Secret Keeper Girls Crazy Hair Tour comes to Trussville, teaches girls to love who they are

January 23, 2014

By Jessica Jones

If it looks like the girls of today are growing up faster than girls a few generations ago, it could be because they are. Many girls are exposed every day to images of slim figured girls and women dressed in clothing that leaves little or nothing to the imagination. There are now crop tops made for preteens and mini skirt, fish net, high heel-wearing dolls are marketed to girls who are a long way away from puberty.
Whether or not the problem is lax parenting or media taking advantage of children is debatable, but what isn’t is the fact that girls are mimicking what they see and hear in the media, and the negative effects are far-reaching.
With the destructive effects of childhood in mind, Dannah Gresh’s Secret Keeper Girls Crazy Hair Tour – coming to Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Trussville on Jan. 25 – is spearheading the mission of promoting girls to wear age appropriate clothing and encouraging healthy self-image as well as build a bond between mothers and daughters.
“We like to say that a Secret Keeper Girl is a masterpiece created by God,” said Gresh, creator of the event, and author of the book of the same name. “Everybody is all about showing everything off, mentally, emotionally and physically and a [Secret Keeper Girl] is a young woman who is confident enough to say I know my value. I don’t need to prove it, and so she’s very culturally different.”
To demonstrate the importance of modesty the event features an exercise called ‘Truth or Bare,’ a fashion test for girls to determine if their clothes are a reasonable and modest fit.
As a mother of young girls, building a relationship with her own daughter helped her discover her calling for addressing the issues that girls face today. The importance of fostering good relationships between mothers and daughters is essential for young girls to have positive self-image.
“One of the factors in social research is parent-child connectedness,”Gresh said. “When mother and daughter are deeply connected, connected enough that they can talk about things, they’re not afraid to talk about issues of sexuality and beauty and insecurity and boys. There’s hardly a teenager out there that says ‘hey mom, wanna be friends?’ You have to develop that relationship when she’s younger. So you have to go in there when she’s in those teen years, get so deeply connected that that connection maintains itself to the more difficult teenage years.”
Gresh came to the conclusion that modesty was a topic that needed to be addressed among preteens and tweens when her research showed the risks for girls who wear clothes that aren’t appropriate.
“My research at the time was on sexual risk of teenagers and what increases the age when they have their first sexual debut,” Gresh said. Her research showed that girls who wear age inappropriate clothing and make up at an early age are more likely to engage in sexual activity sooner. This discovery led her to the idea of being able to spread what she had seen work in the lives of her and her daughter.
“So I realized dressing in an age appropriate way was really a safety mechanism for my daughter, and I wanted to apply that to her life and the doors just opened for me to share that vision with other moms as well,” she said.
This year’s theme for the tour is crazy hair. Girls are encouraged to come to the event wearing their craziest, most outrageous hairstyle that expresses who they are.
“With hair, makeup, clothing and branding, we all kind of want to be the same, and so being able to come to a place where you can say you know I’m confident in who I am and I’m going to be crazy tonight,” Gresh said. Gresh said the crazy hair theme for this tour is a teaching tool that allows girls to truly be themselves and shows them their worth through their individuality.
In one of her recent books, Gresh writes about how creativity and imagination are harmed by toys and video games. Gresh hopes to combat this and encourage creativity instead.
“Anything that allows creativity is good,” she said. “50 years ago kids weren’t confined by a certain kind of play because they had a toy that told them, ‘these are the rules and this is how it works.’ They would go outside and they would make something up.”
This, Gresh said, is essential to a young girl’s development of self-governance and decision making.
“Research has shown that that helps muscle up the prefrontal cortex of the brain which is where self-control and executive function are controlled,” Gresh said. So any time a girl is faced with an opportunity to create and problem solve or play make believe, you’re teaching her self-control. You’re teaching her the art of executive function.”
While the goal is to teach girls how to carry themselves, the teaching isn’t overwhelming or preachy; it’s engaging and interactive. Gresh describes the experience as “the most fun mom and dad are ever going to have together, and it’s definitely the most fun a mom and dad are ever going to have in church.”
“There are games mother-daughter show downs, giant beach balls confetti cannons, crazy hair dance offs where we take them not only through fashion, but the crazy hairstyles of the decade,” she said. “They’re going to have so much fun, but they’re also going to be confronted with some really good cultural questions about their value.”
Self-regard and self-esteem building exercises are the focal point of the event during which girls will ask themselves important questions.
“Is this going to make me beautiful or am I going to believe that the way God made me is beautiful,” Gresh said. “I don’t have to conform to the crowd. I can be just how I was created and that’s enough.”
Society has trained society to view a certain thing as beautiful, Gresh said, and her goal is to change that by teaching acceptance for all body types.
“The reason we think a certain type of girl is beautiful is because that’s how our culture has trained us,” she said. “The sad thing about that is you can go all through history and all through every culture and find that because they’ve been told that something is beautiful, they’ll do something stupid and drastic. We’re coming up against the American standard of beauty that tells you you have to weigh negative zero to be beautiful. That’s just not true.”
Mothers might debate whether to tell their girls they’re beautiful regardless of how they look or tell them beauty doesn’t matter at all, but for Gresh one extreme over the other isn’t her aim.
“I think either extreme is unhealthy,” she said. “I’m leery when our backlash from one unhealthy trend is to go entirely in the other direction. I think moms can be hyper focused on beauty and she can be constantly telling her daughter she’s beautiful and constantly getting her to exercise that beauty by taking care of her hair and clothes and all that stuff, but I think the other extreme to ignore beauty is as unhealthy. We are a culture that appreciates beauty and I think God created us to appreciate beauty and I think it’s perfectly okay to appreciate it. We just can’t be fixated on it.”
Fixated is exactly what some girls are, particularly those who strive to obtain a “thigh gap” – a gap between the upper thighs when standing with the feet and knees touching – or the latest unhealthy body trend, the “bikini bridge,” a space created between a bikini bottom and the wearer’s body caused by protruding hip bones.
These dangerous fads that girls desire to have go beyond being a mindless follower of a trend, Gresh said.
“They are a cry out for this generation that they need help,” she said. I think there are a few bodies here and there, especially young bodies who can make a natural bikini bridge, but all in all if your hips are sticking out that far, it’s probably because you’ve starved yourself.” The same is true for the thigh gap,” she said. Some, because of their bone structure, have a natural thigh gap, but for the rest she said, “Their thighs were made to be friends. They were made to meet.”
The message that body trends sends is destructive, she said.
“We’re saying that skinny – and not just skinny, but starved skinny – is beautiful, and that’s a message that we don’t want any daughter to embrace,” Gresh said.
What Gresh does want young girls to embrace is their individuality.
“You don’t have to be like anyone else,” she said. “Normal is overrated. Be crazy.”
Secret Keeper Girls Crazy Hair Tour will be at Clearbranch United Methodist Church in Trussville, on Jan. 25 from 6 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Tickets purchased on or before Jan. 24 are $15, $20 after. For tickets and more information please visit http://secretkeepergirl.com.

