How Martin Luther King Jr.’s Last Sunday Sermon Speaks to Us Today – A Post from the Denison Forum…

Me and Dr. Bernice King, CEO of The King Center, at the Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine Women of Excellence reception last night…

Hello World,

I had planned to post about the fact that the 33rd Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be aired tonight on Good Friday no less on TV One at 9 p.m. EST and 8 p.m. CST and share some fun red carpet photos from the event which took place last Saturday, but then I received an inspiring post in my inbox from the Denison Forum  this morning which is the website where Dr. Jim Denison writes about cultural and contemporary issues from a Christian perspective.

His post was so inspiring and timely that I thought I would share a portion of it here particularly since I got the chance to hear Dr. Bernice King speak at the Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine Woman of Excellence Reception last night. I interviewed her in 2014 for the magazine so I got to know her a little bit back then, but last night she reminded everyone of something: When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., her father, became a martyr on April 4, 1968, 50 years ago next week, he was one of the most hated men in America. It was only because of the diligent work of his wife Coretta Scott King AFTER his death that he became a man loved the whole world over. Her statement spoke to me on so many levels. When we’re doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord we may not be liked, loved nor appreciated. In fact, we may not even live to see the fruits of our sacrificial labor. I’m reminded that when Jesus died he was treated as a common criminal, spat on, mocked and physically abused. So it is up to us to demonstrate that his actions in laying down his life were the ultimate in sacrificial love and that this gift of love is high, deep and wide enough to save whole world if only we share this Good News…

Below is a portion of Dr. Denison’s post:

Tomorrow marks the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last Sunday sermon.

On March 31, 1968, Dr. King preached at the Washington National Cathedral. An overflow crowd heard him deliver “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution,” calling his listeners to join God in a movement that would bring righteousness to a culture divided by racial bigotry and endemic poverty.

In his message, he noted: “On some positions, cowardice asks the question: Is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and asks the question: Is it politic? Vanity asks the question: Is it popular? Conscience asks the question: Is it right?”

Then Dr. King stated, “There comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular, but he must do it because conscience tells him it is right.”

Four days later, he paid for his conscience with his life.

Dr. King ended his sermon by invoking a hymn sung earlier in the service as a challenge to America, the church, and all of humanity:

Once to ev’ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
Off’ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
‘Twixt that darkness and that light.

“God proved his love on the cross”

On this Good Friday, we remember Jesus’ choice “‘twixt that darkness and that light,” his “great decision” to bear the evil of our sin for the “great cause” of our salvation.

You and I have no ability to fathom just what this day cost our Savior.

See the rest at denisonforum.org.

I will share one snippet from the Stellar Awards. Below is a video snippet of Tori Kelly & The Hamiltones, the R&B trio made up of the three singers who sing background for Anthony Hamilton, performing “Help Us To Love,” which is appropros on this Good Friday.

Here is a excerpt of the lyrics written by Kirk Franklin:

This world is weeping, hurting, broken and begging for change
Oh yeah
But still we marching, praying, dying, and things stay the same
When will we see?
Till everyone’s free
There’ll never be peace between you and me
God, your love is the cure
For the rich and the poor
God, please will you open our eyes?

Any thoughts?

Gospel Stars Pastor Shirley Caesar & Le’Andria Johnson to be on ‘UNSUNG’ & ‘UNCENSORED’ on TV One TONIGHT!

Hello World,

After you finish watching Stormy Daniels on 60 Minutes (Don’t Act. I Figure Every American Will Be.) on CBS at 7 p.m. EST, turn to TV One where you will watch a more savory but none less interesting offering because this weekend’s episode of TV One’s award-winning series “UNSUNG” will feature Pastor Shirley Caesar, and the brand-new series “UNCENSORED” will feature Le’Andria JohnsonPastor Shirley Caesar’s episode of “UNSUNG” will air tonight, March 25at 9/8C  and Le’Andria’s episode of “UNCENSORED” will air tonight March 25at 10/9C on TV One. Yes, it’s gospel music night on TV One tonight!

