Milestone Returns or Earth-M is a relaunch of American comic books published by DC Comics that began in September 2020. The line features reimagined versions of the fictional characters and shared universe of Milestone Media by Denys Cowan , Michael Davis , Derek T. Dingle and Dwayne McDuffie .
70-509: In a January 2015 interview, writer Reginald Hudlin discussed a relaunch of Milestone Media Group, along with surviving co-founders Denys Cowan and Derek Dingle. The following July, DC Comics announced the creation of "Earth-M" within their multiverse , which would be home to the earlier Milestone characters as well as new ones, and that one or two Earth M imprint titles would be published annually, as well as miniseries and one-shots. No further developments took place until October 2017, when it
140-677: A United Negro College Fund benefit. Moutoussamy, who is of Afro-Guadeloupean and African-American heritage, is the daughter of architect John Moutoussamy . On February 20, 1977, they were married in the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City in a ceremony officiated by Andrew Young , the United States Ambassador to the United Nations . In December 1986, Ashe and Moutoussamy adopted
210-402: A 62-year-old St. Louis teacher, tennis coach, and friend of Johnson, to move to St. Louis and spend his senior year attending Sumner High School , where he could compete more freely. Ashe lived with Hudlin and his family for the year, during which time Hudlin coached and encouraged him to develop the serve-and-volley game that Ashe's now-stronger physique allowed. Ashe was able to practice at
280-431: A break point to take a 4–1 lead in the fourth set, he eventually lost in five sets. The loss from such a winning position was the biggest disappointment of Ashe's professional tennis career. At the post-match award ceremony, irritated by some of Năstase's on-court antics during the game, Ashe praised Năstase as a tough opponent and 'colourful' player, then suggested, "... and when he brushes up on some of his court manners, he
350-526: A daughter. They named their daughter Camera, after her mother's professional instrument. In July 1979, at the age of 36, Ashe suffered a heart attack while holding a tennis clinic in New York. In view of his high level of fitness as an athlete, his condition drew attention to the hereditary aspect of heart disease; his mother already had cardiovascular disease at the time of her death at age 27, and his father had suffered his first heart attack at age 55, and
420-463: A family that claimed direct descent from Amar, a West African woman who was enslaved and brought to America in 1735 aboard a ship called The Doddington . Ashe family members were enslaved by North Carolina Governor Samuel Ashe . In March 1950, Ashe's mother, Mattie, died from complications related to a toxemic pregnancy (now known as pre-eclampsia ) at the age of 27, when Ashe was 6. Ashe and his brother were raised by their father, who worked as
490-453: A family trip in Cairo, Egypt , he developed chest pains while running. He stopped running and returned to see a physician accompanied by his close friend Douglas Stein. Stein urged him to return to New York City so he could be close to his cardiologist, his surgeon and top-class medical facilities. In 1983, he underwent a second round of heart surgery to correct the previous bypass surgery. After
560-804: A gospel-music singing-competition show. Hudlin created The BET Honors and the BET Hip Hop Awards . Hudlin wrote the Marvel Comics series Black Panther from 2005 to 2008, including the 2006 storyline "Bride of the Panther," which saw the character marry X-Men leader Storm . Hudlin was a producer of Quentin Tarantino 's Django Unchained , starring Jamie Foxx , Leonardo DiCaprio , Christoph Waltz , Kerry Washington , and Samuel L. Jackson . On January 10, 2013, Hudlin received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for
630-409: A handyman and salaried caretaker/Special Policeman for Richmond's recreation department. Ashe Sr. was a caring father and strict disciplinarian who encouraged Ashe to excel both in school and in sports, but forbade him to play American football , a popular game for many boys, due to his son's slight build, something that meant Arthur's childhood nicknames were "Skinny" and "Bones". The Ashes lived in
700-487: A line and never to argue with an umpire's decision. In 1958, Ashe became the first African American to play in the Maryland boys' championships. It was also his first integrated tennis competition. In 1960, Ashe was precluded from competing against White youths in segregated Richmond during the school year, and unable to use the city's indoor courts that were closed to Black players. He accepted an offer from Richard Hudlin,
770-607: A month later and subsequent long-term rehabilitation saw his world ranking drop to a lowly 257th before a remarkable comeback saw him rise back to 13th in the world again the following year at the age of 35. However, after undergoing heart surgery in December 1979, Ashe officially retired on April 16, 1980, at the age of 36. His career record was 818 wins, 260 losses, and 51 titles. After his retirement, Ashe took on many roles, including writing for Time magazine and The Washington Post , commentating for ABC Sports and HBO from
