During the Birmingham City Council meeting on January 20, 2015 Council:
Approved an Ordinance “TO FURTHER AMEND THE ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM” (Case No. ZAC2014-00017) to change zone district boundaries from R-4, Two Family and Semi-Attached Dwelling DistrictB-2, to B-2, General Business District, filed by Major Bob Parker, agent for The Salvation Army, representing the owner, Birmingham Board of Education, for properties located at 2015 26th Avenue North and 2016 and 2020 25th Avenue North; situated in the NW ¼ of Section 23, Township 17-S, Range 3-West, and the hearing of all interested parties. [Second Reading] For more information please contact the Office of Council President Pro Tem Jay Roberson 205.254.2418.
Other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:
1. Approved a Resolution assenting to the vacation of approximately 29,555.56 square feet of 1st Avenue South (between 29th Street South and 32nd Street South), on behalf of Tammy D. Cohen, CSX Transportation, Inc., and Marx Management Co., LLC, owners, so that Marx Management can expand their existing business operations and the hearing of all interested parties, Case No. SUB 2014-00060. For more information please contact the Office of Councilor Sheila Tyson at 205.254.2359.
2. Delayed an Ordinance authorizing the issuance, execution, sale and delivery of $10,000.000.00 Principal Amount General Obligation Bond Anticipation Notes (Federally Taxable), Series 2015, of the City of Birmingham, Alabama and the payment thereof. [Second Reading] For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
3. Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Agreement, Resolution and Quit Claim Deed with the State of Alabama, acting by and through the Alabama Department of Transportation for the Transfer of Finley Boulevard from US-78 to US-31 to the State of Alabama and the Transfer of SR-149 within the City limits of Birmingham to the City. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
4. Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a Contract with Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, Inc. under which Crime Stoppers agrees to provide services to the City of Birmingham related to the solicitation and collection of information concerning various types of criminal activity within the Birmingham Metropolitan Area through advertising and marketing requests for information for the purpose of assisting with the arrest and prosecution of criminals. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
Announcements and Reminders
1. The Budget and Finance Committee Meeting and Special Called Economic
Development Committee Meeting will be held- Monday, January 26, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
in Conference Rooms “D & E.”
2. The Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting will be held Tuesday January 27, 2015 at
4:00 p.m. in 5th Floor Engineering Conference Room.
3. The Health and Medical Benefits Board Meeting will be held Wednesday January 28,
2015 at 12:00 noon in Conference Rooms “D & E.”
4. The Committee of the Whole Meeting will be held Wednesday January 28, 2015 at 4:00
p.m. in Conference Rooms D&E.
Are you unable to attend the Birmingham City Council meetings? Watch Council Meetings on demand. From anywhere in the world you can log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org and click on the tab Watch Council Meetings; or from the comfort of your home, tune to Bright House Cable Channel 340. The Birmingham City Council meetings are free and on demand.
The City of Birmingham will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to enjoy all city services, programs and activities. If accommodations are required for public meetings, please contact Chiara Morrow, Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing chiara.morrow@birminghamal.gov or by calling 205-254-2055.
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the indictment of a man for the 1997 murder of his wife, Michelle Townson Whitton, in Jackson County. Barry Whitton, 46, formerly of Section, is scheduled for arraignment on January 27.
Attorney General Strange’s Office presented evidence to a Jackson County grand jury resulting in Whitton’s indictment* on December 10. Specifically, the indictment charges that Whitton intentionally killed the victim “by striking her in the head and causing blunt-force trauma.”
Anyone who may have information about the crime is urged to contact the Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit by calling 1-866-419-1236 or by emailing to coldcasetips@ago.state.al.us.
No further information about the investigation or about Whitton’s alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Whitton faces a penalty of 20 years to life imprisonment for the Class A felony.
Attorney General Strange commended those who worked on this case, noting in particular the Criminal Trials Division and Special Agents of the Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit. He thanked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
AG Strange Announces Indictment of Man for 1997 Murder
MONTGOMERY – Attorney General Luther Strange announced the indictment of a man for the 1997 murder of his wife, Michelle Townson Whitton, in Jackson County. Barry Whitton, 46, formerly of Section, is scheduled for arraignment on January 27.
Attorney General Strange’s Office presented evidence to a Jackson County grand jury resulting in Whitton’s indictment* on December 10. Specifically, the indictment charges that Whitton intentionally killed the victim “by striking her in the head and causing blunt-force trauma.”
