Ms. Franklin’s reputation for speaking her mind and sometimes shading folks who rubbed her the wrong way, I was more anxious than I usually was when meeting a star. But since she was cordial to us, apparently we passed Aretha’s test. Witnessing her talents in person was incredible enough, but having one-on-one contact with the Queen herself? That was a privilege I will never forget.
Tag: featured
Firmer Foundations, Stronger Educations: From “I Promise” to “Evolution”
With Tax-Free Weekend over and classes resuming for most children in just over week, school is already a hot-button topic. But superstar athlete LeBron James made the topic viral recently with his latest accomplishment—opening the I Promise School via his LeBron James Family Foundation charity in his native city of Akron, OH. Starting with third… Continue reading Firmer Foundations, Stronger Educations: From “I Promise” to “Evolution”
“You Want What You Create To Live”: RIP Joe (1929-2018) & Michael Jackson (1958-2009)
Nearly half a century ago, in 1969, a quintet of brothers known as The Jackson 5 found instant success on the strength of their debut single, “I Want You Back.” In the span of just weeks, the song became a No. 1 hit and introduced the world to Michael Jackson, the precocious child prodigy that… Continue reading “You Want What You Create To Live”: RIP Joe (1929-2018) & Michael Jackson (1958-2009)
A Father’s Work: Getting It Right, Avoiding The Wrong
“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” – James A. Baldwin Let’s make it plain and keep it real, shall we? Being a parent is hard work. No matter what gender we are, few endeavors in life are as emotional, intricate and arduous… Continue reading A Father’s Work: Getting It Right, Avoiding The Wrong
Pick Ya’ Spots: “Keeping It Real” Vs. “Keeping It Racist”
Back in the early 90s, when Heavy D & The Boyz released one of their biggest hits, “Got Me Waiting,” the clever rhymes and deft sampling of a Luther Vandross groove made it an instant jam. Unlike some hip-hop of the era, “Waiting” has aged well and, in fact, contains a line that describes our… Continue reading Pick Ya’ Spots: “Keeping It Real” Vs. “Keeping It Racist”