didn’t turn in the direction of Mr. Smollett being a defendant until the 47th hour that we had those two individuals in custody.”

The “Empire” actor was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of filing a false report about the Jan. 29 incident and appeared in court in the afternoon. He paid a bond later and was released.

Smollett then went to work on the “Empire” set to shoot some scenes, CNN contributor Nichelle Turner said. The company behind “Empire,” 20th Century Fox Television, has previously backed the actor. On Thursday, it said it was “evaluating the situation and we are considering our options.”

With his family members standing throughout the proceeding, Smollett wore the same puffer jacket he wore in his police mugshot. He shook his head and closed his eyes as prosecutors outlined their case against him: that the actor directed the brothers on what to say and do — including uttering a racial slur, employing a noose and making a reference to “Make America Great Again.”

Smollett texted one of the brothers, his friend Abimbola Osundairo, on Jan. 25 and said, “Might need your help on the low. You around to talk face-to-face?” prosecutors alleged.

After laying out the plan and rehearsing it, prosecutors said, Smollett then gave Abimbola Osundairo and his brother, Olabinjo, a $100 bill to buy clothing and rope for a noose, prosecutors allege. He also instructed them not to bring their mobile phones to the attack, according to prosecutors.

A statement released Thursday night on behalf of the actor said the bail hearing was an “organized law enforcement spectacle that has no place in the American legal system.”

“Mr. Smollett is a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence and feels betrayed by a system that apparently wants to skip due process and proceed directly to sentencing,” the statement said.

Smollett is due back in court on March 14.

Judge sets bail at $100,000; Smollett is released

Smollett spoke in court only to confirm his name to the judge. His defense team told the court that Smollett was not a flight risk and cited his philanthropic work in making his case for bail.

The judge granted a $100,000 bail, and Smollett paid a $10,000 bond. He was ordered to give up his passport and will remain under supervision until his case is adjudicated.

Smollett faces a felony charge of disorderly conduct for falsely claiming he was attacked by two men on January 29 in Chicago, police say.

The attackers yelled racist and homophobic slurs, tied a rope around his neck and poured an unknown substance on him, Smollett alleged.

The attack took place but was staged, Johnson said. The brothers punched Smollett a little, wearing gloves, according to Johnson.

“As far as we can tell, the scratching and bruising that you saw on his face were most likely self-inflicted,” said Johnson.

Investigators believe Smollett staged the attack “because he was dissatisfied with his salary,” Johnson said, citing information that the brothers gave to police.

Police initially treated the attack as a hate crime and were able to track down the men, in part, through cabs and rideshares that they took after the attack, Cmdr. Edward Wodnicki told reporters. They learned the men were in Nigeria.

Investigators met the brothers at customs when they returned to the country, Wodnicki said. Phone records indicate Smollett talked to the brothers about an hour before the alleged attack, an hour afterward and after they had left the country, authorities say.

According to Johnson, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo asked for an attorney once in custody. After their lawyer explained to police that “something smelled fishy,” the men told officers that Smollett, who is black and gay, first “attempted to gain attention by sending a false letter that relied on racial, homophobic and political language. When that didn’t work, Smollett paid $3,500 to stage this attack,” the police superintendent said.

Seven days before the alleged attack, a letter was sent to the Chicago set of “Empire.” It contained white powder and a drawing of a “stick figure hanging from a tree,” police have said.

Authorities determined the powder to be aspirin, police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said. According to prosecutors, Smollett told Abimbola Osundairo that he was disappointed in the “Empire” team’s reaction to the letter.

Investigators have the check Smollett used to pay Abimbola Osundairo, prosecutors say. The brothers’ motive for helping was money, Johnson said.

“There was never a thought in their mind that we would be able to track them down,” he said.

After cooperating with police, the Osundairo brothers were released without being charged last week and went before a grand jury Tuesday, Johnson said.

At one point, Smollett’s legal team asked that the grand jury proceeding be postponed so he could provide new details, but “essentially they gave us no new information,” Wodnicki said.

The grand jury heard the evidence, and on Wednesday, police said, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved a felony disorderly conduct charge against the actor.

Under Illinois law, filing a false police report is disorderly conduct and punishable by one to three years in prison.

During Thursday’s news conference, Johnson repeatedly chastised the media for devoting more attention to the Smollett case than to other alleged victims of violence in the city.

“I am offended by what’s happened and I’m also angry,” Johnson said. “Bogus police reports cause real harm. They do harm to every legitimate victim.”

As details emerged, police said they wanted to conduct a follow-up interview with the actor based on “some developments.”

They did not elaborate, but surveillance video from a beauty supply store captured the day before the assault, appears to show the brothers purchasing a ski mask, sunglasses, a red hat, and other items.

The two are no longer suspects, Chicago police say. The brothers’ attorney, Gloria Schmidt, told reporters Wednesday that her clients had not accepted a plea deal.

“You don’t need immunity when you have the truth,” she said.

Asked why Smollett chose the brothers, who prosecutors say both appeared as extras on “Empire,” Johnson said it was probably because he had a previous relationship with them and “knew that he needed somebody with some bulk.”

Selfies posted on Instagram showed the muscular brothers with their shirts off, flexing, and prosecutors allege that Abimbola Osundairo, with whom Smollett has been friends since 2017, had previously worked out with, socialized with and provided recreational drugs for Smollett.

Smollett, who plays a gay character on the Fox drama “Empire,” told detectives two men attacked him near the lower entrance of a Loews hotel in Chicago, police said. The men yelled, ” ‘Empire’ fa***t” and ” ‘Empire’ n***er,’ ” while striking him, police were told.

The actor also confirmed reports that one of the men shouted, “This is MAGA country,” a reference to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, police said.

Prosecutors allege Smollett directed the brothers to utter the remarks and epithets while attacking him. The attack was supposed to go down at 10 p.m. on Jan. 28, but was postponed until 2 the next morning because Smollett’s flight was delayed, prosecutors say.

Smollett took the brothers to the site where he wanted the incident to occur on Jan. 27 and pointed out a surveillance camera on the corner he thought would record the attack, prosecutors say. They say the plan was changed so bleach would be used during the incident instead of gasoline.

CNN’s Faith Karimi, Ryan Young, Bill Kirkos, Steve Almasy, Joe Sutton, Sandra Gonzalez, Chuck Johnston, Nick Watt. Rosalina Nieves and Sheena Jones contributed to this report.