Girl Friday

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Local entrepreneur Jasmine Allen has recently founded a new company, Girl Friday.
Girl Friday is a local business based in Birmingham, Alabama focusing on Private Concierge and Personal Assistant Services.
Girl Friday offers individualized services and assistance to anyone wishing there were more hours in the day and for those that need extra help whether elderly, post‐surgical, or nanny services.
Her passion and entrepreneurial spirit stems from her parents, Larry and Lynda Allen, owners of Rhino Agency and producers of what was once the largest multicultural festival in the Southeast, The
Birmingham Heritage Festival.
Instilled with the aspirations of successful entrepreneurs, Allen set out to create a company to provide affordable, dependable services to anyone who would benefit from an extra set of hands, an errand crossed off their list, or more regular help.
These personal providers, otherwise known as concierges, are no longer luxury hotel service providers for the 1 percent. Girl Friday offers customizable and need‐based services, with a wide variety of
offerings such as childcare, event planning, errands, housecleaning, pet‐setting, personal shopping, home and office assistance, personal organization, post‐surgical care, elderly assistance and
just about any other service a client may need.
Allen says the best part about this service is that you don’t have to have a six‐figure income to afford Girl Friday. Their guiding principles include dependability, flexibility, reasonable pricing, and no contracts.
Girl Friday offers services for a few hours a week, or a month, completely customized to each customer’s needs. Imagine a stress‐free day spending more time doing what you love while we take care of the rest.
And that is Girl Friday’s ultimate goal, to give the gift of time.
To learn more about Girl Friday Private Concierge and Personal Assistant services, visit their website at:
girlfridaybirmingham.com, follow them on Facebook, or call directly at 205.719.9019.

Celebrate 20 in ’14 Event Looks to Eradicate Illiteracy

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Better Basics, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit United Way agency dedicated to improving literacy through school-day, afterschool, and summer learning programs, will commemorate its twentieth anniversary at the Celebrate 20 in ’14 dinner event. The event, which will honor partners who have made a significant impact on the growth and sustainability of the organization, will be held on February 20, at The Club in Homewood. A reception and silent auction begins at 6 p.m. followed by the dinner and program which begins at 7 p.m.
Former NBA and University of Alabama basketball star, Ennis Whatley will be the featured speaker. Ennis is a graduate of Phillips High School in Birmingham who led The University of Alabama’s basketball team to a Sweet 16 appearance in the 1982 NCAA Tournament before playing 10 seasons in the NBA. Now an inspirational speaker, he struggled through school until college, when he discovered the importance of reading and education. His message truly resonates with the mission of Better Basics.
Tickets for the celebration event are $75 each or $1,000 for a table of eight. You may purchase tickets through the website, www.betterbasics.org, or mail a check to 211 Summit Parkway, Suite 108, Birmingham, Alabama 35209. For questions, please email events@betterbasics.org or call 205- 944-2928.
The proceeds from the Celebrate 20 in ’14 event will support Better Basics’ full range of literacy programs in area public schools. Last year, Better Basics served more than 19,000 students and gave away almost 40,000 books to children who might not otherwise have books in their homes.
“Better Basics is honored to have the support of people who are truly concerned about furthering literacy in our community,” said Karen Kapp, Executive Director of Better Basics. “By helping children develop a life-long love of reading, we truly can increase the high school graduation rate in Alabama, create a well-educated workforce, and decrease both the number of inmates in Alabama prisons and the number of welfare recipients,” said Kapp.
The event will honor partners who played a significant role in the growth of Better Basics over its 20 year history. Those being honored include: John and Jane Glasser, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Doug Shook, Sue Seay, The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Junior League of Birmingham, United Way of Central Alabama, Daniel Foundation, Susan Mott Webb Charitable Trust, Robert R Meyer Foundation, Jemison Investments, Joseph S. Bruno Foundation, Alabama Power, Protective Life, Vulcan Materials, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Jim Stephens, Rotaract Club of Birmingham, Bruce and Ida Dunbar, Eldridge Turner, Alabama State Department of Education, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Children’s Literacy Guild, Comer Foundation, Hugh Kaul Foundation, Appalachian Regional Commission, Independent Presbyterian Church Foundation, Belk Foundation, Mike and Gillian Goodrich Foundation, John Brown, William Porter, Kym Prewitt, Malcolm Miller, Casey Thompson, Fay Fontenot, and Trenton Ellison.
Better Basics provides literacy intervention, enrichment programs and educational opportunities for elementary- and middle-school students throughout Alabama. These programs empower students as they progress along the learning continuum, from reading to comprehension to retention, while infusing literature into their homes and exposing them to multi-cultural arts and enrichment programs. Based in Birmingham, Ala., Better Basics is a recognized authority on childhood literacy. For more information, please visit www.betterbasics.org.

