Chase Johnson’s journey on the APGA Tour has been nothing short of remarkable. We’re thrilled to see him earn the Mastercard APGA Player Achievement Award, along with a $50,000 travel stipend and a spot in the 2025 @pgatouramericas.
The Cisco Cup Series has officially wrapped up, and what an exhilarating season it was! Spectators were treated to phenomenal performances from golfers who showcased incredible skill, passion, and unwavering dedication to the game. Cisco is a Presenting Partner of the Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour and the partnership expands commitment to bringing greater diversity and inclusion to golf.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. This season’s impact goes beyond the fairways as the series has also played a pivotal role in developing the next generation of golfing talent. There’s so much to celebrate! Here’s a glimpse of some of the standout moments from this unforgettable season:
Chase Johnson’s Stellar Season Continues!
Chase Johnson’s exceptional season keeps soaring to new heights! His remarkable performance secured him the top spot in the Cisco Cup Series and the esteemed Mastercard APGA Player Achievement Award. This accolade provides financial support to help cover his travel expenses and development resources as he works towards his dream of playing on the PGA TOUR.
Cisco Junior Series Kickoff!
The third annual Cisco Juniors Series began with a bang at TPC Sugarloaf, setting the stage for the future stars of golf. Morgan Riley claimed victory in the first event with an impressive -5 finish, outperforming a talented field of six boys from across the country. And the excitement is just beginning—there are three more events to look forward to this season!
Youth Clinic Update!
This year has been incredible for youth engagement, with seven APGA Foundation youth clinics presented by Farmers Insurance, reaching over 600 young golfers! The most recent clinic, hosted with First Tee Metro Atlanta, attracted more than 100 participants. And there’s even more to come—watch the website for updates on additional clinics!
Scholarship Impact!
Over $6,000 in scholarships have been awarded this year to deserving young athletes to support their academic ambitions. Recent scholarship recipient Jaylen Young expressed his thanks, stating, “This prize will greatly impact my college journey. Thank you for believing in students like me.”
The season is shaping up to be unforgettable, with bright futures ahead for these talented golfers! Learn more about the Advocates Pro Golf Tour Association at https://www.apgatour.org
In the world of collegiate sports, few accomplishments are as remarkable as those earned during a student-athlete’s freshman year. It is with great pride and excitement that we celebrate D’Yanni Rhyne of Johnson C. Smith University, who has not only made his mark on the golf course but has also etched his name in history with a string of prestigious accolades.
D’Yanni’s outstanding performance has earned him a place on the Black College Golf Coaches Association (BCGCA) All-Freshmen Team, the title of the Golf Coaches Association of America’s (GCAA) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Outstanding Freshman, and the coveted BCGCA Outstanding Freshman award. His journey is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of his team and coaches.
A Rising Star in NCAA Division II Golf
D’Yanni Rhyne’s achievements in his freshman year are nothing short of extraordinary. Competing at the NCAA Division II level, he has demonstrated a level of skill and poise that sets him apart from his peers. His selection to the BCGCA All-Freshmen Team is a reflection of his exceptional talent and commitment to excellence. This honor recognizes the top freshman golfers across the nation, and D’Yanni has proven himself to be among the best of the best.
Read more about this outstanding athlete at greenwoodgolf.com
Muthaiga Golf Club has announced that Pan African Equipment Group will be the Title Sponsor for the 2024 Patron’s Cup, which will be held from August 23 to August 25, 2024. This year’s tournament, honoring the legacy of Kenya’s third President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki, promises to be an unforgettable event, featuring 15 elite clubs competing across five pools.
Pan African Equipment Group, a leading provider of agricultural and heavy equipment solutions, is not only the main sponsor but is also adding an extra thrill to the tournament with an exciting Hole-in-One prize. Their sponsorship demonstrates a strong commitment to elevating the tournament to new heights.
