Dominique Cheney needs to raise $3,000 to travel to New York
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Dominique Cheney, a classically trained singer and student at Jacksonville State University, has been invited to perform February 15, 2015 at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York.
Cheney needs to raise $3,000 to make the trip to New York possible. She will host a recital on January 10th at Pilgrim Church to help raise money for this special opportunity. A website has been donated to Cheney to help her collect private donations for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In New York, Cheney is invited to sing with Edna Duffy and Duffy Liturgical Dance Ensemble – an internationally renowned organization designed to educate youth on the significance of the American Negro Spirituals. Cheney’s performance will be a part of the world premier of Earnestine Rodgers Robinson’s Exodus on the DCINY Concert Series in New York City.
What makes Cheney’s musical career special are the obstacles she has endured to perform. Cheney suffers from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) – an illness categorized by an inappropriate elevation in heart rate when standing up. Sudden change in elevation or pressure causes fainting. Cheney also suffers from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) – characterized by abnormalities in the chemical structure of the connective tissues, resulting in fragile skin, unstable and hypermobile joints. As a result of these illnesses, Cheney sometimes faints after performances and has to take special precautions as she pursues her dreams.
Cheney’s voice training began while in middle school. She is currently majoring in music at Jacksonville State University. She aspires to be an opera singer and to one day attend The Juilliard School.
Cheney is determined to not allow anything to hold her back from the stage.
To learn more and donate please go to www.dominiquecheney.com.
The Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force is sponsoring Alabama Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 9. We are asking the City Mayors in Huntsville, Madison, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Mobile to sign Proclamations on that day in observance of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Radio, television, and printed media coverage across the state will help educate citizens about human trafficking in our state; raise awareness about human trafficking; outline victim identifiers; and explain how to report potential human trafficking situations.(www.ENDITAlabama.org.)
This coordinated effort is the first of its kind and the first event planned by the newly established Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force, put in place by House Joint Resolution 270 sponsored by Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia Hills) which passed the Alabama legislature in March 2014. Governor Robert Bentley (R-Tuscaloosa) signed the resolution in April 2014 making the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force a reality. The Task Force meets once a quarter at the Alabama State House. Meetings are open to the public.
The purpose and agenda of the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force includes all of the following:
1) To combat all aspects of human trafficking, including sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
2) To pursue a comprehensive response to crimes of human trafficking.
3) To coordinate strategies to provide necessary services for victims of human trafficking.
4) To focus prevention efforts to end the demand for human trafficking and create awareness through education and community initiatives.
5) To develop legislation to prevent, intervene, and treat human trafficking.
Members and supporters of the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force:
• Jack Williams, Task Force Chair, Birmingham, AL 205-862-5041
• Barry Matson, Task Force Vice Chair, Montgomery, AL 334-242-4491
• Pat McCay, Task Force Secretary, Huntsville, AL 256-653-8527
• Tajuan McCarty, The WellHouse, Birmingham, AL 1-800-991-0948
• Carolyn Potter, The WellHouse, Birmingham, AL 1-800-991-0948
• David Pinkleton, Fundraising Committee Chair, Huntsville, AL 256-714-1142
• Carrie Shaw, Deputy District Attorney, Montgomery, AL 334-262-7378
• Jerusha Adams, Senior Litigation Counsel, Montgomery, AL 334-551-1770
HUMAN TRAFFICKING FACTS:
1. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world (second only to drug trafficking).
2. There are 27 million slaves in the world today – more than at any
other time in the history of the world.
3. It is estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 victims are trafficked in the U.S. every year.
4. Approximately $32 billion are generated worldwide through
trafficking activities annually.
5. The average age of a human trafficking victim is 12 years old.
6. Although 80 percent of all sex trafficking victims are female, but
the number of males being sexually exploited is rapidly rising.
7. Within the first 48 hours of leaving home, one-third of runaway
youths become the victims of human trafficking.
8. I-20 and I-65 are major corridors for human trafficking. I-20 has
been identified as the “super highway for human trafficking in the
United States.”
9. Huntsville sits in the middle of five human trafficking “hot spots”: Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and Birmingham.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) welcomes, former U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, MD, as the keynote speaker for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemoration Program, on Thursday, Jan. 15.
