Category Archives: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Robin Givens of ‘Boomerang’ & ‘RHOA’s Kenya Moore to Star in Tonight’s Episode of ‘Saints & Sinners” on Bounce TV! (VIDEO)

 

Hello World,

If you came of age in the ’90s like I did, then you remember Robin Givens from ABC sitcom “Head of the Class!” And then her star power surged when she married and later divorced world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. My favorite role of hers is when she portrayed the brash and boss chick Jacqueline Broyer in the 1992 classic movie “Boomerang” starring Eddie Murphy. She had Eddie Murphy’s character Marcus Graham sprung in a way that women are typically portrayed as sprung – sniveling and sappy when the object of affection suddenly withdraws the “affection!”

 

 

(I’ve said (typed) it before, and I will say (type) it again the ’90s was the golden age of black cinema and television although black cinema and television seems to be heating up right now!) But since then, I haven’t heard that much about her. Have you? I see she is on that show “Riverdale,” but I don’t watch show.  Do you? Well, if you want to see the original mean girl, tune into tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET to watch “Saints & Sinners” on Bounce TV!

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” Kenya Moore, a real life mean girl turned reluctant reality star now that she is actually a wife, will also star in tonight’s episode of “Saints & Sinners” although you can probably see her on Round Two of RHOA’s Season 10 Reunion show coming on tonight as well.

Saints & Sinners” tells the story of the conflicts among the members of a Baptist church in small-town Georgia. The plot consists of greed, corruption and murder.

Season 3 of “Saints & Sinners” sees all hell breaking loose in Cypress, Georgia. A vicious, no-holds-barred battle for Greater Hope Baptist Church erupts between the old guard, Mayor Johnson (Vanessa Bell Calloway) and Rex (Clifton Powell), and the young bloods Levi (Christian Keyes) and Jabari (J.D. Williams) while Kendrick (Tray Chaney) tries to survive a life-threatening predicament to expose his grandmother, Leona (Donna Biscoe who is my old taebo instructor!) as a killer. Miles (Keith Robinson, who I went to school with at the University of Georgia) is once again caught between his wife and his one-time mistress, Christie (Jasmine Burke) as Tamara’s (Demetria McKinney) wild allegations threaten to put Christie away forever. Detective St. Charles (Afemo Omilami) has his hands full with chaos and crime running rampant in Cypress in season three. “Saints & Sinners” is produced in partnership with Swirl Film’s Eric Tomosunas (Undershepard, 35 and Ticking).

Below is a video clip from tonight’s episode!

 

The much-anticipated third season premiere of Bounce’s hit original drama series “Saints & Sinners” on Sun. April 8 at 9:00 p.m. (ET) averaged 681K Total Viewers, an increase of +20% over the show’s season two premiere, to set a network record as the most-watched original in Bounce history. Saints & Sinners was the third most-watched program on Sunday night (9-10 p.m.) behind only AMC (The Walking Dead) and Bravo (Your Husband is Cheating on Us) among all ad-supported cable networks in the delivery of African Americans.

Bounce TV is the first FREE African -American broadcast network, featuring a programming mix of theatrical motion pictures, sporting events, documentaries, specials, inspirational faith-based programs, off-network series, original programming and more. Bounce TV’s founders include Martin Luther King III and Ambassador Andrew Young.

Any thoughts?

 

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Atlanta Pastor Completes 386-Mile March to Lorraine Motel in Memphis to Commemorate 50th Anniversary of Dr. King’s Assassination (PHOTOS + VIDEO)

Hello World,

During the official MLK50 commemorations, Pastor Terence Lester completed a 386-mile march to the Lorraine Motel in Memphis last week. In March, Pastor Lester left the National Center of Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta to embark on the journey on foot to Memphis in honor of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. The purpose of Lester’s march is to revive Dr. King’s “The Poor People’s Campaign” and to spread awareness about the alarming epidemic of homelessness and poverty around the country. Lester moved the crowd from the Lorraine Motel stage from as he gave reflection of his journey and the importance of passing the baton for justice.

“Dr. King believed that the next step towards equality was to eradicate a system that even 50 years later today, still keeps people enslaved to poverty. Systemic poverty is a civil rights issue affecting millions of people across the nation,” says Pastor Lester founder and executive director of Love Beyond Walls. “This march is a testament to Dr. King’s legacy and sheds light on the harsh realities of homelessness, food insecurity and poverty. It is time for the next generation to pick up the baton and we are on the frontlines to leading the charge.”

Love Beyond Walls is a 501c(3) nonprofit based in Atlanta, Georgia. Through hands-on assistance programs offering a temporary mobile shelter and operating the Love Center which provides clothing, laundry and groceries to the underserved, Love Beyond Walls has helped hundreds of men and women transition out of homelessness and poverty.

Check out a video and  few pictures from Pastor Lester’s video on the march below:

It’s official. The countdown begins. Today, I’ll make 21 days walking on behalf of the poor in our country. . On March 3rd, I set out on a 386 mile journey on foot to the Lorraine Motel (@ncrmuseum) to bring attention to poverty and honor MLK’s life. . I started from the Center for Civil & Human Rights (@ctr4chr) in Atlanta, GA and have walked all the way to Mississippi. . It’s my hope to arrive at the Lorraine by April 4th (MLK50th). . People have asked me what’s the one thing I’d want people to hear out of this sacrifice. It’s simple. . We have over a 100 million people in our country living near or below the poverty line. Therefore, “Poor People Matter.” . #MAP18 #lovebeyondwalls #MLK50th

A post shared by Terence Lester (@imterencelester) on

 

Pastor Terence Lester (center) leads March Against Poverty with his son and Gerald Griggs of NAACP Atlanta chapter by his side departing from the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta.