In addition to Pan African Equipment Group, several other prominent sponsors are supporting the event. Viutravel, Kenya’s first homegrown online booking platform, will highlight both the well-known and lesser-explored sides of Kenya to those attending the tournament.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) will also be present with their Dhow CSD platform, providing participants the opportunity to invest in government securities. Attendees can open accounts and learn more about CBK’s services on-site during the tournament.
Dawa Life Sciences, recognized for their high-quality pain relief products, will ensure that participants remain in top condition throughout the competition. Meanwhile, Zanna Leather Crafts, known for their handcrafted leather products, will showcase their premium, locally made goods to attendees.
Inchcape Kenya will enhance the event by offering test drives of their luxury BMW and Changan vehicles, adding an element of automotive sophistication to the tournament.
“The support from our sponsors is crucial in delivering a top-notch tournament experience,” said Stella Macharia, Sponsorships Director for the Patron’s Cup. “Their involvement not only enhances the event but also fosters a sense of community and celebration of Kenya’s golfing heritage.”
The 2024 Patron’s Cup is expected to attract a large number of fans to Muthaiga Golf Club, where they will enjoy three days of competitive golf in a lively atmosphere filled with entertainment and networking opportunities.
Founded in 1913, Muthaiga Golf Club is one of Kenya’s oldest and most prestigious golf clubs. Located in the heart of Nairobi, it offers a world-class golfing experience on its meticulously maintained 18-hole championship course. The club has been recognized as Kenya’s Best Golf Course in 2015, 2016, 2021, and 2023, showcasing its dedication to excellence.
Muthaiga Golf Club has hosted numerous national and international tournaments, including the prestigious European Tour’s Kenya Open, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for golfers of all levels. Beyond golf, the club offers its members a vibrant social scene, exceptional dining options, and a rich history steeped in tradition and community spirit.
Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Golf Club (TDTD) celebrated the high school graduation of its junior members on July 26 at Chester Washington Golf Course (CWGC), located at 1818 Charlie Sifford Dr. in the West Athens community. CWGC is named after Chester L. Washington, Jr., a prominent African American newspaper publisher and the first Black employee at the LA Mirror News. Washington later owned and operated Central News-Wave Publications, which included over a dozen newspapers. He also served as an editor for the L.A. Sentinel, the city’s largest Black-owned weekly newspaper.
The graduating juniors have earned scholarships to further their education, with many continuing to play golf at the collegiate level. “We appreciate the L.A. Sentinel for highlighting our extraordinary young people,” said Jenny Bethune, chair of the TDTD Juniors Program.
pose with certificates.
“We had 9 junior golfers graduate from our program and all are headed to college — but the main point is 7 received scholarships and will be playing on a college golf team in the fall.,” said Bethune. The 7 scholarship recipients included:
(2) Southern University – Isaiah Gold / Salma Ibrahim
(1) Prairie View A&M – Madison Williams
(1) University Maryland Eastern Shores – Arihanna Esparza
(1) CSU Dominguez Hills (Calif) – Dontya Bell
(1) Vanguard University (Calif) – Sehlai Purcell
(1) King University (Tennesse) – Carolina Calzada
The TDTD Junior Golf Program is working to develop Junior golfers that are interested in playing competitive golf in college, especially at our HBCU schools.
“Our program includes 36 juniors, ranging in age from five to 18. For these young people, we are like their aunts and uncles, providing a vital support system for those raised by single parents, divorcées, or grandparents. We’ve become that support for many of our kids. And we’re not alone. Our partners at SCGA, APGA, and SCPGA bring their resources to our program, offering our kids access to incredible opportunities, like Steph Curry’s Underrated Junior Golf Tour. They’ve recruited four of our graduates because they know our kids work hard and deserve these chances,” Bethune added.
The Juniors Program works closely with parents, providing connections to scholarship information, training equipment, and other resources to help their children succeed. “Many of our parents are first-generation golfers,” Bethune continued. “We help them navigate the program so their kids can become skilled golfers, use the resources available, and earn scholarships for college.”
