*Motown friends and family came together last week in Tarzana (CA), to enjoy the 11th Annual “Friends of Fuller Gordy Strikefest,” one of the most anticipated bowling, concert, dining and philanthropic events of the season.

Entertainment celebrities, business leaders and Motown alumni showed up last Wednesday, November 7, to celebrate the legacy of Fuller Gordy, a Motown Vice-President and older brother of Motown Founder Berry Gordy, who was known throughout the entertainment industry as a caring humanitarian and mentor to many. A successful bowler, Fuller Gordy became the first black bowler, from Michigan, to be inducted into the Professional Bowlers’ Association.

“He was always a leader,” said Berry Gordy of Fuller during the evening. “So, if I had one word to describe tonight, it would be gratitude. His granddaughter (Karla) and daughter (Iris) have done such a wonderful job every year. It’s so much fun and everybody has a good time.”

Fuller’s daughter, Iris Gordy, a former Motown vice president and granddaughter, Karla Gordy Bristol, a TV and social media talk show host, founded “Friends of Fuller Gordy Strikefest,” which is the event of the year for an organization dedicated to honoring outstanding young individuals and organizations that inspire, educate and uplift. Their 2018 honoree is the Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant, founded by Lisa Ruffin, which spotlights girls ages 6-12.

One of the attendees was the 2018 Little Miss African American Scholarship Pageant winner Nasreen el Shabazz and her mom, Sheryl Lively, who was happy the pageant and Ruffin received recognition.

“She (Nasreen) had done it four times in a row before she finally won,” said Lively. “We encourage her to follow her dreams and never to give up. It was hard, because it took her four times. She just turned 12 and she was 8 when she started.”

“This kind of event, it teaches you never to give up,” Lively continued. “Life is hard and you’ll have challenges and stuff, but you still have to follow your dreams. This was hard and it was hard for me as a mother to see her hurt, but she gave it everything she could. But if you want something, you have to keep going for it and I’m really proud of her that she didn’t give up.”

Lively is also glad Ruffin and the pageant was getting recognition.

“Oh, my God! She is all for the kids”, said Lively. “She’s done this for 25 years and just when it seemed it was time to fold or give up, she keeps going, The young ladies she’s brought to her pageant, they come back with college degrees.”

“So, I’m just honored to be here with Motown and I’m so happy for Lisa, that she’s getting honored and acknowledged, because she’s so deserving of it.”

As for the 2018 Little Miss African American Pageant winner herself, Nasreen el Shabazz, she said the pageant teaches you to be confident, love you for yourself and to go after your dreams.

“I kept going even after falling short a few times because I just thought, ‘This wasn’t my year. It was another girl’s year, she said. “So if I kept trying, I felt it would eventually be my year – and I kept trying and it was!”

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As for Lisa Ruffin, she could hardly contain her emotion over her organization and her being honored at Strikefest.

“I’m totally overwhelmed. I’m extremely overwhelmed and so thankful,” said Ruffin. “I’m still shocked, actually, because I just did this from my heart and that’s how the organization has been operating for 25 years. So for people of this stature to acknowledge our work, it’s just shocking to me.”

“I want my girls to experience things it may have taken me 30 years to experience”, she said. “I want them to know if they have the confidence and the drive, they can do anything. If I see a girl  has an interest in science or math or dance classes, we try to make that happen. We start at a young age, 6-12, because we feel it’s important to teach them good habits early, rather than wait for them to develop bad habits and correct them. So we want them to get it right the first time – and it seems to be working!

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Speaking of pageants, Miss Black California of 1971, Kathleen Bradley, was in attendance as well.

“Well, I know Iris and Karla and I went to the first one,” Bradley said. “It’s just a great opportunity for me to come and be able to help lend my celebrity, raise some money and have good times with friends and family for a very worthy cause.”

“It’s a pleasure to be able to honor Fuller Gordy – who was the most wonderful guy and when I was with the singing group The Love Machine in the Seventies, so it’s great to be back with the Motown family now.”

David Kershenbaum, a multi-platinum record producer whose clients included Tracy Chapman and Lauren Taines were also in attendance.

“I like what Iris and Karla are doing,” said Taines. “They’re raising money to fund various educational projects, so I help how I can and what I like is they are raising money for various educational concerns for the kids.”

“I met Karla a couple of months ago and she invited me and I thought it was such a worthwhile cause,” said Kershenbaum.”I love charities and I certainly love education for children.”

“I also grew up with Motown, so it’s particularly dear to my heart,” he added. “I was looking and thinking about how when Motown was at it’s peak, how wonderful the times were – how innocent and easier it was to create something special than it is today..That music was a soundtrack for many people who had a chance to listen.”

One of the bands that contributed to Motown’s heyday was Switch, who performed at Strikefest.

“We’re friends of Iris and Karla and we’ve known of the event for years,” said Greg Williams, one of the group’s founders. “We knew a lot about Fuller, so we understand the event. It’s an annual event in his honor to represent his philanthropy over the years.”

“We signed with Motown in 1978 and were there for five years and sold 8 million records. So we’re part of their history as well, ” said Williams. “This is our family. Our folks.”

Karla Gordy Bristol said she was happy the way the night went.

“The Fuller Gordy Strikefest, which I’ve been doing for 11 years, with my mother – well, this may have been the most exciting night,” said Gordy Bristol. “To see the happy faces throughout the room, and people coming up to me saying, ‘This is amazing!’ … and everybody being warm to each other – I really love that. That lets me know that we’re doing something great – and doing something that must continue.”

Gordy Bristol also feels the event reflects on her family’s legacy.

“It says a lot,” she said. “I think it shows people what the Gordy family is about – that they’re a loving family, a giving family, a caring family and that they’re down to Earth and enjoy people.”

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/motowns-legacy-rolls-on-with-the-11th-annual-friends-of-fuller-gordy-strikefest/

*After video circulated of a Black student getting escorted out of class, the University of Texas at San Antonio opened an investigation that has resulted in the white professor who called the police being relieved of her duties for the rest of the semester.

Biology instructor Anita Moss sparked outrage Monday after she called the police on a Black female student who had allegedly rested her feet on a chair. Moss had repeatedly asked students to take their feet off chairs in what was described as a “pet peeve” of the professor, according to a report by interim dean Howard Grimes published Wednesday, per nydailynews.com.

“So this happened today in class, a girl had her feet up and the professor called the police after calling our class uncivil,” student Apurva Rawal tweeted along with video of the incident.

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The student at the center of the controversy, with the Twitter handle @FavoritePaigeee, wrote on Monday:  “Upon entering class I was told I needed to leave or would be escorted out by officers, I never disobeyed the student code of conduct. Not once. A police report is being filed atm, this is just the beginning. Thanks for your support!”

According to the report, Moss was so incensed by the ongoing problem of student disobedience that she attempted to send “FavoritePaigeee” an email on Sunday telling her not to show up for class until they could discuss the situation, but the message was mistakenly sent to another student in the class, according to Grimes.

When the student showed up for class on Monday, Moss told her to leave after showing her the email. 

Grimes writes in the report that the student said: “this class is very important to me and attending this class is part of my grade and I do not want to miss the lecture as we have a test coming on Wednesday.”

When Moss threatened to call the police, the student said, “do what you need to do.” She was then hauled away by three officers.

“I did not believe she was calling them [police] but, sure enough, they came a few minutes after she had stopped talking on the phone,” a student in the class told ABC News. “They escorted [her] out and once the police had left out of the classroom, a lot of students started telling [the lecturer] she had done wrong, she was being disruptive of class time and she had taken matters out of control.”

The school determined that Moss “failed to manage her classroom effectively.” She will be allowed to return to her classroom in the spring if she meets certain requirements.

