What it do with Lue

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

The patient was fading fast, and doctors expected him to flatline [die] before the night was over. In his fading state, he hears a voice…. Are you sure you want change your mind God asks?  What more can I do to prove my love to you?  You see, “Break up to make up, that’s all we do… First you love me then you hate me… That’s a game fool’s play… We have got to get together or we’re through…” [The Stylistics]. “Choose you this day Whom you will serve…” [Joshua 24:14-16]. “After all the things that we’ve been through… you should understand me like I understand you… As long as we’ve been together it should be so easy to do… get yourself together or we might as well say goodbye….. what good is a love affair if we can’t see eye to eye…” [Harold Melvin/The Blue Notes].

I tell you it’s hard to imagine a more direct approach than the one taken by Jesus here.  “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” [[Revelation 3:15]. Listen, God doesn’t want you to be lukewarm in your relationship with Him. He doesn’t want you to drift away from Him. He wants you to pursue a relationship with Him that grows stronger and deeper each day.  I want you to know that your love relationship with God is more important than any other single factor in your life. You were created by God to have a loving, intimate relationship with Him. God wants intimacy with you. His question, “Do you love me?” was not just for Peter but for all of us. There’s nothing that I’d rather do than spend every moment with you says God. You must choose your love and then maintain your choice: you either love Me or the world, but not both [John 2:15]. “To love and be loved in return. It’s the only thing that my heart desires.  Just appreciate the little things I do. I tell you we can build a world of love, a life of joy. Let’s make our goal each other’s happiness.” Seize the moment. Seize the time.  Seize the day.

I want you to know that in [1 Kings 17:8-16], a widow was facing her worst nightmare: she had a meal left for herself and her son. Death was mockingly starring at her. Then came a visitor sent by God. He made her an offer and she accepted it. Death was disappointed and put to shame. The woman lived better than she ever lived. This season, the Lord will visit you. Prepare for His visit. Get rid of every sin in your life. Obey Him completely. Be prayerful and sensitive to His call.

I also what you to know that the Lord does not compel us anymore than he compelled Peter. We are not forced to love God any more than we want to or any more than we are ready to. But the beauty is that each little bit of ourselves we do give over to the Lord is received by Him and transformed by His love into something greater. Peter learned the hard way what it means to love Jesus. He had vociferously declared his unfailing devotion to Him more than once. Yet when the chips were down, Peter’s self-confessed love failed and he openly denied three times that he even knew Jesus. His vaunted courage proved to be nothing but empty talk when facing a threatening situation. Don’t let that be said about you. In [John 14:15] Jesus put it plainly: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” In verse 21 He added, “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me” (cf. 15:10). As the Lord’s message was to the church at Sardis, so is it to each one of us: Check Your Spiritual Pulse. He, who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! [Deuteronomy 30:19].

By Naomi K. Bonman

After a long but rewarding two year journey, on October 2016 San Bernardino based author, T’ana Phelice brought her books to life on the stage with a 6 woman cast in “The Diamond Monologues”.   This heart-wrenching and life changing production received high reviews and praises that Phelice had to start a tour.

“The Diamond Monologues” will be coming back to Ontario, California on March 11, 2017 with a bigger cast and two powerful motivational speakers that will be giving the audience a dose of inspiration and motivation on how they can achieve the best in their lives no matter what struggle they may be going through, because your struggle is your testimony that will help and build up others.

As Ms. Phelice gears up for the next show, I wanted to get a little more insight on what inspired her to take things to the next level to become more than just a writer.

What was your inspiration behind bringing your books to the stage?

It started as a way to promote my books and reach a greater audience, but it soon became an additional passion. As I began to take the words from the books I saw the characters expressing themselves in a whole new light, with more depth and passion. I wanted the audience to connect with them and understand that my fiction is someone’s reality. I became more inspired because I knew that the protagonist would inspire the fans.

What do you hope the audience gets from watching this production?

I want the audience to see themselves. I want anyone watching to think about past mistake and learn to forgive themselves and others that have done them wrong. When I write I always want to drive my audience closer to redemption.

What can people except to see on March 11?

People will see monologues that are full of honest emotions. They won’t get the happily ever after that we tend to see in the movie theaters, they’ll get the reality that a lot of us live in every single day. The audience will be in tears as they watch but they will also laugh. March 11th will be a moment of empowerment.

What is next for you? What else are you working on?

I’m currently working on a web series called “Loving T’ana Phelice”. It will give the audience insight on who I am behind the scenes. It will showcase my day to day life as an up and coming writer. It’s an awesome way to promote my brand as well as show that I can write for television.