TDTD’s program offers comprehensive support for junior golfers, including training referrals, college preparatory workshops, and public speaking skill development.
“[The Program] is a great place to be with golfers who look like me and share similar experiences,” said Monique Thomas, a Southern California Golf Association scholar. “Even though I’m not playing golf for San Diego State University, I was awarded $4,000 yearly.”
“My great-grandfather introduced me to golf, and it’s changed my life,” said Dontya Bell. “Golf has allowed me to travel, meet great people, and form lifelong friendships. I recently received a $20,000 golf scholarship to play at Cal State Dominguez Hills. That’s what golf has done for me.”
“[The Program] has given me opportunities to play in tournaments and meet new people,” said Arihanna Esparza, who received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. “You don’t see many people of color in golf, so the transition from playing softball to golf has paid off.”
TDTD partners with organizations like the Southern California Golf Association, the Professional Golfers Association of America, the Southern California Professional Golf Association, the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA), among others.
For more information, visit Tee Divas & Tee Dudes Juniors.
While the game of golf may take some people years to perfect, the impact can be felt instantly. Golf is one of the few sports that can be played until you are old and gray. As time has progressed, the green board room has extended its welcome to those from all walks of life.
LaJean Gould, Founder, and President of Women in Golf Foundation Inc., has been working within the organization for around thirty years to ensure women of all different walks of life can embrace themselves in the game of golf.
“I was learning to play golf myself, and as I went to get a lesson one day, I ran across some young girls at a golf course and inquired about them. I found out that they were college girls from HBCUs, and after further conversation with them, I found out that their coaches dropped them off at one golf course, and the coaches had all gone to another golf course with the boys. The girls were left there to do what they do on their own, and that really bothered me,” Gould said.
From that moment, Gould knew she had to make a difference for those young women and those who came in the future. Since founding the Women in Golf Foundation, Inc., Ms. Gould and her team have worked countless hours to ensure that the game of golf is accessible to women of all races and ages.
Howard University – First Place
They started with small clinics and humble beginnings and have grown since then. The Foundation provides women with different programs to participate in, such as The National Women’s Collegiate Golf Championship, Executive Women’s Program, Atlanta Girl’s Club, and their Youth Program.
As the Foundation’s programs and members grow, so does the funding. Ms. Gould and her organization are grateful to be consistent recipients of the Grassroots Grants and Program through Make Golf Your Thing.
That grant is significant; I am just a proponent of the support and the benefit of the support we get from the Make Golf Your Thing grant. One of the key pieces for me is that it helps with sustainability. We are a grassroots organization; without this support, it can be difficult to grow your program. The funds I have received from this program help me do things to elevate my program and improve its visibility; it’s had a huge impact on us,” Gould said.
Golf is a game that has been around before us and will continue to flourish after we depart. Golf is an investment in yourself, your career, and your social advancement. Learning to play the game of golf is not just for physical gain, but the lessons you learn throughout those eighteen holes will help you better navigate life.
“Golf gives you what you put into it,” Gould said.
As the game of golf progresses, Ms. Gould has promised to continue to expose women to the benefits of the game of golf and challenges you all to meet her on the golf course!
To learn more about how they t the Women in Golf Foundation, Inc., you can visit their website at: www.womeningolffoundation.org.
As the Ohio Players approach the 50th anniversary of their groundbreaking album “Fire,” the legendary funk band continues to ignite stages across the nation. Released in November 1974, “Fire” marked a pivotal moment in the band’s career and in the history of funk music. The band is currently seeking interviews and media coverage to commemorate this significant milestone.
