Category Archives: Writing

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The Christian Faith of Actress Cicely Tyson, Viewing to be Held at Abyssinian Baptist Church Feb. 15 & More…

Hello World,

I find it profoundly mysterious that two days after beloved, award-winning actress and my Delta sorority sister Cicely Tyson released the lone book that she penned about her life and life’s work, the Lord took her from the earthly realm to the heavenly realm. It was as if to say now that her life and life’s work were chronicled in her memoir Just As I Am (the title taken from the heralded hymn that inspired her as a teenager), there was nothing left to be or to do. She was blessed to live 96 years and had the strength to work up until the very end as she was promoting her memoir in various interviews. While many of us were likely familiar with much of her work from Roots to The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman to various Tyler Perry movies to How to Get Away With Murder to most recently Cherish the Day (and this is just a sampling of her work), I, for one, was not aware of her Christian faith that sustained her throughout her life. But her pastor Rev. Calvin Butts III of the well-known Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City, where her public viewing will be held on on Monday, Feb. 15 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) was keenly aware of her Christian faith. Below are a few excerpts from Cicely Tyson’s Pastor Remembers her Faith as Family Announces Public Viewing by Leonardo Blair of The Christian Post.

“She had a place in our church where she would sit. She bought that pew in memory of her mother. We don’t sell pews so that people can sit in them, but she donated to our church and she asked that when she was here if she could sit there, and of course, we agreed.

“But she would come to church often and you wouldn’t even know she was here. She would not be spectacular as she can be, she would just sit in the back and worship God. She was here every Sunday when she could be when she wasn’t working, traveling. She was a good member,” he said. “I believe she is enjoying the peace of Heaven. Cicely Tyson will be missed. Our hearts are broken and we are saddened, but she lived a triumphant life. She was God’s gift to us.”

Cicely Tyson’s family circa 1927, from left: her father, William; sister, Emily; mother, Fredericka; brother, Melrose, whom the family called Beau; and Cicely, age 2. | CREDIT: COURTESY CICELY TYSON

Additionally, she spoke on Women’s Day on March 11, 2018 at Abyssinian Baptist Church about growing up in church, where her family attended “Sunday morning till Saturday night.”

“We attended church like Sunday, I played the organ, I taught Sunday school, I had evening service. Monday we had young people’s meeting, Tuesday, old people’s meeting,” she said to another burst of laughter.

“Wednesday, we gathered together to try to introduce young children to the way of God. Thursday, we had club meeting. Friday, I sang and rehearsed in the choir and Saturday, we cleaned the church. I decided at one point that if I ever lived to become a woman I would never enter the portals of church again. And here I am standing in the pulpit of one of the biggest churches in the world,” she said to applause.

To read the entire article, click HERE.

Additionally, below is a link to watch Cicely Tyson’s Barnes & Noble interview with Tyler Perry, who had a mother and son relationship:


Here are a few key moments from the interview:

  • Tyler Perry asked Tyson when she was going to write her memoir for years. And for years, she would reply, “When I have something to say.” See 5:33 of the video.
  • How her breakthrough role as Rebeccca in “Sounder” led to the arresting cover image on her memoir. While doing promotional work for the movie in London, she was photographed by Lord Snowden, who asked if she would allow him to take pictures of her for his collection. The photograph, which she didn’t see at the time, was sent to Arthur Mitchell, a ballet dancer and her close friend, as a gift from Snowden to Mitchell. When Mitchell passed, the photograph which was hung above his headboard for years, was given to Tyson. She was “stunned” as she had not seen it before. When she saw it, she said, “That will be the cover of my book.” See 6:58 of the video.
  • When she was 31 years old and in an acting class, she was sexually assaulted by the teacher Paul Mann! “He grabbed me by my hair and pulled me down, and we fought like cats and dogs. I was finally able to free myself from him, and he was left with a handful of my hair in his hand.” See 11:00 of the video.

And as a 47-year-old woman, the fact that she didn’t get her proverbial “big break” until she was 48 years old was inspiring. See an excerpt of this Washington Post article Cicely Tyson, Actress who Gave Electrifying Portrayals of Resilient Black Women, dies at 96 by Adam Bernstein.

