Year: 2019

Original post was published here.

If you’ve been to even one ESSENCE Festival, then you already know that our annual Gospel Celebration on Sunday is a true highlight of the weekend.

This year, as part of our range of citywide experiences celebrating 25 years of ESSENCE Fest moving the culture forward, we’ll be celebrating 25 years of Black women in Gospel music. 

It’s no secret that Gospel music roots run deep in the music industry, with many of today’s most beloved musicians even getting their start singing Gospel in church as children or teens. Part of the beauty of the genre is the consistent presence of immensely talented Black women whose powerhouse vocals are second to none. 

Scroll down to see just a few of the Gospel music superstars who will be joining us this year as we celebrate 25 years of Black women in Gospel music and be on the look out for more names to come.

See you in NOLA!

Three-time Grammy winner Donnie McClurkin debuted as a solo artist in 1996 with his self-titled album, which featured the mega-hits “Stand” and “Speak To My Heart.” Before launching his solo career, McClurkin started the New York Restoration Choir and recorded his first album, I See A World. The classic songs, “We Fall Down” and “Great Is Your Mercy,” both from the double platinum-selling Live In London and More album were released in 2000. In 2010, he accepted his third Grammy for Best Gospel Performance for the song, “Wait On The Lord,” featuring Karen Clark Sheard. His other top honors include over 12 Stellar Awards; two BET Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, two Soul Train Awards, three Dove Awards, to name a few. McClurkin is excited about sharing new music on his upcoming eighth solo album set for release in 2019 on RCA Records| Camdon Music.

Yolanda Adams triumphantly carries the torch for contemporary inspirational music. With 13 releases Yolanda has earned a multitude of accolades including four Grammy Awards and a Tony Nomination.  Not only is Yolanda a phenomenal vocalist, she is a record label owner, an author (Points of Power), a designer of Yolanda Adams’ Handbags & Apparel, www.YolandaAdamslive.com, proud mother, and the host on her award winning nationally syndicated radio show “The Yolanda Adams Morning Show”.

GRAMMY®-winning singer/songwriter Tasha Cobbs Leonard is one of the most prominent artists in gospel music. Named Billboard’s Top Gospel Artist of 2018, she continues to dominate the charts with unprecedented sales and streaming success stemming from her recent album, Heart. Passion. Pursuit. With national TV appearances abounding, including her powerful performance on Good Morning America, Cobbs Leonard has been a force in music since her debut single in 2013, the Gold-certified smash “Break Every Chain.”

Mary Mary is the multi-award winning gospel duo of Erica and Tina Campbell. The sisters broke through in 2000 with the pioneering hit “Shackles (Praise You).” After seven albums and 19+ years of professionally singing, the critically acclaimed Mary Mary has sold more than 5 million albums, toured internationally, graced the covers of high-profile magazines and launched successful, award-winning solo careers. They are loving wives and mothers who are devoted to their faith and families.

Lester Love serves as the Pastor of The City of Love in New Orleans, LA and Executive Secretary of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He travels across the country and abroad, presenting leadership sessions for ministries and corporations.Love is host of the The Lester Love radio show on WBOK in New Orleans and stream worldwide. He has garnered national attention for his “Love Songs” clip, which has surpassed millions of views.

April is Minority Health Month. So we invite you to be “selfish” and to fill your cup first. Research on thriving and flourishing tells us there are at least six key areas of well-being worth investing in. They include your self, community, sufficiency, pleasure, relief, and purpose.

Self

Knowing yourself, accepting yourself, self-love, and self-compassion are building blocks for self-preservation. This world bombards us with the notion that we should be white, thin(ish), rich, “the best,” tough, sexy, straight… It’s a lot. You might have to look online to find fat Black femme fam. You might choose to work with a therapist to unravel how repeated rejection has impacted you. Whatever your path, the journey to self-love is important.

Pleasure

Laughter, satisfaction, bliss, orgasm, delight, and contentment help quiet hardships. People can find joy through everything from completing weekend chores to using a planner, to making love, dancing, kiki-ing with friends or being alone.

Community

We all need support. It is critical to be seen, accepted, desired, and celebrated for who you are as you walk in your truth. The folks who show up for your success help refill your cup and help you stay well. Don’t accept anything less.

