on the black hand side

GMC TV PRESENTS THE ORIGINAL WORLD PREMIERE STAGE PLAY ‘LOVE WILL FIND A WAY’

2013-05-18T01:39:36-04:00

(BLACK PR WIRE) – ATLANTA – May 15, 2013 – GMC TV, America’s favorite channel for uplifting family entertainment, presents the original World Premiere Stage Play “Love Will Find A Way”(www.watchgmctv.com/stageplay, #StagePlay), the conclusion of a two-part romantic dramedy starring Christian Keyes (What’s Done In The Dark, Madea Goes To Jail), Gabrielle Dennis (“The Game”), Jason Weaver (Drumline, ATL), Vanessa Simmons (“Run’s House,”Dysfunctional Friends.), Carl Payne (“Martin,” “The Game”), Shanti Lowry (“The Game,” “The Closer”) and Suveria Mota (Las Pandillas de Los Angeles). “Love Will Find A Way” makes its world television premiere exclusively on UP on Saturday, June 1 at 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET/PT.

GMC TV will officially change its name to UP on June 1, so “Love Will Find A Way” represents the first original Stage Play to air on the newly-named network. The network’s new name communicates a clear sense of its unique brand position, which has always been, and will continue to be “Uplifting Entertainment.”

Based on an original screenplay written by Siddeeqah “Sid” Powell (GMC’s NAACP Image Award nominated “Somebody’s Child”) and directed by Drue Powell (Somebody’s Child, “For Richer or Poorer” Series), “Love Will Find A Way” is a sequel to May’s Original World Premiere Stage Play “What Would You Do For Love.”.

UP’s “Love Will Find A Way” is produced by Swirl Films’ Eric Tomosunas, who has produced and taped numerous stage plays and feature-length films for television and DVD, including 35 & Ticking, Love for Sale, A Mother’s Prayer, There’s a Stranger in My House, “Love Will Keep Us Together,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “The Ideal Husband,” “The Love You Save” and “Sugar Mommas.” Follow Swirl Films on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swirl-Films-Inc/178293836335 and Twitter on @SwirlFilms.

“Love Will Find A Way” is the fifteenth original stage play to air in the network’s World Premiere Stage Play series following the success of GMC productions “What Would You Do For Love,” “Love Will Keep Us Together,” “Between Sisters,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “The Ideal Husband,” “She’s Not Our Sister,” “The Love You Save,” the NAACP-nominated “Sugar Mommas,” “If You Really Love Me,” “For Richer For Poorer,” “From This Day Forward,” “In Sickness and In Health,” “To Love and To Cherish,” and “Community Service.” UP is the only network producing this popular medium and introducing new, original works to a broad television audience.

For photos and more information, please go to:www.watchgmctv.com/GMC/LoveWillFindAWayPressRoom.

Would you dress your child like this?

2013-05-13T11:36:00-04:00

I was stunned when I came across this photograph of this cute young child on a friend’s page on Facebook. After several booty-popping and twerking videos of children on YouTube and other social media sites, I guess nothing should be a surprise anymore.

What say you about this picture of this little boy?

Justice for Kendrick Johnson

2013-05-02T05:53:29-04:00

FROM THE NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK

Kendrick Johnson, sophomore student was last seen leaving a class on January 10, 2013. His remains were found January 11, 2013 in the school gym rolled up in mats. The Lowndes County sheriff ruled this an accident before the official autopsy report was completed. The family called on NAN to help them bring this issue to light. They have since been rallying in the Valdosta community. On April 18, 2013 the Lowndes County Coroner stated that the Sheriff erred in stating the death was accidental before the autopsy was complete. The Coroner also stated that the crime scene had been compromised citing the body had been moved and that the coroner was called in at 4PM when the body was found at 9AM.

The family, NAN, faith leaders and students are calling out for justice. We believe an independent state or federal investigation is appropriate. We are asking you to join us in the fight to justice for KJ.

This Saturday, Rev. Al Sharpton will be in Valdosta, GA to show support for the family and rally the community. This event will take place at the Serenity Christian Church located at 1619 North Lee St. Valdosta, GA 31602. Doors open at 5PM.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z visit Cuba too bad they didn't meet Sonia Garro Alfonso

2013-04-07T14:45:12-04:00

Power couple Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter caused quite a stir during their recent visit to Havana, Cuba to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. As expected, some Republican politicians have already questioned the purpose of the Carters trip. U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart of Miami have called on the Treasury Department to investigate violations of travel restrictions to the Communist controlled island by the Carters, their mothers and other members of their entourage.

The Carters wined and dined in some of the finest restaurants in Havana. Crowds gathered wherever the couple went. The many brown and black faces along the streets in Cuba were visual reminders of the country's connection to Africa.

Although Mr. and Mrs. Carter are taking a public relations beating in some circles, this trip may have an upside because it is a teachable moment. The media attention garnered by Beyoncé and Jay-Z provides an opportunity for sharing the truth regarding the daily lives of black Cubans and dissidents who today endure tremendous human rights abuses on the island.

