WSSN Stories

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Take this. You dream of working at “X” company with X” person who is known to the best in the industry. However, when you finally land that dream role you are still not fulfilled. Yes, you may make great money, but you still fill empty. This is because you are not living out your purpose.

This is what Dr. Joe Johnson, speaker and peak performance coach, teaches his cliental. He shows them how to tap into their purpose and how to live a purposeful life.

“Purpose is that feeling. It just feels right,” Dr. Joe Johnson explains.

Dr. Johnson was born in Milwaukee, WI but has lived in several places during his childhood including Hawaii and New York. He considers Milwaukee, AKA: “The Mil” his hometown because of the family ties. He understands the meaning of struggle but has lived with a mentality instilled in him by his mother,” I can do and be anything I want in life”.

Johnson learned the value of education from both parents but as he began his love for sports at an early age, his focus with competing on the football field and basketball court caused him to develop a “who cares” attitude toward his education. Growing up in the inner-city of Milwaukee allowed for Johnson to almost fall victim to what many young males were doing in his neighborhood.

Sports was his key out of a city where many Black and Hispanic males were often victims of gang violence and self destruction. Johnson soon learned the power of competing in the classroom, the same way he competed in sports. With his new found attitude and focus, he began to excel academically after being accepted into a Master’s program. Johnson soon founded to love learning and realized his purpose was transforming the lives of individuals and the culture of organizations allowing through speaking, training, and peak performance coaching.

As a proud graduate of Milwaukee Bay View high school, Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Saginaw Valley State University and a Master’s degree in Counselor Education from Western Michigan University, and a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Florida, over 20 years of experience working with individuals and organizations, and is ready to take on the world!

Now that you guys know a little about Dr. Joe Johnson, tune into the interview below where he chatted on purpose!

To listen to the interview, please click here

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Talking about an urban event drippin’ with talent, this is it! A few local entities came together to make one entity that focuses on the performing arts. We want you to tap in with us Sunday, November 4, as we launch out first event in the city of Riverside/Moreno Valley at Club Status starting at 7 p.m.

The event will showcase funny comics the first half hosted by Comedian Brett As Is and rap artists the second half hosted by KG X DEE Drizzle. We have door prizes, giveaways and more for those in attendance. Early arrival is strongly suggested. Below explains more about the movement.

Who: The Collectives – likeminded entities banning together for the sake of achievement surrounding the performing arts. (Legendary Entertainment/LUE Productions/Grim Reality/Future Pioneer Enterprises).

What: I.E. Culture Fest

Why: The I.E. Culture FEST was created for artists of diverse backgrounds to showcase their artistry on different platforms while networking.

Get your tickets online now for IE’s Culture FEST
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-culture-fest-tickets-51480549710?aff=efbevent

Until next week L’s!

By. Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- Citrus Valley High School senior, Danielle Lilley, recently received the MVP for the Citrus Belt League for volleyball where she plays the position of Outside Hitter.

Lilley’s journey in volleyball began at the age of 10-years old when a family friend suggested that she try a volleyball camp at California State University of San Bernardino. Prior to volleyball, Lilley had tried gymnastics, swimming and tennis.

Many Black children do not play volleyball because of the cost of club competition training and travel. It can be quite expensive costing up to $5,000 per season in California. However, with a payment plan and much sacrifice, Lilley’s parents made it happen, and the sacrifice and hard work has paid off!

Danielle has played for Rancho Valley Volleyball Club (RVVC) for 7 years. Her RVVC club teams have qualified for and competed in the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships for the past 4 years. In 2017, her team won the Gold Medal in the 16 American Division. They were honored by the San Bernardino mayor and city council.

“Danielle’s mother and I are very proud of her. She’s always been a good girl. I think with all of kids, we’re really just blessed thus far with how they have turned out,” Myron Lilley, Danielle’s father, stated. “We give all glory to God for having favor with them. She took two official college visits and kind of fell in love with Texas Southern, and for us we felt okay with Texas Southern because we used to live in Texas and we used to live around the Houston area. I also have family there; my wife has family there and we have close friends that are like family, so we felt that it could be the right situation for her and that in case of an emergency they can check in on her.”

At Citrus Valley, she has played on the varsity team all four years and has been recognized with all league and all Inland Area selections for the past two years. This year as a team captain, Danielle led her team (21-5 overall and 8-2 in CBL) and the Citrus Belt League in kills in spite of playing in fewer sets than any other scoring leader. Danielle scored 321 kills in only 56 sets for an average of 5.7 kills per set and a 40 percent kill percentage. 