Relief

Stress infiltrates our lives in countless ways. Sometimes we don’t even know it’s there. It steals time. Finding ways to reduce stress is part of our fundamental work. Moving around or breathing deeply can help. It can help to talk about it, so consider a therapist. Also, sleep to heal your body and brain. Turn off when you can. Remember relief. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Purpose

Research on flourishing suggests that activating a sense of purpose can protect against stress and depression. If you’re passionate about something, make it a focus in your life. Notably, research on Black LGBT resilience suggests that social activism is one place we reclaim hope. There are many ways to engage: everything from volunteering at a freedom school to marching to making sandwiches for marchers to disrupting “the academy” with Blaqueer scholarship. Whatever mode you choose, moving purposefully against the status quo can contribute to well-being.

Sufficiency

A key element of thriving is having the resources required to meet your needs. Black precarity–the constant state of un/under employment or financial instability– is nothing new. It’s as American as guns. Add intersectionality by gender, sexuality, disability, etc. and it gets harder (nod to Crenshaw). In the face of this, self-care as yoga retreats and all-organic food can be beyond reach for many, but self-care can also be regular sleep, a multivitamin, or walking in sunshine. It can be food prepping to save money, taking a hot shower, or watching a feel-good show. You might ask for a work-from-home day once a week. There are many possibilities. Look here, here, and here for more ideas.

Getting Help

We joke about therapy being for white people, like bland food and taxidermy. It seems self-indulgent. It requires time, financial resources, and other privileges many of us don’t have. The forces making it difficult for Black LGBTQ+/SGL people to access quality and affordable housing, employment opportunities, advancement, and essential resources are the reasons we need to find ways to heal, flourish, and thrive. If you decide therapy is something you’d like to explore, consider: The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network, the Therapist Resource Directoryor TalkSpace. This April and beyond, take the time to nourish yourself so that you can show up – both for yourself and others. Schedule quality time alone or with friends or supportive family. Seek whatever spiritual, professional, or other help you can benefit from. And please remember that you are necessary. This walk is tough, but you are not alone.

Original post was published here.

Tobechukwu “Tobi” Phillips, a student from Alvin High School in Texas, is making history as the first Black valedictorian in her school’s 125-year history. Originally established in 1894, the school was integrated with African-American students in 1965.

Boasting a 6.9 GPA, Phillips earned all A’s throughout her high school career and took Advanced Placement (AP) courses. She opened up about achieving academic success during a recent interview with Because of Them We Can. 

“Maintaining the highest GPA in my class is a difficult task. It truly takes time management but more importantly acknowledging what you do it for. I know that I am no longer just representing myself,” Phillips said.

A well-rounded student, Phillips plays volleyball, runs track and is a Sunday School teacher at her church. She’s also a member of the Rho Kappa Honor Society, the president of the National Honor Society and an AP ambassador. 

Phillips’ journey toward academic success has been met with challenges and scrutiny from her peers. Despite the odds, she offered words of encouragement to other students. 

“My biggest advice to other scholars of color is to truly adopt the mindset of Rosa Parks — ‘No.’ Do not conform to the stereotypes that have held us under thumbs for so long,” she explained. “Do not be discouraged when someone speaks out against you, simply allow what they say to fuel your fire. But more than anything, do not remain tight-lipped. Stand up for what you believe in and take it upon yourself to be the change you’ve always wanted. Say ‘No’ to the ways of the world and stick out.”

Phillips, who wants to own her own clinic as a pediatric nurse practitioner, will be attending the University of Texas (UT). She received a full-ride courtesy of the school’s Forty Acre Scholarship. Out of 4,000 students who applied for the award, only 16 were chosen.

Original post was published here.

Naomi Campbell is one of the most well-known models in the world, which is why it’s such a shock to realize the timeless beauty has never been the face of a beauty brand, until now.

The supermodel has just landed a deal with NARS Cosmetics, founded by makeup artist François Nars, who gushed over his muse on Instagram.

“Naomi is a living icon and brings such strong personality to the camera. She and I are like family. I have known her since the very beginning of her career. From the start, I have admired her, her beauty, and her style.”

Campbell posted the same campaign shot on her own page, writing, “Very excited to be the new face of NARS Cosmetics  Shot by my dear friend François Nars.”

Glamour reports the British beauty was the first black woman to appear on the cover of French Vogue. In 1989, she became the first black model to grace American Vogue’s coveted September issue. Considering her accomplishments, the fact that this is her first beauty campaign proves the beauty industry has a long way to go.

“I’ve never done [a beauty campaign] for anyone. People say, ‘Oh you’ve got beautiful skin’ and yet I’ve never done one,” Campbell told The Evening Standard just last year.

The writer of the piece added, “She gives me a look that says, ‘You know why.’”

Original post was published here.

