OVER 100,000 AFRICAN AMERICAN PARENTS ARE NOW HOMESCHOOLING THEIR CHILDREN
BY: DR. JAWANZA KUNJUFU
We hear so much about the plight of Black children and their low test scores. We have
not heard that African American children who are homeschooled are scoring at the 82% in
reading and 77% in math. This is 30-40% above their counterparts being taught in school. There
is a 30% racial gap in schools, but there is no racial gap in reading if taught in the home and only
a 5% gap in math.
What explains the success of African American students being taught by their parents? I
believe that it’s love and high expectations. I am reminded of Booker T. Washington High School.
They were honored several years ago for producing the greatest turnaround as a Recovery school.
The principal had the opportunity to pick and choose her staff and emphatically stated, “If you want
to teach in this school you must love the students”. Researchers love promoting that the racial gap is based on income, marital status, and the educational background of the parents. Seldom, if ever, do they research the impact of love and high expectations.
Since the landmark decision, Brown vs. Topeka in 1954, there has been a 66% decline in
African American teachers. Many African American students are in classrooms where they are
not loved, liked, or respected. Their culture is not honored and bonding is not considered. They
are given low expectations – which helps to explain how students can be promoted from one
grade to another without mastery of the content.
There are so many benefits to homeschooling beyond academics. Most schools spend
more than 33% of the day disciplining students. And bullying has become a significant issue.
One of every 6 Black males is suspended and large numbers are given Ritalin and placed in
Special Education. These problems seldom, if ever, exist in the Homeschool environment.
Another major benefit is the summer months. Research shows that there is a 3 year gap
between White and Black students. Some students do not read or are involved in any academic
endeavor during the summer. Those students lose 36 months or 3 years if you multiply 3 months
times 12 years (grades first -12) Homeschool parents do not allow academics to be forsaken for 3
months.
Finally, in the homeschool environment, parents are allowed to teach their children
values. Large numbers of parents are teaching their children faith based morals and principals.
And many are teaching their children with the Africentric curriculum SETCLAE. These children
are being taught truths like, Columbus did not discover America; Abraham Lincoln did not free
the slaves; Hippocrates was not the father of medicine and that African history did not begin on a
plantation, but on a pyramid.
Until public schools give more love, higher expectations, better classroom management,
greater time on task throughout the entire year, values and the SETCLAE curriculum, we can
expect to continue to see an increase in African American parents homeschooling their children.
P.O. Box 1799, Chicago Heights, IL 60412 * Phone: (708) 672-4909 * Fax: (708) 672-0466
Email: customer@africanamericanimages.com * Website: www.africanamericanimages.com
On a chilly December evening, as I was healing from a volleyball-related mild concussion, my dad came into my room and said: “Don’t you think it’s time you looked into affordable health insurance?”
He had urged me many times before to get covered, but I thought I was invincible. I’m 34 and have lived a healthy lifestyle. I thought if I ate my vegetables and drove defensively, I’d be okay. In October, in November, and into December, he pushed me to look into my options. I made a few half-hearted attempts to satisfy him, but I never took it seriously. Fortunately for me, his motto is, “Persistence beats resistance!” and he never gave up.
I was born and raised in Flint, Mich. After graduating from Michigan State University, I was no longer covered by my parents’ health insurance. The idea of purchasing my own was nowhere on my radar because I didn’t think I needed it.
Chasing my dreams, I moved to Los Angeles to try on different careers. I worked with a celebrity stylist, created a clothing line with my brother, and began acting. Feeling a spiritual calling to be closer to home, I returned to Flint and pursued an acting career in the Metro Detroit area. With auditions and bookings so infrequent, I had to find part-time jobs—including a junior varsity volleyball coach position.
With all of this uncertainty, my income frequently fluctuated; one day I was covered under the county’s health plan, and the next I was kicked off. Going from insured to uninsured was exhausting, and I finally gave up. I’ve been uninsured for most of the past 10 years.
I realize now what a dangerous gamble that time in my life was. I didn’t think about accidents or illnesses. I didn’t even think about a benign lump in my right breast that I had removed years ago under my parents’ insurance. I never considered what I would have done if a lump had returned.
I was living on the edge, one mishap away from a financial disaster!