Meanwhile, the student at the center of the classroom incident issued the following statement:

The last couple of days have brought a whirlwind of emotions. The support I have received, especially from my classmates, has been very encouraging for me.

I have served in many leadership roles on campus through student organizations, on-campus employment, and as a UTSA mentor to local high school students in underprivileged areas. I am passionate about UTSA and its sense of community.

Throughout these investigations, I have been repeatedly asked whether I believe the incident on Monday was based on racism. My answer is no. However, the investigations confirmed that my professor has struggled with misidentifying me with other students.

My professor apologized to me today for her classroom reaction, and I apologized to her if my behavior appeared to be disruptive, unprofessional, or uncivil as a student. I am eager to move forward and put this behind me.

I have expressed interest in being a participant in discussions on how students from underrepresented groups are treated inside and outside the classroom.

I would like to thank the UTSA faculty and staff for the efficiency with which this matter was handled. To the UTSA students who provided witness accounts in the university’s investigations and to those who communicated their support: Thank you so much.

Moving forward, I would ask the public and the news media to respect my privacy so I may continue my studies without distraction.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/white-lecturer-has-utsa-student-escorted-out-of-class-by-police-for-having-feet-propped-up/

*The year’s best movie and a must see, “Green Book,” debunks white supremacists’ theory of superiority—in more ways than one. An average intelligent person would know that nothing could come of whites staying in the same hotel, eating at the same restaurant, or using the same bathroom as a black man. Yet, this depraved concept by many pseudo intelligent, wealthy whites existed as late as the 1960s.

“Green Book” tells an important story of race relations in America, but just as important is the relationship between Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) and his chauffer, Tony “Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen). When Tony ends up behind bars, Don tells him, “You can never win with violence.” Ironically, one of Mortensen’s best films is “A History of Violence.”

When bouncer Tony from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley, a world-class pianist, who lives at Carnegie Hall, on a concert tour through the Deep South, they must rely on “The Green Book” to guide them to the few establishments that were safe for blacks. Confronted with racism, and the dangers of Jim Crow laws, they set aside their differences and form a lifetime bond.

Directed by Peter Farrelly, “Green Book” also stars Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco, Dimiter D. Marinov, and Don Stark.

‘Widows’

“Widows” is a familiar heist story but this time around women are in the driver’s seat. In the hands of director Steve McQueen, not only is the female centric concept different but the casting, particularly with Viola Davis as the desperate grieving wife left to clean up husband Harry Rawlins’ (Liam Neeson) mess. And kudos go the McQueen for the scene that show their son stopped by cops.

The story of “Widows” is set in contemporary Chicago, amid a time of turmoil, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands’ criminal activities, take fate into their own hands, and conspire to forge a future on their own terms.

Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell, Cynthia Erivo,  Robert Duvall, Elizabeth Debicki, Daniel Kaluuya, Carrie Coon, and Brian Tyree also star.

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grendelwald’

“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grendelwald” (“FB”), directed by David Yates, picks up where “Fantastic Beasts” left off. The powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne).

In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander to help. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

“FB” continues to amaze with its spectacular special effects and character engagements. A favorite “beast” is Nagini (Claudia Kim). One of the creepiest onscreen transformations is James Earl Jones in “Conan The Barbarian.” Kim comes close to that.

J.K. Rowlands has always been inclusive with casting and “FB” is no exception. Members of the black cast include Zoe Kravitz, Carmen Ejogo, Cornell John, Claudius Peters, William Nadylam, Jessica Williams, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Hugh Quarshie, Johanna Thea, and Thea Lamb.

Facebook.com/TheFilmStripTM      Twitter: @thefilmstrip    Instagram.com/thefilmstriptm

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/weekend-watch-green-book-debunks-theory-of-white-supremacists/

*Porsha Williams’ fiance/baby daddy has been slapped with a lawsuit for selling subpar items at his weave and extensions company, Queen Virgin Remy Hair.

RadarOnline.com reports that Dennis McKinley has been accused by Kimberly Garlick of “selling faulty merchandise” in the amount of $400 and “refusing to mediate” in June 2014. McKinley filed a motion to dismiss the civil suit later that year.

“Plaintiff Kimberly Garlick improperly filed an action against Defendant,” the court papers read. “Defendant denies all of Plaintiff’s allegations. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Defendant sold faulty merchandise and refused to mediate.”

He claimed that Garlick “falsely indicated that she has an account with Defendant.”

“There is no legitimate basis under the facts of this case to substantiate a claim upon which relief may be granted,” he continued. “Defendant has never sold any merchandise to Plaintiff nor has had any dealings with Plaintiff, and therefore is an improperly named party to the lawsuit.”

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In September 2014, the Plaintiff asked for the case to be dismissed with prejudice.

In October, McKinley hit ex-girlfriend Shanise Thomason with a lawsuit for “trademark infringement, conversion and other wrongful acts” in regards to Queen Virgin Remy.

He claimed Thomason had no “ownership rights or interests in Queen Virgin Remy,” but that didn’t stop her from allegedly stealing $5,900 worth of merchandise from a retail store in Georgia on February 9, 2015, the report states. 

“Defendant Thomason entered the Queen Virgin Remy retail store in Columbus and unlawfully took Queen Virgin Remy hair products from the store without paying,” the May 8, 2015 complaint read. “Thomason entered into the Columbus store with a large black trash bag. She walked behind the front counter of the store and opened the door to the store’s stock room. She removed hair products inventory from storage bins and placed them into the black trash bag and left the store with the black trash bag filled with Queen Virgin Remy hair products.”

The ex-couple agreed upon a confidential settlement in 2018.

Meanwhile, Williams, 37, announced her pregnancy with McKinley in September. They are expecting a baby girl.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/porsha-williams-fiance-accused-of-selling-faulty-merchandise-at-hair-company/

*Los Angeles, CA — Hundreds of Los Angeles high school graduating seniors filled the Hyatt Hotel LAX today during the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Empower Me Tour (EMT) for a chance to win thousands in scholarships. EMTis a free, traveling college-and-career-readiness roadshow that provides a platform for high school students to earn on-site scholarships and admission to the nation’s top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Five students were surprised on the spot with a $2,500 scholarship each. Christian Dixon, Mohamad Lorenzano and Jada Salazar of Susan Miller Dorsey High Schoolwere all top winners. Samad Acklin of Early College High Schooland Kiara Phillips ofUSC Media Arts High Schoolalso took home the top prize. “Every night I hear helicopters and police sirens,” says Samad Acklin. “This experience has pushed me to make education priority. I must establish a successful career as a plastic surgeon to provide for my family. This scholarship makes college a reality instead of just a dream,” adds the 17-year-old winner.

UNCF is the largest scholarship provider to students of color, awarding $100 million annually in scholarships to more than 10,000 students across the country. Several top celebrities are graduates of HBCUs.  Actress Taraji P. Henson is a 1995 alumna of Howard University; Terrence J. graduated from North Carolina A&T University; Rapper, Actor, Activist Common is graduate of FAMU, Samuel Jackson is proud alumus of Morehouse College, Oprah is a proud alumna of Tennessee State University.

UNCF winner Jada Salazar grew up in the foster care system and despite her adversities, she vows to fight against injustices. “Although I’ve been abused physically and verbally, applying for colleges and exploring opportunities help me to know that I can strive,” says the 17-year-old with hopes of attending Spelman College in Atlanta.

Through partnerships with theLos Angeles area public school districts, parents, national sponsors Wells Fargo, Target, P&G and FedEx, EMT offers access to information and recruiters from HBCUs, college prep workshops, dynamic presenters, and award-winning educational experts. Students will have an opportunity to apply for college admission, financial aid and scholarships including the EMT Merit Scholarship, presented in partnership with Target on the spot.