“Fire,” the title track and opening song of the album, became a global sensation. In early 1975, it reached No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Soul Singles chart, maintaining its top position on the soul chart for two weeks. This crossover success demonstrated the universal appeal of the Ohio Players’ distinctive sound. The success of “Fire” paved the way for a string of hits. Over the next three years, the Ohio Players achieved unprecedented success with three consecutive platinum albums: “Fire,” “Honey,” and “Contradiction.” During this period, they landed another number-one single on the Billboard Pop Charts (“Love Rollercoaster”) and several more R&B hits.
The Ohio Players’ influence extends far beyond their chart-topping years. Their music has become ingrained in popular culture, featured in everything from commercials to critically acclaimed television series. The band received a prestigious BMI Award for the use of “Fire” in 12 seasons of the hit show “Hell’s Kitchen.”
Moreover, the Ohio Players laid the foundation for future generations of musicians. Their songs have been sampled by a who’s who of hip-hop artists, including Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Outkast, The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, and Mary J. Blige. Their music has also been covered by diverse artists, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, showcasing the universal appeal and enduring quality of their songwriting.
The Ohio Players’ journey began in Dayton, Ohio in 1959 as “The Ohio Untouchables.” Their evolution into the Ohio Players marked the beginning of a musical revolution that would shape the landscape of black music. While the band mourns the loss of members Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner, Marshall “Rock” Jones, Ralph “Pee Wee” Middlebrooks, and Clarence “Satch” Satchell, the spirit of the Ohio Players lives on. Original members James “Diamond” Williams (drums), Billy Beck (keyboards), Clarence “Chet” Willis (guitar), and Robert “Kuumba” Jones (percussion) continue to perform nationwide with an expanded ten-piece ensemble.
Despite their undeniable impact on American music (17 Top 40 Hits · 3 Platinum · 5 Gold albums) the Ohio Players have yet to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an oversight that the band hopes will be rectified as they celebrate this important anniversary.
As they commemorate the 50-year milestone of “Fire,” the Ohio Players continue to tour, bringing their iconic sound to new and longtime fans alike. Their performances are a testament to the enduring power of funk and the timeless quality of their music.
Connect with the Ohio Players: Official Website: www.theofficialohioplayers.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OhioPlayers/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ohioplayersofficial
Experience the classics: “Fire”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqsYNc_M988
“Skin Tight”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfxt4_wJLY
“Love Rollercoaster”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBkVV9xxCHE
National Golf Player Development Foundation (NGPDF) applauds the successes of all of its members and
families while continuing to support their efforts during their journey through the competitive golf
landscape. See below the NGPDF Members In The News Stories (June – July – August). To learn more about NGPDF visit NGPDF.org
§ AJGA Junior Championship – T-18
§ Baby Grande D.C. Classic – T-4
§ AJGA Jr. Allstar at Quail Creek – T-5
§ AJGA Junior All-Star at Webster 1st Pl
§ The Original Golf Tee Elite Invitational -T2
§ AZ Jr. Match Play Championship – 1st
§ Underrated Golf tour – Old Barnwell – T2
§ CJG-Summer Championship Classic, Los Angeles, CA – 6th Pl
§ First Tee Chapter Cup, Los Angeles, CA – 3rd Pl
§ CJG Shootout, Thousand Oaks, CA – 4th Pl
§ SCPGA Boys Toyota Cup Q School – San Jacinto, CA
§ IMG Jr. World Qualifier, Palms Menifee, CA
§ Caddy Splash Balboa Open, Encino, CA – 10th Pl
§ Futures Championship
§ Under Armour World Championship,
§ US Kids World Championship
Under Armour World Championship, Orlando, FL 11th Pl
US Kids Golf Georgia State Invitational, Pine Mountain, GA- 4th Pl
Junior Golf Showcase, Ypsilanti, MI, – 2nd Pl GSGA
Barrington Hall, Macon, GA – 1st Place
Houston Lake, Perry, GA, 1st Pl
River Forest GC, Forsyth, GA – 1st Pl
§ US Kids Central Maryland Tour
§ Championship, Prince George’s County, MD, 2nd place – tournament, 1st place – Tour
§ US Kids Virginia State Invitational, Williamsburg, VA, 8th place
§ US Kids Red, White & Blue Regional Invitational, Pinehurst, NC, T25 Pl
§ Bob Riley Jr Tournament, Alexandria, VA, 1st Pl
Northern Indiana JGA St. John, IN – 7th Pl
Illinois JGA – Homer Glen, IL – 2nd Pl
Northern Indiana JGA – Crown Point, IN – 4th Pl
Northern Indiana JGA – Valparaiso, IN 5th Pl
§ Participated in WLD, Jr. Division
§ June 2024 – 2nd place GSGA-ATL Jr. Open June 2024
§ Made the Cover Southern Crescent Women Magazine.