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#1732787963800840-638: A movie based on the comic Shadowman . That October, Hudlin's film Marshall , about Thurgood Marshall , the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court justice, starring Chadwick Boseman , was released. Hudlin contributed a story to the Black Panther Annual #1, released in February 2018. By July the following year, Hudlin had been hired to direct the Walt Disney Pictures film Safety for Disney+ . In June 2021,
910-428: A production company and made music videos for such artists as Heavy D , Jamaica Boys , and others. They additionally created the "Hey Love" 1980s TV commercial for a various-artists compilation record, that played regularly on late night TV. Hudlin directed—with older brother Warrington producing—his first feature-length film, 1990's low-budget teen hip-hop comedy House Party, which starred Kid 'n Play . One of
980-537: A public relations consultant, in Montego Bay , Jamaica . They have two children. Reginald Hudlin's lawyer at the time was Doug Emhoff . In 2013, Chrisette Hudlin set up Emhoff on a blind date with then- Attorney General of California and current Vice-President , Kamala Harris . Producer only Documentary Appearances Executive producer only 2021: Recipient of (Miami University of Ohio) Miami's Summer of ‘64 Award for his contributions in bringing
1050-434: A second, at age 59, just a week before Ashe's own attack. Cardiac catheterization revealed one of Ashe's arteries was completely closed, another was 95 percent closed, and a third was closed 50 percent in two places. He underwent a quadruple bypass operation performed by John Hutchinson on December 13, 1979. A few months after the operation, Ashe was on the verge of making his return to professional tennis. However, during
1120-640: A short film called House Party, which received numerous awards including first place at the Black American Cinema Society Awards. The film was inspired by his experience growing up in East St. Louis. In 1983, Hudlin graduated magna cum laude from Harvard with a B.A. in Visual and Environmental Studies. His short film thesis was the basis for his first feature film, House Party . After college, Hudlin and his brother formed
1190-617: A term deal at Paramount Pictures and hired the Hudlin Brothers because he liked House Party. It starred an all-black cast that included Robin Givens , Halle Berry , Martin Lawrence , David Alan Grier , and Chris Rock . Boomerang was based on an original idea by Murphy and was written by Saturday Night Live writers Barry W. Blaustein and David Sheffield . A celebration of the 25th anniversary of Boomerang's release
1260-475: Is an American director, screenwriter, and producer. Along with his older brother Warrington Hudlin , he is known as one of the Hudlin Brothers . From 2005 to 2008, Hudlin was President of Entertainment for Black Entertainment Television (BET) . Hudlin has also written numerous graphic novels. He co-produced the 88th Academy Awards ceremony in 2016 as well as other TV specials. Hudlin's breakout film
1330-680: Is believed to have acquired HIV from a blood transfusion he received during heart bypass surgery in 1983. He publicly announced his illness in April 1992, and began working to educate others about HIV and AIDS. He founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health before his death from AIDS-related pneumonia at the age of 49 on February 6, 1993. On June 20, 1993, he
1400-1214: Is designated as Earth-93 in the Multiverse . In Earth-M, famous characters like Static , Icon , Rocket , Hardware and several others have new origin stories related to the Big Bang , the event that happened in the city of Dakota. While they still do not know each other, the enigmatic Dharma prepares them in secret for a war to come. Tiahn Ankum Anthony Fowler Jr. Wade von Grawbadger Scott Hanna Daimon Hampton Atagun Ilhan John Livesay Gregory Maldonado Jose Marzan Jr. Yasmin Flores Montanez Petterson Oliveria Roberto Poggi Andrea Rosales Lucas Silveira Marcus Smith Charles Stewart III Le Beau Underwood Dexter Vines Kameron White Walden Wong Reginald Hudlin Reginald Alan Hudlin (born December 15, 1961)
1470-462: Is going to be even better". At this tournament, concerned that men's tennis professionals were not receiving winnings commensurate with the sport's growing popularity and to protect players from promoters and associations, Ashe supported the founding of the Association of Tennis Professionals . He went on to become its elected president in 1974. In June 1973, as a result of an ATP boycott, Ashe
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#17327879638001540-576: The American Tennis Association (ATA). Ashe was coached and mentored by Johnson at his tennis summer-camp home in Lynchburg, Virginia , from 1953 when Ashe was aged 10, until 1960. Johnson helped fine-tune Ashe's game and taught him the importance of racial socialization through sportsmanship , etiquette , and the composure that would later become an Ashe hallmark. He was told to return every ball that landed within two inches of