One Man’s Opinion

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

Birmingham will become a greater city
by Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.

Please note that I did not say that Birmingham would eventually become a great city. I said, in plain and simple terms it is a great and will become a greater city. We all know to maintain greatness you must continuously improve on what you have; for example, if you had success one day you cannot sit on your laurels and assume you’re going to have success the following day, in other words, you have to work at it.
Last week I received an e-mail from someone in the advertising business that listed four or five different reasons why Birmingham would never be a great city. I have no problem with people making a statement on how bad things are, if they make another statement saying here’s what we can do. It is easy to state a problem, it is hard to give a solution.
A couple of things that the writer of the negative article said was that the City of Birmingham lost 30,000 residents in the past three or four years, and that they had the worst school system in the state of Alabama. Everyone should know that you cannot have a great city with losing residents and a terrible education system.
Both of these two concerns can be fixed, and I am thoroughly convinced that they will be fixed. Credit is due in part to the Mayor of Birmingham and the City Council all on board and moving in the right direction. They both understand the problem and are working together to fix it.
We all know that politicians frequently have their own personal agenda. This is true on a national level, state level, and also true on a city level. We know that we must fix the educational system; we know that all criminal activity must be reduced to zero. We know that we have to rebuild communities like Titusville, Smithfield, Collegeville and West End so that people will be willing to invest into their home and feel safe in their environment.

We also realize another important thing is that we must make available to all of our citizens job opportunities.

I have always contended that Black people cannot afford to be equal, in other words we cannot say that the Mayor of the City of Birmingham is as good as the mayors of Hoover, Vestavia, or some other surrounding cities. And we cannot afford to say that the city council is equal to all of the surrounding cities. We have to say that they are better and then we must prove it.
The only people who forget they’re Black are Black folks, this statement was true in the 1700s; it was true in the 1800s; it was true in the 1900s; and it is true today January 23, 2014. My guess would be that it will be true in 2064. We are always under scrutiny, and we are held to a different standard. The Mayor of the City of Birmingham and the city council cannot make any decisions that will appear to be on the wrong side of the law.
The Mayor or the city council must scrutinize all contracts and all employment to make sure they bring the best qualified people to do the task based on the requirements.
We are aware of the fact that everyone who is fired or given the opportunity to resign or retire, they immediately become consultants. They have no expertise, no qualifications and have no state, city, or county license. I don’t care if it’s your brother, sister, cousin, worked in your campaign or a personal friend, they should not be hired.
Running the city is a business and you cannot run anything with unqualified folks. Keep in mind that very rarely you will get any positive press because the media does not believe in reporting positive events. They take the same approach as Fox News, it has to be negative or it doesn’t sell. Incidentally Fox News is the most negative communication company in the world and they have more audience and make more money than anyone else.
Most of the media understands this process. For example John Archibald from one of the newspapers wrote an article last week wherein he discusses the fee that the Lewis Group makes from the The Birmingham Water Works Board. I received more e-mails from that article than I ever had before, and most of them stated that John Archibald was a racist and believed that Black people should not make minimum wage.
I personally do not believe he is a racist or thinks that anyone of color should make below minimum wage. What I believe and what I know are two different things. This is what I know: John covered his story like he covers most things, half true. The truth about the fee is exactly right, but what he did not say is in the scope of services we render to the Water Works Board. Our fee for doing this is 2/3 less than the previous marketing persons and our scope of services twice as much, we have four people assigned to this account. All he had to do was get out of his office and go to the board meeting where they voted on this contract. I happen to believe that writers are notoriously lazy and they would like to write an article but not move from the desk. They would like to send you a letter requesting information which they already have hoping you say something so that they can contradict your statement.
I have no knowledge of Mr. Archibald’s salary, I am assuming it is more than minimum wage. Everything I’ve said proved my own point, Black people cannot afford to do anything that is illegal, nor can they afford to be equal. I will put my marketing skills up against anybody in America who is in the same kind of business we are in, and I’m confident I will not come in second, third, fourth or fifth place, I would come in higher.

email: jjlewis@birminghamtimes.com

Republicans Have Nothing of Substance to Offer the Poor

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

Last week, Republicans marked the 50th anniversary of Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty by denouncing it as an abject failure. Rep. Steve Southerland (R-FL), performed a mathematical sleight of hand in declaring that “more people are living in poverty than ever before.”
The National Review, the intellectual standard bearer of movement conservatism, published an editorial relying on the same deceptive math. (Yes, more people are living in poverty, but the percentage is lower. The population has grown in the last half-century.) House Speaker John Boehner rushed to agree with those analyses.
But the more interesting assaults came from a handful of young Turks, including Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), who understand that the GOP needs to change its image to reflect more charity and compassion toward the less fortunate. They presented familiar criticisms of government intervention on behalf of the poor while also promising they would introduce better solutions.
If only they were sincere. As the United States — like the rest of the industrialized world — grapples with structural economic changes that are hollowing out the middle class, its leaders desperately need to come up with new ideas to help struggling Americans maintain a decent standard of living. Unfortunately, Republicans have next to nothing to offer.
Take Rubio’s speech. His proposals were warmed-over Republican rhetoric from the last three decades, including the oft-repeated complaint that poor people are impoverished because they refuse to get married. He might as well have been Dan Quayle in 1992, railing against the fictional out-of-wedlock mother Murphy Brown.
“The truth is, the greatest tool to lift children and families from poverty is one that decreases the probability of child poverty by 82 percent. But it isn’t a government spending program. It’s called marriage,” he said.
This argument makes me crazy. I’m a huge fan of the institution because of the many benefits a good marriage bestows: intimacy, companionship, stability. But it does not solve poverty. Suggesting it does is a logical fallacy — confusing cause and correlation.