The event is sponsored jointly by the UAH Office of Diversity and the Office of Multicultural Affairs. The program includes a luncheon at the University Center, beginning at noon, and an audience question and answer session from 2 p.m., to 3 p.m. Admission is free for all UAH students and other North Alabama college students with valid identification. Ticket price for general admission is $25 each. The deadline to purchase tickets is Tuesday, Jan.13, at 5 p.m. Although the luncheon is free for university students, the event requires pre-registration at:diversity@uah.edu. All other ticket confirmations are secured by online registration.
“We are pleased that the UAH Offices of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs have this wonderful opportunity to have Dr. Regina Benjamin join us in celebration of an ideal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had for access to services that were not always available to members of our society. A healthy populace is an asset to all of society,” said Delois H. Smith, Vice President for Diversity.
Dr. Regina M. Benjamin was appointed the 18th surgeon general of the United States by President Barack Obama in July 2009. She is the founder and former CEO of the Bayou LaBatre Rural Health Clinic located in the tiny fishing village of Bayou LaBatre, Ala.
Benjamin oversaw the operational command of 6,700 uniformed public health officers who serve in locations around the world to promote, and protect the health of the American people. While in office, Benjamin focused her attention on prevention. Under her leadership implementation of the National Prevention Strategy (2011) became a reality, providing an unprecedented opportunity to shift the nation from a focus on sickness and disease to one based on wellness and prevention.
Benjamin is a former associate dean for Rural Health at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile and past chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States. In 1994, she was named one of TIME’s most promising leaders aged 40 and under. In 1995, she was the first physician under age 40 and the first African American woman to be elected to the American Medical Association Board of Trustees. She served as president of the American Medical Association Education and Research Foundation, and chair of the AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. In 2002, she became the first African American female president of a state medical society in the United States when she assumed leadership of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
In 2008, Benjamin was the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Genius Award. The $500,000 award is given to people who demonstrate “exceptional creativity and promise.” The funds helped Benjamin rebuild her rural health clinic, which was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina (August 2005), and then again by fire (January 2006) less than six months after flood damage was repaired.
Benjamin holds several academic degrees including a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Xavier University (Louisiana), an M.D. degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and an M.B.A. from Tulane University. She attended Morehouse School of Medicine and completed a family medicine residency in Macon (Ga.). She is the recipient of 22 honorary degrees.
Benjamin stepped down as surgeon general in July 2013.
BIRMINGHAM, AL- A big honor for Birmingham City Council President Johnathan Austin and Councilor Marcus Lundy. Both councilors have been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) University Communities Council. The University Communities Council is made up of local leaders from communities where a university is a dominant factor, and provides input and guidance to ensure that the needs and interests of municipal officials from university communities are included in NLC programs and services. NLC President Ralph Becker, mayor, Salt Lake City, Utah, announced the appointment.
“It is always an honor to represent our city on such a large platform such as NLC,” President Austin said. “This opportunity gives us the chance to meet and discuss relevant topics with our colleagues from other cities.” Councilor Lundy added, “I am looking forward to being able to share this opportunity with President Austin.” “I am confident that the insight gained through our time on this committee will prove valuable for the citizens of Birmingham.”
As a member of the council, President Austin and Councilor Lundy will play a role in informing NLC’s policy positions and advocating on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the Administration and at home. Issues covered by the council include economic development, transportation and infrastructure, sustainability, noise and other nuisances, housing and neighborhood concerns and partnerships between the university and the city or town.
“The University Communities Council provides an important voice for the nation’s cities and towns where colleges and universities are central to the community,” said Clarence Anthony, CEO & Executive Director of the National League of Cities. “Service on this council helps to ensure that the challenges and opportunities faced by university communities are heard on a national level, from Capitol Hill to the White House.”
MONTGOMERY – Attorney General Luther Strange has appointed Mike Lewis to serve as communications director, overseeing media relations for the Attorney General’s Office.
“I am pleased to welcome Mike Lewis to my staff and believe his several decades of experience in handling communications for members of Alabama’s congressional delegation will enable him to effectively lead my communications team,” said Attorney General Strange.