She made the top 10 in CBL in 3 other categories: hitting percentage, service aces, and digs. Danielle scored a career best 30 kills vs Murrieta Mesa in pre-league competition.

I recently interviewed Ms. Lilley, where she chatted on her plans for after high school and her inspirations in getting into volleyball.

You recently received the MVP title. What was your initial reaction to that?

It was one of my goals that I have set this season and I really wanted to work hard and earn it. I was able to and I was over the moon excited about it.

What was the journey like in claiming the MVP title?

It was interesting because the way I found out was that my mom sent it to me. She was the first person to show me. I was really surprised. I was trying to calm down because I was in class when she texted it to me.

There are not very many African Americans in volleyball, so what inspired you to get into the sport?

I started playing when I was ten, so I’ve been playing for about seven years now. At first, I didn’t love it right away. I liked it and I enjoyed it, but the love came later as I built friendships and got better, and of course it always helps when you’re doing well and you’re good at something. I just became good at it and I found the love for it.

How do you balance you academics and your sports?

It can be very difficult; it’s not easy! My parents have always taught me how to get ahead of my school work and to get things done early so that I don’t fall behind. They showed me how to be proactive because it is hard to catch up when you fall behind.

What are your plans for after high school?

I just recently committed to play volleyball at Texas Southern University in Houston. I got back from my first visit about three weeks ago and while I was there, I loved it! I am also a music major which is a prodigious major at the school. So that is like a hand and hand thing, volleyball and my passion for music.

What some of your hobbies outside of music and volleyball?

I’m in two different bands at school: the symphonic band and the wind ensemble. That’s mainly what I do. I am also really involved in my church.

What do you have planned as you wrap up your senior year?

My band at school always has concerts for each semester and seasons. We have a Christmas concert coming up, followed up with a festival where we perform in front of judges and get a rating and following that is the spring concert. As far as volleyball, my club team is about to start practicing in a couple of weeks. We also have a lot of tournaments and qualifiers where we travel out of state where we play to qualify for the national tournament which will be held in Dallas, Texas this year.

What is for advice for our youth, especially our Black youth, who may be passionate or into a particular sport that may not be highly recognized in the community? How can they stay motivated to keep pushing forward?

My advice is to not be afraid to be different. I know on the court there are not that many African Americans, but that is something that you should take and be inspired by to be one of the few out there. If you’re not one of the few or one of the only ones on the team, then just be that one person that stands out. Don’t let not seeing other Black people out there stop you from doing what you want to do.

 

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— God says… Don’t do it!! …  Don’t do it!! … Don’t do it!!… But naw, what do we do? Not only do we do what the Lord tells us not to do, we do it thinking no one will never know…. Oh, how wrong we are! For [Numbers 32:23 and Isaiah 59:12] say, “Be sure your sins will find you out.” [Luke 12:2] says, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” [Proverb 15:3] proclaims, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” I ask you, if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape?

Consider scriptural illustrations of sin finding out men.  Cain tried to hide the murder of Abel in a field and deceive God about it [Genesis 4:3-15].  Lot compromised with sin in order to “provide for his family” [Genesis 13:10-13; 19:14, 30-38]. Abraham took Hagar as a second wife, which caused much trouble [Genesis 16:1-6; 21:9-14]. Isaac and Rebekah let Esau marry worldly girls, which caused grief [Genesis 26:34-35; 28:1-9]. Dinah went to play with the world’s girls and lost her virginity and boyfriend [Genesis 34:1-31].  Joseph’s brethren deceived their father about Joseph’s plight [Genesis 37:18-35; 42:21-22].  Judah considered the use of an apparent prostitute an innocent thing [Genesis 38:12-26]. Korah criticized Moses for his office, but God heard and buried him alive. [Numbers 16:1-35] Achan hid his stolen goods of Jericho from the sight of everyone and Israel stoned him [Joshua 7]. Adoni-Bezek mutilated prisoners, so Israel mutilated him before his death [Judges 1:4-8].  Eli’s sons abused God’s worship, but they died young together [I Samuel 2:12-17; 4:17]… and the illustrations go on, and on, and on. Look, be not deceived, what’s done in the dark shall come to the light! You cannot cheat or compromise on God’s religion and His commandments and get away with it. God will not be mocked … neither in this life nor in eternity.