Differences in Rich and Poor Nations

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

Have you ever wondered why some nations are rich and others are impoverished? This dilemma has posed challenges for years, leading to hundreds of studies and scores of books.
Various researchers have approached the problem in different ways. But four major causative factors have emerged over time. They are productivity and technology, institutions, natural resources, and personal freedoms.
Productivity, defined as output per man hour, is a crucial determinant of the wealth of a nation. Higher productivity means more can be produced by a given population.
Technology is the source of productivity. Technological advances make it possible to produce more with less. And societies that quickly adapt new technological breakthroughs tend to be more productive.
Institutions such as governmental systems also help explain the wealth gap. The institution of private property—critical to economic growth and development—protects the rights of property owners. In like manner, political stability is vital.
Government can also play a role by establishing the broad boundaries of competition. It must be willing to take action to prevent market failures such as unfair competitive practices and to provide essential public services.
Government, however, must not become overly involved in the activities of society. An overreaching and bureaucratic government can cause impoverishment among its citizens.
That all nations are not created equal in terms of natural resources explains why some nations are wealthier than others. An abundance of natural resources will not of itself cause a nation to be rich—witness the poor Latin American nations—but it will certainly increase the potential for economic growth. At the same time, a lack of natural resources does not automatically seal the fate of a nation.
In this arena, our nation is blessed. It has two vast coastlines, millions of acres of fertile soil, huge mineral deposits, vast forests, thousands of miles of navigable rivers, and a temperate climate
The final consideration is personal freedom, a vital component of the rich nation-poor nation equation. This refers not only to freedom of enterprise but also encompasses freedom of expression, freedom of the press, religious freedom, and political freedom. Freer nations have, over time, developed into wealthier nations. By promoting the capabilities of individuals, society is the ultimate beneficiary.
_____
Wayne Curtis, Ph.D., is a former superintendent of Alabama banks and Troy University business school dean. He is retired from the board of directors of First United Security Bank. Email him at wccurtis39@gmail.com.

Unified local agenda sets foundation for progress

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

by Senator Rodger Smitherman
The 2014 session of the Alabama Legislature began last week, and for the first time in recent years, there is a unified Birmingham agenda that represents many of the issues that can assist in moving our region forward.
Earlier this month, Birmingham leaders including Mayor William A. Bell Sr., Council President Johnathan Austin, the City Council, School Board, Transit Authority and Water Board came together and presented a Legislative Agenda that addresses education, economic development, utilities, transit and quality of life. As the state Senator representing more than 65 percent of the voters in Birmingham, I can gain strength in Montgomery by the unity among my constituents at home.
I am pleased with the unified agenda for several reasons. First of all, in order for our region to thrive, we must be poised to take advantage of the current trends for economic growth that are impacting our country at this time. This means we should give existing and new businesses the tools they need to enhance the production of goods and services so that they can put more of our Birmingham residents to work. At the same time, we must support changes in the delivery of education that will better equip traditional and none traditional students for competitive employment.
When we have greater success in education and in economic development, we reach the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life in Birmingham and surrounding communities.
Some may wonder why it is so important to build a better Birmingham with more jobs and improved education. Look at the numbers.
About 1.2 million people live in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area that includes more than 440,000 households spread out over six counties. Our region has been dubbed the Silicon Valley of the Southeast by Network World. Another publication, Livability, says that Birmingham is one the top 10 places in the country to retire. There are great things happening here, and we want to see even more.
For too long, Birmingham and central Alabama have been stymied by division among the leaders of government. The mayor and city council have set the foundation by displaying and supporting a united front.
This is the best route to continued success for the total region, and it is a route that can lead to a productive 2014 session of the Alabama Legislature for our region.

Letter to the Editor

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

Dear Editor,
As you probably heard, the Foster Farms chicken slaughterhouse in California was recently shut down due to a cockroach infestation. If that’s not enough to put you off chicken, consider this: Chicken flesh is commonly contaminated with salmonella—the same bacteria that cockroaches can carry—as well as listeria, campylobacter, and E. coli.
According to Michael Greger, M.D., the author of Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching, chicken “juice” is essentially raw fecal soup. Chicken carcasses are so contaminated that University of Arizona researchers found more fecal bacteria in the kitchen than they found when swabbing a toilet. Greger even thinks it might be “safer” to lick the rim of the toilet seat than the kitchen countertop in a meat-eater’s house, because people don’t prepare chickens in their toilets.
Chicken flesh just isn’t healthy. It contains the same amount of cholesterol as beef and it’s high in sodium, which contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, and other heart problems. Researchers have also found that people who frequently eat grilled skinless chicken have a 52 percent higher chance of developing bladder cancer than people who don’t.
But don’t despair if you like the taste of chicken – you can get great-tasting faux chicken from Beyond Meat, Gardein, Boca, and other vegan-friendly companies. For more information, see www.PETA.org.
Sincerely,
Heather Moore The PETA Foundation 501 Front St. Norfolk, VA 23510 757-622-7382, ext. 8106

INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

By Steve Flowers

It looks like our good doctor Gov. Robert Bentley will escape a serious challenge to his reelection bid this year. The GOP primary, which is tantamount to election in a statewide race in the Heart of Dixie, is less than five months away. If Gov. Bentley were going to get a significant opponent they would have surfaced by now. In fact, in order to mount a credible race, an opponent would have to have started at least six months ago and raised over a million dollars. That probably would not have been enough. Bentley’s favorability and reelection polling numbers are out of the roof.