Maybe the concussion knocked some sense into me, but I finally listened to my dad.
I logged onto Healthcare.gov and enrolled in a Silver plan that includes dental. And since I qualify for a reduced premium, the plan costs less than $100 a month.
A burden I didn’t even realize I was carrying was lifted off of my shoulders!
I received my health insurance card on my mother’s birthday, January 2nd. What a great gift to us all! My parents and I now have the peace of mind knowing that I have affordable, quality insurance. I can go anywhere and pursue my dreams because I have the confidence of knowing that I am covered.
I strongly encourage all young adults to visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov before open enrollment ends March 31 —even if, like me, you think you’re invincible. It’s easy and your options may be cheaper than you think.
I won’t say that parents always know best, but I have to admit that signing up has been a breath of fresh air. I’m so glad mine never gave up. Thanks, Dad!
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The American Diabetes Association is challenging riders to be part of the Stop Diabetes® movement by participating in the annual Tour de Cure®, a cycling event happening on April 5, at University of Montevallo to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes and prevent this devastating disease.
Cyclists from around the region will gather to ride one of five routes available at this event. Individuals and teams composed of co-workers, family and friends are taking the ride of their life by helping raise funds for the nearly 26 million Americans with diabetes.
“Many people will participate in the Tour de Cure for the stimulating competition, camaraderie and physical cycling challenge. But the real reward comes in knowing that every mile they ride and every dollar they raise brings us that much closer to stopping this disease that affects 13.2 percent of people in our Alabama community,” said Aimee Johnson, Executive Director of the American Diabetes Association.
Tour de Cure raises funds contributing to diabetes research and advocacy efforts in the community. For more information, interested cyclists or volunteers can call the American Diabetes Association toll‑free at 1‑888-DIABETES or visit us at www.diabetes.org/touralabama.
(NAPSA) – As many scientists have discovered, doing medical research is a bit like climbing a mountain.
You start off all full of vigor and then as the way gets steeper, the climber gets wearier – but the goal, reaching the peak, is still in sight. Similarly, people trying to find treatments for cancer often start with a great idea but then find themselves slogging through difficult experiments, needing funds and equipment and so on while still trying to reach their goal of improving and saving lives.
An Intriguing Line of Research
For example, a cancer patient, John Kanzius, came up with an ingenious theory: Tiny pieces of metal can be sent to cancer cells and then hit by a radiowave at a low, controlled frequency. The radiowave will heat the metal, destroying only the cancer while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed.
Kanzius and Dr. Steven A. Curley, now the lead researcher of the Kanzius Noninvasive Radiowave Cancer Treatment, worked on controlling radiowaves with a special device that they learned could heat metal and kill cancer-in petri dishes.
How It Works
After multiple studies that helped differentiate the unique proteins of a cancer cell from those of neighboring healthy ones, researchers could find and destroy the cancer without side effects.
The Next Steps
Now, the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation is trying to continue the research to see if this treatment can work in people.
Generous donations meant it was able to begin clinical testing using three new, large radiowave devices (GenV), capable of performing human treatments. After further experiments, data collection and analysis, it’s hoped the FDA will give the Foundation the go-ahead for human trials – taking it a long way up that mountain to save lives.
Learn More
For further facts, including how you can help the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, visit www.kanzius.org/timeline or call (814) 480-5776.
The Lexus Is350 is one sharp and intelligent car. Not only was I surprised with its body, inside is where all the action begins. The Lexus IS350 displays attractive styling and unshakable reliability.
My tester was coated in an atomic silver with gray leather interior seats.
My one week tester is the compact sport sedan entry from a brand known for its ultra-refined luxury sedans and high reliability ratings. The 2014 IS 350’s overhaul starts with provocative new sheet metal (the new IS wears the brand’s audacious double-spindle grille design better than the larger sedans) and a stiff new structure similar in design to the larger, more expensive midsize GS 350s. Those more robust underpinnings made it easier for Lexus engineers to tune the IS for a comfortable ride. In addition, the 2014 model’s longer wheelbase has allowed the company to carve out more room for passengers. Equally striking is the investment Lexus made in the interior furnishings. The quality of the materials and the overall attention to detail is as impressive as anything you’ll see in this class. I was not as enthusiastic about the newly available Remote Touch mouse-style infotainment interface, however, as it’s distracting to operate while on the move.
