🎬 Streaming Spotlight: Straw (Netflix, June 6)

Hello!

We made it to another month. I hope your June has started off with a bang! Let's keep that momentum going, but also, let's get in a little screen time. Nothing wrong with a good show and some even better snacks. Am I right? Well, let's do this!

*****

As a single mother to a son on the autism spectrum, I've faced moments of desperation. I'm talking eviction notices, questioning my adequacy as a parent, and the overwhelming urge to do something, anything, to protect my child. Watching the trailer for Straw was triggering, yet it resonated deeply.

In Straw, Taraji P. Henson portrays Janiyah, a single mother whose day spirals into chaos, culminating in a tense bank standoff. Directed by Tyler Perry, the film also features performances from Sherri Shepherd, Teyana Taylor, Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, and many more. Taraji's portrayal is informed by her own experiences as a single mother, bringing authenticity to Janiyah's struggles.

Even if you don't have Netflix, this film alone is worth a one-month subscription. But to ensure you get the most out of it, here are some additional recommendations (Netflix and other streaming subscriptions) that celebrate Black stories, Pride Month, and Black Music Month:

🎶 Black Music Month Selections

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman star in this adaptation of August Wilson's play, highlighting the Mother of the Blues. (Netflix)
Roxanne Roxanne: A biopic about teenage rap prodigy Roxanne Shanté and her rise in the male-dominated hip-hop scene. (Netflix)
A Jazzman's Blues: Tyler Perry's film exploring forbidden love and secrets in the Deep South, enriched with a soulful soundtrack. (Netflix)

🌈 Pride Month Picks

Rustin: Colman Domingo stars as Bayard Rustin, the gay civil rights leader who organized the 1963 March on Washington. (Netflix)
Pariah: A coming-of-age story about a Black teenager embracing her identity as a lesbian. (Peacock)
Moonlight: A gorgeous cast stars in this Academy Award-winning film that chronicles the life of a young Black man grappling with his sexuality. (Tubi)

Enjoy your snacks, and enjoy the show!

Ingrid