Anyone who may have information about the crime is urged to contact the Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit by calling 1-866-419-1236 or by emailing to coldcasetips@ago.state.al.us.
No further information about the investigation or about Whitton’s alleged crimes other than that stated in the indictment may be released at this time.
If convicted, Whitton faces a penalty of 20 years to life imprisonment for the Class A felony.
Attorney General Strange commended those who worked on this case, noting in particular the Criminal Trials Division and Special Agents of the Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit. He thanked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Federal Judge Sentences Three Women to Prison for Tax Fraud
BIRMINGHAM – A federal judge on Monday sentenced three members of a Birmingham-area tax-fraud ring to years in prison for filing false tax returns in other people’s names, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division Special Agent in Charge Veronica Hyman-Pillot.
Chief U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced Latoshia Shevell Hollis, 39, to eight years and four months in prison; Angela Gernial Bennett, 52, to five years and three months in prison; and Kennethea Lashelle Parks, 33, to two years in prison. The three Birmingham women all pleaded guilty last year to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government by filing false income tax returns. Together, they must pay $234,202 in restitution to the government.
During the sentencing hearings, the judge noted that it had become a popular “get rich quick scheme” in some criminal quarters to file fake tax returns in order to get the IRS to unwittingly send refund money to the criminals.
The group in which Hollis, Bennett and Parks participated sought nearly $900,000 in stolen tax-refund money over two years, and successfully received about $234,000. The conspiracy gathered personally identifying information on other people and used it to file false federal income tax returns in the names of at least 30 individuals for the 2008 tax year and at least 118 individuals for the 2009 tax year.
Hollis and Parks had extensive criminal histories, the judge noted, and said it is “time the community realizes that these crimes do not pay in the long run.”
“People who engage in tax fraud steal from each of us who pay our taxes as required,” Vance said. “Monday’s sentences punish these criminals for their fraud and theft and sends the message to others who might think about participating in similar misdeeds that prison is the price they could pay,” Vance said.
“Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation continues to make identity theft and refund fraud a top priority,” Hyman-Pillot said. “Angela Bennett, Latoshia Hollis and Kennethea Parks stole from the United States Treasury and had no regard for the victims of their schemes. Our agency has a zero-tolerance policy for this type of criminal behavior,” she said. “Monday’s sentencing comes on the brink of tax-filing season, and I hope it serves as a warning to those who are considering similar criminal activities.”
IRS-CID investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa K. Atwood prosecuted
LET’S CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.’S BIRTHDAY ….AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH! HAPPY BIRTHDAY…TO YOU… LEBOISE DERU, LEKAMEREN DERU, JACARYS BRAXTON, LEKOTA DERU and DR. CAROLYN BOLIVAR HAMEEN,!! …MANY MANY MORE!! “WISHING YOU THE BEST OF EVERYTHING!”
MEET THE AUTHOR – CAROLYN MARZETTE-BOLIVAR – Dr. Marzette-Bolivar will be at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Friday, at 7 p.m. with her book about the Lowe family and music. Dr. Carolyn Marzette-Bolivar, Ph.D., a native of Birmingham, earned a degree in English from Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, before becoming one of the first Blacks hired as personnel director by General Motors Corporation. After moving to California, she earned a doctorate in Health and Human Service from Columbia Pacific University. In Swing Lowe: A Family’s Dedication To Preserving Music in the Magic City, Bolivar has created a loving tribute to the remarkable trio James Leroy (J.L.), Sammy, and Leatha Lowe. HELP SUPPORT SIGHT 4 KEN – There is a WALK-A-THON ‘Sight 4 Ken’ to raise funds to help David Kenyatta Barnes see clearly again, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. at the Boutwell Auditorium. He is the son of the late Judge Barnes. Ken is an associate pastor and electrical engineer that lost his sight. He relies on his sight for his jobs. Hoping that he can see again he and his family have faith in the community to help. Ken heard about eSight and tried the eSight glasses. For the first time in years he was able to see again with the glasses. BUT, the cost of the glasses is $15,000 and Ken isn’t able to afford them. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. For more contact Patrice Holman Barnes at (205) 746-2362 or email phbarnes@live.com. Also you can go to www.gofundmecom/sight4ken or www.sighteyewear.com.