Ms. Tyson was a struggling actress at 48, when her fortunes turned seemingly overnight when she won a leading role in “Sounder.” She played a dirt-poor but proud woman trying to raise her son while her husband (Paul Winfield) is jailed for stealing meat to feed his family. Movie critic Roger Ebert called “Sounder” “simply told and universally moving” and singled out Ms. Tyson’s work for its nuance. “It is a wonder to see the subtleties in her performance,” Ebert wrote. “We have seen her with her family, and we know her strength and intelligence. Then we see her dealing with the white power structure, and her behavior toward it is in a style born of cynicism and necessity. She will say what they want to hear in order to get what she wants to get.” See the rest of the article HERE.

The world will certainly miss Cicely Tyson. But to be absent from this world is to be present with God. 

If you would like more of this kind of content, please click on this link to subscribe to my blog 🙂!

Any thoughts?

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My Black History: Destination Wedding is in a Physical Barnes & Noble Bookstore!

Hello World,

So since my debut novel Destination Wedding was released on Dec. 3, 2019, I have worked very hard to get out the word as far and as wide as possible. While having your work on sale at all is a thrill, I get a kick out of seeing physical copies of Destination Wedding in physical bookstores rather than just being on sale online. Here in metro Atlanta, Destination Wedding has been thankfully stocked at two independent bookstores Nubian Bookstore and Medu Bookstore. But as of now, Barnes & Noble Southlake now has my book on its shelves as well. See a few pictures above! And look at the company Destination Wedding is keeping! I love this phrase now: You are the company you keep.

So if you’re in metro Atlanta, please stop by Barnes & Noble Southlake and pick up a copy. Or if you prefer to support independent bookstores, please stop by Nubian Bookstore or Medu Bookstore. Now, Destination Wedding may on the shelves of other bookstores throughout the country, but these are the bookstores that I have personally visited.

If you don’t live in metro Atlanta and would like to support me, please request my book at your local Barnes & Noble (or online if there aren’t any) and or your favorite nearby independent bookstore. When these bookstores receive requests, they are more likely to stock requested books in the store rather than just have them on sale online.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Any thoughts?

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OWN’s New Drama ‘Delilah’ From Acclaimed ‘Greenleaf’ Creator Craig Wright Announces Additional Cast & Directors, Will Air on OWN in March 2021…

Hello World,

Greenleafers, our favorite show creator is back! OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network recently announced  the addition of 14 new roles plus directors Ayoka Chenzira and Crystle C. Roberson for new drama “Delilah,” from acclaimed “Greenleaf” creator Craig Wright, who serves as executive producer along with Charles Randolph-Wright and Oprah Winfrey. In 2020, “Greenleaf” was the year’s most-watched original cable series with African-American viewers.

Delilah left a demanding white-shoe law firm a decade ago and hung up her own shingle so she could make raising her kids her number one priority. Now she takes on cases the big firms ignore and finds herself, more often than not, going head-to-head with the powerful and privileged as she fights for the disenfranchised. In addition to raising her two kids, Maia and Marcus, Delilah also cares for her young nephew Dion; manages her relationship with her frustrating ex; and to top it all off, she’s about to go up against her best friend Tamara in court for the first time. Delilah has always represented the underdogs. Tamara has always represented the wealthy and powerful. But this case is different: this time, Delilah’s most cherished friendship is on the line, and there are lives at stake. But Delilah does what she always does – she seeks justice for those who need it most. The series is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Harpo Films, filmed in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will air on OWN in March 2021.

The new series regulars announced include:

  • Kelly Jacobs plays ‘Maia’ – smart, feisty, and creative, Maia is Delilah’s teenage daughter. She’s confident and unafraid to speak her mind or stand up for herself. A talented violinist, Maia plays with the school orchestra, but when she meets Miss Virginia, a renowned former violinist who offers to give Maia free lessons, Maia sets her sights on bigger aspirations, much to Delilah’s dismay. (Series Regular)
  • Khalil Johnson plays ‘Dion’ – Dion is Delilah’s nephew, her brother Nate’s son. Dion has not had an easy life and all he wants is some stability and his absent mother’s love.  However, the love he’s getting from his aunt is unconditional – and he’s starting to feel at home. (Series Regular)
  • Braelyn Rankins (“Faith Under Fire,” “Genius”) plays ‘Marcus’ – a sweet kid, Marcus is Delilah’s son. Energetic, confident and sharp, he is a little annoyed that his five-year-old cousin has been staying at the house – and wonders how long he has to put up with it. Nonetheless, Marcus is a good-natured boy who likes to have a good time. Also perceptive, when he sees his mother is distracted, he knows how to make her smile. (Series Regular)