§ PGA Junior Championship Qualifier 2nd Pl (qualified for the PGA Junior Championship)
§ Represented the SFPGA Section in the 2024 PGA Championship
§ US Girls Junior Qualifier – 9th Pl
§ North and South Junior
§ PGA High School National Championship 4th Pl
§ PGA Junior Championship @ Congressional / 73-72-79 (Made the 2-day cut and finished 43rd out of 155)
§ GSGA Loganville, GA 3rd place
GSGA Conyers, GA 1st place
§ Met Jr. PGA Optimist Qualifier, Farmingdale, NY – 2nd Pl
§ Met Jr. PGA Future Series, Farmington, NY – Top 10
§ Met Jr. PGA Boys 12-18, Mamaroneck, NY
§ NBIII Qualifier. Pittsgrove, NJ
§ Optimist International Jr. Championship, Miami FL
Join the LIV Golf volunteer team at Maridoe Golf Club and witness 13 teams of golfing legends like Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka face off in a high-stakes competition featuring shotgun starts, live music, and entertainment for all ages. Be a part of the excitement!
The LIV Golf Team Championship is being held from September 20th-22nd at Maridoe Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas, a private golf club nestled on 212 acres of Blackland prairie, surrounding the largest private lake in Dallas County.
As a LIV Golf volunteer, you’ll get the chance to be part of this thrilling event, gaining behind-the-scenes access at a world-class tournament. Registration is free, and volunteers can participate in an incentive program based on the number of shifts worked. For more information on becoming a member of the LIV Golf Volunteer Team and the registration process contact us today. Learn more and sign up at LIV Golf Team Championship Volunteers.
ABOUT LIV GOLF
LIV Golf is a professional men’s golf tour, founded in 2021. The name “LIV” represents the Roman numerals for 54, reflecting the number of holes played at its events. The first LIV Golf Invitational Series event took place on June 9, 2022, at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, UK.
Sunday- August 18, 2024
Kings Mountain Country Club
Kings Mountain, North Carolina
Blue Tee Yards 6390, Slope 70.8/131, W
hite Tee Yards 6099, Slope 69.7/128
Gold Tee Yards 5176, Slope 65.2/110,
Red Tee Yards 4772, Slope 68.3/116
Par 72
21 Players
“A” Flight
1. George Miller 38-37=75
2. Janine LaCross 40-37=77
3. Al Wood 40-38=78
4. Jimmy “Smoke” Brown 42-37=79
5. Jeff Winchester 36-43=79
6. Vincent Brooks 37=43=80
7. Martin Kershaw 43-39=82
8. Jason Jenkins 42-41=83
9. Andre Robinson 39-44=83
10. Colonel Hopper 38-45=83
11. Coley Jeter 42-41=83
12. Patrick Mack 39-45=84
13. Ray Johnson 43-41=84
14. Todd Bomer 42-43=85
15. John Doer 41-44=85
16. James Boulware 43-43=86
17. Alton Caldwell 43-43=86
18. Rick Best 42-47=89
19. Andre Springs 43-51=94
20. Cubby Camp 46-52=98
21. Alvin Thompson 48-50=98
Closest to Pin
#5 Jimmy “Smoke” Brown 100 Points
#8 John Doer 100 Points
#12 Janine LaCross 100 Points
#17 Al Wood 100 Points
Total 400 Points
Skins
#1 Colonel Hopper (Birdie) 142 Points
#4 Janine LaCross (Birdie) 142 Points
#5 Vincent Brooks (Birdie) 142 Points
#7 Patrick Mack (Birdie) 142 Points
#8 John Doer (Birdie) 142 Points
#10 Ray Johnson (Birdie) 142 Points
#13 Chubby Camp (Birdie) 142 Points
Total 1000 Points
Low Front
Jeff Winchester 36 200 Points