Get your tickets here

Proceeds from annual fundraiser will go toward much-needed scholarships and supporting our service programs

The Claremont Area (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will host its 5th Annual Heart Truth “Red Dress” Luncheon on Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Pacific Palms Resort Hotel in the City of Industry.  The theme is “From the Heart,” and the event is intended to raise awareness and supporting women who would otherwise ignore the threat of heart disease and other related issues.  More than 300 attendees are expected at this fundraising event.

A special highlight of this year’s luncheon program is a spotlight on the Chapter’s current scholarship recipients.

Over the last five years, the Claremont Area Links have given over $49,000 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors and college students. In addition to the monetary support, all scholarship recipients become part of the Chapter’s College Connection program. Throughout the year, recipients receive gift cards and notes to provide support and maintain contact as they migrate though their college years.  Awarding scholarships to deserving youth and supporting awardees provides an opportunity for the Chapter to establish a bond that is clearly focused on the expectation that the student graduates from college.

Proceeds from February’s luncheon will help further the Chapter’s commitment to providing financial assistance and support to our community’s youth, as well as supporting our service programs in the community. We invite you to join us for this important Heart Health Awareness event, and appreciate your support for our youth by purchasing a ticket, placing an ad in our souvenir journal or becoming a sponsor.

For more information, contact: Pamela Chavira, Chair at pmchavira@gmail.com.

(Photo Credit: John Coleman/Community Photographer)

On behalf of the Riverside Community Hospital’s Heart Care Institute, Cherie Russell-Crutcher, Riverside Community Hospital’s Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Communications, with Shannon Fox, “Ms California, 2017”, welcomed a near capacity and colorful (red dressed) audience to the Riverside Convention Center on Saturday, February 18 for the 8th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show & Health Expo.

The evening consisted of Health expo, Health & wellness info, free screenings, Massages, and a fashion show. The American Heart Association was a sponsor.

The awards gala featured pomp and circumstance, as industry legends and rising stars accepted accolades and made inspirational speeches here, February 11. 

The award winners, however, were not film or entertainment celebrities.

They were engineers honored for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) achievements at the 2017 Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) Awards gala – an annual event many call “the Oscars of the STEM industry”.

Akin to the Academy Awards to be presented in Hollywood later this month, BEYA Award recipients were applauded for a myriad of professional categories, including career achievement, community service, outstanding technical contribution, professional achievement, technical sales and marketing, research leadership, affirmative action, educational leadership, entrepreneur leadership, most promising engineer, senior investigator, and senior technology fellow in addition to the most promising engineer and most promising scientist. 

In all, 41 awardees – including Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) engineer Dwayne Nelson – walked the proverbial red carpet. 

Nelson, known for his extraordinary success in mentoring middle to high school students, received the 2017 BEYA Award for Community Service.

“His career already embodies outstanding civil service and the Navy keeps him busy,” Naval Surface Warfare Center Commander Rear Adm. Tom Druggan told the gala audience at the 31st BEYA STEM Global Competiveness Conference. 

“He’s advancing the science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers and improving the lives of those around him,” said Druggan as he introduced the NSWC Dahlgren Division engineer. “The Navy is proud. I know his family is proud.”  

At that point, Druggan presented Nelson with the BEYA Community Service Award. 

“This award has inspired and challenged me to contribute more towards empowering our youth and others to serve our community while encouraging interest in highly-rewarding science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields,” said Nelson. “Giving back and empowering people to reach their full potential is vital to stimulating enthusiasm about STEM. Every step, no matter how large or small, helps strengthen the arduous efforts in sustaining monumental, long-term, positive change within our communities.”

The NSWCDD commanding officer’s letter to Career Communications Group nominating Nelson for a BEYA award put the spotlight on the civilian engineer’s ability to determine where others are in need and his quick action to craft a solution.

“This skill set is not only invaluable in his work role, but in his role as a Big Brother with Rappahannock Big Brothers and Big Sisters where he participates in weekly one-on-one mentoring programs offering guidance, support, and encouragement to children at a local elementary school,” according to the letter.  

Nelson applies the same problem solving skills in his leadership role with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) where his contributions impact students and future engineers of all ages.

“I would like to thank Rear Adm. Tom Druggan, the Rappahannock Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division for supporting me throughout my career,” said Nelson. “The endless encouragement and invaluable learning have changed me forever.” 

Meanwhile, Nelson has been changing the lives of middle and high school students forever. 

As part of NSBE’s Pre-College Initiative program at a local middle school, Nelson inspires students to attend college in pursuit of STEM degrees by helping them discover how engineering and technology relates to the world around them. 