More photos (courtesy of UNCF/Tim Caver) from the event:

Los Angeles is the fifth of six stops on the Empower Me Tour. Other cities on the tour include Fort Worth, TX; Cincinnati, OH; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI and Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit: www.EmpowerMeTour.org. You can follow EMT on social media @UNCF  #EmpowerMeTour.

About UNCF: UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country.  Learn more at www.UNCF.org, or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter, @UNCFand #EmpowerMeTour.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/uncf-awarded-los-angeles-students-thousands-in-college-scholarships-on-the-spot/

*”Widows” is the rare Hollywood production that subverts your expectations in a positive way – while still leaving you feeling slightly unsatisfied when it ends.

The premise is refreshing. Turning the “men avenging a falling female loved one” on its head, “Widows” has its protagonists losing the men in their lived to a botched robbery and then trying to survive and thrive.

However, in the hands of director Steve McQueen, don’t expect a typical action/revenge picture. If anything, the film is a slow burn, with McQueen prioritizing putting the meat of characterization onto his characters’ bones rather than guns in their hands.

In short, don’t expect a female “Expendables” movie going into “Widows”.

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As the story unfolds, we see Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis) a Chicago teacher’s union delegate and her husband Harry (Liam Neeson), a renowned bank robber with connections to politicians, in bed together. Though far from groundbreaking in 2018, such interracial scenes are still relatively rare. But McQueen takes you out of the moment by having Davis and Neeson using their tongues like lizards, which takes any romance, passion or even lust out of the scene.

Therein lies the main problem with “Widows”: McQueen and co-screenwriter Gilllian Flynn (“Gone Girl”) are so busy trying to give us curves, hey forget an occasional straight fastball can be just as effective.

That said, there is a lot to like here. Michelle Rodriguez actually gets a chance to act as Linda Perelli, one of the widows who was a clothing store owner before her husband’s demise. Elizabeth Debicki portrays Alice Gunner, who after losing her abusive husband, ponders life as an escort. There are many layers to Gunner’s character, as we see her as meek, to viewing why she accepted such harsh treatment from her husband when we see her mother (Jacki Weaver), who physically assaults her daughter and encourages her to become a high-priced hooker. Which has Alice wondering if love truly exists or if everything in life is “a transaction”.

Which brings us to Davis, who has found a role far superior to others she has portrayed recently in films like “Suicide Squad”. As the widow of the gang’s leader, Davis finds herself threatened by Jamal Manning, a crime boss and politician to whom she finds out the widows are indebted to the tune of $2 million. As she helps put a plan together to get enough money to pay the debt and set her and her crew up for the rest of their lives, the tension builds.

Brian Tyree Henry is excellent as Jamal Manning, who at 38, no longer wants to deal with “the life” and instead wants to immerse himself in the “honest stealing” and power that comes with elected office. .Likewise, Daniel Kaluuya gives a chilling turn as Jatemme Manning, Jamal’s brother and mob enforcer, whose performance has echoes of Wesley Snipes’ iconic Nini Brown in “New Jack City”.

Colin Farell also is given a role that plays to his strengths as Jack Mulligan, Jamal’s opponent and a politician who finds himself mixed up in the widows’ plans. We also find he alternates between embracing his family’s political legacy – as embodied by his father Tom (Robert Duvall) – and absolutely despising it, wondering what he is really accomplishing and how he is different from the thieves and whores he rails against.

There are other characters and developments, but there are many big, wicked curves in this film and I don’t want to spoil any of them.

Suffice to say that the film flirts with greatness, but never quite reaches it, never truly goes for it, never quite attains the peak of its promise. It deals with important issues, but what is both the film’s strength and weakness is that they are not always dealt with in a way that fits with the overall narrative.

As a heist film, it is far more intense, with more real stakes than “Ocean’s 8” – that’s for sure

A lot of this had to do with Davis, who is not quite convincing as a lover or leader. Some also has to do with the script, which could have played it straight and had the energy crackle a bit more.

Still, “Widows” is a memorable, engrossing film that reminds you of Hollywood’s ability to surprise. It constantly subverts your expectations in a good way.

Here’s hoping if the film gets a deserved sequel, they up the action just a little bit, though.

Grade: B+

*Migos rappers Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff have filed a lawsuit against their former business partner for refusing to pay royalties from a clothing line they worked on.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the trio signed a deal in 2015 with Yung Rich Nation for work on a line of clothing, jewelry, and other apparel. Migos were to be paid a percentage from the sales but they accuse YRN of failing to properly pay up and refusing to provide accounting receipts. 

The group says YRN has produced Migos-related clothes without their permission, such as “Culture” — the name of two of their albums, and “Bad and Boujee,” the name of their hit record.

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Migos is suing for an injunction prohibiting the company from continuing to profit off their brand and for unspecified damages, the report states. 

And here’s more from The Blast:

Yung Rich Nation actually sued Migos over the same deal earlier this year. YRN claimed Quavo, Offset and Takeoff were supposed to wear the clothes in six music videos a year, participate in four photo shoots and make at least six appearances in stores.

The company claimed instead of following through on their deal, Migos went and entered into a separate deal with Universal Music Group to sell band apparel and ceased to work on the planned line with them.

YRN sued Migos seeking unspecified damages.

In related news, Migos and Sean Kingston have been hit with a lawsuit by a limo driver who claims he was injured after being caught up in a brawl between the hip-hop stars.

Michael Gradney has sued over the incident that went down February 21, 2017, in Las Vegas. He claims that while standing outside the limo, a fight broke out between Kingston, Migos and two other males and he was knocked down in the melee and “severely injured.”

According to The Blast report:

Gradney claims the Migos then ordered him to get back in the car and drive them away. He says throughout the ordeal, he “feared for his life.”

The driver is suing for assault and battery, and seeking unspecified damages for the alleged permanent physical and psychological injuries he suffered, the report states.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/migos-sue-ex-business-partner-over-clothing-line-group-hit-with-lawsuit-by-limo-driver-injured-in-sean-kingston-fight/

*“Whenever we make a movie we use real issues,” said Sean Anders (Horrible Bosses), director and co-writer of the new Paramount Picture presentation of Instant Family starring Academy Award nominated Mark Wahlberg (Transformers) and based loosely on Sean’s own life experience adopting siblings arriving in theatres November 16, 2018. When asked why he put that experience on screen Sanders said, “It had been a few years since we adopted the kids…thought it kind of funny.”

Instant Family, arriving in theatres November 16, 2018, was indeed funny in fact it was beyond funny it was hilarious. It follows Pete (Wahlberg) and his wife Ellie, played by Emmy nominated Rose Byrne (“Neighbors”), a childless couple realizing their need to nurture a baby. They decide to adopted and care for the innocent and orphaned.

They go through all the classes, meetings and finally reach the end of the program where they can attend an event where available children are present. They meet a strong willed teenager and decide she really needs them, and surprisingly they discover she has two young siblings. How they form a bond with the three siblings – a strong willed teenager, an abused preteen and a needed baby sister – is warming to the heart and funny to the bone.

Anders, Wahlberg John Morris and Steve Levinson are producers on the Rated PG – 13 family project. It also stars Isabela Moner (Transformers: The Last Knight); Emmy nominated Tig Notaro (“Fresh Off the Boat”); Emmy winner Margo Martindale (“The Good Wife”); Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), Julianna Gamiz, and Gustavo Quiroz. www.InstantFamilyMovie.com

The wizard tale birthed from the Harry Potter saga called Fantastic Beasts returns with a second take on the story with the Warner Bros. Pictures presentation of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald arriving in theatres November 16, 2018. Fantastic Beasts 2 is the 10^th installation of the wizard world franchise. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander the Minister of Magic with Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) starring as Dark Wizard Grindelwald and Jude Law as Dumbledore the professor of wizardry who hires Redmayne to take care of the dark wizard problem, a task only he is qualified for.