New recurring cast includes:

  • Lyriq Bent (“Four Brothers,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Saw”) plays ‘Gordon’ – Delilah’s ex-husband and the father of their kids. Unfortunately, his good looks and charisma have caused him some problems. A professor, he slept with one of his college students, losing his job and his marriage to Delilah as collateral damage. Despite their differences, he and Delilah must work together to coparent the kids they both love. (Recurring)
  • Joseph Callender (“Overcomer”) plays ‘Andre’ – a man who has considerable authority over Christine, he’s “visiting” her apartment and claims to be a friend of both Nate and Christine.  But the nature of his “friendship” with Christine looks mighty suspicious, especially to Delilah. (Recurring Co-star)
  • Michel Curiel (“Sistas,” “The Walking Dead: World Beyond”) plays ‘Jamal’ – Casey’s handsome and single best friend. When Tamara and Casey introduce him to Delilah, he’s very interested and courts her. (Recurring)
  • LaMonica Garrett (“Arrow,” “Designated Survivor”) plays ‘Casey’ – tall and handsome, “perfection,” Casey is the Deputy Mayor of Charlotte and considered one of the most eligible men around. Charming, intelligent, professional, he is dating Delilah’s best friend, Tamara Roberts. (Recurring)
  • Nigel Gibbs (“Breaking Bad,” “Beautiful Boy”) is cast as ‘Wes’ – the Chief of Police in Charlotte. Delilah’s father, he has a long-strained relationship with his daughter which he is hoping to repair. Wes is also rebuilding a relationship with his son, Nate, Delilah’s younger brother, and Delilah’s not happy about it. (Recurring)
  • Leonard Harmon (“Black Boots”) plays ‘Nate’ – Delilah’s warm-hearted younger brother. He is an Army veteran who has been living in the Veteran Affairs Rehab Center after an injury abroad left him paralyzed and using a wheelchair. While he is adjusting to the VA and his new physical condition, his son, Dion, has been left in Delilah’s care. (Guest Recurring)
  • Candace B. Harris (“The Single Life,” “Valor”) plays ‘Christine’ – Nate’s estranged wife and Dion’s mother.  Too much of a wreck to properly care for her son, she has (briefly) entrusted Dion to Delilah’s care — but “brief” is a very elastic word, and this situation is getting tighter and closer to the snapping point with every passing hour — and so is Delilah’s temper. (Guest Recurring)
  • Gray Hawks (“Outer Banks”) is cast as ‘Win’ – southern, patrician, he is Tamara’s boss.  He likes having her on the team and entrusts her to defuse a challenge the company is facing. If she succeeds, she’ll make partner at his firm. (Guest Recurring)
  • Joe Holt (“The Walking Dead: The World Beyond,” “The Punisher”) plays ‘Mace’ – a private investigator, and one of Delilah’s good friends. Smart, sharp-witted, with a fun, easygoing manner, he’s always the reliable friend Delilah can turn to for anything, personal or professional.  When Delilah asks for his help on Leah’s case, Mace is intrigued. (Recurring)
  • Saycon Sengbloh (“In The Dark,” “Scandal”) plays ‘Leah’ – Leah and Delilah have known each other since college, but have fallen out of touch in the years that have passed.  After suddenly and unjustly being let go from her job, Leah decides to reach out to Delilah hoping her old friend will take on her case as her attorney.  Leah is a bit rough around the edges, tired, nervous and skittish from the fallout of her firing. (Recurring)
  • Amanda Tavarez (“Queen Sugar,” “Cake: The Series”) plays ‘Katya’ – Gordon’s girlfriend, she used to be one of his students, and is ready to take their relationship to the next level by moving in and meeting his kids. (Recurring)

Previously announced cast includes Maahra Hill (“Black-ish,” “How to Get Away With Murder”) starring as Delilah Connolly, a headstrong, highly principled lawyer living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Delilah’s doing her best to raise two kids alone and keep her ties to family, friends and faith strong, all the while ceaselessly seeking justice for those who need it most, in a time when the rich and powerful of Charlotte and beyond will do anything to stop her. Jill Marie Jones (“Girlfriends”) appears as Tamara Roberts, Delilah’s confidante and best friend; Susan Heyward (“Orange is the New Black”), portrays Demetria Barnes, Delilah’s newly hired, fearless, and ambitious associate; and Ozioma Akagha (Marvel’s “Runaways”), plays Delilah’s unfailingly sunny secretary, Harper Omereoha.

