"THE COMMITTEE" BY TERRY E. HILL

"THE COMMITTEE" BY TERRY E. HILL

The Committee is a beguiling tale that twirls Illuminati conspiracy, New Orleans voodoo, American politics and a subplot gay affair in a delicious twist ofturbulence and turmoil. We find out that the secret society behind thecountry's biggest political ploys is a mysterious New Orleans family ofCreole women who head "The Committee." It is they who in fact controlthe white men mistaken to be the country's power figures! "TheCommittee" has selected every US president since James Monroe and controls much of the country's economy. When they make the decisionthat the United States is not only ready for a Black woman president,but also select her, the phrase, 'hell hath no fury like a womanscorned' takes on new and insidious meaning.

Camille Ernestine Hardaway is the first African American female mayor of LosAngeles and she has it all - stunning good looks, power, a seeminglydevoted husband and influential allies. "The Committee" has decided that she will be the first Black female president of the United States andwill stop at nothing to ensure their rising candidate reaches the WhiteHouse. Author Terry E. Hill sublimely works hypnosis with the writtenword as he winds the reader deeper down a sinister black hole with eachchapter. The Committee's lethal combination of manipulation, intimidation, mysticism and murder make for the most intoxicating political thriller.

The Bright Side of the Steve Harvey Miss Universe Mishap

I haven't watched the Miss Universe pageant in years.  Certainly not in its entirety.  In fact, I had no idea it was even happening until my twitter timeline exploded.

I'm not one of those people who feels that beauty pageants have no real purpose.  I think that there are many good things that come from them, some of them, especially the ones that are geared toward black folks (like Miss Black America (does that still exist?).

Anyhow, my point is that it's very sad for the winner, the runner up and Steve Harvey.  Although, when I was growing up, Steve Harvey never would have been invited to host.  So, that's progress.  Right?

But what I see as the "bright side" is the fact that people like some of my co-workers, who shall remain anonymous, since they see us as anonymous, now know Steve Harvey.

Never mind the fact that he's a best-selling author, radio host, television host, and the list goes on.  Someone at work yesterday actually said, "I heard about Miss Universe and "the guy" who announced the wrong winner.
 
"The guy."  The guy whose net worth is upwards of $100 million dollars.

So, if there's anything good that did come out of the unfortunate mistake, now everybody knows Steve Harvey's name. 

Christmas at the Cathedral! Friday, December 18, 2015 - Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Oakland, California

510.655.6114 for more information. www.experiencebmc.org

Sweet Potato versus Pumpkin Pie - Inquiring Minds Want to Know

Lest it ever be said that I criticized a pie without trying it, I made it a point to make a pumpkin pie the day after Thanksgiving.

Naturally, I'm not crazy enough to try and replace my family's sweet potato pie on the actual holiday.  That could have disastrous consequences.

However, after all the hype about Patti Labelle's Sweet Potato Pie (which, I haven't tried since there are none to be found at any Walmart) a whole lot of new folks have been introduced to a black family staple, Sweet Potato Pie.

I remember when my daughter was young and they would have "potlucks" at school during the fall or winter, I would make it my business to send her to school with a sweet potato pie.  I'll never forget one British's dad's reaction, "I do believe I like it better than pumpkin!"

But the diversity door swings both ways, so I can finally say that I've made a pumpkin pie.  And I can honestly say, it's not bad.  Not sure that I'll be making another one anytime soon.  But, I did give it the old college try.

I think it's an acquired taste.  I'm sticking with sweet potato.

African American Community Health Advisory Committee presents "Taking Care of My Own Well-Being" on Saturday, December 5, 2015 in Burlingame, California

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:  650-696-4378

Pssst. . .did you hear? Eric Jerome Dickey has a new novel just in time for your "stockings" - "Naughtier than Nice"

Glass half-empty or glass-half full?  Your perspective will determine whether or not you think 

Eric Jerome Dickey's latest novel "Naughtier than Nice," 

really is "naughty" or "nice."

Perfect for a bedside read (hint-hint).

In bookstores and online now.

Review coming soon!

Blue Light Awards presented by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. Oakland/Bay Area Chapter, Saturday, November 7, 2015

Blue Light Award Recipients:

Mario Diaz

Frank Tucker

Cathy D. Adams, Founding President, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. OBAC

Supervisor Keith Carson

Doreen Anthony Bullard

PJ Herring

W San Francisco

181 Third Street

San Francisco

A CDA Consulting Group Presentation

510-653-4085

For information, cdaconsultinggroup@gmail.com

Is "Olivia Pope" The "Woman at the Well" or the Woman we wish we were? Scandal Musings

Shonda Rhimes is a bad sister.  A phenomenal writer with the intelligence to surround herself with other phenomenal writers to create a show that keeps us coming back for more.

Say what you want about Olivia Pope.  She's the baddest chick in DC right now.

I must admit until last night's episode, I wasn't sure "Scandal" could continue to hold my interest. 

Spoiler Alert!

When it seemed that Olivia (Kerry Washington) was going to move into the White House with Fitz after he kicked Mellie to the curb, I thought, "This is completely unrealistic."

But then when Cyrus (Oh, how I love thee) stirred the pot and forced Mellie to step up and sucker-punch Fitz, I thought, "Oh, hell yes!"

And while I don't condemn or condone the idea of married men or women cheating, you have to admit Olivia Pope is a force to be reckoned with.  She's that sistah you find yourself hoping your daughter will grow up to become.  In the words of Carl Carlton, "She's a Bad Mama Jamma!"

We have all been "Poped" and we're loving every sixty minutes (sans commercials) of it.

Thursday nights will never be the same.

6th Annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival, October 16-18, 2015 in Mountain View

For details, go to www.svaff.org

Tickets $20, $30, $50

2nd Annual David E. Glover Legacy Awards, Thursday, October 15, 2015, Impact Hub Oakland

A CDA Consulting Group Production

Call 510-653-4085

cdaconsultinggroup@gmail.com

Win A Copy of "Candace Reign" by Sharai Robbin (Presented by ZANE)

"Candace thinks she has it all--a good job, a promising future, and a plan to get herself and her son out of the hood.  But can she still make it happen when she gets involved with a young thug chasing street dreams?"

Win a free copy of "Candace Reign" compliments of Simon and Schuster, simply by sending me an email HERE.  Giveaway ends on Friday, September 25th at midnight EST.

On sale now in stores and online from author Sharai Robbin.

*Winner!  Barbara Rodgers of San Francisco

Silicon Valley Black Legends Awards, September 12, 2015, San Jose Convention Center

 

For details visit, blacklegendawards.org

"It's A Black Thang" Labor Day Sale - 15 PERCENT OFF THE ENTIRE STORE

SHOP NOW AND SAVE 15% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE*

DISCOUNT CODE:  LABOR915

"IT'SABLACKTHANG"
*Sale Ends Midnight 9/7/15

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $75

"Those Who Cannot Remember the Past are Condemned to Repeat It" - Hurricane Katrina - Ten Years Later

It's hard to believe it's been ten years today since we saw the horrendous tragedy that hit New Orleans in the form of a hurricane.  A natural disaster that no one could stop but many didn't prepare for - starting at the top with the Federal Government.

It's ironic that while we're in the midst of wondering, hoping and praying who will or will not be the next President to succeed President Barack Obama, the media is once again back in New Orleans to revisit what has transpired in the ten years since "Katrina" as she's come to be known (by only one word) ripped apart a city, families, communities, cultures and changed lives forever.

If there is anything good that came from this disaster, it was opening America's eyes (even when didn't want to see) to the fact that there are people suffering from poverty, lack of proper housing, clothing, streets, medical care and who just plain are being treated less than human right here on American soil.

For me, it introduced me to children whom I've never met personally but I've come to know and love.

New Orleans is still suffering a decade later.  People have been displaced, dispatched, relocated and will never return to home as they knew it for generations.  There were over 1800 lives lost.

In the immortal words of George Santayana, "Those Who Cannot Remember the Past Are Condemned to Repeat It."

Don't forget.  We can't forget.

In Memoriam: Julian Bond, 1940-2015

(January 14, 1940 – August 15, 2015)

Julian Bond, a leader in the Civil Rights Movement (SNCC) who served twenty years in the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives passed away August 15, 2015 in Florida at the age of 75.

Cancun Jazz Festival Presented by BTWconcerts - Labor Day Weekend 2015

Cancun Jazz Festival

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya

Labor Day Weekend September 3 - 6 2015

Presented by BTWconcerts

Book Review of Charlie Wilson "I Am Charlie Wilson"

I just finished reading “I Am Charlie Wilson” and feel good that I have received one of God’s examples of grace.  Charlie Wilson is a man who worked hard at what he loved but allowed a disease to go unchecked.  

As his story reads, he had many reasons to be at odds with the world given his absent father, over-worked single mother and competing worrisome siblings.  

He shares that his outside persona and hysterical fan base, belied the truth that was his shyness and lack of fortitude which made him susceptible and a victim to the vices that are symptomatic of dis-ease.  

Oh, but for the Grace of God and the work of Angels, Charlie, last name Wilson, found himself being picked up and put back on his feet with a greater sense of purpose and strength than he had ever possessed.  He came to not only strip away the disease of addiction but he found a power greater than himself to lead the way to a fuller more purposeful life.  His already great gift of song and performance was enhanced and like the territory of Jabez was widened.

Good going Charlie.  Thanks for Sharing.

(Reviewed by "Anonymous")

Remembering James Baldwin

James Arthur Baldwin (August 2, 1924 – December 1, 1987)

I read my first James Baldwin Novel when I was about eight years old.  I have no memory of what it was about.   I'm fairly certain it was "Go Tell It On the Mountain."  It belonged to my sister who was more than ten years older.

I was a voracious reader and read at an early age.  And I read whatever I could get my hands on.  You can only read fairy tales so many times, and then you have to broaden your tastes.  And with a limited library in my home, that meant "borrowing" books from whomever.  In this case, my big sister.  I'm fairly certain she never even knew I borrowed or read it.  That's the thing about little kids.  They're so much smarter than we give them credit for being.

When I found out it was James Baldwin's birthday today, I noticed that he was born in 1924.  It made me giggle.  My mother was born in 1924.  And almost certain that my mother never read anything by James Baldwin.

We must continue to expand our study of black history beyond the classroom, and most definitely, beyond February.  

Happy Birthday, James Baldwin.  We are very lucky that you live on in your literature.

"I Am Charlie Wilson" - A Memoir

"The long-awaited memoir of seven-time Grammy-nominated artist Charlie Wilson, the iconic R&B and Funk singer-songwriter-producer—interwoven with his recollections of collaborating with fellow artists such as Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, and Snoop Dogg.

Recognized the world over for his distinct voice and timeless hits spanning a career of nearly half a century, Charlie Wilson is one of the most celebrated musicians of his generation. So it took friends and family by surprise when he checked into rehab and revealed that he had been not only homeless, but also helpless.

Here, in the memoir fans have been demanding, is the story of how love and faith carried him through not only his addiction, but also prostate cancer. Here, too, is the story of his work in the music business, including a career resurgence that saw collaborations with some of the most sought-after artists of today, including Pharrell and Justin Timberlake.

Now over twenty years sober, Wilson recounts a life filled with vertiginous highs and heartbreaking lows. His is a story of triumph over adversity, courage in the face of extreme hardship, and love when all else is lost. It is a tale of the last sixty years in social and pop culture history, and one that will stay with you for years to come. (From Simon and Schuster)"



Available online at amazon and other retailers.

REVIEW COMING SOON.

Winner of Victoria Christopher Murray's "Stand Your Ground"

Yes, just yes!

This is a really good book.

So different from anything that I've read from this author.  

I especially liked the way the story was told in two parts and from the perspective of two different women.  I don't want to give anything away, so I won't go into a lot of detail. 

This is the right book at the right time.  

Janice Johnson's son has been murdered and as we've heard all too many times before, the shooter is using the "Stand Your Ground" defense.  I have to admit until the murder of Trayvon Martin, I had never even heard of this defense.

But it's not just Janice Johnson (who, by the way, is a stronger woman than me for sure) that you get to know, you also come to know Meredith Spencer, the wife of the accused killer.

This was very cleverly written and held my attention to the very end.  

This is one for the library.

And, now we have a WINNER!

The winner of the free copy of "Stand Your Ground" by Victoria Christopher Murray compliments of Simon and Schuster is Miss Pearl from San Francisco.  

Hyatt Regency New Beach Summer Concert Series 2015

For further information and to purchase tickets,

click here!

 

HyattConcerts.com

 

Box Office:  949-360-7800

BET Awards - A "Mini" Family Reunion

The BET awards is like a mini black family reunion that rolls around once a year from 8:00 p.m. (on the west coast) to whenever you can no longer keep your eyes open.  

Each year brings a couple of moments that everyone is tuning in to see.  

This year, the promise of Janet Jackson  and a Bad Boy reunion was almost too much to handle.  I must say, the Bad Boy reunion was the highlight of the night, but seeing Janet’s face caused me to seriously fan girl.  

The Bad Boy reunion was more than I expected.  Lil Kim made an appearance and she looked GREAT.  They even brought Faith Evans out!  The Janet tribute was a little odd because no one sang, but Ciara danced for her life!  

Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson were great hosts!