Visiting Faculty Fellow Yvonne Welbon has been nominated for the 45th NAACP Image Awards for her role as producer of "The New Black," a documentary that tells the story of how the African-American community is grappling with gay rights ssue of gay rights in light of the recent gay marriage movement and the fight over civil rights. The film documents activists, families and clergy on both sides of the campaignto legalize gay marriage and examines homophobia in the black church, revealing Christian right-wing strategies to exploit the phenomenon to pursue an anti-gay political agenda. The New Black takes viewers into the pews, onto the streets and provides a seat at the kitchen table to tell the story of the fight to win marriage equality in Maryland while charting the evolution of this divisive issue within the black community. The awards ceremonies will be held February 21 and 22.

The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts (television, recording, literature, motion picture and writing & directing), as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.