Chicago Filmmaker Wins Oscar for “Hair Love” & Brings Special Guest Teen On The Red Carpet With The Team
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Chicago filmmaker Matthew Cherry took home the Oscar for best animated short film for “Hair Love,” a six-minute short film about an African American father attempting to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.
Chicago filmmaker Matthew Cherry took home the Oscar for best animated short film for “Hair Love,” a six-minute short film about an African American father attempting to do his daughter’s hair for the first time.
Matthew and the “Hair Love” team brought the Texas high school teen DeAndre Arnold who’s story has recently gone viral in the news for refusing to cut his locs. DeAndre was suspended for wearing dreadlocks and told he couldn’t attend his graduation ceremony in the spring unless he cut them in accordance with school dress code. Arnold, who has been growing his hair in locs since the seventh grade, has said that his hairstyle —rooted in Black pride, culture and sometimes religion — is a nod to his Trinidadian heritage.
As a surprise to Arnold, Cherry teamed up with Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade (who helped produce this short film) to create a special video invitation for the Texas teen. On Oscar Sunday, DeAndre walked the red carpet and attended the full Oscar’s ceremony along with the “Hair Love” team. During the acceptance of their award, Matthew directed the following statement to DeAndre and the crowd saying, “I want to say “Hair Love” was done to normalize black hair.”
Alongside co-producer Karen Rupert Toliver, Cherry who also directed and co-wrote the film gave tribute to Kobe Bryant saying, “May all our second acts be as great as his”. Bryant and Glen Keane won the best animated short film Oscar in 2018 for “Dear Basketball.”
When speaking of the inspiration behind the short film, Matthew shares his personal story. As a former NFL player and graduate of Loyola Academy in Wilmette and the University of Akron, Matthew shared: “You have a situation where Mom may have to go into work early and Dad has to get the kids ready. The gender norms that existed back in the day aren’t really the same as they are now.
“I feel like everyone has to step up and get it done. Black fathers have had one of the worst raps in mainstream media as being portrayed as being deadbeats and not being involved.”
“It was important to us to showcase a black father that was young, that had tattoos. I think if you saw someone like him on the street, you would assume that wasn’t a loving father that does his daughter’s hair,” Cherry said in an interview with The Associated Press. “We’re just trying to change the conversation, one project at a time.”
“Our hair is an extension of ourselves,” Cherry previously told HuffPost speaking about the short film. “And the cool thing about this story is that it really represents pure love: what we’re willing to do for the people we love even when they ask us to do something we don’t know how to do.”
Tamara Young-McCoy is the founder of ArtSoul Konnect Entertainment Media, home to ArtSoulRadio.com, and a Radio Host/Journalist whose work has appeared in Ebony, Jet, Blavity, and other publications. With a background in TV, film, and digital media, she is dedicated to bridging faith, culture, and entertainment through storytelling and media innovation. She is passionate about mentoring young creatives, amplifying diverse voices, and advancing the Christian music industry while expanding its mainstream reach. Follow her on social media or learn more at www.tamarayoungmccoy.com.
Anike recently released new visuals for her single “Holy Girls” and it’s making waves!! In less than a month, her supporters have already pushed the single to #1 in Music and #3 overall on YouTube Hype Charts — a feature on YouTube that highlights the platform’s fastest-rising videos based on real-time engagement and momentum. It’s clear that this artist continues to not miss a beat!
Fresh off the cusp of women’s history month, we can’t overlook the fact that Anike recently had a baby and in that process successfully and consistently released new promotion, music, and even an educational course for up and coming artists during that time. She has been resourceful and consistent, always finding ways to continue her grind while not ignoring her personal needs and health to the best of her ability.
An artist of her caliber continuing to unite and inspire young women to grow closer to the Lord while also reaching their life goals – in their health, career and relationships – is not only inspiring; she has become an example of tenacity and strong faith. Much like the current picture of her life, this single is giving Proverbs 31 energy and showing young ladies everywhere the value of pursuing life with God at the center! It makes sense that this latest single “Holy Girls” is becoming more than a vibe – it’s becoming a new anthem!