As Paul wrote to the Ephesians; “I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking… For I have not shunned declaring unto you all the counsel of God…” [Acts 20:27, 31] Repent and begin to live Godly lives in the light of the scriptures and to begin to seek God with great intensity, honesty, sincerity and urgency.

The Bible says, “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” [2 Chronicles 7:14]. ”

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” [Isaiah 1:18]. ”

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon”. [Isaiah 55:7].

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mourns the loss of founder Vince Sanders, who died on October 10 in Longwood, Florida, according to his wife Joyce Sanders. He was 83.

A true NABJ love story, Vince and Joyce were married for 37 years after being introduced by NABJ Founder Paul Brock.

NABJ Founder Joe Davidson remembers Sanders fondly: “Vince had a big smile, a warm personality and a deep, booming voice God made for radio. Plus, he was handsome enough for television. His death, and that of Les Payne earlier this year, reminds us of how quickly we are losing founders.”

A 2005 inductee into the NABJ Hall of Fame, Sanders was a veteran of the broadcast industry having spent nearly 40 years on the job.  He began his career as an on-air talent for WBEE-AM in Chicago in 1958.

“NABJ is deeply saddened by the loss of NABJ Founder Vince Sanders,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover. “He was a very talented journalist who rose from the ranks as a talk show host, then reporter/anchor to vice president of a broadcast network. He had keen business skills and a love for humor as a comic and actor in his own right.”

In the early 1960s, Sanders hosted a popular call-in radio talk show, Opinion and for almost a decade he hosted high profile African American newsmakers and other celebrities. Sanders also hosted a call-in talk show and a quiz contest at WCIU-TV in Chicago, where he was also a regular contributor to A Black’s View of the News. In 1971, he was an anchor/reporter for WMAQ-TV, the NBC station in Chicago.

His success led him to an opportunity in New York City, where he eventually became the Vice President of Broadcast Operations at the National Black Network (NBN), which was the nation’s first black-owned and operated radio news network. He was also Vice President and General Manager of WWRL-AM, NBN’s radio station in the Big Apple.

“Vince was a great guy and a legendary radio personality and executive at a time when radio was a powerful voice of news and information for African Americans,” said NABJ Founder and Past President DeWayne Wickham.

Sanders enjoyed an eclectic career that included theatrical performances, appearing in productions for several main-line companies. Sanders traveled with the American Negro Opera Guild and Richard B. Harrison Players in the 1960s. It was both his journalism and theatrical experiences that motivated him to write two books: Can’t Get HERE from THERE and That’s Not Funny!  Can’t Get HERE from THERE is ^based on Sander’s role in the development of NBN. That’s Not Funny!  is a story from the vantage point of Sanders’ management of the nation’s first black and white stand-up comedy team, Tim and Tom.

NABJ Founder Norma Adams Wade remembered Sanders as “a voice that was invented for broadcasting and a personality of confidence and manhood.”

He retired and moved back home to the Orlando-area in 1997. Sanders is survived by his wife Joyce, seven children, 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are private.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— EBONY magazine, the authentic perspective on the African-American community, has announced its annual EBONY Power 100 List, celebrating those whose work and heroism continue to inspire and influence society. For more than 30 years, the EBONY Power 100 List has been curated by the editors of EBONY magazine and its staff, and is determined by the work, accomplishments and influential reach of each of the honorees.

The past year has been an epic period of accomplishment and triumph for the African-American community. Black Panther became a cultural phenomenon that swept the globe, becoming the biggest-grossing movie directed by a Black filmmaker; social activist Tarana Burke continued to represent #MeToo movement as a global icon for victims of sexual harassment throughout the world; and several African-American lawmakers across the country made history, among them London Breed, the first Black female LGBT mayor.

The 2018 EBONY Power 100 List recognizes the most influential and inspiring from the African-American community in the following eight categories: “Community Crusaders,” “Disruptors,” “Entertainment & Arts,” “Entrepreneurs,” “Innovators,” “MVPs,” “Power Players” and the coveted “Women Up.”  The complete EBONY Power 100 List for this year can be viewed here — https://www.ebony.com/power100-2018

“We are delighted to announce this year’s coveted EBONY Power 100 List of exemplary honorees,” says EBONY Media Operations CEO Michael Gibson. “Each year, we select the most outstanding individuals and prolific leaders who represent today’s African-American community and excellence in their respective fields. Over the past year we have witnessed pioneers from Hollywood, professional athletes from numerous sports, politicians and lawmakers throughout the country, business leaders from close-knit neighborhoods and heroic community activists all emerge as trailblazers and firebrands, each of whom who has made a significant impact on a national or international scale. In 2020, we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of EBONY magazine, and we look forward to this year’s pre-cursor of what will be a momentous occasion. I would like to congratulate all our 2018 Power 100 honorees.”