The 2014 Lexus IS 350 is a compact luxury sedan available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
Standard equipment for the 2014 IS 350 includes 17-inch wheels with all-season tires, HID headlamps, LED daytime running lights and brake lights, heated side mirrors, moonroof, keyless ignition and entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, eight-way power front seats (heated for the IS 350 AWD), leatherette premium vinyl upholstery and a 60/40 folding rear seat with armrest.
A new Safety Connect telematics system comes with the standard eight-speaker sound system, delivering weather and traffic information (when in metro areas) free of charge via the audio system’s HD radio. Also standard for all IS 350 models are a 7-inch color display, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice recognition for most infotainment operations, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and iPod/USB connections.
The Navigation package incorporates the Remote Touch mouse-type controller for the entire infotainment suite, plus a navigation system. This package also provides a rearview camera, real-time traffic information, automatic phonebook download for Bluetooth phones and Enform enhanced telematics with smartphone app integration (including Bing, Yelp, Pandora and iHeartRadio). An upgraded 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system can be bundled with the navigation system.
Additional stand-alone options for the 2014 IS 350 include a rearview camera (for models without the navigation system), 18-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control (bundled with a pre-collision system), a lane departure warning system, and front and rear parking sensors.
Performance is equipped for the 2014 Lexus IS 350 and comes with a 3.5-liter V6 generating 306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard for rear-wheel-drive models, and a six-speed automatic is used for all-wheel-drive cars. Either transmission gets steering-wheel paddle shifters to enable manual shifting when desired.
Lexus estimates the IS 350 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, a good number for this segment. The all-wheel-drive model is almost as quick.
Lexus estimates the rear-wheel-drive IS 350 will deliver 19 miles per gallon in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. The all-wheel-drive IS 350 gets the same 19 mpg rating in the city, but drops to 26 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg overall.
On the Safety Side, the 2014 Lexus IS 350’s standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes with brake assist, traction and stability control, front seat side airbags, front knee airbags, side curtain airbags and dual rear-seat side airbags. Safety Connect, the brand’s onboard automatic safety and security service, incorporates collision notification, stolen-vehicle locator and roadside assistance from a cellular connection with a response center.
Optional safety on my tester upgrades include a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts, and a lane-departure warning system. The optional adaptive cruise control brings a pre-collision warning system that can initiate automatic braking and prepare other safety equipment to help mitigate crash severity.
The 2014 Lexus IS 350’s redesigned interior increases the car’s luxury quotient and addresses a major fault in the previous-generation IS 350: a small, hard-to-access backseat. The additional 1.6 inches of rear-seat legroom is immediately noticeable, and adults will have an easier time getting in and out. My kids enjoyed the legroom as well. I didn’t feel their knees in my back.The rear seat also folds in a 60/40 split, a convenience the previous IS 350 never offered. Trunk capacity is 13.8 cubic feet, which is above average for this class.
The new dashboard and center console design is attractive and contemporary, and enhances the interior’s feeling of spaciousness. The audio and climate controls are set at an angle to minimize sun glare, and the high-quality buttons and knobs are easy to use.
By the way, my $47,480 loaded tester did not come with a Navigation system. Thank God for my iphone’s Siri program.
Until next week, drive safe and buckle up, it’s the law.
NEWPORT COAST, Calif., – Even though its sales were down four percent last year, Kia has been wildly successful in this market. Undeterred by a bit of a slide in sales; the Korean automaker continues its long term strategy in the U.S. market which can be summed up in one word – growth.
During the last three years the automaker has watched the luxury market fragment. Traditional luxury brands moving down market and many main stream brands moving up market has opened a gap in Kia’s view and the automaker brought us to the West Coast to test drive its latest offering to fill the hole that it says has opened up in the luxury market.
The question for Kia is will Americans pay $66,400 for the 2015 Kia K900 luxury sedan that is new to the market segment and, what’s more, is the product of brand that has just recently shed its image as the manufacturer of inexpensive automobiles.