NOMINATE UNSUNG COMMUNITY HERO – There is economic empowerment through enterprise development, so nominate any Unsung Community Hero that is active in their church, philanthropic community activities or impactful in business community by Sunday at www.aggastonconference.com/information/community-service-award.com. The A.G. Gaston Community Service Award will be presented at the 11th Annual Conference at the BJCC on February 17 and 18. FOR BUSINESS OWNERS…AND FINANCE… DREAM BIG SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2015 AWARD – Tell your story. Showcase your talents. Apply today for the 2015 Dream Big Small Business of the Year Awards sponsored by Sam’s Club. It is open season for the 2015 Dream Big Awards. The hunt is on for the best of the best in American small business. You can participate in two ways: You can nominate a small business by completing the nomination form or eligible small businesses can apply directly by completing the online application form. Nomination is not required but all eligible small businesses must complete the application form. Nominations and Applications are due by February 2. 100 Blue Ribbon Award Winners are announced by February 16. Seven regional finalists are announced by March 18. The Small Business of the Year award winner is announced during America’s Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. on June 8-10. Winners will be announced on June 9. The winner will receive national recognition and a $10,000 cash prize. Learn more at www.uschamber.com/dreambig.
2015 ALABAMA’S MONEY EXPO – The Money Expo is March 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at George W. Carver High School, in Birmingham with Honorary Co-Chairs Melvin Carrington Smith and Stewart H. Welch. This financial educational expo will feature everything about money, including how to make it, grow it, keep it and share it with families and communities.
FOR WOMEN….and MEN…
I AM WOMAN NETWORK – I am Woman Network’s Grand Launch is January 31, 1 – 3 p.m. at the BJCC East Meeting Room N with networking from noon to 1 p.m. Register Free at www.IAmWOmanNetwork.com.
FOR SPORTS’ LOVERS….BASEBALL… BIRMINGHAM BARONS’ GAMES START APRIL 9 – Birmingham opens the season Thursday, April 9 as Regions Field hosts the Mobile Bay Bears for a five-game series. First pitch on Opening Night is set for 7:05 p.m., and marks the return of one of the Barons’ most popular promotions – Thirsty Thursdays. All beverages – including soft drinks, beer and wine – are available for $2. The Joe Drake Ticket Office is open weekdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and is located at the front gates of Regions Field on the corner of 1st Avenue South and 14th Street South. Tickets can be purchased in-person, by phone at (205) 988-3200 or online at Barons.com. The Barons also announced Tuesday the introduction of a new ticketing system to make purchasing tickets and attending baseball games at Regions Field easier and faster. For information about the Barons, Regions Field and the complete 2015 schedule, please call (205) 988-3200 or visit www.barons.com, www.facebook.com/birminghambarons or on Twitter: @bhambarons.
“TAKE ME (and someone else) OUT TO THE GAME.”
FOR OUTDOORS LOVERS…GARDENING….
SATURDAY, 11:30 a.m. – Dayhike at Limestone Rail Trail in Elkmont, Alabama. This trail is located in extreme North Alabama west of I-65 and a few miles south of the Tennessee-Alabama border. The hike is rated easy – 5.3 miles with lovely scenery along the path that was once a part of the Tennessee and Alabama Central Railroad. The trail winds through wetlands with wildlife and a great variety of birds where you will pass the site of the Civil War Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle. Richard Martin, the local resident who was the prime mover behind the creation of this fabulous trail, has agreed to meet with us at the start of our walk and tell us about how the trail came to be. Bring your picnic lunch and drink. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children age 8 are welcome. Optional dinner afterwards. Depart 11:30 a.m. from the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride
Info: Dan Frederick, seoutings@bellsouth.net or (205) 631-4680
SUNDAY, 2 p.m. – Dayhike at Moss Rock Preserve. Explore the wilder side of Hoover on a moderate 2-4 mile hike by climbing up and walking down fairly steep hills on Shades Mountain. Experience the preserve’s diverse natural features which include longleaf pine forests, huge boulders, streams, grassy areas, outstanding views and, when it rains, some beautiful waterfalls. Bring water to drink. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 are welcome. The group will depart promptly at 2 p.m. from dirt parking lot just off Preserve Parkway near The Village Green in The Preserve subdivision. Call for directions.