The Rated PG-13 drama/fantasy is a mystical cliff-hanger that will keep you on the edge of your seats and it has an ending that will leave you wanting more. It follows Eddie’s attempt at finding Grindelwald with his friends in tow that include Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folgler), Tina (Katherine Waterston) Newts love interest and Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz) as Newts’ brother’s love interest and Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner) Newts brother – a wizard law office also on the hunt for Grindelwald.

Grindelwald is building a team of pure wizards and the last is Credence (Ezra Miller) an orphaned baby he believes to be the poor blood Wizard he needs to finally rule the world of non-wizards. Credence is on the search for his heritage and Jacob is also on the search for Queenie (Alison Sudol) his love interest who is on the run. He broke the law; she fell in love with a non-wizard – Jacob Kowalski.

Fantastic Beast 2 is directed by David Yates and is a British/American production filmed in London, Switzerland and Paris. It is produced by David Heyman, J. K. Rowling, Steve Kloves and Lionel Wigram. www.FantasticBeasts2Full.org

SYNDICATED COLUMN: Eunice Moseley, has an estimated weekly readership of over ¼ million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a Public Relations Strategist and Business Management Consultant at Freelance Associates, and is Promotions Director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times. www.ThePulseofEntertainment.com. EVENT: “Uplifting Minds II” Free Entertainment Conference annually in Baltimore (Saturday April 21, 2019) and Los Angeles (October/TBD). Offering Entertainment Business panel and a talent showcase and competition (vocal, songwriting, dance and acting) with over $15,000 valued in prizes.  www.UpliftingMinds2.com.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/the-pulse-of-entertainment-instant-family-is-hilarious-fantastic-beasts-2-is-a-mystical-cliff-hanger/

*The prominent Chicago pastor has come under fire for kicking a cross-dressing male out of his church Sunday night.

Pastor Antonio Rocquemore of Power House International Ministries is speaking out about the incident after advocates of the LGBTQ came for his head.

In response, Rocquemore said the male member had been repeatedly warned that he would not be allowed to dress like a female during service.

As reported by christianpost.com, a clip showing Rocquemore rebuking the church member was first highlighted by Christian James Lhuillier.

“Some of y’all are going to have to excuse my language but I am tired of this sh*t. In a place that is supposed to be a place of change, a place of deliverance, whatever you want to call it why would you destroy someone in front of a room full of people?” Lhuillier asked.

“This is the kind of bullsh*t that causes people to go home and commit suicide. Sh*t like this is the reason that the church has no power in 2018 because they are so worried about the wrong things. I know drag queens and transsexuals that can pray you out of sickness faster and some of these preachers that collect your love offerings every Sunday,” he continued.

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“I would have turned that church clean out do you hear me!!!!!!!!! It’s time for us to stand up for what we believe and stand in our truth and walk away from these ministries that bash who we are. Too many illegitimate relationships have been created trying to conform to a mold you were never meant to fit. I have a great deal of respect for the house of God. But I wish upon wishes upon wishes that had been me. The city of Chicago would never forget my name!” Lhuillier ended.

In the complete recording of the service on the church’s Facebook page, Rocquemore warns his members to guard their minds before calling out the drag queen.

“Can you leave my church and go put on man clothes?” he asked firmly.

“And don’t come here like that no more,” he continued as someone can be heard in the video declaring “thank you Jesus!”

“I hold a standard in here. Whatever you do on the outside is your business, but I will not let drag queens come in here. And if you’re gonna come in here you’re gonna come in here dressed like a man …. If you’re a man, dress like a man. If you’re a woman, dress like a woman. I’m not going to allow it. My salvation is more important and God is holding me accountable,” he added. “… you will not be wearing weaves and heels and fooling people up in here.”

In a follow-up response to the criticism, the pastor explained that the young man has been a church member for several months and had expressed a desire to embrace his manhood. He said the church had also been working privately with him and warned him several times that he couldn’t “dress like a female” during worship, the report states. 

“He was not put out the church because he was gay. First of all I don’t bash nothing. I don’t separate sin. Sin is sin. There is no need to bash one or the other if you’re preaching the word,” Rocquemore said.

“… When you join my church, all the rules and regulations is told to you then. If you ever slip up [on the rules] we would still take you privately and go over them again. This particular situation, this young man was told several times in private. I went to him personally myself,” the pastor said.

On that Sunday night, when he challenged the pastor during service, Rocquemore said he had no choice but to rebuke him publicly.

“He challenged me publicly and I challenged him back publicly. I asked the young man to leave. There was no security taking him out … sir can you please change clothes,” he said.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/pastor-under-fire-for-kicking-cross-dressing-male-member-out-of-church-service-watch/

*Chance The Rapper has partnered as a producer with Haight Films’ Pat Corcoran and Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein, for an original movie musical that MGM will develop and finance.

“Hope” follows a group of Chicago teenagers that band together to turn art into action within their community. Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Nico Segal (formerly known as Donnie Trumpet) will oversee the creation of the film’s original music.

Corcoran said, “From day one, our mission at Haight Films’ has been to apply Haight Brand’s artist-first and Chicago-proud ideology to the film space. We are incredibly excited to be working alongside Chance, MGM and Scott Bernstein to bring this vision to life.”

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Documentary on Why Pregnancy is Killing Black Women

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/chance-the-rapper-developing-hope-musical-with-mgm/

*Today, Serena Williams lost her most recent bid to win her record-setting 24th Grand Slam at the US Open. It was clear she was up against a formidable opponent in Japan’s Naomi Osaka, but who knew the match would end in the controversial fashion that it did.

Here what went down inside Arthur Ashe Stadium:

Osaka, to be fair, came out asserting herself in the match. She wasn’t at all bothered by the occasion or who she was playing – her idol, the great Serena Williams – and earned the first and only break point in the match. She took it 6-2.

Serena came out in the second and held serve to start, but as Naomi was was on serve to level it, in a rare twist for the former champion, she was called for coaching violation. The chair umpire arguably observed her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, give her a coaching signal from her player’s box, which Serena immediately refuted.

Serena, furious about the call, then stopped play to let the umpire, Carlos Ramos, know that “she has never cheated in her whole career and she would rather lose than cheat,” she said. “I’m a mother and I am all about integrity.” She has her hand on her hip akin to 2009’s foot fault/death threat controversy, so it wasn’t likely things would end there.

Play went on, but the scar tissue remained. Naomi held to level it, 1-all.

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Serena was no doubt fuming inside and, being a 23-time Grand Slam champion, managed to find a earn a rare break point (Naomi was playing lights out tennis). She took advantage and went up 2-1 and the crowd – who were firmly in her corner – went wild.

The veteran got the break, but that was the beginning of the manifestation of what was brewing inside the tempestuous 36-year-old.

Naomi was composed during the entire match and didn’t at all let up. She immediately got the break back with her powerful returns, which caused Serena to slam her racket into the court. That’s nothing new in the game of tennis.

But things went even more left from there.

The smashing of the racket led to yet another violation and, since she had already received the coaching warning, led to a lost point in the next game. With a little head-start (not to say she needed it), Naomi leveled the set 3-all.

The storm brewing inside Serena then came then to a head. She expressed her feelings about the ordeal to Ramos:

“You owe me an apology. I have never cheated,” she said. “You are a thief for stealing a point from me …”

Those comments led to a third code of conduct violation – which the umpire had discretion over – and he chose to dock her a whole game, allowing Naomi to go up 5-3. The tournament director was called, pleas were made, but the Call stood. The eight ball she was already behind grew exponentially.

Serena, in tears, was able to hold the next game for 4-5, but the emotions were too high for her to even think about focusing on breaking Naomi in the next game, though it was do or die. The first-time-finalist was playing too well, had the trophy in her crosshairs and refused to bow to the controversy.