In a phrase, the K900 offers enough to entice independent minded consumers to take a look when it goes on sale this spring. Of course, Kia brought the top of the line K900 VIP. But first let’s look at how the K900 looked. With a wheel-base of almost 120-inches, it was a sizable car with 19-inch wheels.
It sported Kia’s signature grille, it had a swept greenhouse, understated cut lines along the doors, high rear deck and the sheet metal was taunt. The car had the same hereditary silhouette that adorns the Kia Optima and the recently introduced Kia Cadenza.
And in Kia’s tradition of offering more for less, the K900 had LED adaptive headlights as well as LED taillights. The only normal illuminative bulbs were the backup lights. The power trunk was standard, so was the heated automatic dimming sideview mirrors. Kia designers also sweated the small stuff like the chrome tipped dual exhaust mimicking the shape of the taillights.
The car’s adaptive cruise control could bring it to halt and the four-caliper brakes could and did stop the car quickly.
But on any automobile in the luxury realm it is all about what’s under the hood. Kia brought the V8 powered K900 here. Producing 420 horsepower, the 5.0 liter engine made 376 pound-feet of torque and it was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that was developed in-house. A 3.8-liter V6 will be available later this year.
The V8 was impressive. However, it did work hard getting up and over some of the hills. But during the driver change we had neglected to take it out of sport mode which made the steering heavier and moved the shift points up the rev band. In other words, the car held gears longer. Once we put it back in normal mode the K900 moved through the hills here without effort as a 400 plus horsepower luxury sedan should. There was also an ECO mode that moved the shift points down the rev band but we didn’t bother with that.
The engine was quiet, gear selection was buttery smooth and acceleration was effortless. Through the twist and turns of the mountainous roads here, the K900’s chassis remained stiff no doubt because of the use of high and ultra-high strength steel. The norm, the car featured a five-link suspension fore and aft which kept it level in all forms of driving.
About the only thing Kia should tweak on the K900 is that suspension. It should be just a tad stiffer in the sense of spring and or shock absorber compression to give the car a more substantive feel. Basically, sedans in this class have a more solid ride not because they weigh more than the K900’s 4,555 lbs. but because the suspension gives them an air of solidity.
Still, as an automobile stylist said years ago, luxury is conveyed in the interior of a vehicle and in this area the K900 measured up nicely as well. Though a leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard, our test vehicle had a heated wood veneer steering wheel. The interior was swathed in white Napa leather and ambient interior lighting was standard across the model line. Wood trim is either walnut or poplar.
Kia even upgraded the audio system on the K900. The 900 watt Lexicon system featured 17 speakers in 16 locations. It had a 12 channel amp and the rich surround sound clarity was augmented by a subwoofer.
A 12-way driver’s seat is standard but a 16-way power seat featuring power headrests and cushion extender will be available when the car goes on sale. Of course, the front seats were heated and cooled. The VIP package included rear climate controls, heated and cooled rear seats with power recline and lumbar support and head rest adjustability.
The 2015 Kia K900 is sound luxury sedan. The question is can the Korean automaker get luxury car buyers to consider this car. The advertising and marketing effort will have to be rifle shot accurate.
Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com
Frank Washington
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH!!
Continue to ‘read’ all that you can….and ‘what’ you can…about women! March is Women’s History Month!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. HELEN M. LEWIS, JO HOOKS AND GWENDOLYN ENGLISH!
Don’t Miss….
O’JAYS AT THE UNCF MASKED BALL!!
The O’Jays will perform at the UNCF MASKED BALL, this Saturday at the Sheraton Hotel, downtown. Here is a little of what they had to say about the O’Jays…
The O’Jays are living legends…American treasures. The term “living legend” is often overused and abused, but with The O’Jays, well, there’s little argument that the honorable tag truly applies.
With their place in modern music secure, The O’Jays could have cruise-controlled to that comfy hammock on a sandy beach, umbrella-decorated drinks in hand. Why? (1) An ocean-wide body of work that spawned 24 Top Ten smashes and 59 total charted songs. (2) Incredibly energetic and dynamic live shows. (3) Mad respect for their Olympian vocals. And (4) their social and political impact on generations and nations. But doing things slowly is not Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr. and Eric Nolan Grant’s modus operandi. After 40 plus years making such international hits as “Back Stabbers,” “For The Love Of Money,” “Darlin’ Darlin’ Baby,” “Love Train,” “I Love Music,” “Use Ta Be My Girl” and “Have You Had Your Love Today,” The O’Jays are light years away from easing up on the gas. And like fine wine, The O’Jays just get better with time.