About Shirley Caesar

With over 40 albums and 11 Grammy Awards, Shirley Caesar is the reigning Queen of Gospel Music. Beginning her career at 12 years old, she was a vocal phenomenon whose teenage talent earned her a spot in the popular all female gospel group the Caravans, where she became a standout star. In the early 1970s she won her first Grammy Award for a dynamic cover of “Put Your Hand in the Hand of the Man from Galilee,” and the hits continued with songs like “No Charge,” “Hold My Mule and “I Remember Mama”. But despite her success, Shirley always knew her life was meant for more than music, and in the late 80’s she’d taken on a second career as a pastor, preaching around the world and starting her own church in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a career now spanning over 7 decades, Shirley Caesar has become a living legend of gospel music, and shares with “UNSUNG” the triumphs and challenges of a life dedicated to spreading the Good News. Most recently, she gained popularity with Millennials with the “Beans, Greens, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Corn You Name It Challenge.” Remember that?

Check out a clip of her talking about that challenge on “UNSUNG!”

About “UNSUNG”

Through first-hand accounts, interviews with family and friends, and archival footage, each episode of TV One’s signature series “UNSUNG” sheds much-deserved light on some of the most influential and talented R&B, soul, funk, hip hop, disco, and gospel artists of the last 30 years. Also featuring Deborah Cox, Avant, Shirley Caesar, Blue Magic, Brand Nubian and Lost Boyz, season 12 of TV One’s critically acclaimed and award-winning “UNSUNG uncovers the personal triumphs and struggles of these musical legends. This is my favorite show on TV One!

About Le’Andria Johnson

Reared in the church, her singing talent was born early in childhood. Later, her teen years shaped her as a rebel that would eventually carve her personality and drive as a gospel music star. Le’Andria Johnson overcame hardship and conflict on the way to epic stardom as a young talent. Along the way to reaching music success, reality dealt her tough hands that challenged her faith in God, relationships, and place in music stardom.

Le’Andria Johnson’s story is about faith in action. Her legacy is about never giving up and never giving in. She has been inspired by following her own path toward God’s plan for her. With hits and misses along the way, Le’Andria uses her platform as a call to action pushing her fans and followers toward a moral foundation. Those calls to action took her from social media rants, spreading her religious message dressed up as a street prostitute, enduring the challenge of pregnancy out-of- wedlock in the gospel-singing community, and many passionate, controversial church sermons. The rebel child in her made Le’Andria the self-professed “bad girl of gospel music”– a kind of reckoning toward her faithful conviction to deliver the truth. (Let’s not forget THAT Periscope broadcast!)

Taking her church message to the streets and performing passionately in conservative churches she is living her divine destiny. With the awards, accolades, and recognition Le’Andria Johnson has yet to settle for less as a Christian leader.

Check out a video of Le’Andria talking about the difficult decision she had to make when she got pregnant out of wedlock…

About “UNCENSORED”

“UNCENSORED” is an edgy new docu-series exploring the intimate lives of some of today’s most notable personalities, that debuted on TV One on February 18 at 10 p.m. ET/9C. The 10-episode biography series gives unprecedented access to stars including Tamar Braxton, Charlemagne Da God, Tiffany Haddish, Le’Andria Johnson, NeNe Leakes, Nia Long, Rick Ross and more, as they personally reveal their own stories, in their own words, in the places their stories unfolded.

“UNCENSORED” is a dynamic series with each episode capturing the essence of its subject. From the ultimate hustler Rick Ross and his climb from the streets of Miami to the top of hip-hop, to Tamar Braxton stepping out of the shadow of her famous sister and the meteoric rise of comedy’s newest “It Girl” Tiffany Haddish, “UNCENSORED” presents the stories behind the stars. Through the “UNCENSORED” lens, viewers get an unfiltered perspective on the journey they have taken to achieve their dreams and pop culture fame.

In its first season, “UNCENSORED” dives deep into the lives of these celebrated individuals with first-hand accounts of their road to stardom from the stars themselves. They speak directly and candidly about their personal triumphs and successes, the obstacles and challenges they have faced, and the pivotal moments that have shaped their lives and careers. No topic is off limits as they discuss issues relevant to today’s national dialogue such as race relations, drugs and violence, and sexual harassment. In addition to first-person interviews, “UNCENSORED” uncovers little known facts with an expansive and impressive list of friends and family who know them best.

Move over NeNe, Kandi & Kim of Real Housewives of Atlanta, between Stormy, Pastor Shirley and Le’Andria, this is where the over-the-top drama will be!!!

Any thoughts?

With Kirk Franklin as Host, Mary Mary To Reunite & Snoop Dogg to Perform at 2018 Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards SATURDAY!