1610-721: The Eastern Clay Court Championships defeating George Ball and Bob Barker in close five set matches in the semifinal and final. In 1963, Ashe won the Pacific Southwest Championships in Los Angeles on concrete defeating Rafael Osuna and Whitney Reed in the final two rounds. The following season he won the 1964 Eastern Grass Court Championships at South Orange, New Jersey defeating Dennis Ralston , Gene Scott , and Clark Graebner in close matches. In 1963, Ashe became
1680-628: The ILTF and the WCT, Ashe, as one of the 32 contracted WCT players, was barred from taking part in any ILTF Grand Prix tennis circuit tournaments from January to July. This ban meant Ashe was unable to play at the French Open and Wimbledon Grand Slam tournaments. In September, Ashe reached the final of the US Open for the second time. After leading his opponent, Ilie Năstase by 2 sets to 1 and with
1750-744: The US Open , and the Australian Open . He retired in 1980. Ashe was ranked world No. 1 by Rex Bellamy, Bud Collins, Judith Elian, Lance Tingay, World Tennis and Tennis Magazine (U.S.) in 1975. That year, Ashe was awarded the 'Martini and Rossi' Award, voted for by a panel of journalists, and the ATP Player of the Year award. In the ATP computer rankings , he peaked at No. 2 in May 1976. Ashe
1820-708: The 1967 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Milwaukee defeating Marty Riessen in the final. In 1968, Ashe won the United States Amateur Championships against Davis Cup teammate Bob Lutz, and the first US Open of the open era , becoming the first black male to capture the title and the only player to have won both the amateur and open national championships in the same year. In order to maintain Davis Cup eligibility and have time away from army duty for important tournaments, Ashe
1890-541: The African-American Athlete , after working with a team of researchers for nearly six years. Ashe stated that the book was more important than any tennis titles. After Ashe publicly acknowledged that he had contracted HIV, he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the Defeat of AIDS, working to raise awareness about the virus and advocated teaching sex education and safe sex . He also fielded questions about his own diagnosis and attempted to clear up
1960-538: The Black image to screen. Comics Selected writing Arthur Ashe Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. (July 10, 1943 – February 6, 1993) was an American professional tennis player. He won three Grand Slam titles in singles and two in doubles. Ashe was the first black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team , and the only black man ever to win the singles titles at Wimbledon ,
2030-521: The French website LivresHebdo said Reginald Hudlin is to direct a movie based on the comics Cinq branches de coton noir [ fr ] , written by Yves Sente and drawn by Steve Cuzor [ fr ] . On July 12, 2021, it was announced that Hudlin along with Ian Stewart will the executive producers for the 73rd Emmy Awards which will have a live audience on September 19, 2021 on CBS. In 2002, Hudlin married Chrisette Hudlin (née Suter),
2100-640: The Hudlin Brothers produced the HBO anthology television film Cosmic Slop , of which Hudlin directed the segment "Space Traders". The segment is an adaptation of the short story " The Space Traders " by Derrick Bell , found in Bell's book Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism. He then directed The Great White Hype , The Ladies Man , Serving Sara (2002), two episodes of
2170-693: The National Guard Armory indoor courts and in 1961, after lobbying by Johnson, was granted permission to compete in the previously segregated U.S. Interscholastic tournament and won it for the school. In December 1960 and again in 1963, Ashe was featured in Sports Illustrated , appearing in their Faces in the Crowd segment. He became the first African American to win the National Junior Indoor tennis title. Ashe
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2240-625: The South African government seeking to end their Olympic ban and re-join the Olympic movement, Ashe was finally granted a visa to enter the country for the first time, to play in the South African Open. He lost in the final to Jimmy Connors , but won the doubles with partner Tom Okker. Despite boycotts against South African sport, Ashe believed that his presence could help break down stereotypes and that by competing and winning
2310-524: The TV series Modern Family , an episode of The Office , an episode of The Middle , and several episodes of Outsourced . He was also a recurring producer and director of The Bernie Mac Show for three years. From 2005 to 2008, Hudlin was the President of Entertainment for BET . Notable shows shepherded by Hudlin at that time included the documentary series American Gangster and Sunday Best ,
2380-605: The U.S. Davis Cup team retained the cup, beating Romania in the final challenge round, with Ashe winning both his singles matches. The same year, Ashe applied for a visa to play in the South African Open but was denied the visa by the South African government who enforced a strict apartheid policy of racial segregation. He continued to apply for visas in the following years and the country continued to deny him one. In protest, he used this example of discrimination to campaign for U.S. sanctions against South Africa and