Through the years, they were blessed to have had the late great choreographer Cholly Adkins around. Adkins taught them the importance of showmanship and how to execute their steps while still delivering their songs.
There have been “four faces” of the O’Jays. This vocal group from Canton, Ohio originated with Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr., William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles and they were named after Cleveland DJ Eddie O’Jay. Isles left the group in 1965. Massey left to become a record producer in 1971 and Levert, Williams and Powell continues as a trio. Powell retired from touring due to illness in late 1975, passing at the age of 35 in 1977 and was replaced by Sammy Strain, formerly with Little Anthony & The Imperials. Strain returned to his former group in 1993 and was replaced by Nathaniel Best. After the departure in 1995 of Nathaniel Best, Eddie Levert, Sr. and Walter Williams, Sr. reached out to Eric Nolan Grant, a gifted vocalist who was already a part of the group’s extended Cleveland-based musical family. Their chart-topping album “Love You To Tears” marked Grant’s first appearance with the group. Says Eddie, “Eric was the ideal person for the O’Jays, because he was used to working within a group. He was really a shoo-in and he fit perfectly. With his addition, we have been able to keep our performances at a level that we’re used to having stage-wise and in the studio.”
That’s It!!!! Check them out this weekend!! I will see YOU there!!
IN SELMA…THIS WEEKEND – SELMA BRIDGE CROSSING JUBILEE – This year’s jubilee activities include a workshop by Rev. William Barber II, leader of North Carolina’s Moral Monday Movement, as well as the Unity Breakfast, many festivities and the pilgrimage across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
The 49th commemoration kicks off on Thursday March 6th with a traditional
mass meeting at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma with speaker
Rev. William Barber, head of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference
and leader of North Carolina’s Moral Mondays Movement.
Other events over the four days include: a music and street festival with live entertainment and vendors, the annual Unity Breakfast with a featured guest speaker; the Freedom Flame Awards honoring heroes from the past and those continuing in the legacy of past heroes, including actor Lou Gossett, Jr. and former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin; an Education summit, a Youth Summit and the annual re-enactment of the Bridge Crossing. TODAY… NIGHT OUT AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART, 5-9 p.m. with the featured
event at 6 p.m. – Eugene Delacroix: The Last of the Great Artists of the
Renaissance and the First Modern. Then stroll the galleries as you eat tapas,
have a glass of wine or participate in the beer tasting and enjoy the live music
by Muscle Shoals band THE VALLEY ROOTS.
FRIDAY…
**FRIDAY AFTER WORK, 4-9 p.m. at 25 West Oxmoor Road, Suite 26. Call (205)
572-1295 for more.
SATURDAY….
**SPRING BAZAAR, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at The Church, 300 Fourth Court North, 35204. Join the fun with lots of food, balloons for the children, music for everyone. Bring a friend to the Saint Paul AME Church with Reverend Ronald D. Sterling Pastor. Call (205) 251-9438 for more.
**INVEST IN YOURSELF, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the CBF Ministries International, 9094 Rear Parkway East Birmingham, Ala. 35206. The Women Who Win Ministry of CBF Ministries International invites you to share in a One Day Empowerment Experience. Come and “Invest In Yourself” on May 8, 2014. Enjoy and experience powerful breakout sessions, panel discussions, various vendor sales, breakfast and lunch, the soulful sounds of Gospel Recording Artist Marquita Anthony, an impactful impartation from Best Selling Author Vanessa Davis Griggs and a word from God from our guest speaker, President & CEO of Pinky Promise, Heather Lindsey. You do not want to miss this event. It will be an encounter to remember. For more call (205) 240-6559.
**ALGEBRA ALBUM RELEASE PARTY, 8:30 p.m. at Crescendo Bar and Lounge hosted by TASHA SIMONE with a performance from DANI with AMPLIFIED NOIZ. Call (205) 254-7800 for more.