Low Back
Janine LaCross 37 66 Points
George Miller 37 66 Points
Jimmy “Smoke” Brown 37 66 Points
Total 200 Points
Low Score Overall
George Miller 75 200 Points
Total 600 Points
Total-Total 2000 Points
Points August 18, 2024
1. Janine LaCross 308 Points
2. George Miller 266 Points
3. John Doer 242 Points
4. Jeff Winchester 200 Points
5. Jimmy “Smoke” Brown 166 Points
6. Colonel Hopper 142 Points
7. Vincent Brooks 142 Points
8. Patrick Mack 142 Points
9. Ray Johnson 142 Points
10. Chubby Camp 142 Points
11. Al Wood 100 Points
Total 2000 Points
August 13, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA – Cedric the Entertainer held his 11th annual Celebrity Golf Classic Presented by LEXUS, on Monday, August 12th at the Saticoy Club in Somis, California. The annual golf tournament was kicked off with a celebration the night prior with a Hawaiian themed VIP Pairing Party & Welcome Reception hosted by Lexus at Agoura Hills’ iconic Canyon Club. The annual Celebrity-Amateur golf tournament raises funds and benefits non-profit organizations, with this year’s tournament benefiting the Kyles Family Foundation which supports the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo.
(Photo by Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content for Kyles Family Foundation)
(Photo by Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content for Kyles Family Foundation)
(Photo by Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content for Kyles Family Foundation)
After an incredible saxophone rendition of the National Anthem by Mike Phillips, the tournament kicked off with celebrities from the entertainment and sports world teeing off for a great cause. Players joining Cedric included Smokey Robinson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Malik Whitfield, Byron Scott, David Justice, Marcellus Wiley, Jimmy Rollins, Brooklyn McLinn, Gary Sheffield, Pete Shaw, Adrian Holmes, Willie Gault, Michael Irby, and many more hitting the golf course.
In addition to the friendly competition, the prior evening’s LEXUS VIP Pairing Pary & Welcome Reception featured a silent auction, and live auction which raised significant funds for this year’s beneficiaries. In addition to the tournament’s players, Cedric was joined by Anthony Anderson, Matthew Knowles, and Shalea at the celebratory reception.
“We are committed to fulfilling the need for greater inclusion and representation in golf,” said Marcus P. Williams, General Manager of LEXUS, Western Area. “For nearly 15 years, Lexus has supported programs and events, like Cedric the Entertainer’s Annual Celebrity Golf Classic, that help amplify golf in the Black community. Golf is a sport for all people.”
Cedric the Entertainer Celebrity Golf Classic is presented by LEXUS. Additional sponsors of the tournament include Buzz Oates, Sodexo, Applied Underwriters, GalwayPlus, Dr. Merkin, UTA, Del Shaw, Steve Harvey Foundation, Otto Maly, Meritage Resort and Spa, 360 Business Management, Illicit Elixirs, Jeeter, Los Angeles Urban League, Weintraub Family Foundation, Landmark Logistics Corporation, and The Pump Group.
Cedric the Entertainer’s 11th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic is produced by Hammond Entertainment.