2450-463: The U.S. team become Davis Cup champions after victory in the final in Adelaide against defending champions, Australia. His only loss in the 12 Davis Cup tournament singles matches he played that year, was in the last dead rubber game after the U.S. team had already clinched victory. The season closed with Ashe the winner of 10 of 22 tournaments with a 72–10 win-loss match record. In September 1969,
2520-499: The ban but lost a lawsuit to force Pilić's participation at Wimbledon during the ban period. As a member of the ATP board, Ashe voted to boycott the tournament, a vote that was only narrowly passed when ATP chairman, Cliff Drysdale abstained. Commentators considered that the boycott demonstrated the power of the fledgling ATP, and showed the tennis associations that professional players could no longer be dictated to. In November 1973, with
2590-555: The best black tennis player in Richmond at the time began to teach Ashe the basic strokes and encouraged him to enter local tournaments. Ashe attended Maggie L. Walker High School in Richmond, Virginia, where he continued to practice tennis. Ron Charity brought him to the attention of Robert Walter Johnson , a physician, and the coach of Althea Gibson , who founded and funded the Junior Development Program of
2660-542: The boycott of South African players after he had tried to purchase tickets for some young Africans for a tennis match in South Africa, and was told to use an "Africans only" counter. In the media, Ashe called for South Africa to be expelled from the professional tennis circuit and Davis Cup competition. In May 1975, Ashe beat Björn Borg to win the season-ending championship WCT Finals in Dallas . On July 5, 1975, in
2730-426: The caretaker's cottage in the grounds of 18-acre Brookfield park, Richmond's largest blacks-only public playground, which had basketball courts, four tennis courts, a pool, and three baseball diamonds. Ashe started playing tennis at seven years of age and began practicing on the courts where his natural talent was spotted by Virginia Union University student and part-time Brookfield tennis instructor Ron Charity, who as
2800-535: The challenge round to win their third consecutive Davis Cup. Ashe then turned professional, signing a five-year contract with Lamar Hunt 's World Championship Tennis . In March 1971, Ashe reached the final of the Australian Open again but lost in straight sets to Ken Rosewall . In June that year, Ashe won the French Open men's doubles with partner Marty Riessen . In 1972, due to a dispute between
2870-525: The country as it approached racial integration. He was arrested on January 11, 1985, for protesting outside the Embassy of South Africa, Washington, D.C. , during an anti-apartheid rally. He was arrested again on September 9, 1992, outside the White House for protesting on the recent crackdown on Haitian refugees. In 1988, Ashe published a three-volume book titled A Hard Road to Glory: A History of
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2940-562: The early 1980s until a few months before his death, founding the National Junior Tennis League, and serving as captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team from 1981 to 1985. He was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1985. Ashe was an active civil rights supporter. He was a member of a delegation of 31 prominent African Americans who visited South Africa to observe political change in
3010-560: The expulsion of the nation from the International Lawn Tennis Federation ( ILTF ) but, in defense of the individual South African players, refused the call from activists to forfeit matches against them. In January 1970, Ashe won his second Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open . With the competition somewhat depleted by the absence of some world-class National Tennis League (NTL) professional players barred by their league from entering because
3080-574: The film. Since 2013, Hudlin has been executive producer of the NAACP Image Awards . In 2014, Hudlin produced the Black Movie Soundtrack celebration of Black music in movies, held at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl and hosted by Craig Robinson . Black Movie Soundtrack II , also hosted by Robinson, was held in 2016. In 2015, DC Comics announced that Hudlin and artists Denys Cowan and Derek Dingle would be part of
3150-415: The financial guarantees were deemed too low, Ashe defeated Dick Crealy in straight sets in the final to become the first non-Australian to win the title since 1959. In March 1970, triggered by South Africa's refusal to grant Ashe a visa to play there, the country was expelled from the Davis Cup competition for its racial policy. In September 1970, Ashe helped the U.S. Davis cup team defeat West Germany in
3220-450: The first all-American Wimbledon final since 1947, Ashe, seeded sixth and just a few days short of his 32nd birthday, won Wimbledon at his ninth attempt, defeating the overwhelming favorite and defending champion, Jimmy Connors. Ashe had never beaten Connors in any of their previous encounters and Connors had not dropped a set in any of the six earlier rounds, but Ashe played an almost perfect game of tactical tennis to win in four sets. In