“He helps them to realize the excitement that comes with academic excellence, leadership, technical development, and teamwork,” the nomination letter states. 

Nelson led the NSBE Potomac River Professional Chapter’s engagement in more than 70 programs promoting technical excellence among young professionals in addition to the chapter’s impact in the community through educational programs for middle and high school students. 

“Through his hundreds of hours of technical outreach community help, principally focused on the advancement of STEM among minority community members, he has developed partnerships with local schools and agencies to give back to the community,” the letter continues. “For example, Mr. Nelson’s leadership and passion for the community led to a partnership with the local King George Family YMCA to host a 5K run-walk fundraiser with a goal of promoting a healthy lifestyle while using STEM principles to assist in improving participant’s health and wellness.” 

He also participated in A Walk for Education, Habitat for Humanity, United Way Day of Caring, Adopt-a-Highway, Back to School Supply Drives, and Collegiate Mentorship Programs. The engineer also established an annual STEM Innovators Scholarship to assist graduating high school seniors in paying for their education so they can also succeed professionally and positively impact their community.

As the Deputy Information Officer for two NSWCDD technical departments, Nelson supervises a mixed government and contractor team in the administration and compliant operation of multiple mixed domains and networks, comprising more than 2,000 individual seats that support multiple, geographically dispersed locations. 

“Working with Dwayne is a real pleasure – he simply makes everyone’s lives better,” said Ed Hudson, NSWCDD Cyber Technologies and Software Systems Division head. “As an information technology professional, he enables the success of his co-workers, customers and peers by streamlining, automating, and simplifying what can be very expansive compliance requirements.”   

The BEYA conference and awards gala – hosted by Career Communications Group’s U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology Magazine, Lockheed Martin, and the Council of Engineering Deans at Historically Black Colleges and Universities – is a talent-rich environment for recruitment, networking and professional development.

The conference’s prestigious awards ceremony provided employers with the unique opportunity to acknowledge and share the achievements of minorities who are leaders in the fields of math, science, engineering, and information technology.

The purpose of the BEYA STEM Conference is to shed light on the underrepresentation of all minorities in the STEM industry, and to honor the successful modern-day minority inventors, technical innovators, gifted scientists, budding engineers, and high-level managers and executives whose careers are “Going Beyond the Limits” in private industry, government agencies, and the military, and who are living proof of the benefits of opening doors to opportunity. 

The three-day February conference attracted several thousand attendees, including students, college administrators, recruiters, engineering and IT professionals, scientists, and high-level decision-makers from the corporate, government, and military communities, in an effort to broaden diversity in this country’s technical and scientific workforces. 

Attendees participated in training and networking events focused on career development, diversity in STEM, and innovation. 

Nelson holds bachelor’s degrees in applied mathematics from Morris College in Sumter, S.C., and in computer and electrical engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. Nelson also holds a master’s degree in engineering management from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va. 

The conference was held February 9-11, 2017 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park in Washington D.C.

LOS ANGELES, CA- Last weekend Kiss & Tell Networks celebrated two years of “advocacy with style” in the LGBTQ community. Launched in 2015, the team of movers and shakers has successfully hosted seven live panel discussion events creating candid conversation around topics from pop culture, politics, sexual health, and social stigmas surrounding same sex relationships. Ranging from drag queens to political activists, all of racially diverse of color, the event opens the door to publicly address current issues and ways to solve and unite the society. The California State Assembly awarded the trailblazers of Kiss & Tell Jazmyn Simone, Gabriel Maldonado, Michelle Michaels, “Amber Closet” and Shar Jossell with official state sealed Certificates of Recognition. Leo Jimenez, a thriving product of foster care, was always given the Youth Award for his involvement in the community. 

Following live music from Los Angeles singer AJ Calloway, guests celebrated at the “Lovers Ball” Champagne Reception at Redline DTLA powered my In The Meantime, Men’s Group.

Organically meant to be a single Valentine’s Day event, Kiss & Tell Networks has expanded to shows across the country including New York City, Las Vegas, and introducing Puerto Rico in junction with Xscape Music & Arts Festival Memorial Day Weekend 2017.

Kiss & Tell Networks fans enjoy the biweekly comedic yet informative podcast Kiss & Tell Radio with creator Jayce Baron and media junkies Shar Jossell and Kendall Wright. Kiss & Tell Networks has collaborated with the Los Angeles LGBT Center for “Models of Pride”, the largest national LGBTQ youth conference, is now signed on with REVRY to co-produce upcoming “queerrated” digital content, among other accolades achieved since the first show in Downtown Los Angeles. 

