June 25, 2016 No Comments  

The Africa Channel Launches Ubuntu Awards Honoring Those Dedicated to Creating Positive Change

With all of the depressing headlines about mass shootings and the deaths of unarmed Blacks to the buffoonery that has become the US presidential race, we sometimes overlook how much good there still is in this world. We all know someone who is focused on changing the world for the better and not deterred by the negativity. They are the ones who take steps in their daily lives and communities AND on a larger scale for all humanity.  In Africa, there is a word that describes these selfless people – Ubuntu.

Ubuntu can be interpreted to mean “human kindness” or “I am because we are.”  Throughout African cultures, it’s an essential way of life rooted in oneness and compassion. While a little Ubuntu exists within us all, there are truly special individuals who have go above and beyond and have dedicated their lives to creating positive change.

One of the most common traits of a selfless humanitarian is humility. Most desire to stay behind the scenes which means they are rarely recognized or honored for their invaluable service to humankind. That’s why The Africa Channel has launched the Ubuntu Awards.  Inspired by the legacy of Nelson Mandela, whose lifelong fight for peace, freedom and humanity is the ultimate demonstration of Ubuntu, the Ubuntu Awards celebrate organizations and individuals who exemplify Ubuntu, or ‘Human Kindness.”

Narendra Reddy, the Executive Vice President of Content & Global Operations for The Africa Channel, explained the initiative.

“The word Ubuntu comes from South Africa and is often translated as ‘humanity towards others’. The Ubuntu Awards provides an apropos way for The Africa Channel to celebrate the legacy of a true humanitarian, Nelson Mandela. It seeks to recognize those whose contributions are making a profound social impact by espousing the spirit of Ubuntu.”

Is there a person or organization that you believe demonstrates the true meaning of Ubuntu? You can nominate them to be recognized in three categories: Business & Innovation, Arts & Entertainment and Culture & Lifestyle.  To submit your nomination, just visit http://www.ubuntuawards.org and complete the entry form. You can submit your nominations now through July 15. The Africa Channel and a panel of experts/influencers in each field will select three nominees from each category. The public will then be allowed to vote to determine the winners. Finalists will be announced during The Africa Channel’s Ubuntu Week from July 18-24, with winners being announced on August 1.

Ubuntu Awards

The Africa Channel (http://theafricachannel.com ) is a showcase for the African continent’s most outstanding English-language television series, specials, documentaries, feature films, music, soaps, biographies, current business analysis and cultural and historical programs. These travel, lifestyle and culture-oriented programs reflect the people of Africa, their incredible stories, their daily lives, their music and art, their successes, celebrations and challenges. The channel’s mission is to open up a daily window into modern African life and, in the process, help demystify Africa for American viewers. The Africa Channel is based in Los Angeles and is available in approximately 10 million homes in the U.S. on cable systems such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox.

*This is a sponsored post; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by The Africa Channel’s Ubuntu Awards.

April 16, 2016 No Comments  

Beyonce Teases HBO Special “Lemonade”

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It’s been more than 2 months since Beyonce dropped her single “Formation” and made national news with the controversial performance of the song at Super Bowl 50. Rumors of an album have been whirling while fans wait for more from Queen Bey. There’s finally more. A video teaser released today hints at an HBO special entitled “Lemonade”.

According to an alleged album track list released earlier this year, “Lemonade” (or “Lemonade Taste”) is to feature Adele.

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I guess we’ll just have to wait for even more until next week when the HBO special airs on April 23rd at 9pm. In the meantime, watch the teaser below.

February 1, 2016 No Comments  

Preschool TV Network “SPROUT” Celebrates Black History Month with Inspirational Content

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As the mother of a young child, I am always worrying about what he’s exposed to and how he sees himself. The television programming that we allow him to watch (other than the occasional episode of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lol) is always educational. If at all possible, we prefer the images he sees to be relatable to him in some way. In that regard, Sprout is already one of our favorite networks for him to watch, but learning that the 24-hour preschool TV network teamed up with NBC News’ Peacock Productions to produce a series of vignettes that celebrate Black History Month made me love it even more.

