"Pages" Book Club Holiday Party

We had a great time discussing Kimberla Lawson Roby's book, "A Deep Dark Secret."

This is a different story than what we're used to reading from the New York Times bestselling author.

I won't spoil it for you, but it's the story of 12 year old Jillian Maxwell, a beautiful girl who appears to be living a perfect life with her mother, stepfather and younger sister.

However, as the reader soon learns, "No one knows what goes on behind closed doors."

I, personally, love anything that Kimberla Lawson Roby writes and would recommend this book.

A perfect gift for the book lover on your list.

CDC PARTNERS WITH BAY AREA BLACK JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (BABJA)

Come out and support BABJA/NABJ members Barbara Rodgers, Martin Reynolds and Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig in an HIV/AIDS prevention workshop (sponsored in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Bay Area Black Journalists Association (BABJA)).

“HIV/AIDS in the African American Community”

December 5, 2009
10:30 a.m. - Noon
Calvin Simmons Ballroom
Oakland Marriott
1001 Broadway
Oakland, CA

For registration information, copy and paste the below in your web browser:

http://tinyurl.com/yaw4w8t

Lee Daniels Pushes the Envelope Again - And Will Probably Take Home An Oscar In The Process

"Precious" continues to pack in audiences in its third week.

Lee Daniels, the Philadelphia born director/actor/producer has certainly evoked a lot of conversation with his film adapted from the novel "Push" by Sapphire.

Daniels best known for "Monster's Ball," and now "Precious" is getting raves and jeers, but one thing is certain - the film is making as much money as it is noise.

If you haven't seen it yet - check it out.

Official website for film:

http://www.weareallprecious.com

The Company We Keep, Black Radio and Why I Love My Book Club

Our book club's latest selection was Mary Monroe's "The Company We Keep."

The book is based on the original screenplay by Roy Campanella, Jr.

It's the story of a successful radio executive looking for "Mr. Right."

It was a light, entertaining read, and I thought that Ms. Monroe's depiction of the entertainment industry, particularly Black radio, was very much on point.

In a previous life, I worked in radio as an assistant to one of the best Black radio veterans in the country. It brought back a lot of fun memories.

The last question in our discussion was "why is Black radio so important to the Black community?"

We all agreed that it makes us feel connected, a part of things and that like the Black church - we don't want to live without it.

We also agreed that in order to hear Black radio, you pretty much have to subscribe to satellite radio. That's how much the industry has changed.

I remember my late mother's tales of WDIA in Arkansas and how much she depended on those Black voices to keep her company (pardon the pun) when she transplanted from her native North Carolina.

We've got to make sure our voices continue to be heard.

Support Black Radio.

"Precious" - Kudos to Oprah and Tyler for Making This Movie Happen

I saw the movie "Precious" today.

I did not want to see the movie.

I did not read the book "Push," which was the basis for this film because the subject matter was too intense for me.

However, through the power of "google," I knew what the movie was about beforehand.

It's not pretty - it's pretty painful - but it's thought provoking. And as I watched it, through tears (and sometimes laughter), I thought, "If you're not giving anything back, what the heck is the point?"

AMAZING performances by all.

Gabourey ("Gabby") Sidibe might want to start working on an Oscar acceptance speech - and Mo'Nique would be wise to start picking out an outfit as well.

Paula Patton and Mariah Carey also showed up and showed out for this movie.

I give this one a "galaxy" of stars!

"POWER" - by Curtis Jackson (AKA "50 Cent")

From Macy's Release:

Join us as we roll out the Red Carpet for 50 Cent! 50 Cent will be visiting 5 Macy's to personally introduce his new men’s fragrance, Power by 50 Cent, available exclusively at Macy’s. With any $68.50 Power by 50 Cent fragrance purchase the day of his appearance, meet 50 Cent and take home a photo with him, in an autographed frame



Tuesday, November 10th
Macy’s Union Square
San Francisco, CA
5:00–7:00 pm

Mattel Unveils African American Barbie

I been gone for a minute now I'm back at the jump off (Jump off)
Goons in the club in case somethin jumps off
And back up before the hive let the pump off
In the graveyard is where you get dumped off
All we wanna do is party (Woo!)
And buy everybody at the bar Bacardi (Woo!)
Black Barbie dressed in Bvlgari
I'm trying to leave in somebody's Ferrari
Spread love that's what a real ma do
Keep it gangsta look out for her people (For her people)
I'm the wicked bitch of the east, you better keep the peace (Aiyyo!)
Or out come the beast
We the best still there's room for improvement
Our presence is felt like a Black Panther movement
Seven quarter to eights back to back with 'em (Back to back)
And I'm sittin on chrome seven times platinum

(Lil' Kim - lyrics from "The Jump Off")

Mattel has introduced an African American Barbie. The doll was designed by Stacy McBride-Irby,an African American woman. Ms. McBride-Irby says she tired of her own daughter playing with dolls whose features did not resemble her own.

The new black Barbies released by Mattel have fuller lips, curlier hair and other features that the company says more accurately represent African-American women.

Go, Grace, Kara and Trichelle!