Lewis, a journalism graduate of Troy University, held the position of press secretary for former Congressman Bill Dickinson, R-Montgomery, and Congressman Terry Everett, R-Rehobeth; and, communications director for Congressman Jo Bonner, R-Mobile. He also served as speechwriter and senior policy adviser for Congressman Mike Turner, R-Ohio. He is a native of Alexander City.
Communications Director Mike Lewis can be reached at 334-353-2199, and by email at MikeLewis@ago.state.al.us.
Black Female robbed 4th Avenue West and 14th Street by gunpoint on Monday, December 22, at 6:30 p.m. There is a reward for contents recovered. No questions asked. Please contact 223-3456.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY…TO YOU… LEBOISE DERU, LEKAMEREN DERU, JACARYS BRAXTON AND LEKOTA DERU!! …MANY MANY MORE!! “WISHING YOU THE BEST OF EVERYTHING!” CELEBRATE MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY ….AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH!
Don’t Forget…. BIRMINGHAM TIMES MARTIN LUTHER KING SPECIAL – Pick up your copy of the Birmingham Times special edition on January 15th.
….Here are a few things for the season… FOR THE BLACK HISTORY LOVERS… 5th ANNUAL MLK UNITY WALK – The Birmingham Metro Diversity Coalition will host its MLK Unity Walk, at Railroad Park, Friday. This FREE and Family-Friendly event starts at 10 a.m. with a Children Fun Zone, 11:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies with Activities and White Dove Release, Noon a Fifth Annual MLK Unity Walk. Bring your non-perishable food items. THE COMMUNITY ART CONTEST – McDonald’s Celebration of Creativity in the Community Art Contest deadline is February 13. To celebrate Black History Month students across Central Alabama will tell a story of strength, hope and unity through art. Students should draw a picture or write a poem that expresses their depiction of the civil rights movement and the country’s progression. If you have paintings and poems, submit before the deadline to the Summit Media Group, 2700 Corporate Drive, Suite 115, Birmingham, Ala. 35242 (M-F 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.) or McDonald’s Office at 121 Summit Parkway, Homewood, Ala. 35209 (M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
NEAR…..IN MONTGOMERY…..2015 MLK COMMUNITY CLEBRATION – ASU co-sponsors a musical event, 2015 MLK Community Celebration, to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision and legacy, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Davis Theatre, 251 Montgomery St., Montgomery. The public is invited to the musical event. The event’s theme is “A Message for the Future, From Keepers of The Dream” and will feature the Montgomery Interfaith Choir. Performances will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call (334) 229-6755 for more.
FOR BUSINESS OWNERS…
Selling your Small Business and Successions Planning – Financial Education is a fundamental tool for making informed financial decisions about managing your small business. BBVA COMPASS will host a business course on January 14, 9 – 10:30 a.m., 15 S. 20th Street, Birmingham Room – 2nd Floor. The course will help you to understand how to incorporate life-cycle issues and preparations for retirement into management planning. Call (205) 524-7044 for more.
FOR ART LOVERS… BETA PICTORIS GALLERY is hosting an opening reception for WARHOL: FABRICATED curated by John Fields, Friday, 6 – 8 p.m. with a panel discussion at 4:30 p.m. WARHOL: FABRICATED is a remarkable presentation of private and public Warhol pieces that have never before been exhibited together. The innovative exhibition will combine a series of Warhol screen prints and 90 photographic prints owned by UAB, as well as loaned pieces from the Andy Warhol Museum, the Booth Western Art Museum, the Birmingham Museum of Art, beta pictoris gallery and private collectors, and an iconic photo of Warhol from internationally recognized photographer Bob Adelman. A panel discussion exploring the topic of appropriation in art and the works of Charles Lutz and Andy Warhol, featuring New York artist Charles Lutz and AEIVA Curator John Fields, moderated by AEIVA Director Lisa Tamiris Becker will take place before the opening reception for WARHOL: FABRICATED. In addition, work by well-known New York-based contemporary artist Charles Lutz from his “Denied Warhol Paintings and Sculpture” series is included in the exhibition. Charles Lutz is a contemporary conceptual artist living and working in New York. He received his BFA from the Pratt Institute. His work deals with value structures and the idea of transference of values. Lutz’s work has been included in exhibitions at numerous institutions and galleries, including the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa.; the New Museum in New York; and the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Pa. His exhibitions have been reviewed in articles in the New York Times, Art in America, ART FORUM, Modern Painters, and the Huffington Post, amidst others.
