Category Archives: Celebrities

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Atlanta Hawks to Host ‘Faith and Family Celebration’ on Friday, March 3 Featuring Performances by Award-Winning Gospel Artist Marvin Sapp!

Hello World,

In recognition of National Faith Day, the Atlanta Hawks recently announced details for its “Faith and Family Celebration.” The game presented by Chick-fil-A will take place on Friday, March 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers. As part of the night’s festivities, multiple award-winning gospel artist and celebrated pastor Bishop Marvin L. Sapp will perform at halftime as well as a postgame concert.

“I am ecstatic about singing during the Atlanta Hawks’ Faith and Family Celebration,” said Bishop Sapp. “As an avid basketball fan, I’m very familiar with the saying ‘ball is life.’ The game brings fans so much joy, and it can be an all-consuming pastime. Combining that passion with an appreciation for family and the powerful hopefulness of faith is a great way to celebrate what the game of basketball means to so many people. I am grateful to be a part of it.”

Bishop Sapp’s gift is celebrated across musical genres. He is a multiplatinum-selling artist who has enjoyed a decorated music career receiving 13 GRAMMY® Award nominations, 24 Stellar Awards, two Soul Train Music Awards, two BET Awards, four Dove Awards, eight BMI songwriter’s awards for sales, Black Music Honors Gospel Music Icon Award along with many other accolades and honors from national, regional and local institutions.

In addition, Bishop Sapp is a passionate orator and biblical teacher. He is the co-founder of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas. He is also the Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Global United Fellowship, which consists of 2,200 churches in 22 countries. Additionally, Tv One aired his original biopic, “Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story” in 2022.

During previous Faith and Family Celebrations, Hawks’ fans have seen performances from GRAMMY® Award-winning inspirational hip-hop artist Lecrae and contemporary Christian music and gospel singer Koryn Hawthorne and Berean Christian Church as well as the dynamic and multiple award-winning gospel artist Jekalyn Carr.

Limited tickets remain for the game presented by Chick-fil-A on Friday, March 3. To secure tickets, visit Hawks.com/Tickets. To purchase the special ticket offer for the Family and Faith Celebration, which includes a black Atlanta Hawks t-shirt, food and beverage value and a ticket to the game, visit Hawks.com/Faith.

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Malcolm-Jamal Warner & Michelle Williams To Cohost The King Center’s Beloved Community Awards This Saturday!

Hello World,

The Beloved Community Awards (formerly The Salute to Greatness Awards Gala) is back in-person and is one of the marquee events of The King Center’s week-long holiday experience. This year’s event, hosted by Malcolm Jamal Warner and Michelle Williams, will feature musical performances by MAJOR., Deborah Cox, Goldford, and Angel Taylor. The ceremony will be held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Saturday, January 14th, at 7:30 PM and will stream on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and on thekingcenter.org, Monday, January 16th, at 7:00 PM.

The Beloved Community Awards recognizes national and international individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence in leadership, pursue social justice, and are committed to creating the Beloved Community.  Afterglow will follow The Beloved Community Awards featuring DJ Frank Ski and multi-award-winning artist, Stephanie Mills in concert.

The King Center is proud to honor

  • Salute to Greatness Corporate Social Impact honoree, Ariel Investments accepted by John Rogers Jr., Chairman and Co-CEO
  • Salute to Greatness Humanitarian honoree, Yvon Chouinard, Founder of Patagonia
  • Beloved Community Civic Leadership honoree, Melanie Campbell, President and CEO of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and National Convenor of The Black Women’s Roundtable
  • Beloved Community Social Justice honoree, Shane Claiborne, Activist, Author, and Co-Founder of Red Letter Christians
  • Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation honoree, Aminata Toure, Minister of Social Affairs, Youth, Family, Senior Citizens, Integration, and Equality of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
  • Yolanda D. King Higher Ground honoree, HollyRod Foundation, accepted by Rodney and Holly Robinson Peete
  • Beloved Community Youth Influencer honoree, Panther Anti-Racist Union of Pennsylvania Beloved Community Technological Innovation honoree, Reshma Saujani, Founder & CEO, Marshall Plan for Moms and Girls Who Code
  • Christine King Farris “Legacy of Service in Education” honoree, Dolly Parton, longtime education advocate, and entertainer, will be honored in absentia.

“I am excited to celebrate the impactful work that is taking place throughout our world. From honoring trailblazers across industries to educating our audiences on best practices in justice, equity, and peace; the Beloved Community Awards will be a night you won’t forget, as we continue to honor those committed to creating the Beloved Community,” said CEO, Dr. Bernice A. King.

Tickets for the awards ceremony and Afterglow are $250 and $75 for Afterglow only. To buy tickets, click HERE. 

Also, please see below for the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance Schedule of Events:

Any thoughts?

 

Also, please see below

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Judy Blume’s Novel ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’ is Coming to Movie Theaters!

Rachel McAdams as Barbara Dimon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Photo Credit: Dana Hawley

Hello World,

I’M SOOO EXCITED! One of my FAVORITE novels as a child is now being made into a film! See below…

For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions. In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets.

Kathy Bates as Sylvia Simon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Photo Credit: Dana Hawley

The film also stars Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time) and is written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen), based on the book by Judy Blume, and produced by Gracie Films’ Academy Award® winner James L. Brooks (Best Picture, 1983 – Terms of Endearment), alongside Julie Ansell, Richard Sakai, Kelly Fremon Craig, Judy Blume, Amy Lorraine Brooks, Aldric La’auli Porter, and executive produced by Jonathan McCoy. Lionsgate presents, a Gracie Films production. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is slated to be in movie theaters only on April 28!

This is my favorite line from the book:

I haven’t been inside of a movie theater since the pandemic, but this movie (and I love Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates) is worth going back to the theater! Have you been back yet?

Any thoughts?