Kiss & Tell Live was Sponsored by In The Meantime, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and Jack’d 

By Lue Dowdy

A SUCCESSFUL performance by PRADA is WHAT IT DO!

It went all the way up on Saturday, February 8 at Status Night Club for recording artist, PRADA aka Dub Dollar’s mixtape release party. Prada took to the stage showing the fans why they should continue to support and to listen to a real one in the game.

Off his newly dropped project, “HAVE HEART & MAKE MONEY” he performed hits like “FADDED” and “THIS IS ALL WE KNOW.” The club was LITT!
The night consisted of networking and dope performances from artists like LA Duce, Maggic, and Turtle on the Beat. Of course DJ Muda one of the hottest DJ’s in the Inland Empire kept the crowd going.

Pay close attention as major moves are being made from the G.F.CASH Camp. The love was truly shown for Prada!

In the words of PRADA, “Hip Hop and community play a major role when it comes to influencing my lyrics.” “I plan to do with my influence or this music is pretty much tell the world my story, our story, and shed light on my city in every way possible.”

To checkout music by Prada go to GF Cash Records’ Soundcloud under https://m.soundcloud.com/user-194144347.

Until next week L’zzz!

O

n  February 16, at a special preview event for the new documentary “American Masters — Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” at The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (New York, NY), Dr. Maya Angelou’s grandson Colin Johnson (right), Co-Founder and Principal of Caged Bird Legacy, LLC, presented Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton (left) and President Bill Clinton (center) with a plaque of Dr. Maya Angelou’s inauguration poem, “On The Pulse of Morning,” that flew on the Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) December 5, 2014.

Jurnee Smollett-Bell

Don’t let her enchanting smile and innocent beauty fool you, Jurnee Smollett-Bell isn’t just another pretty Hollywood face. As the star of WGN America’s hit series UNDERGROUND,the30-year-old actress represents for our enslaved ancestors who never stopped fighting for freedom and fairness.

EBONY goes one-on-one with the actress and activist to learn more about colorism in Hollywood,the second season of Underground and the importance of activism, especially now.  While many celebrities are just now finding their voice on social justice issues, Smollett-Bell was “woke” before it became a popular term. One of the topics she tackles is the reality of bias toward lighter skinned women in Hollywood and beyond.

“There are obstacles and challenges that my dark-skinned sisters face that I will never know,” Smollett-Bell acknowledges. “How they are perceived when they walk in a room of strangers is something I will never truly know. I would be ignorant to say colorism doesn’t exist, it’s gross and disgusting.” Speaking of standing for your sistas in the struggle, the 2017 women’s issue is devoted to uplifting Black women.

“It is no exaggeration when we talk about Black Girl Magic,” says EBONY Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President, Head of Digital Editorial Kyra Kyles. “Black women truly hold our community together. It is an honor to be able to celebrate ‘us’ in this issue.”

Issue highlights include:

• EBONY Beauty Innovation Awards—In our annual and acclaimed “it” list, EBONY highlights the latest game-changing products and tools you’ll want to try
• A Silent War: The battle between Black women and fibroids
• Women’s Work: Movers, shakers, waymakers—Call it the takeover by 20 brilliant enterprising women who are industry leaders and gamechangers, which include U.S. SenatorKamala Harris, newswoman Soledad O’Brien, White House Champion for Change awardee Kathryn Finney, ESPN’s Jemele Hill.
• ‘In Our Cities’: EBONY’s original new multimedia seriesheads west to the City of Angels for some California love—the cinematic shoot-outs of gang wars of the ’90s are a thing of the past. Today,Los Angelesis considered one of the safest cities in the United States and we give a nuanced and real view of the Black folks who make it great
• Culinary Queens—These kitchen warriors are reclaiming the game for the sisters

Elsewhere in the issue we take a look at Jordan Peele’s latest film GET OUT, Jermaine Dupri welcomes EBONY to Atlanta and innovative Apple exec Bozoma Saint John provides tips on how to be a game changer at work. For more, pick up the March 2017 issue of EBONY, which is coming to a newsstand near you. And to get more Smollett-Bell, watch behind-the-scenes video on Ebony.com. Read and join the conversation on social media using #FantasticJurnee

SASEBO, JAPAN-Capt. Jeffrey Ward, (center) commanding officer of amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), and representatives of the ship’s Heritage Committee participate in a cake cutting following an African American/Black History Month celebration on the ship’s mess decks. Bonhomme Richard, forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan, is serving forward to provide a rapid-response capability in the event of a regional contingency or natural disaster.