MAGIC CITY SMOOTH JAZZ RECEIVES NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS – National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Jane Chu announced today that Magic City Smooth Jazz is one of only 163 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive an NEA Challenge America grant. Magic City Smooth Jazz is recommended for a $10,000 grant to support Jazz in the Park®. Jazz in the Park® is a summer concert series that travels to various underserved community parks to enhance cultural arts activities at no cost to the public. For the past five years, this concert series was held primarily in the Greater Birmingham area each Sunday from May – August. In 2015, Magic City Smooth Jazz and Alabama State Parks Division will collaborate to present concerts in four Alabama State Parks. Concerts will continue in Jefferson, Shelby, and Tuscaloosa counties.
(Photo Credit – Luther Strange) MOUNTAIN BROOK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5th ANNUAL LUNCHEON – Luther Strange is the Keynote speaker at the Annual Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at The Club Grand Ballroom on January 15th. The Mr. Wilmer Poynor, III Jemison Visionary Award will go to the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, Dr. John Poynor The Tynes Award will go to the Emmett O’Neal Library, The City of Mountain Brook will receive the Stephen Gay Award, City Employee of the Year award, and the Mountain Brook City School will receive the 2014-2015 Leadership Mountain Brook Class.
FOR OUTDOORS LOVERS…,
SATURDAY, 8 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Dayhike, at the Turkey Foot and Borden Creeks, Sipsey Wilderness, Bankhead National Forest. Details: Enjoy an especially beautiful, moderate 3½ mile hike along Turkey Foot and Borden Creeks. There may be as many as 22 waterfalls on this trip. There are usually at least two fine waterfalls on the ¾ mile walk along Turkey Foot Creek. To assist with going up or down the possibly slippery bank beside one of the Turkey Foot Creek waterfalls hikers will be provided with the opportunity to use an assist rope. You will not be climbing a vertical cliff on a rope. Your feet will always be on the ground. It is just that having the rope gives you something solid straight in front of you to hold on to instead of scattered rocks and roots as you go up or down the short, about 20 foot distance. After the hike to the end of Turkey Foot Creek, walk beside the Sipsey Fork River a short distance to Borden Creek. The hiking route then follows Borden Creek where you can look for additional waterfalls and admire the gorgeous cliffs. Along Borden Creek the trail runs through a short, but very dark tunnel. You can stand up through the entire length of the tunnel. Please bring a small, bright flashlight with you to light your way through the tunnel. Optional dinner after. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age 7 and older able and willing to walk 3 ½ miles without complaining are welcome. Reservations Required: Call Dan Frederick, (205) 631-4680 or email your reservation to seoutings@bellsouth.net by 5 p.m. Friday. Leave phone number or email address. This outing is limited to 30 people, and will break up into a maximum of three separate groups of 10 people each to comply with U.S. Forest Service regulations. If you make a reservation with Dan to come on this trip and then for any reason decide later to not come on this outing, you are required to telephone Dan, right away.
SUNDAY, 1 p.m. – Southeastern Outings Dayhike at Oak Mountain State Park. Details: Enjoy a moderate four-mile walk in the woodlands near Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon. This is an excellent outing for introducing your friends to Southeastern Outings and for making new friends who enjoy the outdoors. This hike may be partially off the color-coded trails. There will be some ups and downs. Well-behaved, properly supervised children age eight and up able to walk the distance of about four-miles and complete the hike are welcome. Share an adventure! Bring a friend. Depart 1 p.m. from the Oak Mountain Park office parking lot. Please bring $3/person ($1 seniors and children) park admission fee plus your drink. For more info. contact : Edd Spencer at (205) 317-5868.