It appeared early on that legislative races and more specifically intraparty GOP battles for those seats would be the marquee matchup. There will be some but less than first expected. In addition, the legislative lines are drawn in a fashion to take advantage of the partisan proclivities in the state. Therefore, the state legislature, both House and Senate, are poised to remain in GOP control, probably by a two to one super majority status.

Indeed, when the dust settles in November, Alabama will still have 31 out of 31 statewide offices held by Republicans along with a two to one super majority legislative grip on state government. Our delegates in Washington will also remain six to one in the House as well as both U.S. Senators. It has gone under the radar screen that Sen. Jeff Sessions is up for election. He will not have to break a sweat to garner another term. It looks like the Heart of Dixie is also the heart and soul of the Republican Party.

When the legislature fell to Republican control in the 2010 elections, it was widely written and said that the legislature was the last bastion of Democratic dominance in the state. To quote Lee Corso, not so fast my friend. There is one last corner of state politics that the GOP hierarchy wants to capture and that is the office of sheriff.

The sheriff’s offices are high on the GOP agenda for 2014. They are targeting 26 counties, 18 of those target counties are strong Republican counties. Most of the key counties they are eyeing are in North Alabama. In 12 of the potential takeover counties, Gov. Bentley received over 60% of the vote in 2010.

The top 10 focus counties that the GOP has on the takeover hit list are Cleburne, Marshall, Limestone, Lamar, Escambia, Marion, Randolph, Walker, Fayette and Clay. Calhoun County was on the GOP primary hit list. However, Calhoun Sheriff Larry Amerson decided it was better to switch parties than fight. Amerson switched to the GOP late last year. He will seek reelection as a Republican.

In 2010 Bentley received over 70% of the vote in Cleburne, Marshall and Fayette. The GOP gubernatorial nominee got over 65% in Limestone, Lamar and Marion. Bentley got over 60% in Clay, Escambia, Randolph, Lauderdale and Walker. Also on the radar screen for GOP sheriff takeover are Jackson, Washington, Monroe and Franklin counties. These sheriff races along with some high profile legislative contests may be the best shows in town this year.

If Robert Bentley remains as governor, as is expected, some might suggest that you may as well move the state capital to Tuscaloosa. The Druid City lays claim to having the governor, as well as our Senior U.S. Senator, Richard Shelby. In addition, they have Congressman Robert Aderholt, who sits on appropriations as their U.S. Representative and State Representative Bill Poole who now chairs the House Education Budget Committee.

Both Shelby and Tuscaloosa counties claim Dr. Bentley as their own. He was born and raised in Columbiana in Shelby County but spent his entire adult life practicing medicine in Tuscaloosa. Therefore, when counting governors and their home counties, where do you place him? If it is Tuscaloosa, then that gives them three governors. If you give him to Shelby, he is their only one.

No county in the state compares to Barbour County. It is the Home of Governors. They can boast of being the home of eight Alabama governors. Their list includes John Gill Shorter, William Jelks, Braxton Bragg Comer, Charles McDowell, Chauncey Sparks, Jere Beasley, Lurleen Wallace and Alabama’s most prolific governor, George Wallace. Ironically, the county is appropriately named for a governor, James Barbour, who was Governor of Virginia.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears weekly in more than 70 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

The 45th NAACP Image Awards Nominees Announced

Birmingham Times

January 23, 2014

PASADENA, Calif. – The nominees for The 45th NAACP Image Awards were announced during a live press conference at the TV One presentation to the Television Critics Association during its Winter 2014 Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif. David Oyelowo (“Lee Daniels’ ‘The Butler’”), Joe Morton (ABC’s “Scandal”), Keke Palmer (VH1’s “CrazySexyCool”), Bresha Webb (TV One’s “Love That Girl”) and Gina Torres (USA’s “Suits”) announced the categories and nominees with NAACP Image Awards Committee Chairman, Leonard James and President and CEO of TV One, Alfred Liggins.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. Winners will be voted upon by NAACP members and announced when the envelopes are opened on Friday, February 21 during the Awards Ceremony for non-televised categories. The remaining categories will be announced LIVE on stage during the two-hour star-studded TV One telecast on Saturday, February 22 (9 p.m. ET/PT tape-delayed). The telecast will also include a one-hour pre-show airing live from the red carpet (8 p.m. ET/PT tape-delayed).  BET and CBS lead the nominees in the TV categories with 19 and 16 nominations respectively, followed by ABC with 15 nominations and HBO with 13 nominations. In the recording category, RCA leads with 10 nominations, followed by Atlantic Records with eight nominations and Columbia Pictures with seven nominations. In the motion picture category, The Weinstein Company leads with 17 nominations, followed by Fox Searchlight Pictures with seven nominations.
“This has been an incredible year from the artistic community, with phenomenal contributions across the board from the music, television, motion picture, and literature genres that have the power and impact to drive social change,” stated Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP. “The NAACP Image Awards provides an excellent venue to recognize those who make a difference through art and activism, and we are excited to honor and celebrate this caliber of talent.”
“The Image Awards recognize the best that communities of color have to offer and is an exciting addition to our programming line-up – TV One is pleased to showcase all of these achievements on our network,” stated Liggins.
Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. The organization’s half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities and monitor equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.
The 45th NAACP Image Awards are sponsored by: UAW–Chrysler, FedEx, AT&T, Hyundai Motor America, Gilead Sciences, Wells Fargo, Ford Motor Company, Pepsico and Southwest Airlines.