MONDAY…
**UNITE TO FIGHT-THE CARAVAN FOR DEMOCRACY: FROM THE STATE CAPITALS TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL – The Saving Our Selves Movement for Justice and Democracy will leave the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma at 8 a.m. stopping for rallies at state capitols in Montgomery, Ala., Atlanta, Ga., Columbia, S.C., Raleigh, N.C. and Richmond Va. converging in Washington, D.D. on Wednesday March 12 at the U. S. Supreme Court and then march to the U.S. Capital. The march will culminate in a rally that protests the Supreme Court’s adverse Decision on voting rights and urges Congress to fully restore the Voting Rights Act. For details about the campaign go to www.sosmovement.net/marching-to-the-50th or go to www.bcjubilee.org.
COMING….SOON….
MARCH 13 – UNWIND WITH VULCAN AND 2014 COLLECTORS – Join the fun after-hours and unwind with Vulcan. Explore the museum, mingle with friends, and enjoy cocktails and refreshments as the sun sets over Birmingham. At 6 p.m. there is a unique program exploring the people, places and events that have shaped our dynamic city. In celebration of the 110th Anniversary of Vulcan’s creation, Vulcan® Park and Museum is proud to present Birmingham Collectors, our exploration of the art of buying and selling Vulcan and Birmingham historical keepsakes. The program features Graham Boettcher of the Birmingham Museum of Art, Jim Reed of Jim Reed Books, Steve Gilmer of What’s on 2nd and Greg Hodges of Hodges and Associates sharing their adventures in the fine art of collecting. Gather tricks of the trade from these local collectors and see selections of their most interesting finds. Special Guest: 15-year old “picker” Henry Kilpatrick of Magic City Finds, who The New York Times recently profiled. You are invited to bring your own Vulcan, Birmingham or Alabama items to share.
MARCH 15 – EIGHTH ANNUAL FITNESS N MOTION 5K RUN/WALK & HEALTH FAIR, 8 – 11 a.m. at Faith Chapel. Register at www.fitnessnmotion.org.
MARCH 16 – SUNDAY GOSPEL BRUNCH, 12 – 4 p.m. at the Boutwell Auditorium. The Birmingham Sunday Gospel Brunch is the place to go to enjoy live gospel music with a full soul food buffet! The monthly event will be held on the third Sunday of each month starting March 16. Guests are welcome anytime during the show and the headliner performs at 1:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy local gospel talent while feasting on your favorite southern entrees like made to order omelets, mimosas, and chicken and waffles!
For more information, visit bhamsundaygospelbrunch.eventbrite.com
MARCH 31 – SPECIAL EXHIBITION BASEBALL GAME – Miles College Plays the Barons in Exhibition Game – Birmingham Barons will play the Miles College Baseball Team in an special exhibition game at Regions Field on Monday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Dr. George T. French, Jr., President of Miles College will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch. This exhibition game has taken place in the past. However, this game is due in part to the growth and expansion of Miles College. “The growth”, says President French “is aimed at providing additional opportunities for Miles College students and strengthening Fairfield, Birmingham and surrounding communities.” All seats are general admission and open to the public. Tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased from any member of the Miles College Baseball Team or the Business Office. Regions Field is located at 1400 1st Avenue South, Birmingham, AL. For more information call 205-929-1473.
APRIL 13 – LIL BOOSIE with the ‘Touch Down to Cause Hell Tour,’ 8 p.m. at the BJCC Arena.
NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR FEBRUARY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MRS. HELEN M. LEWIS, JO HOOKS AND GWENDOLYN ENGLISH! …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)
BIRMINGHAM – The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Birmingham is pleased to announce the O’Jays will perform Saturday, March 8, at their annual Masked Ball at the Sheraton Hotel Ballroom. The group, originally from Canton, Ohio, is known for such R&B hits as “Stairway to Heaven,” “Family Reunion,” “Love Train” and “For the Love of Money.”
“The O’Jays are one of the premier R&B groups of all time and it will be a great way to close out another dynamic fundraising year for UNCF Birmingham,” said UNCF Area Development Director Walvid King.