Former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama lead the Entertainment & Arts category, with a focus on Mrs. Obama’s book tour for her new memoir, Becoming. Barry Jenkins, director of the Academy Award-winningMoonlight and the upcoming film If Beale Street Could Talk, is also being honored in the Entertainment & Arts category for his achievements in the film industry. Tony Award-winning actor Billy Porter is another Entertainment & Arts honoree for his role in the television series Pose. Other notables being honored in the Entertainment & Arts category include the cast of Black Panther, and rappers Cardi B, Drake and Travis Scott. Athletes being honored in the MVPs category include Houston Rockets guard James Harden, Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry and professional WWE wrestler Thaddeus Bullard aka WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil.

2018 EBONY Power 100 List also includes politicians and lawmakers who made the news over the past year. These include Stacey Abrams, the first Black Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee (honored in The Disruptors category); Andrew Gillum, Mayor of Tallahassee and the first Black candidate for governor of Florida (honored in Disruptors category); Keisha Lance Bottoms, the second Black female mayor of Atlanta (honored in the Women Up category); and London Breed, the first Black female LGBT mayor of San Francisco (also honored in the Women Up category).

Other honorees run the gamut of industry, community activism and more. Tarana Burke needs no introduction as an African-American civil rights activist from The Bronx who achieved global acclaim after starting the #MeToo movement. Tarana will be recognized in the Community Crusaders category. Rosalind Brewer will be recognized in the Women Up category as the first African-American woman to the hold the position as Group President and Chief Operating Officerat Starbucks. Stacey D. Stewart, President, March of Dimes, will be recognized in the Disruptors category as the first African-American female president to lead the charitable organization. Junior Flip Kids, recognized in the Entrepreneurs category, is a company made up of six schoolchildren aged 7 to 13 years old, who met with Oprah Winfrey before starting their business to transform distressed properties into renovated single-family homes in Washington D.C, and Maryland. Cheryl “Action” Jackson will be recognized in the Community Crusaders category for Minnie’s Pantry, an organization that has provided over 6 million meals to families in need.

Honorees are recognized each year at the EBONY Power 100 Gala, presented by Nationwide. The event will take place this year Nov. 30 in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton. During the gala, the prestigious EBONY Power 100 Award recipients will be recognized for their contributions to business and industry.

“Nationwide is pleased to once again partner with Ebony magazine to honor and celebrate this year’s distinguished Ebony Power 100 honorees,” says Nationwide Chief Administrative Officer Gale V. King. “Congratulations to these men and women for leading extraordinary lives — for making a difference in their chosen fields – and being a force for good. We look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and contributions at the November gala.”

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Fighting for LIFE is WHAT It Do! Don’t be afraid! Visiting the doctors can be exhausting at times, especially when it comes to certain types of test and examinations.

I know the equipment in which is used to conduct mammograms can be intimidating. Walking into that cold room and being ordered to place your breast down on the glass plate is a little freighting. All things go through your head as you hear the radiologist say, “Don’t breathe, snapping photo now.”

I won’t lie, yes, it can be a little uncomfortable. The radiologist must ensure that the photos show the entire breast or else you’ll have to redo the process all over again. Just knowing that my beautiful grandmother, Leona Williams passed away due to breast cancer is motivation for me to get checked regularly.

My grandmother died at an early age. Back in those days’ technology wasn’t as savvy as it is now. I want to let those that may have been recently diagnosed or in remission that you’re not alone. Stay strong in your fight!

Early Detection of cancer is very important. Although mammography is the most accurate method for early detection, not all cancers are found that way. A thorough breast examination includes mammograms, examination by your physician and self-examinations on a consistent basis.

Please take care of your health and get tested. This has been my contribution to breast cancer awareness month. I truly hope it encourages somebody. Until next week L’s!

 

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— “How good it is to give thanks to you, O Lord! To sing praises to your name, O Most High! To proclaim your loving kindness every morning, and your faithfulness every night…” [Psalm 92:1-5].