(To get to this place from Hoover, drive to the Crest Cadillac dealership on U.S. 31 in Hoover about ½ mile north of the U.S. 31 interchange with I-459 near the Riverchase Galleria. At stop light directly across U.S. 31 from the Cadillac dealer turn onto Patton Chapel Road. Go 1.5 miles. See fire station on left at Preserve Parkway and turn left onto Preserve Parkway at the traffic light for Preserve Parkway. Drive to top of the mountain. See Village Green on the left. Drive just past the paved parking spaces on the right of Preserve Parkway, drive past the separate paved parking lot on the right across the Parkway from the restaurant and finally please drive into the traffic circle or roundabout just beyond the row of offices and businesses which you’ll see on your left. Go ¼ of the way around the roundabout and then turn right off the roundabout into the dirt parking lot on the right. See sign for Moss Rock Preserve Parking at start of this drive. Park in that dirt parking lot and meet the hike leader there. Total distance on Preserve Parkway is 7/10 miles.
There will be a prior to hike optional luncheon at 12:30 p.m. sharp at Vecchia Restaurant, 610 Preserve Parkway, Suite 100, Hoover, AL 35224, almost, but not quite across Preserve Parkway from the entrance to the dirt parking lot where we will start and complete the hike. Restaurant number (205) 637-3036. (Call Dan Frederick before 9:30 a.m. on Sunday if you wish to attend the luncheon at (205) 631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net.) Reservations are NOT required to participate in the hike but for more contact David Shepherd, email davidshep2@yahoo.com or (205)240-4681. BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS JUNIOR MASTER GARDENING – Junior Master Gardener program formally kicks off on Saturday at 9 a.m. until Noon. Julie Danley will lead “Soil and Water,” and she has eight other sessions scheduled in 2015. The program is designed for 6 – 12 year olds. The first session in the series will focus on “Soils and Water.” It is an international youth gardening program of the university cooperative Extension network. It engages children in novel, “hands-on” group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develops an appreciation for the environment and cultivates the mind. The program also inspires youths to be of service to others through service learning and leadership development projects and rewards them with certification and recognition. Children can get involved in exploring their world through meaningful activities that encourage leadership development, personal pride and responsibility and community involvement. Youth involved in the program develop critical thinking skills and the ability to identify community concerns and take action to address them through individual group projects.
FOR MUSIC LOVERS…AND DANCE… GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV CONFIRMS 2015 NATIONWIDE HEADLINE TOUR – All the way from South Africa, Gregory Alan Isakov is in Birmingham, Alabama on Tuesday at WorkPlay Theatre, 8 p.m. and at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony and at Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre. The official music video for Isakov’s song “Amsterdam” recently premiered at NPR. The tour celebrates Isakov’s highly acclaimed album, The Weatherman (Suitcase Town Music), which debuted at #1 on iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter chart, #5 on Billboard’s Folk chart, and #1 on Billboard’s Mountain and Pacific Heatseekers charts. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and now calling Colorado home, Isakov is a lifelong traveler. For more, (615) 320-7752 or (212) 741-1000. INTERNATIONAL-RENOWNED DANCE GROUP COMES TO BIRMINGHAM – THE STEP CREW will perform Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at the University of North Alabama’s Norton Auditorium as part of the annual On Stage Concert Series. Call (256) 760-6379. The Step Crew combines Ottawa Valley Stepdance, Irish Stepdance, and tap styles and is comprised of the most talented and respected dancers and musicians in the Celtic music scene. They have performed in Europe, the U.S. Canada, and Asia with a powerful five-piece ensemble backing three world-class fiddlers.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS GOING ON… THIS WEEKEND… TODAY… **ASHLEY AND THE KEEPERS at Ona’s Music Room.