January 19, 2016 No Comments  

Black Hollywood Turns Out for “MLK NOW” Event in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King & Other Civil Rights Activists

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Who would have thought that in 2016 we would still be fighting against racism, classicism and the continued disregard for the talents and contributions of black people to the world. In fact, the fight for equality seems just as prevalent in 2016 as it was in 1968 when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was slain on a balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. Yesterday was a day to honor him. It was a day to refocus on his dream and what needs to be done to keep it alive. It was a day where entertainers including comedian Chris Rock, actors Harry Belafonte, Octavia Spencer, Michael B. Jordan, musical artists India Arie, J. Cole, Jussie Smollett and numerous others joined hundreds of people to pay tribute to Dr. King and other civil rights leaders. The event touted as “#MLKNOW” was sponsored by Blackout for Human Rights and the Campaign for Black Male Achievement and was held last night at the Riverside Church in Manhattan where Dr. King delivered his historical sermon opposing the Vietnam War in 1967.

August 12, 2015 No Comments  

BET to Produce New Edition Biopic

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Where my NE fans at?!?! (Raises my hand HIGH lol) If you’re a die hard New Edition fan like you me, you’ll be happy to know that the story of the iconic “boys to men” singing group will be chronicled in a 3-part miniseries that will hit the small screen in 2016. BET has announced that it will produce the biopic that will highlight to musical journey of Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gill and Ricky Bell. No you didn’t read that wrong…I didn’t say Bobby Brown.

June 29, 2015 No Comments  

Our 6 Chatworthy Moments from the 2015 BET Awards

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Last night BET aired it’s annual awards show and I must say it was one of my favorite of the show’s fifteen year history. I honestly can’t say that I HATED any particular moment or performance like I have in the past. However, there were a few moments that were definitely chatworthy lol. Check out our top 6 chatworthy moments from last night’s show below in no particular order.

June 26, 2015 No Comments  

[PREVIEW] The 2015 BET Awards

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It’s about to do down! If you’re not sitting in front of the tube June 28th you will be missing what BET is describing as one of the network’s best awards shows yet. The 2015 BET Awards buzz is already building as today’s hottest stars touch down in Los Angeles in preparation for Sunday night. If you wanna know who will be front and center at this year’s show, you can just set up shop at LAX and watch all the celebs arrive lol. If you can’t do that, here’s the scoop. 

June 25, 2015 3 Comments  

J. Cole Keeps Promise, Attends Fan’s High School Graduation

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The man that I call “The People’s Champ” has proven once again why he deserves the title. Back in 2013, Washington Township High school student, Cierra Bosarge, wrote the rapper asking him to attend her high school graduation. Cole responded to Cierra assuring that he would be there as long as she got accepted into a four year college by then. Fast forward to June 2015, Cierra met Cole’s condition and got accepted into a few four year institutions!

April 24, 2015 No Comments  

How Far Would You Go For Love?

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With a new baby, impending nuptials and a wedding spin-off show set to air on May 25th, you’d think that settling into life together would be all that’s on the minds of Love & Hip Hop NY stars Yandy Smith and Mendeecees Harris. But normal life is far from on the agenda for the couple. Mendeecees recently plead guilty in his drug trafficking case where he was accused of shipping nearly $3 million worth of cocaine and heroin throughout New York between 2005 and 2012.

Yandy waited almost a year and a half for Mendeecees to be released from prison after he was initially arrested back in 2013. He was released on $600,000 bond, $200,000 of which was forked over by Yandy, around this time last year.

If convicted of the charges, Mendeecees could ending up heading back to prison for a twenty year bid, so he struck a plea deal to avoid trial. The plea subjects him to being sentenced to eight to ten years in prison or an a fine of up to $15 million. Sentencing is on August 31st.

The bottom line is Yandy risks being a single mother again if Mendeecees gets time, or both of their pockets being hit hard with a fine that could go into the millions. The question is two-fold. Would you marry a man in this situation and how long could/would you wait…or would you wait at all…while the man you love does a hefty jail stint?

March 16, 2015 No Comments  

Miko Branch Celebrates The Memory of Sister Titi Branch with Book, “MISS JESSIE’S: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch — Naturally”

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When the news broke back in December 2014 that co-founder of Miss Jessie’s hair-care company, Titi Branch, passed away of an apparent suicide, members of the natural hair community were left in shock. So was her sister and co-founder of the Brooklyn salon turned multi-million dollar business, Miko Branch. The sisters were in the midst of preparing for the release of a memoir that would provide a genuine look into how the Branch sisters created a company that revolutionized the hair care industry. Miko is determined to move forward with the release of the memoir in celebration of the memory and legacy of her sister. “MISS JESSIE’S: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch — Naturally“, set to be released on April 14, 2015, will be a combination of touching family stories, hair care tips and business advice. The book will also showcase the resiliency, determination, and independence both Miko and Titi had when building their business from the ground up.