My plan was to write about how incredibly beautiful Beyoncé looked with her hair in box braids and wearing minimal make up. My plan was to write about how seeing more of ethnic looking Beyoncé rather than Eurocentic Beyoncé would improve the self-image of black women and girls around the world until my research led me to the story of Cuban dissident and political prisoner Sonia Garro Alfonso.

Born and raised in Cuba, Sonia Garro, has been imprisoned for more than a year for merely demanding respect for human rights and the freedom to express her views. After being violently arrested at her home on March 18, 2012, she and her husband, Ramón Alejandro Muñoz, have been imprisoned by the Castro government without charges and without a trial. WSJ on Sonia Garro: Two Easters in Castro's Dungeons
By Mary Anastasia O'Grady in The Wall Street Journal:

The world, for the most part, does not know who she is and Ms. Garro thinks she has been forgotten. Such is the desired message to Garro and others who speak out against the Cuban government and tell truth. Speak out and you will be silenced.

There has been little to no outcry about the human rights violations heaped upon Sonia Garro. Her husband and others are enduring the same fate. In an odd way, Beyoncé and Jay-Z's controversial trip will allow Sonia Garro Alfonso's story to be shared with a wider audience.

Related Link:
Two Easters in Castro's Dungeons

Photos: (Beyonce') Ramon Espinosa

Queen Latifah's talk show to debut September 2013

2013-03-17T15:23:10-04:00

Jada Pinkett Smith and Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett Smith will be working together again on the Queen's new talk show set to debut September 16, 2013. Smith is the executive producer. It should be a blast.

Photo: Facebook

Searching for Terrilynn Monette

2013-03-17T10:51:10-04:00

New Orleans teacher and California native Terrilynn Monette has been missing since March 2. Her car, a 2012 black Honda Accord has not been recovered either.

If you have seen Terrilynn or have any information on this case, please call (504) 658-4000.

-vb

Statement from the President and the First Lady on Kwanzaa

2012-12-27T06:52:27-05:00

Michelle and I extend our warm thoughts and best wishes to all those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. Today marks the first day of the week-long celebration of African-American history and culture through the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

To many, Kwanzaa serves as a time of reflection--taking lessons learned from our past and looking forward to a more promising tomorrow. It reminds us that though there is much to be thankful for we must recommit ourselves to building a country where all Americans have the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

As families across America light the Kinara today in the spirit of unity, our family extends our prayers and well wishes during this season.

Reflections on President Barack Obama and Frederick Douglass

2012-11-09T21:21:34-05:00

A wise man once said. "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."

Many people wonder why Republican legislators are so unrelenting on President Obama. Frederick Douglass gave us the answer many years ago. "Though the colored man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to pride and provokes malice."

Frederick Douglass September 25, 1883. HE STILL STANDS TALL...Please share.

Jill Scott Rocks ESSENCE Cover

2012-09-11T05:00:00-04:00

The multi-talented Jill Scott glows on the October 2012 cover of ESSENCE magazine. It seems as if the natural hair trend is really catching fire and Ms. Scott is simply gorgeous in tasteful and flawless makeup with fabulous accessories. Stunning.

My Great Grandmother: Jennie Patton Farmer Williams, 1856-1938

2012-07-22T19:04:30-04:00

by Alonzo Hardy

My great grandmother Jennie (Patton) Farmer Williams, 1856-1938, was a former slave in Jefferson County, Florida who became a midwife for 20 years. She was born in December 1856 in Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. She was also a member of the Mt. Herman Lodge No. 3517 Grand United Order of Odd Fellows (G.U.O.of O.F.) in Bartow, Polk County, Florida.

Jennie served as secretary during her time with the Order. She is remembered as a strict disciplinarian. Jennie moved to Polk County with her daughter, Victoria Farmer Hadley, at some point after the death of her husband John Williams in 1929. Jennie died October 11, 1938, in Palmetto (Manatee County) Florida. She was the mother of Dr. Alexander Alphonso Farmer, DMD (one of Manatee County's early black dentists), grandmother of then-Unofficial Sepia Mayor of Miami Charles Randolph "Uncle Charlie" Hadley (a school, park, pool, gym are named in his honor in Miami-Dade County) and Howard Hadley, MD (was a Miami medical doctor) and the great grandmother of Howard V. Gary (first and only African-American City Manager in Miami's history (1981-1984).

The G.U.O.of O.F. Ribbon/Badge Lodge No. 3517 she is wearing is in the photo is a treasured possession of my aunt Alice Hardy of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

The Household of Ruth. This organization was the women’s auxiliary to the African American Odd Fellows order. Household of Ruth was organized in 1857 for the admission of the wives or women related to men in the fraternal order of Odd Fellows.

Photo: Courtesy of Alonzo Hardy