READ THIS: GEO. ZIMMERMAN THREATENED BEYONCÉ OVER TRAYVON MARTIN DOC: CALLED HER A ‘BROKE WHORE’

Naomi Osaka closed it out, 6-2, 6-4, in conflicted tears for her very first Grand Slam title. She hesitantly went to her box – still in tears – for comfort, as the crowd booed the series of events that led to the win.

Serena described the moment as such: “I’m crying and she’s crying. You know, she just won. I’m not sure if they were happy tears or sad tears because of the moment. That’s not how I felt when I won my first Grand Slam … listen, we have to pull ourselves together.”

Serena then employed her newfound motherly instinct and made an appeal to the crowd: “No more booing. This is her moment and I’m disappointed, but we will get through this.”

It was gracious on her part to not dwell on her grievances and take away from such an exciting moment for Naomi and her camp.

But she let her true feelings be made known in the press room:

“You can’t go back in time. I can’t sit here and say I wouldn’t say he’s a thief, because I thought he took a game from me.

But I’ve seen other men call umpires several things. I’m here fighting for women’s rights and women’s equality and for all kinds of stuff. For me to say ‘thief,’ and for him to take a game, it made me feel like it was a sexist remark. He’s never taken a game from a man because they’ve said ‘thief.’

It blows my mind. But I’m going to continue [tears up] to fight for women and to fight for us to have equal [rights] … this is outrageous.

She then dropped the mic … press conference over.

The US Open’s women’s final ended not with hired fireworks, but with controversial one. Naomi Osaka was left standing as the victor and Serena Williams was left, arguably, the vicTIM.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/soul-of-the-us-open-naomi-osaka-claims-her-first-us-open-title-amid-controversy/

*SACRAMENTO –  Following umpire Carlos Ramos’ interference in the 2018 U.S. Open final between Serena Williams and Naomi Ōsaka, The Women’s March Black Leadership Action Coalition (WM-BLAC) is calling for the International Tennis Association to investigate gender and racial bias within its ranks and is rallying tennis fans across the globe to #StandWithSerena.

Comprised of Black Women’s March leaders across the national network, WM-BLAC launched the website, www.istandwithserena.com, featuring a WM-BLAC statement of solidarity for Williams, a demand for an investigation of the ITA and partial expungement of the monetary penalty levied against her, as well as tools to empower the public to sign on to the statement and graphics to share with hashtags #StandWithSerena and #WMBLAC.

“This was an opportunity to celebrate two black women at the top of professional tennis. Instead the electric, consequential and career defining game was wrested by a man on the sidelines. The Women’s March Black Leadership Action Coalition (WM-BLAC) strongly denounces the actions of umpire Carlos Ramos at September 8th’s U.S. Open match between Serena Williams and Naomi Ōsaka as sexist and racist. We recognize that Black women are too often prejudiced against by the twin biases of race and gender, with little to no advocacy in seeking justice after a traumatizing incident.” said Agunda Okeyo, NYC Women’s March Chapter Co-Chair and WM-BLAC co-founder.

Umpire Carlos Ramos is widely known as a “stickler for the rules,” but when rules are applied with implicit bias, they serve not to uphold a sport, but double down on rules that perpetuate inequality.  Ramos imposed a series of warnings and penalties on Williams that very well may have cost her the game. It also eclipsed a masterful victory from ultimate winnerŌsaka, attaining her first Open championship. Ōsaka, in fact, made history as the first Haitian and Japanese player to win the renowned competition.

Specifically, WM-BLAC is demanding  that the $17,000 penalty charges levied against Ms. Williams be expunged of the $10,000 charge for verbal abuse and the $4,000 charge for coaching.

Additionally, WM-BLACK insists that the umpire Carlos Ramos be investigated for gender and racial bias. Finally the group demands that an independent commission be formed to investigate gender and racial bias in the International Tennis Federation.

In the era of Time’s Up and #MeToo, women are no longer waiting to be believed. WM-BLAC seeks to compel consistent and strategic action on behalf of black women’s dignity throughout the calendar year, while offering leadership, empowerment and support for important issues that directly affect black women.

Women’s March Sacramento President and co-founder of WM-BLAC Jasper James shared their thoughts, saying, “Black women across the globe recognize that Williams was standing for a reputation that she has spent her entire lifetime building. As a life long tennis fan, I am all too familiar with the level of disrespect that has followed Serena from the very onset of her multi decade career to now. Ms. Williams has tirelessly stood for Black women everywhere, now it’s our chance to return the favor. The WM-BLAC demands justice for our sister Serena and the blatant double standard that she is facing.”

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) CEO Steve Simon a statement in support of Williams and Osaka while condemning any gendered double standard. It is time for the International Tennis Federation to do the same. The monumental game on Saturday was a clear illustration of sexist double standards in tennis. Men are often coached, break rackets and joust with umpires without consequence or perhaps admonitions. Further umpire Ramos betrayed typical sexist behavior by using his position of authority to exact a personal vendetta against Williams for a claim of “verbal abuse” when she rightfully called him “a thief.”

The IFT umpires have begun talks as to whether or not they will boycott future Williams matches. WM-BLAC finds this absolutely preposterous and asks that tennis fans across the globe #StandWithSerena by posting their moments of staring down sexism and double standards with a call to the ITF to investigate bias within its organization. Women in all workplaces experience abuse of power at an alarming scale, and this match was no different. From tennis courts to boardrooms across America, women have had enough. We insist on seeing real change to a double standard for all women, especially women of color.

About The Women’s March Black Leadership Action Coalition (WM-BLAC)

Is a coalition of black woman leadership within Women’s March. We aspire towards consistent and strategic action on behalf of black women’s dignity throughout the calendar year, while offering leadership, empowerment and support for important issues that directly affect black women.

About Activism Articulated

Activism Articulated is an advocacy communications firm focused exclusively on progressive political advocacy. We believe we can help create a better world by arming activists and nonprofits with the tools and support they need to navigate a complex media environment. Activism Articulated provides high-level media consulting to build and execute communications strategies and advocacy campaigns designed to change the world.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/womens-march-black-leadership-action-coalition-asks-tennis-fans-to-standwithserena/

*Whoa! This has got to be mind-blowing for young Shareef O’Neal. The budding UCLA basketball star has revealed that he will have to miss playing ball this season because of a heart issue that will require major surgery … but vows to return.

Doctors recently discovered O’Neal heart ailment during a routine checkup, and the freshman soon undergo corrective surgery. O’Neal, whom ESPN.com ranked 32nd among the nation’s incoming freshmen, described this missed season to TMZ as a “bump in the road.

“A lot of people are asking if it’s career ending,” O’Neal told TMZ. “The answer is absolutely not. It’s just a little bump in the road and I’ll be back in no time.” He said via Twitter he’s looking forward to returning to the court.

According to the report, Shareef didn’t specify the exact problem — but said the issue is severe enough that he’ll be having heart surgery in the near future.

“Thank God the UCLA medical staff caught it early,” O’Neal said.

Shareef says he’s been talking with his dad, Shaquile O’Neal and mom Shaunie O’Neal about how best to handle the situation — and will NOT withdraw from school while recovering.

“During rehab, I’ll be attending my classes and being a normal student.”

Shareef says he vows to return to the court in 2019 after redshirting this upcoming season — and describes the ordeal as “just a bump in the road.”

“I’ll be back in no time.”

RELATED NEWS: LEBRON JAMES JR. WILL PLAY FOR CROSSROADS IN L.A. – SHAREEF O’NEAL TO ENROLL AT UCLA

And he’s got the full support of UCLA.