Following is the list of categories and nominees for the 45TH NAACP Image Awards:

TELEVISION
Outstanding Comedy Series
·         “House of Lies” (Showtime)
·         “Modern Family” (ABC)
·         “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         “The Game” (BET)
·         “The Soul Man” (TV Land)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
·         Andre Braugher – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (FOX)
·         Cedric The Entertainer – “The Soul Man” (TV Land)
·         Don Cheadle – “House of Lies” (Showtime)
·         Dulé Hill – “Psych” (USA Network)
·         Kevin Hart – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
·         Aisha Tyler – “Archer” (FX Networks)
·         Mindy Kaling – “The Mindy Project” (FOX)
·         Niecy Nash – “The Soul Man” (TV Land)
·         Tasha Smith – “Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse” (OWN)
·         Wendy Raquel Robinson – “The Game” (BET)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
·         Boris Kodjoe – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         Jerry “J B Smoove” Brooks – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         Morris Chestnut – “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
·         Nick Cannon – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” (BET)
·         Tracy Morgan – “30 Rock” (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
·         Anna Deavere Smith – “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
·         Brandy Norwood – “The Game” (BET)
·         Nia Long – “House of Lies” (Showtime)
·         Rashida Jones – “Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
·         Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family” (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series
·         “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
·         “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         “Scandal” (ABC)
·         “The Good Wife” (CBS)
·         “Treme” (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
·         James Pickens, Jr. – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         LL Cool J – “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)
·         Michael Ealy – “Almost Human” (FOX)
·         Shemar Moore – “Criminal Minds” (CBS)
·         Wendell Pierce – “Treme” (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
·         Chandra Wilson – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         Kerry Washington – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Khandi Alexander – “Treme” (HBO)
·         Nicole Beharie – “Sleepy Hollow” (FOX)
·         Regina King – “SouthLAnd” (TNT)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
·         Columbus Short – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Guillermo Diaz – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Jeffrey Wright – “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
·         Joe Morton – “Scandal” (ABC)
·         Michael Kenneth Williams – “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
·         Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife” (CBS)
·         Debbie Allen – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
·         Diahann Carroll – “White Collar” (USA)
·         Taraji P. Henson – “Person of Interest” (CBS)
·         Vanessa L. Williams – “666 Park Avenue” (ABC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
·         “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
·         “Betty & Coretta” (Lifetime)
·         “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” (VH1)
·         “Luther” (BBC America)
·         “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight” (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
·         Chiwetel Ejiofor – “Dancing on the Edge” (Starz)
·         Danny Glover – “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest (HBO)
·         Idris Elba – “Luther” (BBC America)
·         Malik Yoba – “Betty & Coretta” (Lifetime)
·         Omari Hardwick – “Being Mary Jane” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
·         Angela Bassett – “American Horror Story: Coven” (FX Networks)
·         Angela Bassett – “Betty & Coretta” (Lifetime)
·         Gabourey Sidibe – “American Horror Story: Coven” (FX Networks)
·         Gabrielle Union – “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
·         Keke Palmer – “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” (VH1)

Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
·         Aaron D. Spears – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Kristoff St. John – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Lawrence Saint Victor – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Redaric Williams – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Tequan Richmond – “General Hospital” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
·         Angell Conwell – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Christel Khalil – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
·         Karla Mosley – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Kristolyn Lloyd – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
·         Tatyana Ali – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)
·         “Justice for Trayvon” (BET)
·         “Mandela: Freedom’s Father” (BET)
·         “Oprah: Where Are They Now?” (OWN)
·         “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” (PBS)
·         “Unsung” (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series
·         “Oprah’s Lifeclass” (OWN)
·         “Oprah’s Next Chapter” (OWN)
·         “Steve Harvey” (Syndicated)
·         “The Arsenio Hall Show” (Syndicated)
·         “The Queen Latifah Show” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Series
·         “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)
·         “Shark Tank” (ABC)
·         “Sunday Best” (BET)
·         “The Voice” (NBC)
·         “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” (OWN)

Outstanding Variety Series or Special
·         “12 Years A Slave: A TV One Special with Cathy Hughes” (TV One)
·         “Black Girls Rock!” (BET)
·         “Key & Peele” (Comedy Central)
·         “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth” (HBO)
·         “Oprah’s Master Class” (OWN)

Outstanding Children’s Program
·         “2013 HALO Awards” (Nickelodeon/TeenNick)
·         “A.N.T. Farm” (Disney Channel)
·         “Dora the Explorer” (Nickelodeon)
·         “Postcards: Mandela” (The Africa Channel)
·         “Wynton Marsalis: A YoungArts MasterClass” (HBO)

Outstanding Performance in a Youth/ Children’s Program – (Series or Special)
·         China Anne McClain – “A.N.T. Farm” (Disney Channel)
·         Eric I. Keyes, III – “Live Life and Win!” (Syndicated)
·         Fatima Ptacek – “Dora the Explorer” (Nickelodeon)
·         Karan Brar – “Jessie” (Disney Channel)
·         Zendaya – “Shake It Up” (Disney Channel)

RECORDING
Outstanding New Artist
·         Ariana Grande (Republic Records)
·         Candice Glover (19 Recordings/Interscope Records)
·         K. Michelle (Atlantic Records)
·         RaVaughn Brown (Columbia Records)
·         Zendaya (Hollywood Records)

Outstanding Male Artist
·         Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)
·         Charlie Wilson (RCA Records)
·         John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         Justin Timberlake (RCA Records)
·         Robin Thicke (Star Trak/Interscope)