Check it out below — and let’s continue to run it up!
Reach Records, the influential label founded by GRAMMY Award-winning artist Lecrae and home to some of the industry’s most impactful voices, including Tedashii, Anike, Hulvey, and Trip Lee, officially announces the signing of Atlanta’s 2819 Worship from 2819 Church, headed by Pastor Philip Anthony Mitchell, to its roster. The announcement was made during 2819 Church’s powerful Good Friday service, where the news was met with overwhelming excitement from attendees and the broader faith community, and caused a chatter among fans and churchgoers online. This partnership signals a powerful move in worship music.
Speaking on the partnership, Reach Records founder Lecrae shared:
“The gospel has always been at the center of Reach Records’ vision. While our roots are in hip-hop, our mission has always been to create space for the full expression of faith music, message, and movement. I’ve personally been impacted by Pastor Philip’s teaching and inspired by what God is doing through this community. As we’ve spent time together, it’s become clear that there’s a genuine alignment that makes this feel less like a partnership and more like a shared calling. We’re excited to help carry the sound, the message, and the culture of this house to new audiences.”
Lonnell Williams, Executive Pastor of 2819 Church and COO of 2819 Worship, added:
“2819 Worship was built on one conviction: Christ above everything.
Every song. Every collaboration. Every decision — filtered through that single standard. So when we looked at Reach Records, we weren’t evaluating a label. We were evaluating alignment. And what we found was an organization that has spent nearly two decades putting the Gospel at the center of their work, their artists, and their culture.
This partnership is the fruit of obedience. God opened this door. We walked through it.
And we don’t take lightly what it means to be the first worship team ever signed to a predominantly Christian hip-hop label. That’s not a milestone we chased. That’s a door God opened — and it comes with responsibility. Because firsts don’t just make history. Firsts set the standard for everyone who comes after.
We believe this is a moment for CCM. Not just hip-hop. Not just worship. Vertical worship that is solely unto Christ — in the fullest sense of the word. Diverse in sound. Rich in expression. Uncompromising in message. The name of Christ deserves every genre, every room, and every generation. We intend to build in all of them.
Reach Records understands assignments. So do we. That’s why we’re here — and that’s why we’re just getting started.
Ultimately, 2819 is a house of ‘Prayer, Presence, and Proclamation’ —we are so ready for the rest of the world to step into that presence we experience every Sunday gathering!”
While the collective’s debut single under Reach Records has not yet been confirmed, fans are already rallying behind “For Christ Alone,” a song that has generated significant momentum online with over 1 million impressions and growing demand from Christians nationwide.
According to CBN, 2819 Church has rapidly emerged as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing churches in America. The church has grown from fewer than 200 weekly attendees in 2023 to approximately 6,000 today, often exceeding building capacity and utilizing overflow rooms every Sunday. Lines form as early as 5:30 AM, reflecting the hunger and anticipation surrounding each gathering. In October, the church hosted its ACCESS prayer event, drawing nearly 40,000 to State Farm Arena, filling both the main venue and a nearby convention center; an extraordinary testament to the movement taking place within this community.
This landmark partnership signals a powerful convergence of culture and worship, positioning 2819 Worship to bring its distinct sound and message to audiences worldwide. As Reach Records continues to expand its influence across genres, the addition of 2819 Worship underscores a shared mission: to elevate the name of Christ through music that transcends boundaries and reaches every generation.
For more information on the signing of 2819 Worship, please visit www.reachrecords.com.
Anike released her lastest new single “Holy Girls” today and it’s set to be the new anthem for Christian ladies all summer! Giving the typical high energy all of Anike’s music gives, this one is going to make new mark in the industry and in the hearts of fans everywhere!