**STATIC FRONT at The Nick FRIDAY…
**URBAN MYSTIC & VICK ALLEN featuring MIZ BARBIE DOLLE, 8 p.m. at Archibald and Woodrows in Tuscaloosa. **TY SOUL AND LIMITLESS at Ona’s Music Room. **CHAD KNIGHT and GREEN LIGHTS at The Nick on southside. SATURDAY… **ASHLEY AND THE KEEPERS at Ona’s Music Room. **TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE, 8 p.m. on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field. Open Tuesday through Sunday. **DAVID LAREAU & THE COPPERPOTS and KIP BRADLEY at The Nick. THERE IS THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER….IN THE ‘HAM… AT THE STARDOME AND IN DA HOOD… …LAUGHTER FOR THE NEW YEAR…
**AT THE STARDOME…SMOOTH JAZZ, TODAY… Meet and Greet and Gold Circle Seating – Josh Vietti is a Hip-Hop/Pop violinist from southern California. Although generally billed as a Hip-Hop Violinist, he also incorporates classical, gospel, country, pop and jazz into his performances and is highly interactive with the audience. With appearances on Ellen, and ESPN NFL countdown every week – he will soon be a household name. Marcus Anderson’s performance is akin to no other live experience. The tremendous musicianship Anderson displays in-person is matched only by his energetic, charismatic and passionate showmanship. Heavily influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, James Brown and PRINCE, Anderson’s magnetic stage persona and tremendous enjoyment of performing is undeniable. Anderson makes the stage his musical playground and the stage becomes the setting for where “style meets substance.”
DON’T MISS… STEVE MCGREW, this weekend… TBS “Pit Stop Comedy” You’ve seen this high-energy, not-right comic on A and E’s Evening at the Improv, Showtime, Comic Strip Live and much more. Known as the King of Yallternative Comedy, The Atomic Comic, The King of White Trash. ( Steve has a thing for names) From duct tape to yard-work McGrew’s keen wit and wisdom is sure to hit home. COMING SOON…, TONY ROBERTS – January 30 – February 1, DL HUGHLEY – February 6-8, FINIS HENDERSON – February 13-15, SHERYL UNDERWOOD – February 20-21, MIRANDA SINGS – February 7-8 (Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you.) Enjoy some good laughter and fun times while you eat some great food with your friends. For more, call (205) 444-0008.
**MORE LAUGHTER…COMEDY IN DA HOOD at the New Tide and Tiger on Graymont Avenue. Comedians are invited! Call (205) 503-3880 for more.
Look for more on…
**February 17-18 – A. G. GASTON CONFERENCE – Economic Empowerment through Enterprise Development AT THE BJCC. **MARCH 5-9 – BRIDGE CROSSING JUBLIEE in Selma, Alabama.
NOW…. BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU… LEBOISE DERU, LEKAMEREN DERU, KACARYS BRAXTON, LEKOTA DERU, JANICE BELL, DEIDRA PERRY, CHARLES MCCAULEY, RENEE KEMP-ROTAN, KYLE WHITMIRE, PHYLLIS CONNELL, BETTINA BYRD GILES, MICHAEL GOULD, EVERETT SPRUILL, DR. CAROLYN BOLIVAR HAMEEN AND TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!! Celebrate ‘your’ month…I do…all 30 days ‘and’ some!
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time.
(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com.)
By MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writer
NEW YORK (AP) – Essence magazine will celebrate its 45th anniversary with a pre-Grammys bash featuring Jill Scott and Chaka Khan.
The magazine announced Friday that the sixth annual Black Women In Music event will honor Scott, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and actress. The Feb. 5 event will also feature performances by Khan, Brandy and Lianne La Havas.
The R&B singers will pay tribute to music through the decades, starting in the `70s.
The 57th annual Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will air live on CBS.
Bobbie Jones and Rev. Jesse JacksonCC WinansFred Hammond and Eric JThe Clark SistersThe CUT
Here are some complimentary pictures from last night’s musical celebration honoring the life of my friend
and gospel music legend, Andraé Crouch. It was a packed house at West Angeles Church here in LA and
will be packed again this morning for the funeral.
You have my permission to use any of these pics as a courtesy to your organization. I am on the verge
of creating a new photo image service here in LA geared to our urban media markets. So, this is my
gift to you. I’m on my way to shoot the services this morning.
Meanwhile, check out my new book at www.DiningWithTheAncestors.com. It will come out next month
and features many high profile celebrities including Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Brandy, Charlie Wilson,
India Arie, Dr. Ben Chavis and Danny Bakewell.
Bill Duke-Produced Documentary Explores Advantages and Disadvantages of Lighter-Skinned Women Around the World
Los Angeles – OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will air the world premiere of “Light Girls” on Monday, January 19 at 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. ET/PT.
The critically acclaimed documentary “Dark Girls” aired on the network last year, and award-winning filmmaker Bill Duke continues the conversation on colorism with “Light Girls,” sharing an in-depth study of the advantages and disadvantages of being a lighter-skinned woman as seen through the eyes of notable entertainers, educators and everyday people.