After Titi’s death, Miko released the following statement on the Miss Jessie social media pages.

Dearest Friends,

My beloved sister, Titi Cree Branch passed away on December 4, 2014.

A private memorial service in her honor was held on December 14, 2014. Titi is now at peace.

My family and I want to thank you for your love and overwhelming
support, delivered in kind words, warm notes, lovely flowers and, of
course, in heartfelt prayer. We have received them all with gratitude
and appreciation. During this difficult time, please know that your
support provides much ease to our bereavement.

Our family and close friends are actively trying to discover and comprehend the events leading up to Titi’s death but we are hopeful that all things will come to the light.

Your love has given me the strength that I need to continue to move forward in tribute to Titi.

Titi had a special combination of personality traits, such as genuine
kindness, attentiveness, and a willingness to share her love without
caution.

I wished she would have stayed longer. Titi has gone home and it gives me comfort to know that she has reunited with our beloved grandmother, Jessie Mae Branch.

My sister touched many lives in a deeply meaningful way, and many of you have generously asked if there are additional ways in which you can be of assistance. It would be of great reassurance to me if you will help me to keep Titi’s name and legacy alive, and to spread the good word about what a great woman she was ~ a wonderful person of invention and innovation.

I’ve found happiness in putting together a short video that features
Titi as the big sister that I will always love and remember. I hope
you enjoy it too.

God Bless.

Love,

Miko
The Branch and Matsumoto Family
The Miss Jessie’s Family

In 2004, Miko and Titi changed the landscape of natural hair care when they created Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding for their family-owned salon, Curve, in Brooklyn, New York. Due to the success of their first product, the salon was renamed Miss Jessie’s in honor of their grandmother in 2005. The curly haired sisters went on to create an abundance of popular products including Curly Meringue, Curly Buttercreme, and Baby Buttercreme.

If you plan to be in Baltimore, Maryland this weekend, you can learn more about the memoir and all things natural hair during the Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo 2015. Miko Branch will be conducting a Q&A Meet & Greet at the expo on March 22nd from 3pm-5pm. Click here to purchase a ticket to the expo. The book is available for pre-order at Amazon.com.

March 7, 2015 No Comments  

Voter Rights Remains An Issue as “Bloody Sunday” is Commemorated in Selma

Selma 50th Photo Package

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of “Blood Sunday”, the day that the first march from Selma to Montgomery took place and demonstrators were attacked by police with tear gas and billy clubs. The fact that there is any semblance between March 7, 1965 and March 7, 2015 is more than unsettling. The 1965 marches were in support of voter rights and resulted in the Voter Rights Act of 1965. After so much sacrifice and loss to gain voter rights, how very disturbing it is that in 2015 those very rights are again in jeopardy.

February 10, 2015 No Comments  

Nickelodeon Partners With Because of Them We Can to Celebrate Black History Month

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When I interviewed activist and photographer Eunique Jones Gibson last year, I knew that her campaign,  Because of Them, We Can™, would add to the landscape of social change in a major way. The campaign has hit another milestone with it’s partnership with Nickelodeon. The two have teamed up to commemorate Black History Month through a campaign launching today across Nickelodeon’s numerous on-air, digital and social platforms.  The network will air three original 30-second public service announcements,  produced by Because of Them, We Can™, that feature kids portraying distinguished African Americans, including Maya Angelou, Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. The PSAs will air throughout February and will also be shown on a dedicated website that provides kids and families with additional information about Black History Month.

November 5, 2014 No Comments  

Kelly Rowland Delivers Baby Boy!

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Singer, Band member, Spokeswoman…Kelly Rowland can now add mom to her list off titles. The beauty gave birth to her first child, a boy, yesterday. Her rep told People that Titan Jewell Witherspoon was born yesterday at 1:30pm PST weighing in at 7.5 lbs. In a statement after the birth, the singer reported that everyone is happy and healthy.