HERE ARE A FEW MORE THINGS GOING ON… THIS WEEKEND… Friday…
**Ona’s Music Room is jumping.
**THE KINKY APHRODISIACS, CAPTAIN IVORY and AMERICAN ANIMAL at The Nick on southside. Saturday…
**TIDE AND TIGER LOUNGE, 8 p.m. on Graymont Avenue across the street from Legion Field. Open Tuesday through Sunday.
**SKEPTIC?, THE RESERVES, MEDICINE KING and ECONOMY CARTEL at The Nick.
GIFT OF LAUGHTER….IN THE ‘HAM… AT THE STARDOME AND IN DA HOOD… …LAUGHTER FOR THE NEW YEAR…
**AT THE STARDOME…DON’T MISS… COWBOY BILL MARTIN and CINDY KAZA, this weekend… Cowboy Bill Martin is one of the most talented performers seen on stage today. The Texas native, who has toured with some of the biggest names in country music including George Jones, George Strait, Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts and has headlined clubs and theaters across the U.S. and Canada, delivers an electrifying performance which uniquely combines real stories of do-it-yourself mishaps, plus hilarious stories of love, life and hope.
CINDY KAZA is a clairvoyant (clear seeing), clairaudient (clear hearing) and clairsentient (clear feeling) who works across the country as an evidential medium. Evidential mediumship is a style of mediumship practiced around the world that puts heavy weight on the medium’s ability to bring through extremely specific evidence to the sitter. This evidence can include, but is certainly not limited to, names, personality traits, physical ailments, favorite past times, and phrases often used by loved ones in spirit. The purpose of this style of mediumship is to diminish skepticism among sitters and to prove that the medium is truly connecting with the client’s loved ones in spirit.
COMING SOON…, DON ‘DC’ CURRY – January 16-19, SMOOTH JAZZ – January 22, STEVE McGREW – January 23-25, 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.
**MARCH 5-9 – BRIDGE CROSSING JUBLIEE in Selma, Alabama.
NOW…. BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU… 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 AND TO ALL CELEBRATING!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!! 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.)
Meleeke McCants is the rising star to watch from Birmingham, Alabama. He is the young man – 10 years old – who is the show stopper for the Black Jacket Symphony during their Michael Jackson performances. Meleeke’s clear, precisely- pitched voice is riveting and takes audiences to new heights during his rendition of “ABC.” His stage presence is ingratiating while he comfortably wows the audience with great showmanship. Meleeke says, “I like to make people happy and the audience applause gives me confidence and makes me happy too.”
The Black Jacket Symphony, owned by Jay Willoughby, performs to “Sold Out” audiences throughout the Southeast, offering a unique concert experience when recreating classic albums in a live performance setting. A selected album is performed in its entirety with a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album, with no detail overlooked. Needing the right voice to proceed with tackling the King of Pop’s magnum album, Thriller, Jason Rogoff, promoter, was referred to Meleeke, the surprise, extra treat during the performance, nailing the songs of young Michael with unbelievable ease and credibility. Meleeke shows no stage fright or discomfort when entertaining large audiences on the road or at home while juggling homework and other appearances.
Meleeke delights in the honor and privilege to be discovered as the voice of young Michael Jackson. However, there is much more talent as he has been singing and acting since the age of five. Meleeke has performed in several musical productions with the Virginia Samford Theatre Group: Little Mermaid, School House Rock, Freckle Face Strawberry, Alice in Wonderland , Wiley The Harry Man. Meleeke also performed in the youth choir with Ms. Ruth Randall of Porgy and Bess at Miles College. He is currently in rehearsals for Peter Pan Jr., directed by Roy Hudson and choreographed by Mr. Jesse Kisor. The STARS Program (Students Take A Role at The Samford) is the vision of Roy Hudson and Cathy Gilmore, who also facilitated an audition for Meleeke with Motown in Chicago for the “Motown The Musical” production, one of four boys who were flown to Chicago (Meleeke’s first plane ride) where he was well- received and potentially may be selected for the touring cast of “Little Michael.”
Meleeke’s mother, Gabrielle Snead, serves as his manager and for his talented sisters and brothers who perform and sing in the choir at Friendship Baptist Church in Homewood, Robert A. Sellers, Sr, Pastor. Included in the schedule is Wednesday Night Bible Study and rehearsal for the Children’s Choir. Mom would like for Meleeke to pursue singing and acting professionally, and he is offered much encouragement from his father William Snead, his uncle, Alonzo Simmons, as well as his sisters, brothers and grandparents. Mom allows Meleeke to make his own decisions as to what he wants to participate in. Meleeke says he preps for performing by first praying and then going out and doing his best. One of his favorite songs is “Give Love on Christmas Day”, which he sang beautifully during this interview.