 

Pastor Lester alongside wife Cecilia and children.

 

Pastor Lester makes friends with homeless U.S. military veteran, Chris, along the walk.​

 

Pastor Lester and supporters join in the March Against Poverty.

 

Pastor Lester at the Alabama state line marker.

 

Pastor Lester continuing his march through the rain wearing a hoodie with text “Being Poor is Not a Crime”​

 

Pastor Lester crosses into Mississippi.

 

After 30 days, Pastor Lester officially makes it to Memphis.

 

Local supporters join Pastor Lester ​to finish the remaining 3 miles in Memphis to the Lorraine Motel.

 

Pastor Lester at the Lorraine Motel.

 

Pastor Lester sharing reflections from his journey and
the charge of the continuing Dr. King’s “Poor People’s Campaign”

For more information about the march, please visit marchagainstpoverty.com.

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Events in Atlanta & Memphis Commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Hello World,

To be clear, today April 4, 2018, is not a day that we celebrate the assassination of likely the greatest civil rights leader to have ever lived 50 years ago before he was shot to death on April 4, 1968. We are commemorating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and times not the tragedy of the death of a 39-year-old man who accomplished more than many who lived two of his lifetimes…

If you are in Atlanta, Georgia, his birthplace or Memphis, Tennessee, where he was assassinated, you have many opportunities to commemorate his life and times. Below are just a sampling of these events:

From The King Center’s website mlk50forward.org:

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize Award Ceremony on April 4, 2018, Ceremony: 10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Luncheon: 12 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize is The King Center’s highest award presented for commitment to nonviolence as a way of life through which social justice, human rights and civil liberties are attained for all. The prize also recognizes achievements in the eradication of poverty and racism, and the successful quest for alternatives to war. Honoring Benjamin Ferencz and Bryan Stevenson. To register and for more information, go to eventbrite.com. 
  • Global Bell Ringing & Wreath Laying on April 4, 2018 at 6:01 p.m. CST. The Global Bell Ringing will begin at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN and The King Center in conjunction with the rest of the world.
    The Wreath Laying, which will include the King Family, will take place at the crypt of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • King Centennials Speaks on April 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Centennial Generation of “King Children”, Miss Yolanda Renee King, Granddaughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Miss Maryn Rippy, Granddaughter of AD King, will host an event highlighting youth all over the world doing innovative and extraordinary work for humanity. The program
    will be co-emceed by Hudson Yang, Eddie from ABC’s “Fresh off the Boat” and  Storm Reid, Meg from the movie “A Wrinkle in Time.” Admission is free, but you must register at eventbrite.com. 
  • March for Humanity & Love for Humanity Tribute on April 9, 2018. The march will be 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., and the Morehouse Event will be 2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The March in Atlanta will begin in front of Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and end at the campus of Morehouse College followed by a Love for Humanity Tribute. Registration is required.

From the National Civil Rights Museum’s website mlk50.civilrightsmuseum.org:

  • 10:00 AM Daylong Tributes from the MLK50 Main Stage in the Museum Courtyard on April 4 – Musical, dance and spoken word performances and reflections from civil rights leaders in salute to Dr. King. Free to the public.
  • 3:30 PM The 6:01 50th Anniversary Ceremony from the Balcony of the Lorraine Motel on April 4– The Beloved Community will gather for the official ceremony with the laying of the wreath, ecumenical liturgy, musical and spoken word tributes, and remarks from civil rights icons. Free to the public.
  • 6:01 PM Bell Toll on April 4 – Bells ring at places of worship, college campuses or institutions 39 times across the nation to honor the number of years Dr. King dwelled on this earth and to pay homage to his legacy.
  • 6:15 PM Evening of Storytelling – Civil Rights Icons and New Movement Makers in dialogue about “the Movement” then and now. This is a ticketed event at Crosstown Concourse in Memphis. The event will address the MLK50 theme, Where Do We Go From Here? Michael Eric Dyson and April Ryan will co-moderate a session with a set of candid discussions on the political, legal, and cultural aspects of social justice activism.  Former MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall will host a session with CongressmanJohn Lewis and James Lawson.  Invited speakers will share their recollections from the front lines, analysis of modern strategies, and ideas for new techniques that modern activists can use to further Dr. King’s platforms for peace, justice and equity.  Confirmed guests include seasoned civil rights icons Jesse Jackson,Marian Wright Edelman, Diane Nash, Clarence Jones, Bill Lucy,Coby Smith, Mike Cody, and Elaine Turner along with newcomers Yadon Israel, Bree Newsome, Quentin James, Nicole Porter, Tamika Mallory, Alicia Garza, and Tami Sawyer.  Apparently, this event is sold out, but you never know if someone will not show up and you can get in 🙂 For more information, go to mlk50.civilrightsmuseum.org.

Also, through Civil Rights Tours Atlanta, on Saturday, April 7, you can retrace the funeral route of Dr. King. See the places 50 years ago that served as key points in his funeral. They will also be observing the third anniversary of Civil Rights Tours Atlanta — showing you how incredibly things have changed. Reserve your seat @ www.civilrightstour.com and use the promo code “Civil” for a 20% discount!

And if you don’t live in Atlanta or Memphis, below is a link to an interview with journalist Alexis Scott.

From WABE.org:

Her grandfather founded “The Atlanta Daily World,” the nation’s oldest daily African-American newspaper. Scott became the paper’s publisher for 17 years and is currently a political commentator for “The Georgia Gang.” For WABE’s ongoing ATL68 series, Alexis Scott joined Lois Reitzes on “City Lights” to discuss her impressions of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 50 years after his assassination.

How are you commemorating the life and times of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Any thoughts?