3290-744: The first black player ever selected for the United States Davis Cup team . In 1965, ranked the number 3 player in the United States, Ashe won both the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) singles title and the doubles title (with Ian Crookenden of New Zealand), helping UCLA win the NCAA team tennis championship. In 1966 and 1967, Ashe reached the final of the Australian Championship but lost on both occasions to Roy Emerson . He won
3360-490: The lead-up to the final, the two players' relationship was already strained. Connors was suing the ATP, with Ashe as its president, for $ 10 million for alleged restraint of trade after opposition from the ATP and French officials meant he was refused entry to the 1974 French Open as a contracted member of World Team Tennis (WTT). Just two days before the start of the Wimbledon tournament, it had been announced that Connors
3430-483: The match and wore his U.S.-emblazoned Davis Cup warm-up jacket when walking out onto Centre Court and during the award ceremony while receiving the trophy and winner's cheque for GBP £10,000 (1975 equivalent US$ 23,000). Soon after the final, Connors dropped the libel suit. Ashe played for a few more years and won the Australian Open doubles with Tony Roche in January 1977, but a left foot heel injury requiring surgery
3500-505: The messages of the film was its promotion of safe sex. The film, distributed by New Line Cinema , was, according to Variety , one of the most profitable films of the decade. New Line wanted to make sequels, but the Hudlins did not feel the compensation or deals were adequate. Hudlin directed 1992's Boomerang , again with older brother Warrington producing. The film was a big-budget romantic comedy that starred Eddie Murphy , who had
3570-498: The misconception that only homosexual and bisexual men or IV drug users were at risk for contracting HIV. In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on World AIDS Day , December 1, 1992, he addressed the growing need for AIDS awareness and increased research funding, saying: "We want to be able to look back and say to all concerned that we did what we had to do, when we had to do it, and with all
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#17327879638003640-625: The new Milestone taking over the original's Milestone IPs. In 2020, Earth-M was retitled as Milestone Returns , with the initial issue being published in September. An extended version was published in February 2021. The issues are available in print, digitally, and on DC Universe Infinite since April 2021. Milestone Returns is set in Earth-M, which is officially non-canon to the DC Universe . According to Dark Crisis: Big Bang , it
3710-675: The relaunch of the publisher's Milestone Media imprint , founded by Cowan, Dingle and Dwayne McDuffie . The comic line returned in September 2020 with the Hudlin-penned Milestone Returns #0. In 2015, Hudlin joined the board of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund , a non-profit organization founded in 1986 chartered to protect the First Amendment rights of the comics community. By June 2017, Hudlin had been hired to direct
3780-472: The resources required." Two months before his death, he founded the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health to help address issues of inadequate health care delivery and was named Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year . He also spent much of the last years of his life writing his memoir, Days of Grace , finishing the manuscript less than a week before his death. In October 1976, Ashe met photographer and graphic artist Jeanne Moutoussamy at
3850-429: The story. Ashe decided to preempt USA Today ' s plans to publish the story about his illness and, on April 8, 1992, publicly announced he had contracted HIV. He blamed USA Today for forcing him to go public with the news but also stated that he was relieved that he no longer had to lie about his illness. After the announcement, hundreds of readers called or wrote letters to USA Today criticizing their choice to run
3920-486: The surgery, Ashe became national campaign chairman for the American Heart Association. In September 1988, Ashe was hospitalized after experiencing paralysis in his right arm. After undergoing exploratory brain surgery and a number of tests, doctors discovered that he had toxoplasmosis , a parasitic disease that is commonly found in people infected with HIV. A subsequent test later revealed that he
3990-412: The tournament, it would stand as an example of the result of integration, and help bring about change in apartheid South Africa. He reached the singles final again in 1974, losing in straight sets to Connors for the second consecutive year. In 1977, Ashe addressed a small crowd of boycott supporters at the U.S. Open and admitted that he had been wrong to participate in South Africa and once again supported
4060-416: Was 1990's House Party . He also directed the 1992 film Boomerang . Alongside Warrington, he executive produced the 1994 anthology television film Cosmic Slop , and directed the first of the film's three segments, "Space Traders". Hudlin worked as a producer on the 2012 film Django Unchained , directed by Quentin Tarantino , which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture . Hudlin