Zendaya is the new face of Lancôme. The 22-year-old actress and singer joins the stellar cast of the French beauty behemoth’s ambassadresses, which includes Lupita Nyong’o, Penelope Cruz, Julia Roberts, Isabella Rossellini, Kate Winslet, Lily Collins and Taylor Hill. “It’s a huge honor to be able to represent a brand like Lancôme and join such an incredible line-up of iconic women,” said Zendaya.

We’re definitely here for her adding her flavorful, diverse vision to the luxury Gallic house of maquillage. Well-known for her adventurous fashion and beauty sense, the highly influential starlet, with over 54 million social media followers, is a role model for her generation and uses her voice to educate others and promote positivity. Plus, the self-professed makeup lover often does her own makeup for events and passes along beauty tips to her social set to boot.

“We look forward to a joyous future with Zendaya, whose charisma, influence in film, music and fashion is undoubted. Zendaya brings a youthful and a unique approach to beauty that perfectly complements Lancôme’s vision and creativity,” said Lancôme Global Brand President Françoise Lehmann.

Later this year, the busy starlet will star in Spider-Man: Far From Home and the HBO and A24 series Euphoria. In addition, as the new fashion global brand ambassador for the designer Tommy Hilfiger, she’s also set to debut her Tommy x Zendaya capsule collection with a runway show on March 2 during Paris Fashion Week.

Original post was published here.

For hip-hop fans, Common‘s intelligence, lyricism and artistic skill speak for themselves. With hip hop classics like “I Used To Love Her” and movies like “Just Wright,” Common has cemented himself as a hip hop legend. But when the MC, actor, writer and philanthropist agreed to speak at Florida A&M University’s commencement, he had no idea what he was in store for.

“Once I started to pursue my entertainment and my music career, I never thought about the fact that ‘Man, I can get a doctorate,’” said Common.

The rapper was there to speak to students from the College of Science and Technology, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities and School of Environment.

Common says that his activism started in undergrad.

“It was things that I experienced here that I didn’t experience in my hometown of Chicago,” Common explained to ABC 27 WTXL. “Meeting people from other parts of the country. I was able to keep an open mind. I learned a lot.”

In all, more than 12,000 students graduated from the university this Spring.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is a public, historically black university in Tallahassee, Florida. Founded in 1887, it is located on the highest geographic hill in Tallahassee. It is the 5th largest historically black university (HBCU) in the United States by enrollment and the only public historically black university in Florida. It is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, as well as one of the state’s land grant universities, and is accredited to award baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The 2019 edition of the U.S. News & World Report college rankings placed the university 9th among all HBCUs and 2nd among all public HBCUs. The university is classified as an R2 Doctoral Research University under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which denotes higher research activity. For 2017, the National Science Foundation ranked Florida A&M University 216th nationally and 2nd among HBCU for total research and development expenditures.

Congrats to Common and all of the graduates!

Original post was published here.

Original post was published here.

In most cases, college-bound students find themselves counting down the days, eager to leave the home nest and parents behind, to move on campus, meet new friends and get underway with studies.

Parents, in the meantime, shield their anxieties and wish them well, while inwardly jumping for joy at this rite-of-passage send-off.

But, in rare circumstances, there are cases like Madelyn McClarey and her twin sons’ decision to study at Florida A&M University – together.

Rather than leaving mom back in South Florida, Aaron and Aubrey Hough insisted she join them in Tallahassee.

On Saturday, they will celebrate as McClarey crosses the stage at the Lawson Center, graduating with a degree in English from Florida A&M.

For the single mom, it represents a finish line that she’s been edging toward since completing business school in Staten Island, then returning to South Florida following a divorce, holding down full-time jobs, volunteering in her sons’ schools and traveling with them as a band parent.

But what landed her at FAMU was the opportunity presented to her twins, Aubrey, a music business major who will be graduating this fall and Aaron, who is earning a specialized degree in music composition and expects to graduate in the summer or fall 2020.

The family that studies together stays together

McClarey’s sons did well in their studies and are talented musicians, earning Best & Brightest scholarships, meaning they could have gone to Broward College at no cost.

But both were inspired by Chandler Wilson, their band director at Hollywood Hills High School in Hollywood, a FAMU graduate and former Marching 100 member.

He planted the seed.

The twins, enamored with FAMU, were accepted and had the opportunity to join the band. But there was a catch.

“I knew they wanted to go to FAMU, they loved FAMU, but they looked at me and asked, ‘What about you?’ I told them I would stay in South Florida and finish my degree, but they said they would not go to FAMU if I didn’t come to Tallahassee.”

That nearly floored her.