College Basketball UCLA’s Shareef O’Neal, Shaq’s Son, To Miss NCAA Basketball Season With Heart Ailment by Marcus Kwesi O’Mard on Fri, Sep 28, 2018 at 12:41PM Share this: 12Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)12 Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Shareef O’Neal must overcome a false start to his college basketball career. The UCLA men’s basketball forward and son of Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal announced Friday morning on TMZ he’ll miss the 2018-19 season due to a heart condition. Doctors recently discovered O’Neal heart ailment during a routine checkup, and the freshman soon undergo corrective surgery. O’Neal, whom ESPN.com ranked 32nd among the nation’s incoming freshmen, described this missed season to TMZ as a “bump in the road. “A lot of people are asking if it’s career ending,” O’Neal told TMZ. “The answer is absolutely not. It’s just a little bump in the road and I’ll be back in no time.” He said via Twitter he’s looking forward to returning to the court. UCLA fully supports O’Neal and his family. “Freshman Shareef O’Neal will be sidelined for the 2018-19 season (medical),” UCLA said in a statement, per CBS’ Kyle Boone. He will remain enrolled in class and on the men’s basketball team during this redshirt year. The UCLA men’s basketball program completely supports Shareef and his family as he gets this issue resolved.”

Take care of yourself and get well soon, Shareef!

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/09/shaquile-shaunie-oneals-son-shareef-to-undergo-heart-surgery-video/

*LOS ANGELES – Late last month, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Executive Director Nichol Whiteman, together with Dodger All-Stars Yasiel Puig and Clayton Kershaw, joined Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten, Dodger Manager Dave Roberts, Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and other officials along with scores of young baseball and softball players to unveil the 50^th Dodgers Dreamfield at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South Los Angeles.

The completion of this Dreamfield marked the final step in LADF’s commitment to create 50 fields in 15 years. Since 2003, over $10 million has been invested in these fields, which have impacted the lives of over 300,000 youth in and around Los Angeles.  The foundation revealed that it is extending its initial commitment of 50 fields with an additional $10 million to build 75 fields by the 75^th anniversary of the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles.

The construction of this $300,000 project is partially funded by generous donations from the City of Los Angeles, Yasiel Puig’s Wildhorse Foundation, the Tyler Development Corporation, Clayton & Ellen Kershaw, the LA84 Foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, and the Bruce P. Rubenstein Family.

Additional special guests and speakers at the unveiling ceremony included State Senator Holly J. Mitchell, LA City Council President Herb Wesson, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Manny Mota, and Steve Yeager (Dodger Alumni), Alanna Rizzo (Los Angeles Dodgers Broadcaster), Aleta Williams (Daughter of Algin Sutton), Vicki Israel (Assistant General Manager, LA Department of Recreation and Parks), Tyler Udall (Tyler Development Corporation), Renata Simril (President and CEO, LA84 Foundation), Marsha Bonner (Director of Community Grantmaking, Annenberg Foundation), John Bendheim (Leon Lowenstein Foundation), Joe Baca, Jr. (Rialto City Councilmember), youth softball and baseball players representing the community of Algin Sutton, Dodgers RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities), the Natasha Watley Foundation, Girls Play LA, Yasiel Puig’s 66ers baseball team, Manchester Elementary School, Brotherhood Crusades, Alliance Judy I Burton Technology Academy High School, and the Boys & Girls Club.  Dodgers players and officials gathered for a ceremonial “lighting of the scoreboard,” which was followed by a public community festival that included fun-filled activations including a Farmer John Dodger Dog Truck, LADWP Water Truck, LA Teams Sports Zone, Dodger Alumni autographs, Dodger Guy Character, Dodger giveaways and tunes from DJ Severe, the Dodger DJ.

“We are proud of the meaningful impact Dodgers Dreamfields have had on local communities. As we unveil our 50^th, we are thrilled to extend and renew our promise to provide access and opportunity to youth throughout Los Angeles who need it most,” Mark Walter, Dodger Owner and Chairman, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

“It makes perfect sense that the 50^th Dreamfield would open right here at a recreation center named after the late Algin Sutton, who dedicated his career to connecting young people with opportunities to play,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti.  “In Los Angeles, we are committed to making sure that every child has access to sports and recreation no matter what her zip code, and I’m so proud to call the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation our partner in increasing opportunities to play!”

“Congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for completing their 50^th Dodgers Dreamfield”, said Mike Shull, General Manager, Department of Recreation and Parks.  “We are proud of our partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers and their commitment to invest in our City’s park system, which has created lasting disparities in access to quality open space and recreation programs for youth and families of our communities.”

During the unveiling ceremony, the foundation debuted its Dodgers Dreamfields Impact Report, outlining the tremendous influence that these fields have had on youth in Los Angeles’ most underserved communities including Central Los Angeles, Inglewood, South Los Angeles, Harbor City, San Fernando Valley, East Los Angeles, and La Puente.  These fields provide kids with a positive and vibrant environment to participate in baseball and softball opportunities in their neighborhoods. In partnership with corporations, foundations, local municipalities, and individuals, Dodgers Dreamfields contribute to both community development and youth development by providing youth the opportunity and space to learn and play the game of baseball and softball, while building character and instilling important life lessons.  Program resources and elements include backstop upgrades, dugout upgrades, irrigation improvements, surface re-grading, new home plate, pitching rubbers, and bases, outfield fencing and windscreens, turf renovation, sod installation, and new signage and scoreboard.

“We are so proud to have reached our goal of building 50 Dreamfields, but know that there is still much more work to be done,” said Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Executive Director Nichol Whiteman.  “These fields have given our local youth a sense of pride and ownership every time they step onto the mound or slide across home base.  The value of these Dreamfields cannot be overstated, and we are excited to have the chance to share everything that baseball and softball have to offer with even more communities over the next several years!”

The LA84 Foundation is the longest-standing sponsor of Dodger Dreamfields, having provided funding for 43 of the 50 fields, beginning in 2003.  “Today is an historic day for the kids of the Los Angeles area – 50 Dreamfields is a remarkable achievement,” said Renata Simril, President and CEO of the LA84 Foundation. Simril added: “In a world where there is too much ‘photo-op philanthropy,’ the Dodgers Foundation produces real and sustaining positive community impact.”

“I am proud to partner with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for their 50th Dreamfield,” said Yasiel Puig.  “I hope this field will ignite the children’s love of baseball and I hope the sport will bring as much joy to their lives as it has to mine. Giving back to the Los Angeles community with a gift that will impact future generations is truly an honor.”

“Ellen and I are so honored to be a part of LADF’s 50^th Dodgers Dreamfield,” added Clayton Kershaw.  “We have been partnering with them since they built the Universally Accessible Field in Baldwin Hills and are proud to partner with the foundation as they continue to impact thousands of kids throughout LA.”

A high need for youth baseball/softball recreation space, racial and ethnic diversity, high “park need” metric, number of youth living in the surrounding community, and current baseball/softball interest are all factors that will help the foundation determine the locations of these next fields.  By maintaining current partners and establishing new ones, LADF will continue to positively impact communities throughout the Los Angeles area.

ABOUT LOS ANGELES DODGERS FOUNDATION

LADF is the official team charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Its primary focus is to support cornerstone programs in Sports + Recreation, Education + Literacy and Health + Wellness benefitting children and families in need throughout the greater Los Angeles region. By leveraging strategic partnerships, the mission is to harness the power of the Dodger brand and the passion Dodger fans have for Los Angeles into a vehicle for positive change in underserved communities.

Visit LADF online at www.dodgers.com/ladf, Twitter @DodgersFdn, Instagram @dodgersfoundation and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/10/yasiel-puig-clayton-kershaw-los-angeles-dodgers-foundation-unveil-50th-dodgers-dreamfield/

*On an upcoming episode of “Rickey Smiley For Real,” the comedian hangs with singer/talk show host Syleena Johnson and reality TV star/talk show host Quad Webb-Lunceford of “Sister Circle Live.”

When the two ladies visit Rickey Smiley at his “Dish Nation” offices to tape a segment for their daytime talker, he charms them with his hilarious antics and his infamous “Roll Tide.”