The film highlights and questions the notion that “light skin makes for an easier life” and provides a global analysis of skin color and its relationship with societal values. It boldly dives into topics such as bullying, skin bleaching and the trending social media separation, #teamlightskin versus #teamdarkskin.
The documentary features interviews with Russell Simmons, Soledad O’Brien, Diahann Carroll, India Arie, Iyanla Vanzant, Michaela Angela Davis, Essence Atkins, Kym Whitley, Raven Salli Richardson-Whitfield and more.
To view clips (with embed code), click on links below:
Hollywood and Colorism
Hollywood is often criticized for its casting choices, with many believing that lighter-skinned actresses are given preference over darker-skinned actresses. In the documentary “Light Girls,” Chris Spencer (co-creator of “Real Husbands of Hollywood”), Raven-Symoné (That’s So Raven) and other entertainers discuss how the opposite is sometimes true. http://www.oprah.com/own-lightgirls/Why-Actresses-Like-Raven-Symone-Tanned-Their-Skin-Video
About “Light Girls” From the creator and director of the critically acclaimed documentary “Dark Girls,” award-winning filmmaker Bill Duke continues the conversation on colorism with “Light Girls.” Sharing the untold stories and experiences of lighter-skinned women, “Light Girls” dives deep into the discussion of skin color, preference, privilege, pain and prejudice. The documentary unravels the lost pages of history to find the origins of colorism, racial self-hatred and the ideal standards of beauty, and takes viewers on a journey through time and story, seeking to both heal and unite light and dark women from all walks of life throughout the world.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A judge says South Carolina officials must release emails about the diary of James Brown‘s widow and other documents related to the nearly decade-long fight over the late soul singer’s estate.
Circuit Judge Eugene Griffith Jr. on Friday gave the state Attorney General’s Office10 days to produce the documents, even as it appeals to the state Supreme Court against a July ruling requiring their release. Lawyers for the office had argued the records should be kept from the public during the appeal.
The documents include emails about the diary of Brown’s widow, Tomi Rae Hynie, an appraisal of Brown’s assets and discussions about what the state should pay a private law firm for its help in the fight over Brown’s estate.
A freelance journalist sued for access to the documents.
Well, it’s a wrap for “R&B Divas Atlanta.”
At least that’s what Jawn Murray’s AlwaysAlist is reporting. Murray says that on Tuesday afternoon, several members of the cast were notified that the show was officially cancelled. The story also noted that last week, at the Television Critics Association in Los Angeles, TV One’s new President, Brad Siegel, did not present “R&B Divas Atlanta” as one of the returning series.
The situation is also kinda messy because of litigation surrounding the “R&B Divas” franchise. Nicci Gilbert, former executive and creator of the show filed a lawsuit about the spin-off “Hollywood Divas.” We’ve also learned that there could also be additional litigation from the existing executive producers, who were initially told that “Hollywood Divas” was not a spin-off of “R&B Divas,” but then the network released a press announcement calling it a spin-off.
“R&B Divas Atlanta” came to be in 2012. The original cast members were Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt and Monifah Carter. Angie Stone joined the cast in season two and appeared for two seasons.
Additionally, Xscape member LaTocha Scott, original Destiny’s Child member LaTavia Roberson and former 702 lead singer Meelah Williams each appeared for one season.
AlwaysAList says it reached out to TV One, but the network would not confirm the cancellation. However, a spokesperson did reply with this message via email: “Both ‘R&B Divas’’ series are important to TV One and at this time, the network has made no definitive decision as to the future of ‘R&B Divas Atlanta.’”
LOS ANGELES — VH1 is pushing the debut season of “Sorority Sisters” to a quick end after facing criticism for the reality show’s depiction of Black sorority members.
The channel said that the last three of 10 episodes will air back-to-back Friday. The move is intended to satisfy viewer interest by bringing the cast’s stories full circle, VH1 said.
A special episode, “Sorority Sisters The Dialogue,” which featured the women discussing why they joined the show and the controversy it provoked, aired last week.
The response on social media indicated viewers wanted to see the complete series, the channel said.
A decision on whether “Sorority Sisters” will continue has yet to be made, VH1 said in a statement Tuesday.