“I was really shocked, I laughed,” McClarey said, sitting in a corner of the busy Coleman Library a week before finals. “I knew we were really close, but I didn’t expect them to react like that.

But I said, ‘fine, I’ll pack, let’s go.’”

McClarey took a one-year leave of absence from her job as a language coach at Sheridan Hills Elementary and found a townhouse in Tallahassee. The twins were on campus and now in off-campus housing. McClarey and an older son, Blake, who is finishing his studies at Tallahassee Community College, live together.

She enrolled at TCC, earning an associate of arts degree, with honors. In 2016, she enrolled at FAMU through the IGNITE program, which offers students from transfer schools meeting academic standards, guaranteed admission.

She’s majoring in English, with a minor in Education.

“My mother’s family is from North Carolina A&T and Fayetteville State, and so growing up, we were always encouraged to write, to speak properly, to not only verbalize our ideas, but also to be able to write fluently,” she said of her choice of major.

At FAMU, she has thrived, immersing herself in organizations such as the FAMU English Guild, where she served as president, the National Council of Negro Women, and serving as historian for Phi Delta Kappa, a professional organization for educators.

During the summer, she’s worked with the North Florida Freedom Schools program at FAMU’s Developmental Research School, which helps bridge the gap for children with reading deficiencies.

“Madelyn McClarey is absolutely amazing,” said Natalie King-Pedroso, associate professor in the Department of English and Modern Languages. “She is one of the most life-affirming people I’ve met during my tenure at FAMU.”

‘We look out for each other’

McClarey’s twins have their own life on campus, but they remain close. She recalls one conversation following their performance at a football game.

“I asked them if they needed me to do anything for them and they said, ‘No, Mom, you have done everything a parent should do.’ “

Aubrey said it was “important” for them to have their mother move to Tallahassee from their base in South Florida.

“It wasn’t exactly luxurious, but our mother was smart enough to make her situation work, and we were all the more fortunate to grow up how we did in the sense that because of her balancing struggle and success the way she did, we developed our own values.”

Aaron is equally inspired.

“I’m most proud of the fact that she was able to earn this degree despite having gone through so much as a single parent and as a person,” he said. “I’m glad that she was able to see her decision with this degree through, and it means a lot to our family that she is able to attain her degree finally, regardless of the many familial situations throughout her collegiate experience.”

McClarey is planning on continuing her educational journey at FAMU. She’s applying to a multidisciplinary graduate program, where she will major in history.

Pausing for a moment, she is reflective. It hasn’t always been easy, but she and her sons remain focused. She’s proud that their independence has not diminished the close bond that has been affirming for each of them.

“We look out for each other,” she said. “We are willing to wait our turn for great things to happen. We sacrifice time, material things. That’s just what we do. We celebrate each other all the time.”

In the mid-2000s, Little Brother released one of its most significant collaborations to date. “Welcome To Durham” found Big Pooh, Phonte, and 9th Wonder putting on for their city. The Chitlin Circuitinclusion also featured a legendary guest, Big Daddy Kane. Kane, whose work Phonte praised in lyrics on The Listening, had made North Carolina his home in the days since Veteranz Day. King Asiatic used the song to notify fans of his relocation, and praise his new environment as a “Brooklyn in the South.”

Nearly 15 years after “Welcome To Durham”, 9th Wonder and Big Daddy Kane are each headed to the North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame. On October 17, 2019, 9th will be inducted into the Hall, which also includes George Clinton, Jodeci, Thelonious Monk, James Taylor, John Coltrane, and Chuck Brown, among others. An event will take place in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The museum is free (accepting donations) and open to the public Monday to Friday.

In addition to Grammy Award-winning production and a high-profile music career, 9th Wonder (aka Patrick Douthit) has been deeply involved in bringing attention to talent in his state. The accomplished DJ regularly holds events in North Carolina. He has served as an educator at Duke University and North Carolina Central University, among others. Meanwhile, 9th set up shop with Jamla Records in the state. The label’s flagship artist, Rapsody, is a native of Snow Hill. In 2018, her Laila’s Wisdom album was nominated for two Grammy Awards.

The induction comes during an extraordinarily prolific time for 9th. In the last year, he and his largely NC-based production team, The Soul Council, have produced albums for Black Thought, Smif-N-Wessun, and the Jamla Is The Squad II compilation, in addition to an expansive instrumental release. 9th and the Council are currently preparing to release the latest collaboration with Murs, The Illiad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over.

Meanwhile, Big Daddy Kane has demonstrated how sharp his skills are. Last year, B.D.K. joined longtime DJ Mister Cee for a comprehensive interview and a dazzling Funkmaster Flex freestyle. The Brooklyn native also worked with Ghostface Killah.