Get a glimpse of the conversation via the clip above.

“Rickey Smiley For Real” airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on TV One.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Rami Malek Helps Bohemian Rhapsody Hit The Highest of High Notes [EUR Review]

In related news, we previously reported that Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) announced it has selected  TV One’s Cleo TV and Afrotainment’s Afro to be broadly distributed on Comcast Cable systems beginning in January 2019.

“We’re at a pivotal moment in history where women are making a huge impact in our society and culture, especially women of color,” said Michelle Rice, TV One’s General Manager.  “CLEO TV will offer a diverse mix of lifestyle and entertainment content through the unique lens of Millennial and young Gen-X women of color, an audience segment that is currently underserved.  CLEO TV will leverage the comprehensive media platform of our parent company Urban One, Inc. which includes digital, television and radio divisions that will each play an integral role in bringing this new network to the marketplace.  We are grateful to Comcast for the tremendous opportunity to elevate new voices in our industry.”

About Afrotainment

Afrotainment, a Florida-based company edits, operates and distributes eight networks from its state-of-the-art film and television studios in Orlando and Queens, New York. Afrotainment channels are available in the US and Canada via cable, satellite, fiber-optic and OTT platforms. Visit www.afrotainment.us for more information.

About CLEO TV 

Launching in January 2019, CLEO TV is a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color.  Derived from the name Cleopatra, one of the most powerful, trendsetting, rule-breaking and iconic women in history, CLEO TV will offer quality content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women.  The network promises a unique and diverse offering of short-form and long-form content including travel, home design, cooking, talk shows, movies, docu-series, sitcoms and much more.  CLEO TV is solely owned by Urban One, Inc., formerly known as Radio One, Inc. [NASDAQ: UONE and UONEK, www.urban1.com], the largest African-American owned multi-media company primarily targeting Black and urban audiences.

Source:https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/rickey-smiley-keeps-sister-circle-hosts-rolling-with-laughter-watch/

*Mo’Nique left a sour taste in the mouths of many when she stood up for herself against streaming platform Netflix, accusing the company of racial and gender bias. She even called out radio personality Charlamagne tha God for giving her “Donkey of the Day” for defending fellow comedian Roseanne Barr, after she was slammed for a racist tweet.

As reported by thejasminebrand.com, Mo revisits these controversies in a new interview and explains why she thinks Charlamagne puts poison on airwaves and why she doesn’t regret putting Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, and Lee Daniels on blast. 

See the excerpts below (via theJasminebrand).

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Does she regret what she said about Winfrey, Perry, and Daniels:

Never. Lemme tell you something, I said one thing on stage a couple years ago at the Apollo about (“Precious” producer) Oprah Winfrey, (“Precious” director”) Lee Daniels and (“Precious” producer) Tyler Perry, and people say, ‘Do you regret saying that?’ And then I pause and I say, ‘Hell no, I don’t regret it.’ I meant every word I said.

Adding,

That movie cost $10 million to make and it made $63 million. I was paid $50,000. And because black actresses are so underpaid, Lee Daniels thought that was a lot of money. I’m going to quote him, in my dressing room, as we were between scenes: ‘I got you paid on this one.’ And I said, ‘Lee, I say this with all humility, but that’s not money. Baby, I make that in one hour standing up on the stage doing comedy.’ In their minds, I’m a fat black woman and I should be honored that they were even calling on me. But if I’m in Cannes for even one day and I’m making you money but I’m not making me money, I cannot do that.

Why she did it:

The biggest risk is me saying nothing and the woman in the mirror looking back at me saying, ‘You’re such a coward.’ That’s the risk. When that woman looks back at me in the mirror, I want her to say, ‘You damn right. You damn right. Keep going.’

Her feelings towards Charlamange tha God:

Because I know that every morning he turns that button on, he’s poisoning my community. It makes me sick to my stomach. So I wasn’t trying to be funny or offensive — I’m going to call you by your name because we’re having a real conversation right now. We’re not in pretend — and that name is pretend. We’ve got to talk for real right now. And when he calls me Donkey of the Day because I was asking for equality, are you crazy? When you hear a man say that, I had to talk to him — with love also, because I love that brother. But it’s disheartening to know that he sits behind that microphone and millions of people listen to the poison that he puts in our community. So I’m gonna keep on speaking about the inequality in Hollywood. I have to.

The Oscar-winning actress alludes to her late-night BET talk show being called as a result of her being blackballed:

I will say ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ was the highest rated show in that time slot in the history of BET and it doubled the ratings for the network. Now, I can’t make that make sense. Can you? We got picked up for a third season and then that was called back. Think about the timing of all of this and I’m going to let you put this all together. I can’t assume nothing. But I’m just telling you, think about the timing. How do you let go of a show that’s doubled the numbers for your network — with no explanation?

Source:https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/monique-has-no-regrets-about-putting-oprah-lee-daniels-tyler-perry-on-blast/

*Here’s a “that-didn’t-take-long” and an “eff-u Trump.” We’re talking about what happened today (10-07-18) on the footbal field when Eric Reid, the newly aquired safety for the Carolina Panthers stepped on the field today.

Yes, now that he’s back in the NFL, Eric Reid has resumed his Reid has  resumed his kneeling protest during the national anthem. Interestingly, none of the other players took that route.  What’s also interesting is that he is the first Panthers player ever to kneel during the national anthem.

If some were expecting Reid, who was the first player to join Colin Kaepernick ‘s kneeling protest, to abandon the stance because he had not said what he would do when the anthem played, got their answer: Reid dropped to his right knee as the national anthem began playing before the Panthers’ game against the New York Giants.

Here’s more via Deadline:

Reid has a collusion case against the NFL, claiming he was essentially blackballed because of his activism. That lawsuit is still pending, but the Panthers, shorthanded in the defensive backfield, added Reid to the roster this week. He had been out of football since leaving the 49ers as a free agent.

The Panthers reportedly did not ask Reid about any potential protest before signing him and have not set any rules. The league has no national anthem conduct requirements, having abandoned a plan to force players to stand respectfully or stay in the locker room.

READ THIS: AMBER ROSE RANTS ABOUT NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH CREDIT FOR BEING A SLUT; TAKES SHOTS AT KANYE

Going to the Panthers looks to have been a good move for Reid. The team not only brought him back to the NFL, but Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, who is not a fan of the orange a-hole in the White House, has said that players who protest during the anthem are not unpatriotic.

“These are great young men,” Tepper said on CNBC. “So to say that [they aren’t patriotic] makes me so aggravated and angry. It’s just wrong, it’s dead wrong.”

As we’ve reported, Reid, Kaepernick and other players have claimed to be protesting police brutality and issues of racial inequality.

Even with Reid protesting today, overall, protests by players have fallen since the 2018 season started. Three Miami Dolphins have protested and there have been scattered incidents, but nothing like the mass player protests of last season.

*They don’t call this little heffa “Bad Bhabie” for nothin’. Her real name is Danielle Bregoli and she straight went at Iggy Azalea by throwing a clear liquid (water?) at her inside Cardi B’s Fashion Nova launch event at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood Wednesday night.

TMZ was there and reports that it was pure bedlam in the aftermath of the attack: Iggy’s crew started talking smack at Bhabie while her security held her (Bhabie) back. They couldn’t stop her from running her mouth, though. But then again, you’re talking about a wild-ass 15-year-old rapper attacking a 28-year-old rapper who’s also known to be crazy at times.

Anyway, so what made Bhabie to go at Azalea in the first place? The beef apparently started because Iggy talked stuff on social media, saying who would even go to one of Bhabie’s shows? Well, Miss Danielle fired back that Iggy should so she could remember what a sold-out show looks like (Ouch. Good, Bad Bhabie).