Outstanding Female Artist
·         Beyoncé (Columbia Records)
·         India.Arie (Motown Records)
·         Janelle Monáe (Bad Boy/Atlantic)
·         Ledisi (Verve Records)
·         Mary J Blige (Verve Records/Interscope)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
·         “#Beautiful” – Mariah Carey feat. Miguel (Island Def Jam)
·         “Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell (Star Trak/Interscope)
·         “Fire We Make” – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (RCA Records)
·         “Hurt You” – Toni Braxton feat. Babyface (Motown Records)
·         “Suit & Tie” – Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z (RCA Records)

Outstanding Jazz Album
·         “Summer Horns” – Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair, Richard Elliot (Concord Records)
·         “The Beat” – Boney James (Concord Records)
·         “The Messenger” – Kevin Eubanks (Mack Avenue Records)
·         “The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey” – Najee (Shanachie)
·         “The Songs of Stevie Wonder” – SFJAZZ Collective (SFJAZZ Records)

Outstanding Gospel Album – (Traditional or Contemporary)
·         “20 Year Celebration Volume 1 – Best For Last” – Donald Lawrence (Quietwater Entertainment/eOne Music)
·         “Azusa: The Next Generation” – Hezekiah Walker (RCA Inspiration)
·         “Best Days Deluxe Edition” – Tamela Mann (Tillymann Music)
·         “Good God” – Shirley Caesar (eOne Music)
·         “Music From the Motion Picture Black Nativity” – Various (RCA Inspiration)

Outstanding World Music Album
·         “Coming from a Lady” – Lady Ele (13 Black Records)
·         “Live At The Royal Albert Hall” – Emeli Sande (Capitol)
·         “Natalie Cole en Español” – Natalie Cole (Verve Records)
·         “Sing To The Moon” – Laura Mvula (Columbia Records)
·         “The Standards” – Gloria Estefan (Masterworks)

Outstanding Music Video
·         “Cocoa Butter” – India.Arie (Motown Records)
·         “Fire We Make” – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (RCA Records)
·         “Made To Love” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         “Q.U.E.E.N.” – Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu (Bad Boy/Atlantic)
·         “Treasure” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Song
·         “All Of Me” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         “Blurred Lines ” – Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell (Star Trak/Interscope)
·         “Fire We Make” – Alicia Keys feat. Maxwell (RCA Records)
·         “Q.U.E.E.N.” – Janelle Monáe feat. Erykah Badu (Bad Boy/Atlantic)
·         “Treasure” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Album
·         “20/20 Experience – The Complete Experience” – Justin Timberlake (RCA Records)
·         “Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke (Star Trak/Interscope)
·         “Love In The Future” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
·         “Love, Charlie” – Charlie Wilson (RCA Records)
·         “The Electric Lady” – Janelle Monáe (Bad Boy/Atlantic)

LITERATURE

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
·         “A Deeper Love Inside: The Porscha Santiaga Story” – Sister Souljah (Atria/Emily Bestler Books)
·         “Anybody’s Daughter” – Pamela Samuels Young (Goldman House Publishing)
·         “Little Green: An Easy Rawlins Mystery” – Walter Mosley (Doubleday)
·         “Never Say Never: A Novel” – Victoria Christopher Murray (Touchstone/Simon & Schuster)
·         “Who Asked You?” – Terry McMillan (Viking)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
·         “Bartlett’s Familiar Black Quotations: 5,000 Years of Literature, Lyrics, Poems, Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs from Voices Around the World” – Retha Powers (Little, Brown and Company)
·         “Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery” – Deborah Willis, Barbara Krauthamer (Temple University Press)
·         “High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society” – Carl Hart (HarperCollins, Harper)
·         “Letters to an Incarcerated Brother: Encouragement, Hope, and Healing for Inmates and Their Loved Ones” – Hill Harper (Gotham Books)
·         “The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” – Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Donald Yacovone (SmileyBooks)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
·         “Better Than Good Hair – The Curly Girl Guide to Healthy Gorgeous Natural Hair!” – Nikki Walton with Ernessa T. Carter (Harper Collins- Amistad)
·         “Ghana Must Go” – Taiye Selasi (The Penguin Press)
·         “Nine Years Under” – Sheri Booker (Gotham Books)
·         “On The Come Up” – Hannah Weyer (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday)
·         “The Returned” – Jason Mott (Harlequin MIRA)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Auto-Biography
·         “Buck: A Memoir” – MK Asante (Spiegel & Grau)
·         “Duke: A Life of Duke Ellington” – Terry Teachout (Gotham Books)
·         “Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker” – Stanley Crouch (HarperCollins, Harper)
·         “Mom & Me & Mom” – Maya Angelou (Random House)
·         “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” – Jeanne Theoharis (Beacon Press)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
·         “Do I Look Like An ATM? A Parent’s Guide to Raising Financially Responsible African American Children” – Sabrina Lamb (Chicago Review Press)
·         “Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don’t Have It)” – Sherri Shepherd with Billie Fitzpatrick (HarperCollins, It Books)
·         “Recruiting and Retaining Culturally Different Students in Gifted Education” – Donna Y. Ford, Ph.D. (Prufrock Press Inc.)
·         “The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics, and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs” – Kevin D. Johnson (Johnson Media Inc.)
·         “The Vegucation of Robin: How Real Food Saved My Life” – Robin Quivers (Avery)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
·         “Chasing Utopia: A Hybrid” – Nikki Giovanni (HarperCollins, William Morrow)
·         “Hum” – Jamaal May (Alice James Books)
·         “The Cineaste: Poems” – A. Van Jordan (W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.)
·         “The Collected Poems of Ai” – Ai (W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.)
·         “Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers” – Frank X Walker (University of Georgia Press)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
·         “I’m A Pretty Little Black Girl!” – Betty K. Bynum (Author), Claire Armstrong-Parod (Illustrator) (Dream Title Publishing)
·         “Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me” – Daniel Beaty (Author), Bryan Collier (Illustrator) (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
·         “Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song” – Andrea Davis Pinkney (Author), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator) (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
·         “Nelson Mandela” – Kadir Nelson (HarperCollins Children’s Books/Katherine Tegen Books)
·         “You Never Heard of Willie Mays?!” – Jonah Winter (Author), Terry Widener (Illustrator) (RH Childrens Books; Schwartz & Wade)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
·         “Courage Has No Color, The True Story of the Triple Nickles: America’s First Black Paratroopers” – Tanya Lee
Stone (Candlewick Press)
·         “God’s Graffiti: Inspiring Stories for Teens” – Romal Tune (Judson Press)
·         “Invasion” – Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic Press/Scholastic)
·         “Raising the Bar” – Gabrielle Douglas (Zondervan)
·         “Serafina’s Promise: A Novel In Verse” – Ann E. Burg (Scholastic Press/Scholastic)