Hello World,

Central City Productions announces a dazzling line-up of performers for the 2018 Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, including the reunion of contemporary gospel music’s favorite sister act, Mary Mary (Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell), and the Stellar Award’s debut of rapper, actor, and television personality Snoop Dogg, performing songs from his new gospel album “Songs of Love” at this year’s show. Celebrated as a “transcendent night of gospel music,” the 33rd Annual Stellar Awards promises to surpass its ‘stellar’ reputation, featuring performances by the genre’s hottest acts. Performers scheduled to appear include: Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Travis Greene, Tye Tribbett, Anthony Brown & group therAPy, Kierra Sheard, KeKe Wyatt, Jonathan McReynolds, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Todd Dulaney, Koryn Hawthorne and Ricky Dillard & New G, among others. Returning to Las Vegas’ Orleans Arena on Saturday, March 24, 2018 the Stellar Awards welcomes the return of the undisputed crown prince of contemporary gospel music, Kirk Franklin, as host.

The Stellar Awards telecast will premiere on TV One on Friday, March 30 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT and air in broadcast syndication on 130 stations in more than 110 markets around the country March 31 – May 6, 2018.

Franklin is happy to be back in the role of host of the annual celebration. “Since my first step onto the Stellar Awards stage as a 23-year-old kid from Texas, I’ve lived, breathed and committed all I’ve had to this incredible genre called gospel,” he stated. “To find myself now still blessed to serve the community I love so dearly as their host of the 2018 Stellar Awards, that young kid feels alive again and more grateful than ever. We’re working hard to bring to the world the best and the brightest along with the icons and legends, the greatest night of God’s music at a time when the country needs our melody the most. Thank you and I’ll see you in Vegas.”

This year’s spectacular show open will feature Stellar Awards alum Erica Campbell reuniting with her sister Tina Campbell as the hit gospel duo Mary Mary for the first time in more than six years. The show will include an all-star tribute to the late, great Edwin Hawkins, with his sister Lynette Hawkins accepting the Edwin Hawkins Icon Award in his honor. Also expected to deliver stand out moments are the multi-platinum award-winning Snoop Dogg performing material from his new gospel album and collaborating with Tye Tribbett. 

“Each year we strive to bring new and innovative performances and collaborations to the Stellar Awards and this year is no different, with the inclusion of mainstream hip-hop rapper and mogul, Snoop Dogg.” stated Stellar Awards Founder, Don Jackson. “Snoop expressed his desire to release a gospel album in honor of his mom who is an evangelist and he’s teamed up with Gospel superstar Tye Tribbett, there’s no way we couldn’t bring this explosive performance to the Stellar Awards stage.”

2018 Stellar Award’s multi-nominee and previous host, Anthony Brown, returns this year to perform and looks forward to sharing something special with the fans. “The Stellar Awards has always been such a blessing to gospel music creators and gospel music lovers worldwide. It provides for us a platform and opportunity to share our message and our gifts with the world,” shared Brown. “I am so excited to take the stage again at this year’s Stellar Awards. It’s always so humbling and exciting. group therAPy and I are working on something special this year. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

Don Jackson will bestow special honors upon gospel greats who have made significant contributions to the genre. The incomparable Tamela Mann is this year’s recipient of the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award and the legendary Rev. Milton Biggham will receive The Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award. Stellar Honors Hall of Fame Inductees includes Kurt Carr, Ben Tankard, and Dr. Marabeth Gentry – President of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses.

The Stellar Awards show taping is open to the public, with ticket prices ranging from $50 – $200 at www.ticketmaster.com. 

The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show is scheduled for Friday, March 23 hosted by Lexi Allen and Lonnie Hunter. Among the artists performing at the Orleans Showroom that evening: Next Generation Choir, Judah Band, Tasha Page Lockhart, Isaiah D. Thomas, Ruth La’Ontra, Bryan Popin and Jason Nelson

The Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase will be held earlier on Saturday, March 24, honoring the top radio stations and announcers who most notably serve urban gospel music audiences. This show is also full of spirit-stirring performances by newcomers Isabel Davis, Gene Moore and Kelontae Gavin; seasoned sensations Donishisa Ballard and Jason Champion; and quartet group The Virginia Aires. The event is hosted by VaShawn Mitchelland Meta Washington and is the perfect kickoff to the big show the same day. Tickets for each event can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

More of the biggest names in gospel and a few additional surprises are being added to the growing list of top performers and presenters appearing in this year’s show. For more information, visit www.thestellarawards.com. Follow on social media for the latest news and updates about the greatest night in gospel! 

Any thoughts?