About Kyles Family Foundation
The Kyles Family Foundation is dedicated to the educational empowerment and hygienic health awareness of young people in the Los Angeles area providing pathways to becoming productive, confident, well-rounded citizens. KFF works with several highly successful organizations which contribute in teaching the important lesson that positive self-esteem begins with feeling good and oneself – recognizing and creating habits that reinforce individual self-worth are key foundational tools. As their motto reads: “Building you up. Lifting you up.”
About the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Their goal is to provide every child with the essential tools needed for a successful and bright future. The Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo is open to all youth between the ages of six and eighteen, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. To encourage the participation of as many boys and girls as possible, they keep their fees at an affordable $60 per year, and scholarships are available.
New York: Michael Ricigliano’s film Godless will premiere in September 2024. Shot entirely on location on Long Island, it presents a thought-provoking narrative that delves into the complexities of faith, ambition, and personal conviction.
Godless tells the story of Governor Angela Porra (Ana Ortiz), a practicing Catholic and ambitious politician who recently signed the first gay marriage law in her state’s history. With her sights set on the White House, she commits to signing into law a late-term abortion bill that is creeping through the state’s legislature. Shy the required votes to pass, Angela secretly hopes she will never have to sign it into law.
However, her newly appointed parish Bishop, Reginald Roland (Harry Lennix), delivers a stern message: by signing the gay marriage bill, she has forsaken her faith and is excommunicated. This proclamation ignites a fierce battle between Church and State, with Angela’s political future hanging in the balance. As her excommunication draws attention to the abortion bill, Angela must reconcile her faith with her responsibilities to her constituents. In the end, both Angela and Reginald confront their sins and their shared humanity.
“Godless came to me as an exploration of the intersection between faith and politics, a theme that feels particularly urgent in today’s climate. Originally conceived as a play, the story evolved into a cinematic narrative about the political and spiritual fallout from a Catholic politician’s excommunication. I was inspired by the intense, often invisible conflicts that occur when personal beliefs clash with public duties. This film isn’t about making judgments; it’s about presenting the raw complexities of such a conflict and allowing the audience to reflect on their own views. In a time when the lines between personal and public morality are increasingly scrutinized, I felt it was the perfect moment to tell this s tory.” Filmmaker, Michael Ricigliano, Jr .
Along with Ana Ortiz (“Ugly Betty.” Hulu’s “Love, Victor”) and Harry Lennix ( “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” “Titus,” “The Blacklist”), the film features Patrick Breen (“Feud”), Dan Grimaldi (“The Sopranos”), Thomas G. Waites ( The Warriors , The Savant), Richard O’ Brien ( No Peanuts for Brooks McGill), Timothy Doyle (“The Blacklist”), and Jennice Fuentes ( SkyFly, “ K Street” ),
Godless is executive produced by John Gould Rubin, Jeff Schneider, and Craig Cohen, and produced by the Emmy-nominated Without A Net Productions, Harry Lennix, Vincent Petrosini, Elyssa Lyn Rabinowitz, in association with Jennice Fuentes, and Angel Soltero.
About the Filmmaker:
Michael Ricigliano (Writer/ Director) Based on Long Island, New York, Michael is an abstract painter, screenwriter, and film producer. He wrote and produced the feature-length film The Brooklyn Banker, starring Paul Sorvino, David Proval, Troy Garity and directed by Federico Castelluccio which was released theatrically in 2016. Michael has penned the feature film screenplay Created Equal (Based on the book by RA Brown) starring Lou Diamond Philips, Aaron Tveit, Edy Ganem and directed by Bill Duke. Michael’s play A Queen for a Day , directed by John Gould Rubin, and starring David Proval and Vincent Pastore, had a very successful run on the New York stage at the Theater at Saint Clements on West 46th Street. Federico Castelluccio has signed on to direct the film adaptation. He is a member of the Silvermine Guild of Artists and has exhibited his abstract work at the Steinberg Museum of Art, The Herkshere Museum of Art, Union League Club Gallery, Huntington Arts Council and the Lilac Gallery in Manhattan.