This year’s program will also feature the presentation of the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to retiring Alabama Power CEO Charles McCrary. The Masked Ball is one of the Magic City’s premier social occasions and leading black-tie fundraisers of the year. Additional event features include a masked auction and presentation, reception, parade of stars and elegant dining. Birmingham Water Works Board Vice President Sherry Lewis will serve as the chairwoman of this 2014 event. Mayor William A. Bell Sr. is an honorary chairman.
UNCF leadership has set a 2014 event fundraising goal of $500,000. Proceeds will allow UNCF to extend thousands of dollars in support of students from Alabama, helping them to pursue a college education. More than 1,000 supporters were in attendance at the 2013 event.
Key sponsors of this year’s event include Alabama Power, ARCADIS, ACIPCO, Birmingham Airport Authority, Birmingham Mayor’s Office and City Council, Regions Bank, Mercedes-Benz International and The Lewis Group. For sponsorship or individual ticket inquiries, please contact the UNCF Birmingham office at 205-322-8623 or email walvid.king@uncf.org<mailto:walvid.king@uncf.org>. You can also visit online at give.uncf.org/Birmingham. Ticket purchases are tax-deductible.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Academy Award® nominated actress Taraji P. Henson has been chosen to host BET’s #1 gospel music special, “Celebration of Gospel.” The multi-talented Taraji takes over the role as Steve Harvey, king of comedy and all things media, ends his historic 13-year run. Taraji will bring her own charming and high voltage personality to the stage as the best singers in gospel, R&B and pop music come together for one powerful night of television.
“I am thrilled to join the BET “Celebration of Gospel” family. I look forward to a great evening of incredible music and continuing the rich history of BET and gospel music which started 14 years ago hosted by the talented and very funny Steve Harvey,” said Taraji Henson.
This year, “Celebration of Gospel” will feature even more captivating pairings between gospel and R&B artists including “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard, “Sunday Best” winner LeAndria Johnson, and soulful crooner Kem, who will join forces to raise the praise as a triumphant trio. Acoustic soul artist India.Arie will team up with Christian contemporary artist Jonathan McReynolds for a special performance. Female R&B group SWV and the renowned Rance Allen Group will also join together to anoint the crowd through song.
“Celebration of Gospel” will also offer dynamic duets by Donnie McClurkin and Tye Tribbett; Lalah Hathaway and Zacardi Cortez; and Chante Moore and Vashawn Mitchell. A touching tribute to gospel music pioneer Richard Smallwood and rousing spoken word pieces from Pastor Shirley Caesar and Dr. Bobby Jones will also highlight the night.
“Since its’ inception, ‘Celebration of Gospel’ has brought together the best voices from both the secular and gospel music worlds to give praise like only they can,” said President of Music Programming & Specials, Stephen Hill for BET Networks. “This year is no exception because at the end of the day, everyone’s roots are in gospel music. A gathering of powerful singers like these on one show can only happen on BET.”
Experience the life-changing power of gospel music with rousing, spirit-filled performances by powerhouses including Yolanda Adams, Erica Campbell, Hezekiah Walker, Tamela Mann, Tasha Cobbs, Detrick Haddon, J.J. Hairston, “Sunday Best” Season 6 winner Tasha Page-Lockhart and current “American Idol” Candice Glover. Additionally, NAACP Image Award winner, Charlie Wilson will share his testimony in a sanctified song titled “If I Believe” that’s sure to shift the atmosphere.
BET’s annual gospel music special, “Celebration of Gospel” tapes Saturday, March 15, at 7 p.m./PST at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, Calif., and will premiere on Sunday, April 6, at 8 p.m./EST.
Acquiring Tickets
Tickets to attend the taping are free to the public and are distributed on a first-come first-serve basis. To acquire tickets, please submit a request via email to COGrsvp@bet.net.
“Celebration of Gospel” is a BET Networks production and is executive produced by Stephen Hill, President of Music Programming & Specials, BET Networks, Lynne Harris Taylor, Vice President of Specials & Music Production BET Networks, and Geovanni Brewer.
Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag: #CelebrationofGospel; follow the show for all updates & special surprises @BETGospel. For more information on “Celebration of Gospel” visit www.bet.com/celebrationofgospel. Viewers can also find updates on Facebook by liking the fan pages at http://www.facebook.com/BETGospel.