I extend to each of you today an invitation. It is an invitation to cultivate gratefulness as your basic attitude toward life. It is an invitation to cultivate gratefulness as the very ground of your being. To be grateful is to recognize, acknowledge, and accept that we are a recipient of a gift – life.

You should be thankful for your families, health, food, and even a glass of water. Thank God for the simple things. You can even be thankful for the heartaches, the pains, and the suffering. [Romans 8:28] says, “All things work together for good…” That is, the thing itself is not good, but it is God Who is working all things together for good.

Do you want to live on the highest level of life? Cultivate the attitude of gratitude always and in all things I don’t care how bad, difficult, dark, or mysterious things get; take the ultimate step of faith and say, “God, You’re greater than this, and I thank You.”

Thankful people are happy people. “Well,” you say, “if I had something to be thankful for, I’d be happy.” You have missed the point! You do have something to be thankful for. You have life. You have Christ. If you didn’t have anything else but Jesus, you would have enough to praise God for all eternity.

You may say, “But my circumstances are not good.” The apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote this, yet he was rejoicing in the Lord. Gratefulness turned his prison to a palace, but ungratefulness can turn your palace to a prison. I’m telling you, the attitude of gratitude will change your life.

You’re not just simply to be thankful one day a year. One day is not long enough to thank God for all that He’s given you. His blessings come daily. [Psalm 68:19] says, “Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits…” Every day God has brand new blessings for you, and every day ought to find you thanking God. Every prayer that you pray ought be salted with thanks.

In everything give thanks. Not in some things, but in all things. Everything, every area of life is to be the subject of thanksgiving. There’s so much to be thankful for! Anything good that you have has come from God. You didn’t get it by luck, ingenuity, hard work, wit, or wisdom. It is proper to thank God for it.

Understand, living with gratitude is not a human way to live, not a natural way to live – it’s supernatural. And this kind of thankfulness only comes out of a vital relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit is the substance of it, the source of it, and the strength of it. We are to be filled with the Spirit, and we are to be giving thanks. And that’s the only way we can do it!

[P.S.] Being grateful does not protect us from rejection, pain, or sorrow; it doesn’t protect us from any of that. But if we are able to incorporate gratitude into our basic attitude toward life and make it a part of the ground of our being, it gives us another way of responding to what is taking place.

I tell you, what a wonderful way to start the day and invite gratitude in!

 

 

By Naomi K. Bonman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- After a 4-year hiatus, R&B vocalist, Raheem Davaughn is back. For those that need a memory refresher, Mr. Davaughn first emerged on the music scene with his debut album, The Love Experience in 2005, which reached No. 46 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. From that album, Raheem released the singles, “Guess Who Loves You” and “You”.

Three years later, Raheem Devaughn released his second album, Love Behind the Melody which featured the hit singles, “Woman” and “Customer”. “Woman” led to Davaughn being nominated for ‘Best Male R&B Vocal Performance’ at the 2008 Grammy Awards.

His third album The Love & War MasterPeace was released in 2010. A Place Called Love Land, his fourth album, was released in 2013. In 2015, he had released his fifth album, Love Sex Passion.

Today, October 19, Devaughn’s sixth studio album, Decade of a Love King, has been released. Leading up this day, I interviewed Raheem Devaughn where he chatted on his latest EP, as well as what he has been up to.

To listen to the interview, click here

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Breast Cancer Survivors Johnnie Fountain and Cindy Cotter is What it Do! It gives me pleasure to be able to feature such strong, brave and beautiful women.

Johnnie Fountain, the fighter, currently resides in the city of San Jacinto. She works as a Social Worker Supervisor Practitioner. This Queen kept it moving and never stopped. Giving back and working in her community gives her pleasure because she loves working with people. Her hobbies consist of reading and working in the ministry.

Cindy Cotter is a single mother and esteemed professor at Cal State San Bernardino. She has been there for over 20 years and is a fighter and a survivor. She valiantly fought against Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, through intense chemo and radiation. She was able to beat the disease and has been surviving and thriving for over 10 years. She enjoys karate, gardening, working with animals, being active in the United Methodist church and spending time with her kids and grandkids.

Education is vital not just for women, but for men as well. It’s important to get checkups regularly. Mammograms are needed to detect early signs of breast cancer. Mammograms can spot breast cancer before a lump can be felt. Please take care of your health and get tested. Until next week L’s!