4130-417: Was HIV-positive. Ashe and his doctors believed he contracted the virus from blood transfusions he received during his second heart surgery. He and his wife decided to keep his illness private for the sake of their daughter, who was then two years old. In September 1992, Ashe suffered a mild heart attack. In 1992, a friend of Ashe who worked for USA Today heard that he was ill and called him to confirm
4200-747: Was active in other organizations, later pledging the Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and becoming a member/brother of the fraternity. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration , Ashe joined the United States Army on August 4, 1966. He completed his basic training in Washington and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General Corps. He
4270-425: Was announced that Milestone would be returning in 2018 with five titles, including Milestone (featuring Icon and Rocket), a new Static series, Duo (based on the character Xombi), and two other new titles: Earth-M and Love Army . Charlotte Fullerton , Dwayne McDuffie's widow who inherited his 50% share in the original Milestone Media company, sued in August 2017 over being excluded from the revived company despite
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#17327879638004340-408: Was assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point where he worked as a data processor. During his time at West Point, Ashe headed the academy's tennis program. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on February 23, 1968, and was honorably discharged from the Army on February 22, 1969, as a 1st Lieutenant. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for his service. In 1961, Ashe won
4410-408: Was awarded a tennis scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1963. During his time at UCLA, he was coached by J. D. Morgan and practiced regularly with his sporting idol, Pancho Gonzales , who lived nearby and helped hone his game. Ashe was also a member of the ROTC , which required him to enter active military service after graduation in exchange for money for tuition. He
4480-400: Was born in Centreville, Illinois , the son of two teachers. Hudlin's older brother, Warrington Hudlin , is also a film director, as well as an actor and producer. The Hudlins grew up in East St. Louis , Illinois , where the family had deep roots. The Hudlin Brothers are paternal great-great-grandsons of Peter and Nancy Hudlin, who were part of the Underground Railroad . Their great uncle
4550-407: Was held on July 1, 2017, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., with a conversation between Hudlin and producer George Alexander. In 1992, while making Boomerang, Hudlin wrote the animated film, Bebe's Kids , which was championed by Paramount's Brandon Tartikoff , and was made in memory of comedian Robin Harris , who had died in 1990. In 1994,
4620-466: Was now suing Ashe for $ 5 million for comments in a letter Ashe had written to ATP members in his role as president, criticizing Connors' insistence that Davis Cup captain Dennis Ralston should be fired and Connors' "unpatriotic" boycott of the competition which had started after Ralston left him out of the team against the West Indies in Jamaica in March 1972. On the final day, Ashe pointedly and symbolically wore red, white and blue wristbands throughout
4690-466: Was one of 13 seeded players and 81 players in total who withdrew from the Wimbledon tournament to much public criticism. The catalyst for the boycott was that Yugoslavian ATP member Niki Pilić had been suspended for nine months by his tennis federation after allegedly refusing to represent them in a Davis Cup tie against New Zealand in May, something Pilić denied. The ban was upheld by the ILTF though they reduced it to just one month. The ATP contested
4760-448: Was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States President Bill Clinton . Arthur Ashe Stadium , the main court for the US Open and the largest tennis arena in the world , is named in his honor. Arthur Ashe was born in Richmond, Virginia , to Arthur Ashe Sr. (d. 1989) and Mattie Cordell Cunningham Ashe on July 10, 1943. He had a brother, Johnnie, who was five years younger than him. The brothers were born into
4830-437: Was required to maintain his amateur status. Because of this, he could not accept the $ 14,000 first-prize money, which was instead given to runner-up Tom Okker , while Ashe received just $ 20 daily expenses for his historic triumph. His ability to compete in the championship (and avoid the Vietnam War) arose from his brother Johnnie's decision to serve an additional tour in Vietnam in Arthur's place. In December 1968, Ashe helped
4900-590: Was tennis instructor Richard A. Hudlin, who mentored Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson . The Hudlins attended Katherine Dunham 's Center for the Performing Arts , an experimental school, Warrington for high school and Reginald for after school martial arts classes. Hudlin has said that the experience was formative, and led to his older brother attending Yale University , and his attending Harvard University . In 1979, Hudlin graduated from Assumption Catholic High School in East St. Louis. While an undergraduate at Harvard University , Hudlin directed his thesis project,
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