Meleeke was born on April 29, 2004 and is a 5th grade student at Pleasant Grove Elementary School. His teachers attest to him being a very sweet spirit, full of energy and always singing. His principal, Jay Jacks, says he is wonderful and has him sing on occasion over the intercom. Meleeke already has a fan club at school. He likes Tamala Mann and Kirk Franklin, gymnastics, bowling and playing with the Wii with his family. He loves to watch the cooking channel. His favorite foods are ham, turkey and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Jay Willoughby, owner of The Black Jacket Symphony, is so inspired by Meleeke that he encouraged him to take performance piano lessons with Peyton Grant of the Black Jacket Symphony at the Homewood School of Music, where he is learning to accompany himself on piano and drums.
Meleeke does not appear fazed by the Red Carpet Treatment received when traveling and according to Mom, he must still clean his room, take out the garbage, help out around the house, and complete his homework. Meleeke is kind-hearted, gets along with everyone, will give you his last…and will turn anything into a song. Manager Mom reflects that Michael Jackson regretted not having a childhood. She wants to ensure that Meleeke does.
All praise is given to God for Meleeke as he is born again. His talent is a gift from God and much credit and appreciation is awarded to those who have taken such interest and catapulted the already budgeoning career of Meleeke, a talented young man who is a natural.
Birmingham can be proud of not only his talent, but the very spiritual, wholesome and loving disposition of Meleeke McCants who is also born again!
Ladies, Usher is officially off the market (again). The Atlanta entertainer proposed to his longtime girlfriend Grace Miguel and the couple are planning an intimate wedding, LoveBScott exclusively reports. Grace was photoed earlier this month sporting a massive rock.
Usher has yet to announce the engagement, but he’s always been pretty private about his relationship with Grace. It is only recently that the “Good Kisser” singer began opening up about his business partner.
“I have an incredible partner and manager. She has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and my career,” he said in an interview with Billboard. “She’s someone who has been able to support and understand all of who I am. Not just as a dancer or as a performer or as a singer, but as a humanitarian and a businessman and as a person.”
Congrats!
ATLANTA, Ga. – In response to several social media and general inquiries regarding the new SELMA movie release, Dr. Alveda C. King, gospel evangelist, pro-life and civil rights activist shares the following:
“An invitation to a pre-release screening of the movie SELMA brought mixed emotions to my heart, and tears to my eyes. As I sat in the theater, I was transported back to the time when my Uncle MLK, my Daddy AD King and so many civil rights icons were embroiled in the historical crosshairs that brought equity to the voting rights of Blacks in America. It was during that same season that Daddy’s and Mother’s church parsonage was bombed in Birmingham; and the little girls, one a classmate of mine were killed in the bombing of the church. It was also the season of my first civil rights march, a “Children’s March” where Daddy and James Orange and others taught me the tenants of nonviolent protests.
Even though I wasn’t on the team of consultants who worked with the producers, I’m glad the film is in the atmosphere. While SELMA is historically informative and entertaining, having lived through those days, I would have appreciated more historical accuracy. I know that everyone can’t be included in such projects, but on a personal note, I was saddened to find no mention of my Dad, who not only marched in Selma, but was also felled (and recovered) along with not only John Lewis, but with many others, including Hosea Williams and my dearly departed friend James Orange.
So many people have contacted me regarding the overtones regarding references to Uncle ML’s responses to the attacks on his personal life. I have only this to say. Like all of the Bible heroes, Uncle was a human being, an imperfect man who served a perfect God. He and Daddy are in Heaven now, in the company with David, Moses, Paul, Rahab, The Woman at the Well, The Woman caught in the act… Uncle ML was a devoted prophet and Man of God. Need I say more?
Overall I enjoyed the film, and I recommend the film for viewing.”
Alveda is Author of King Rules, Founder of Alveda King Ministries,Director of African American Outreach for Priests for Life, and spiritual advisor for Restore the Dream 2015.