Additionally, Ayoka Chenzira (“Queen Sugar,” “Greenleaf,” “Trinkets,” “Alma’s Rainbow”) directed two episodes. Crystle C. Roberson (“Greenleaf,” “American Soul,” “First Christmas,” “Diary of a Future President”) also took on an episode in the eight-episode season. Award-winning directors Charles Randolph-Wright (“Greenleaf”) and Cheryl Dunye (“Queen Sugar,” “David Makes Man”) were previously announced.

  • Ayoka Chenzira —Ayoka Chenzira is an award-winning filmmaker and a recognized pioneer in Black independent cinema. Her distinctive body of work spans fiction, documentary, animation, performance, experimental narratives, interactive cinema and television.

She is one of the first African American women to write, produce and direct a 35mm feature film, Alma’s Rainbow (developed at Sundance Institute).

There have been many international retrospectives of Ayoka’s films and several of them are in permanent collections including the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

In 2018, Ayoka directed a season three episode of Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar” for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, for which she was nominated for a 2019 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Director in Drama. Her animated film, Hair Piece: a film for nappyheaded people, was one of twenty-five films inducted into the 2018 National Film Registry, which preserves films deemed as culturally, historically or aesthetically significant. She received the 2018 BronzeLens Catalyst Award for her pioneering work.

Ayoka’s early films are currently being archived and preserved at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and in 2020 will be rereleased by Milestone Films.

In 2019 Ayoka directed a season four episode of “Greenleaf” for OWN, back-to-back episodes of “Trinkets” for Netflix and later in the year was invited by Ava DuVernay to direct the season four finale of “Queen Sugar.”

Based on her interactive sci-fi fantasy film, HERadventure, Ayoka was invited to be a TEDxAtlanta Speaker where she presented on imagination and diversity in sci-fi/fantasy films.

Black Women Animate and the Cartoon Network honored Ayoka Chenzira in 2020 with the Cultural Innovator Award.

Ayoka is a member of the Director’s Guild of America. She is the Division Chair for the Arts at Spelman College.

  • Crystle C. Roberson – Since being honored by Women in Film & Television Atlanta with the Woman to Watch Award in 2008, Crystle has been creating cinematic stories for all who wish to see. Born in Germany and raised in the heart of middle Georgia USA, Crystle fell in love with film as a teenage photographer and continues a life of unique expression through the camera.

Crystle was awarded by HBO, Chase, and Kodak for her short film Next Door’s Next (2009) and has written/directed dozens more indie projects to date – including Private Garden with Idris Elba, The Black Cage with Mykelti Williamson, The End Again with Columbus Short and most recently Black Girls Guide to Fertility with Raney Branch. Crystle is a proud member of Yale University’s Storytellers in Modern Media Program. A 2018 Sony Pictures Diverse Director Program Participant, Crystle is a member of the Directors Guild of America and has directed many episodes of television including the hit series “Greenleaf” on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, “American Soul,” on BET, and “Diary of a Future President” on Disney+. Currently, she is in development of a dramatic series as co-creator and writer at HBO.

In addition to creating and executive producing OWN’s hit drama series “Greenleaf,” Craig Wright is currently developing a spinoff of “Greenleaf” for OWN.  Wright served as writer and producer on “Lost” and “Six Feet Under,” and was supervising producer on the long-running series “Brothers and Sisters.” He was Emmy-nominated for his writing on “Six Feet Under,” and received three WGA Award nominations, winning the Dramatic Series award in 2004 for “Lost.” In addition, Wright was executive producer and writer for “Tyrant” and “Rush” and was consulting producer on “United States of Tara.”

“Delilah” is produced for OWN by Warner Bros. Television and Harpo Films. The executive producers are Craig Wright, Charles Randolph-Wright, and Oprah Winfrey.

Follow “Delilah” on social media at:

FB: facebook.com/DelilahonOWN

TW: twitter.com/DelilahOWN

IG: Instagram.com/delilahOWN

Will you be watching next month? I’m mostly waiting on the “Greenleaf” spinoff, but I’m a HUGE fan of Craig Wright’s writing so I will give it a chance…

Any thoughts?