According to the North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame website, tickets for the October 17 event will be made available to the public this spring. Inductees, also including Elizabeth Cotten, Merle Watson, and Mitch Easton, will be performing.

Original post was published here.

Ugh, mornings! No matter how blessed you’re feeling on the inside, rising and shining to adult every day can be a struggle. Between work, family and friend commitments, chances are, you’re in need of some serious motivation to get your day started. 

A warm cup of your favorite coffee or tea is usually a great way to jumpstart your mood, but in case you need a little something extra to remind you of your magic–we got you!

Original post was published here.

Original post was published here.

Earlier this month, De La Soul’s episode of Drink Champs featured an extensive and newsworthy preview. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN released the part of the discussion where Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo addressed their ongoing, and sometimes public negotiations with Tommy Boy Music surrounding the digital revenue and rights to the Long Island, New York trio’s first six albums.

While those discussions between De La’s team and its former label are presumably ongoing, Drink Champs published the full interview with Plug 1, Plug 2, and Plug 3. It includes that previously-released part of the discussion, as well as some noteworthy history surrounding the group who is currently celebrating 30 years since releasing platinum-certified debut, 3 Feet High And Rising.

At 44:00, DJ EFN reads a request from Native Tongues member Monie Love. Monie suggested that the crew recall a story involving Queen Latifah’s birthday party, the Violators’ Chris Lighty, and Dave (fka Trugoy) and Mase’ handling B.I “She said ‘big fight at Queen Latifah’s B-day party, back in the day, at M.K.’s in Manhattan,’” reads EFN. “She said, ‘Maseo rockin’ knots too.’”

“Dave too,” interjects Maseo, as the three Grammy Award-winning artists laugh, along with EFN and Noreaga. “That was when Chris and ’em got into it?” Dave asks his band-mates. Posdnuos replies, “Yeah. [Some people] slashed Chris’ face.”

Maseo takes over. “It was the night Chris Lighty got cut in his face. It was pandemonium that night. That’s all. You step up for your family and handle sh*t, pretty much.” Plug 1 and Plug 2 recall Jungle Brothers being present, along with Queen Latifah, and Lighty’s Violators crew. “Out of all that that was goin’ on, somebody tried to steal the [cash] register,” Dave remembers with a smile.

Chris Lighty, who passed away in 2012, was a member of the Native Tongues super-group with De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, Monie Love, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Sheep, Leaders Of The New School, Chi-Ali, The Beatnuts, and others. Lighty would go on to manage the careers of Tribe, LL Cool J, Puff Daddy, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, as well as N.O.R.E.

This part of the Drink Champs conversation goes to the origins of the Native Tongues. Although the collective never released an album, it led to several incredible collaborative songs, including De La Soul’s “Buddy” and its Native Tongues remix.

Asked about the collective, Dave begins, “We had this gig in Boston. Jungle [Brothers and Finesse & Synquis were] on the bill as well.” N.O.R.E. asks who was originally down. “To begin with, it was us, Tribe, and Jungle,” Dave confirms. He credits Jungle Brothers’ MC/producer Afrika Baby Bam for coming up with the idea. “We met at a gig, exchanged numbers, wind up hanging out [later].” He continues, “From there, it created a relationship. Eventually, we was in the studio; we invited them to the studio. For us, the studio was just [a place] to invite friends. And if you happen to be there, you’re gonna be a part of what’s going on.”

In 1988, the JBeez (which also included Mike G and Sammy B) made “The Promo” and “Black Is Black,” featuring Q-Tip. In 1989, 3 Feet High…, Jungle Brothers’ Done By The Forces Of Nature, and Latifah’s All Hail The Queen included members of this spawning group. In 2018, the Black Eyed Peas released “All Around The World,” which involved the late Phife Dawg, Pos’, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad.

Elsewhere in the interview, at 1:10:00, Posdnuos recalls Prince interrupting an Electric Lady Studios session he had booked with The Roots’ Questlove during the recording of 2000’s AOI: Mosaic Thump. “I’m a Prince fan, but as a man, I was f*ckin’ pissed,” Plug 1 admits when The Purple One was less than apologetic for commandeering all the rooms in Jimi Hendrix’s studio to show his upcoming album to the Warner Bros. Records brass.

De La Soul is currently preparing to release an album produced by DJ Premier and Pete Rock. During the Drink Champs episode, they briefly describe taking a recent studio session with Preemo and testing the results in the Gang Starr member’s car.