Lucky Valentines

So lucky to call these three my valentines for all these years. 💕 pic.twitter.com/165TPtwft2

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) February 14, 2019

Happy Valentine’s Day to the extraordinarily smart, beautiful, funny, one and only @MichelleObama. It’s true; she does get down to Motown. pic.twitter.com/uypbZsEiqB

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 14, 2019

All Hail Our Forever FLOTUS

August 28: The History Of A People

THREAD: Did you know this day is a mammoth one in African-American history? A date that has exposed two Americas. https://t.co/baZCYhEXdJ

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

I was invited to make a film for @NMAAHC. I chose to chronicle "August 28" as a day in the life of my people. https://t.co/wqLT4MEfs4

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

****

On Aug 28, 1833, slavery is abolished in the UK, contributing to the American abolition of slavery. This date opens our film "August 28."

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

On Aug. 28, 1955: Emmett Till, 14, is brutally murdered by three white KKK members, becoming the flashpoint in the civil rights movement.

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

****

On Aug. 28, 1961, Motown released its first hit, “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvellettes. Motown would go on to transform American culture.

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

On Aug. 28, 1963: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech, bending the arc a little further towards justice. pic.twitter.com/8j0pQqPOzl

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

****

On August 28, 2005: Hurricane Katrina makes landfall and the government response reveals massive inequities and environmental injustice.

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

On Aug. 28, 2008: Senator Barack stuns the world and accepts the Democratic nomination for President of The United States of America. pic.twitter.com/KxxarA60Zz

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

****

The film I made ends there. But I always continue to track August 28. It is a magic date in black history. Guess what happened last year?

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

On Aug. 28, 2016, @Kaepernick7 delivers his first official remarks on his reasons for protesting the national anthem. pic.twitter.com/MwJKBBQ83o

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

****

Written + directed from my heart, "August 28" stars Turman, Bassett, Cheadle, Oyelowo, King, Holland, Nyong'o, Mbatha-Raw, Ealy and more. pic.twitter.com/HqOYQqxiUn

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

Check it out exclusively at @NMAAHC. Our history is a treasure trove of knowledge and guidance. I salute our ancestors on this day. Onward! pic.twitter.com/UiJrqHNxte

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 28, 2017

Chat Away

Two years ago: “The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House,” Feb. 24, 2011 – see the full concert here

Back in a while

rofl

Vice President Joe Biden, joined by daughter Ashley Biden, left, wife Dr. Jill Biden, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, react to a joke made by performing artist Jamie Foxx during “The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House,” Feb. 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

New Pete Souza and Samantha Appleton photos released today – see here

legends

First Lady Michelle Obama greets, from left, John Legend, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, and Bob Santelli in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House before the Motown Music Series student workshop, Feb. 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

New Pete Souza and Samantha Appleton photos released today – see here

behind the scenes: motown at the white house

Here you go Hopefruit 😉

encore!

(A nice report from ABC on last night’s Motown concert at the White House)

motown, take a bow

From left, Jamie Foxx, Nick Jonas, Seal and John Legend perform a medley during a tribute to Motown hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington, February 24

Berry Gordy

Seal

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden

See 14:10 – hey, who said the President couldn’t dance?

what’s going on?

First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during a student workshop event, ‘The Sound of Young America: The History of Motown,’ that brings students from across the country to participate in an event with Motown legends in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, February 24. Seated alongside Obama are (L-R): Singer John Legend, singer Smokey Robinson, record producer Berry Gordy and Robert Santelli, the GRAMMY Museums Executive Director.

‘The Motown Sound: In Performance at the White House’ is live on the White House site (here) tonight, 7:00 PM EST

Barry Manilow. Oh, wait, sorry – Nick Jonas.

Any excuse to post this …. all together:

And for sherijr….hey, I feel like a DJ!

And, of course: