"ALMOST CHRISTMAS" in theaters now!

I'm not sure why it took me so long to drag myself to the theater for a fun evening with family.  

But, there's no way I could let the Thanksgiving weekend end without seeing David Talbert's "Almost Christmas."

Sure, it's somewhat 'predictable,' but it made me smile from ear to ear and laugh out loud with all the other wonderful black folks in the movie.

Great casting and directing and it was so good to see Danny Glover on the big screen again.

If you're looking for a "feel-good" movie and who couldn't use a laugh after this debacle called "election."

Starring:  Kimberly Elise, Danny Glover, John Michael Higgins, Romany Malco, Mo'Nique, JB Smoove Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, Nicole Ari Parker, Jessie T. Usher and DC Young Fly.

Catch it before it's too late.

Watch the trailer HERE!

AACHAC Women's Health Conference, Saturday, December 3rd in Burlingame, California (featuring "The Real MVP" Wanda Durant)

 Click, HERE to Register!

(Unable to accomodate children)

"Writing to Save a Life" by John Edgar Wideman - The Louis Till File (Online and in Bookstores Now)

An award-winning writer traces the life of the father of iconic Civil Rights martyr Emmett Till—a man who was executed by the Army ten years before Emmett’s murder. An evocative and personal exploration of individual and collective memory in America by one of the most formidable Black intellectuals of our time.  (Simon and Schuster)

Wake Up Everybody, It's Not a Dream - The Nightmare that is the Trump Presidency

If you're not "woke," you better wake up.

Day three after the presidential election and it's sinking in harder with each passing day.  The Trumps are in the House.  The White House.  

As hard as it is to believe, it happened.  "They" said it couldn't.  There should be a lot of "pollsters" looking for jobs right now.  They got it completely wrong.  Either that, or they "played" us.  

Who to blame?  Low turnout among African American voters, miscalculation and poor strategy on the part of Hillary's people, racism, xenophobia, homophobia or all of the above.

In the words of Van Jones, it was a "whitelash."  

And President Obama had to sit next to Trump and be civil.  Trump, on the other hand, couldn't even look POTUS in the face.  I don't think I could have either, after calling him 'anti-American,' 'not a citizen,' and those are the nice things Trumped said.

So, what now?  We must act.  We must organize, we must get ready to fight an uphill battle at every turn.

There's much work to be done.  

In the words of Harold Melvin, "Wake Up, Everybody!"

God's Leading Ladies Conference - October 21-22, Oakland Marriott and Convention Center (featuring Dr. Juanita Bynum)

TO REGISTER, GO TO:

www.GodsLeadingLadiesOC.com

"All Power to the People" - Oakland Museum of California - Black Panther Exhibit, October 8, 2016 - February 12, 2017

For a complete list of related events and programs, visit:

Oakland Museum of California

Falling in Love with "Queen Sugar" on OWN

I must be honest.  The first couple of episodes of OWN TV's adaptation of Queen Sugar (based on the novel by Natalie Baszile) didn't have me hooked.

It has nothing to do with the acting, superb directing by Ava Duvernay or the storyline.  It's just that it's so different than the novel.  

"Queen Sugar" is easily among my top-ten reads over the past five years.  So, when you love a book so much you just don't accept change easily.

However, after last night's episode, I've realized that I must learn to "adapt."  And appreciate the artistic license afforded filmmakers when turning any book into a movie or TV series.

I love everything about this show and I'm thrilled that it's already been renewed for a second season.

Sweet like sugar.

Wednesdays at 10 p.m.  9 p.m. Central time.

George E. Curry (February 23, 1947 – August 20, 2016)

George Curry(right) pictured with fellow Knoxville College alums, the late Vernon Jarrett and veteran newswoman Barbara Rodgers (photo taken in 2002 at the NABJ Convention, courtesy of Barbara Rodgers)

George Curry, journalist, publisher and civil rights activist died Saturday, August 20, of heart failure.  

Curry was editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine in the '90s and was in the process of raising funds to relaunch Emerge in digital format.  Curry was the first African-American elected president of the American Society of Magazine Editors.

Curry was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and graduated from Knoxville College in Tennessee.

"I Almost Forgot About You" by Terry McMillan

One thing I can never forget is my very first Terry McMillan novel.  It was "Disappearing Acts."  Who could forget Zora and Franklin?

I really feel like I've "come of age" both literally and figuratively with her novels.

And while I'm a woman of a certain age, I really don't think you have to be an particular age, or a woman, to appreciate the way she tells a story.

There's something that's so comfortable, while remaining literary, about her books that make you keep coming back for more.

It's obvious that the author does her homework in detail and her descriptions of the San Francisco Bay Area make you feel like you're walking the streets and driving the hills right alongside "Georgia," the lead character.

No doubt about it.  Terry McMillan just gets better with time.  And so does her writing.

In I Almost Forgot About You, Dr. Georgia Young’s wonderful life–great friends, family, and successful career–aren’t enough to keep her from feeling stuck and restless. When she decides to make some major changes in her life, including quitting her job as an optometrist and moving house, she finds herself on a wild journey that may or may not include a second chance at love. Georgia’s bravery reminds us that it’s never too late to become the person you want to be, and that taking chances, with your life and your heart, are always worthwhile. 
 
Big-hearted, genuine, and universal, I Almost Forgot About You shows what can happen when you face your fears, take a chance, and open yourself up to life, love, and the possibility of a new direction. It’s everything you’ve always loved about Terry McMillan.  ("I Almost Forgot About You" From Penguin RandomHouse)

The Republican National Convention - One Party I'm Happy Not to have been Invited to Attend

I think of myself as a political person.  I try to keep up with current events.  And, like anyone who's paying attention, I'm freaked out about the upcoming presidential election.


I'm also mourning the impeding loss of the smartest, hippest and most compassionate First Couple to occupy the White House.  As the legacy of President Obama starts to wind down, I think it's safe to say that we'll never have another POTUS that is as comfortable in the barber shop as he is on "the Hill," and there will almost certainly not be another FLOTUS who is just as comfortable with heads of state as she is with Beyoncé and Jay-Z.


However, this week's shenanigans, and I do mean shenanigans, make me so happy to be a card-carrying member of the Democratic Party.  Donald Trump (or as I like to call him "Donald the Chump") and his crew are making me embarrassed for them.  Even if they don't have the common sense to be embarrassed for themselves.


I will admit that I've enjoyed watching the evening recaps.  At the end of a long day, I can use a chuckle or two.


And, while I can't blame Ivanka Trump for endorsing her dad, I don't think I'll ever buy a pair of her shoes again.

"Baseball, Hots Dogs, Apple Pie and Brownies!" Luv's Brownies' 20th Anniversary Reception and Benefit Clothing Drive with San Jose Giants

Let's go out to the Ball Game!

Luv's Brownies Commemorates its 20th Anniversary with a Reception and Benefit Clothing Drive at the San Jose Giants Game on Thursday, August 4th, from 6 to 8:00 pm.

For details, visit:  LuvsBrownies.com

INVITATION:

On Thursday, August 4, 2016, Lacy will observe the occasion by hosting a 6:00-8:00 p.m. meet & greet, which will include a clothing drive, free brownies for donators, pictures and a limited number of game tickets (San Jose Giants vs. Stockton Ports) at San Jose Municipal Stadium, home of the San Jose Giants, the Class A minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league baseball team.

“We are excited to celebrate this 20-year milestone with Luv's Brownies, " said Juliana Paoli, San Jose Giants Senior Vice President of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer. "We have enjoyed having Luv's Brownies as our official brownie partner for the last five years and counting.”

Attendees who donate items for the clothing drive will each receive a free award-winning (“Best Sweet” Dessert Award International Hospitality Convention - 2004, 2005), heart-shaped Luv's Brownie. "OMG!  These are the best brownies ever - sugar free or not! I’m in LUV!" remarked very happy customer Pamela Z.

Luv’s Brownies will also give away a limited number of free tickets to that evening's baseball game.

♦   Click here to RSVP reception: luvsbrownies20th.eventbrite.com/?s=67517082 …
      print & bring event ticket

♦   To reserve FREE ticket to the game (San Jose Giants vs. Stockton Ports),
      email info@luvsbrownies.com. Pick up game ticket at stadium will call!!