Outside the venue, Danielle was still stoked and she insisted “ain’t nobody worried about that f**kin’ hoe!!”

As for Iggy Azalea, she was all cool and calm … totally unfazed unfazed by the situation, she said she hopes it wasn’t alcohol Bhabie threw because “she’s a little kid.”

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Imagine me scrambling around on the floor in a dirty night club trying to hit a teenage girl.
Girl. NO.
I’m grown and will simply have you REMOVED and continue enjoying myself.
 #YouNotSpecial
Anything else from her mouth is ignored –
it’s too preschool for me.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) November 15, 2018

Anyway I’ll let y’all know about the 2.7 million dollar distribution deal i came back to LA to sign later this week. I have big girl things to do –
Gotta go!

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) November 15, 2018

Now y’all saw the video I’m sure you understand why I spent the rest of the night laughing and unbothered by that foolishness.

— IGGY AZALEA (@IGGYAZALEA) November 15, 2018

She also addressed the altercation in an Instagram Story:

“I’m driving home, so I have to look at the road, but I’ve got a long drive so I want to say this while I can before I forget. I get that this little girl has made a name for herself acting a damn fool on television and online, but I’m a grown-up. I’m not about to waste my energy on that shit or be fighting a kid in a club. Come on. I came to get a check. I left with a check. You left with your bags stuffed over there and you look silly. I’m not going to be scrambling around on the floor for a 15-year-old girl on the internet. I have to laugh. I don’t know. I just think people want clout really bad. Mama, good luck with your career. You’re young. You’re going to look back on this and you’re going to really feel dumb. I just think that shit’s lame as hell, but maybe it’s ’cause I’m a grown-up.”

Bhad Bhabie also took to her Instagram Story to get her 2 cents in:

“Bye broke bich. Bye hoe. Glad u left wit a bag cuz u certainly ain’t making no money from music anymore. It’s simple. Don’t talk all sorts of shit on the internet n come up to me like u my friend. Some of these hoes like u fake n 2 faced as fuckk vbut I’m NOT that bich.”

This story leaves us with two questions:

1. How did a 15-year-juvenile old get into the club in the first place?
2. If the two had actually fought, who would you have picked? The kid or the adult?

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/11/white-girl-rapper-drama-bad-bhabie-attacks-iggy-azalea-with-drink-and-mouth-watch/

*Here’s a “that-didn’t-take-long” and an “eff-u Trump.” We’re talking about what happened today (10-07-18) on the footbal field when Eric Reid, the newly aquired safety for the Carolina Panthers stepped on the field today.

Yes, now that he’s back in the NFL, Eric Reid has resumed his Reid has  resumed his kneeling protest during the national anthem. Interestingly, none of the other players took that route.  What’s also interesting is that he is the first Panthers player ever to kneel during the national anthem.

If some were expecting Reid, who was the first player to join Colin Kaepernick ‘s kneeling protest, to abandon the stance because he had not said what he would do when the anthem played, got their answer: Reid dropped to his right knee as the national anthem began playing before the Panthers’ game against the New York Giants.

Here’s more via Deadline:

Reid has a collusion case against the NFL, claiming he was essentially blackballed because of his activism. That lawsuit is still pending, but the Panthers, shorthanded in the defensive backfield, added Reid to the roster this week. He had been out of football since leaving the 49ers as a free agent.

The Panthers reportedly did not ask Reid about any potential protest before signing him and have not set any rules. The league has no national anthem conduct requirements, having abandoned a plan to force players to stand respectfully or stay in the locker room.

READ THIS: AMBER ROSE RANTS ABOUT NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH CREDIT FOR BEING A SLUT; TAKES SHOTS AT KANYE

Going to the Panthers looks to have been a good move for Reid. The team not only brought him back to the NFL, but Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, who is not a fan of the orange a-hole in the White House, has said that players who protest during the anthem are not unpatriotic.

“These are great young men,” Tepper said on CNBC. “So to say that [they aren’t patriotic] makes me so aggravated and angry. It’s just wrong, it’s dead wrong.”

As we’ve reported, Reid, Kaepernick and other players have claimed to be protesting police brutality and issues of racial inequality.

Even with Reid protesting today, overall, protests by players have fallen since the 2018 season started. Three Miami Dolphins have protested and there have been scattered incidents, but nothing like the mass player protests of last season.

*With the new NBA season set to begin on October 16th, it’s just about the right time to hand out some pre-season awards. Yes, we know that awards generally happen at the end of a season, but these are not very serious awards, mind you.

We already know that the Golden State Warriors are going to win the championship and that LeBron James joining the Lakers will be the most-talked-about thing ever in the history of sports (probably), so that’s why we’re going a bit off-the-wall for these pre-season awards. Let’s get things started!

Most Cartoonish Player – Giannis Antetokounmpo: Incredible name aside, Giannis will be the player most likely to make some sort of NBA Jam dunk (like jumping 15ft. in the air while doing a somersault), as we’ve already seen him perform freakishly athletic slams from all around the court. There was even one where his arm seemed to extend just like Michael Jordan at the end of Space Jam.

Best Hair – Jimmy Butler has had a pretty fly afro for quite a while now, but Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Collin Sexton has taken that ‘fro and elevated it to the next level.

Worst Hair – For a long time, this award would have gone to Suns’ guard Elfrid Payton for his ridiculous hair which actually got into his eyes once and messed up his shot. However, since he has cut his hair, we’re giving the award to Briante Weber from the Miami Heat because of this awful ponytail-dreadlock-pineapple thing going on.

Best Facial Hair – For perhaps the 4th year running, James Harden simply has to take this award. When your nickname is literally “The Beard,” then you’re facing little competition. He might be the current owner of the real MVP (Most Valuable Player) award, but we think this one means so much more.

Worst Facial Hair – Milos Teodosic from the L.A. Clippers has an odd beard that looks like it’s been stuck on with glue. Shave that off before the season starts, bud.

Most Fashionable Player – This is almost definitely something that many players would actually care more about than NBA championships. Dwyane Wade, Nick Young, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony are all superbly dressed dudes, but we’re giving this one to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook. This guy takes chances and nothing is ever off-limits. Suit jackets with no shirt underneath, bright red double denim, a photographer’s vest… the guy just seems to never wear the same thing twice. Glasses without prescription lenses are one of Russ’ favorites, and we’re 99% sure he’s worn every single one of these at some point.

Player Always Mistaken For Someone Else – Markieff Morris: This is to be expected considering that Markieff is the twin brother of Marcus Morris on the hugely successful Boston Celtics. But you’ve got to feel bad for Markieff being on the lowly Washington Wizards and probably being called “Marcus” by passers-by all the time.

Coolest Name – This award is really tough, as there are some fantastic names in the NBA at the moment. The Brooklyn Nets have three guys with awesome names, including Spencer Dinwiddie, Rodions Kurucs, and Shabazz Napier. Other runner-ups include Shake Milton on the Philadelphia 76ers and Jaron Blossomgame on the San Antonio Spurs, but the award simply has to go to Sindarius Thornwell on the L.A. Clippers for sounding like someone from Game of Thrones or The Lord of The Rings.

Most Normal Sounding Name – He’s no Sindarius, but Bruce Brown on the Detroit Pistons has a name you can set your watch to.

Will Appear in a Movie – Definitely Lebron James, as he’s already announced to be starring in an upcoming Space Jam sequel. Filling the sneakers of Michael Jordan will be no easy task, but if anyone can, it’s The King. Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck haven’t been in much for some time, so they’ll be happy for the work.

Will Get in a Fight – Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova from Australia doesn’t mind a fight from time to time (which is surprising because he wasn’t involved in the epic Australia vs. Philippines fight), but for sure it will be Draymond Green from the Warriors. He just can’t keep his mouth shut.

Source: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/10/handing-out-some-nba-pre-season-awards/