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
·         “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)
·         “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
·         Chadwick Boseman – “42” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures)
·         Chiwetel Ejiofor – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Forest Whitaker – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Idris Elba – “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         Michael B. Jordan – “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
·         Angela Bassett – “Black Nativity” (Fox Searchlight Pictures/Mavin Pictures/Wonderful Films)
·         Halle Berry – “The Call” (TriStar Pictures)
·         Jennifer Hudson – “Winnie Mandela” (Ma-Afrika Films (PTY) LTD and Equinoxe Films Inc.)
·         Kerry Washington – “Tyler Perry Presents Peeples” (Lionsgate)
·         Nicole Beharie – “42” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
·         Cuba Gooding Jr. – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         David Oyelowo – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Morris Chestnut – “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)
·         Terrence Howard – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Terrence Howard – “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
·         Alfre Woodard – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Lupita Nyong’o – “12 Years A Slave ” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Naomie Harris – “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         Octavia Spencer – “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)
·         Oprah Winfrey – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
·         “Blue Caprice” (Sundance Selects)
·         “Dallas Buyers Club” (Focus Features)
·         “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)
·         “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete” (Codeblack Films/Lionsgate/iDeal Partners/State Street)
·         “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” (Kartemquin Films)

Outstanding International Motion Picture
·         “Call Me Kuchu” (Lindy Hop Pictures LLC)
·         “High Tech, Low Life” (Argot Pictures)
·         “La Playa D.C.” (Burning Blue)
·         “Lion Ark” (ADI Films)
·         “War Witch” (Item 7)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary – (Theatrical)
·         “20 Feet from Stardom” (Tremolo & Gil Friesen Productions)
·         “Call Me Kuchu” (Lindy Hop Pictures LLC)
·         “Free Angela and All Political Prisoners” (Codeblack Films/Lionsgate)
·         “Girl Rising” (The Documentary Group)
·         “The New Black” (Promised Land Film)

Outstanding Documentary – (Television)
·         “Beyoncé: Life Is But a Dream” (HBO)
·         “Dark Girls” (OWN)
·         “Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic ” (Showtime)
·         “Venus Vs.” (ESPN)
·         “Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley” (HBO)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
·         Erica Montolfo-Bura – “The Game” – In Treatment (BET)
·         Karin Gist – “House of Lies” – Sincerity is an Easy Disguise in This Business (Showtime)
·         Mara Brock Akil – “The Game” – The Blueprint I & II (BET)
·         Ralph Farquhar, Chris Spencer – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” – Rock, Paper, Stealers (BET)
·         Vincent Brown – “A.N.T. Farm” – influANTces (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
·         Aaron Rahsaan Thomas – “SouthLAnd” – Babel (TNT)
·         Chitra Elizabeth Sampath, Damian Kindler – “Sleepy Hollow” – Sanctuary (FOX)
·         Janine Sherman Barrois – “Criminal Minds” – Strange Fruit (CBS)
·         Karin Gist – “Revenge” – Mercy (ABC)
·         Sara Hess – “Orange is the New Black” – Blood Donut (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
·         Alfonso Cuarón, Jonás Cuarón – “Gravity” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
·         Brian Helgeland – “42” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures)
·         Danny Strong – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         John Ridley – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)
·         Ryan Coogler – “Fruitvale Station” (The Weinstein Company/Forest Whitaker’s Significant Productions, OG Project)

DIRECTING
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
·         Anton Cropper – “House of Lies” – Sincerity Is an Easy Disguise in This Business (Showtime)
·         Eric Dean Seaton – “Mighty Med” – Saving The People Who Save People (Disney XD)
·         Millicent Shelton – “The Hustle” – Rule 4080 (FUSE)
·         Paris Barclay – “Glee” – Diva (FOX)
·         Stan Lathan – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” – Rock, Paper, Stealers (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
·         Carl Franklin – “House of Cards” – Chapter 11 (Netflix)
·         Ernest Dickerson – “Treme” – Dippermouth Blues (HBO)
·         Millicent Shelton – “The Fosters” – Clean (ABC Family)
·         Regina King – “SouthLAnd” – Off Duty (TNT)
·         Rob Hardy – “Criminal Minds” – Carbon Copy (CBS)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
·         Jono Oliver – “Home” (The Home Film Group)
·         Justin Chadwick – “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” (The Weinstein Company/Distant Horizon, Origin Pictures, Pathé, Videovision Entertainment)
·         Lee Daniels – “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” (The Weinstein Company/Lee Daniels Entertainment, Laura Ziskin Productions, Windy Hill Pictures, Follow Through Productions, Salamander Pictures, Pam Williams Productions)
·         Malcolm D. Lee – “The Best Man Holiday” (Universal Pictures)
·         Steve McQueen – “12 Years A Slave” (River Road/Plan B/New Regency/Fox Searchlight Pictures)

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