Come Celebrate Juneteenth w/ BALA in Leimert Park - LA, CA - June 17-18, 2017!

Come learn more about American History and celebrate Juneteenth - the month that African American people, held in captivity, for 12 generations, enslaved in these United States of America, were emancipated (freed) in a document called The Emancipation Proclamation, signed by 

President Abraham Lincoln - the year? 1863 (January, 1). 

BUT the news didn't reach Texas until Juneteenth (historians are still debating over the actual date that the news reached Texas, so to be safe, we know that they got the news no sooner then June 13th, but no later then June 19th, thus the name, Juneteenth)1865.

Keep in mind, back then, there was no Facebook, SnapChat, YouTube, Twitter, Yahoo, or Google, so news traveled slowly....Come, bring your family, and Celebrate our Freedom in the historic Leimert Park district, in Southern California.  You'll be glad that you got a chance to celebrate an integral part of American History -
 African American History.  

For more details, please contact Moza Mjasiri Cooper @
www.blackartslosangeles.org 

Check out the video of previous #BALA Juneteenth Festivals!
Come on out and feel the love!

#BALA #Juneteenth #Family #AfricanAmericanHistory #AmericanHistory #LeimertPark @mydayinla

Congratulations, M! Introducing Mater Dei High School - Class of 2017 Valedictorian!

Marianna McDevitt,
 Mater Dei Class of 2017, Valedictiorian

Congratulations is in order for the entire
Mater Dei High School Class of 2017 for a job well done! I've never seen so many students with 4.0 grade point averages. Awesome!
I must admit that my focal point is on the Mater Dei High School, Class of 2017 Valedictorian
(drum roll!)  - Introducing Ms. Marianna McDevitt -
an amazing, multi-talented, kind, and beautiful
young lady (inside and out). A young lady with true grit.

We want to show gratitude for all of the effort that went into making such a momentous occasion so special - 

Thank you, Ms. Frances Clare, Principal,
Mr. Patrick Murphy, President,
Mr. Gregory Dhuyvetter, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Reverend Gerald M. Horan, O.S.M. Vicar of Faith Formation, Diocese of Orange, Most Reverend Keven W. Vann, J.C.D., D.D. Bishop, Diocese of Orange,
for such a dignified seremony. 

M., all dressed up for Prom Night. Isn't she lovely?

Marie McDevitt, Marianna's grandmother, and M.,
Who's the tallest?

Marianna, or M., as I affectionaly call her, is the apple of her father's eye, and her mother and grandparents simply adore her. 

M., with the help of her parents, worked very hard, triumphing over adversity, staying focused, acheiving her goal.
Not only did she have to stay focused on

Mr. & Mrs. McDevitt w/ Marianna - nothing tops the love of grandparents! #grandparentsrock

school, missing her junior year due to an injury she sustained a concussion.  
During her Senior year,
she stepped up to the helms when there was a family illness, and took on the responsibility of helping her brother, Sean-Anthony, stay on task, getting to school on time, during his freshman year at #MaterDai High School. #sisterandbrotherfriendsforever

Avis, Marianna, and Brendan McDevitt
 @MaterDei Senior Awards
#McDevittFamilyRocks

Mom, Dad and Valedictiorian, M.!
#family #love 

M. and her big sister Amanda(r.) - (two #blessings),
celebrating M's Big Day!
#SistersForever 

 Mom, Avis, and Dad Brendan McDevitt, and big brother Jordan,
celebrating M's graduation.
What a nice surprise! #BestParentsEver 

The McDevitt Family
(Amanda is missing! She's away, @Yale University.
See beautiful Amanda in the next photo ↙)

Amanda, Sean-Anthony, Marianna, and Jordan
#McDevittFamilyRocks

l to r, Proud Mom, Avis, M, and God-Mom, Carla Thomas. 

M., with your determination, dedication and serious skills, you did it!
Our ancestors would be so proud of you. 
So many of us love you, and you've made our hearts glad.
With all my heart I wish you much more continued success, Beautiful One.
Keep on pushing forward. Keep on shining! 

"Out of the huts of history's shame - I rise,
Up from a past that's rooted in pain - I rise...
I rise. I rise, I rise." - Dr. Maya Angelou

With so much love & light, 
Your God-Mom, Carla

#family #goodparenting #love #educationiskey #MaterDeiHighSchoolClassof2017 #gomgo #firstafricanamericanvalevictorian #brilliancerunsdeep 

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, a practicing, board-certified internist and professional chef, is Dr. Gourmet

Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, a practicing, board-certified internist and professional chef, is Dr. Gourmet

19th Annual Fundraiser Madam C.J. Walker Business & Community Recognition Awards Luncheon 4.21.17

Hey Ladies and Gentlemen,
The National Coalation of 100 Black Women INC., Oakland/ Bay Area Chapter is throwing a fundraiser luncheon, on Friday, April 21, 2017.

Mistress of Ceremonies: 
Leah McGowen-Hare MSEd

Keynote Speaker:
Michele Thornton

 It is an awesome two fold event! If you purchase your ticket to the Madam C.J. Walker Awards Luncheon, your ticket will enable you to attend:
  
Continental Breakfast and Networking:
8:30 - 9:00 AM

Inaugural 90 Minute Empowerment Forum:
9:00 - 10:30 AM

The Madam C.J. Walker Awards & Luncheon:
10:30 AM VIP Reception & Exhibits

11:30 AM Program & Awards Luncheon
Tickets: mcjw2017luncheon.eventbrite.com | onehundredblackwomen.com






Robin & Andrea McBride - McBride Sisters Wines

Dr. Menebre Aklilu -
Salute Restaurant

Elaine Brown - CEO, Oakland & The World Enterprises, INC.

Dr. Vicki Alexander, MD, MPH, Board President Healthy Black Families, INC.

Empowerment Forum:

Moderator: Barbara Williams
Director Diversity and Inclusion - ORACLE

Brenda Wright
SVP Regional Director
Wells Fargo

Michelle Gaskill-Hames
SVP & Area Manager
Kaiser Permanente

Shannell Chibueze
Director
Risk Management McKesson

Principal Ballet Dancer Misty Copeland at the National Press Club

Principal Ballet Dancer Misty Copeland at the National Press Club

FENCES Official Trailer (2016) Denzel Washington, Viola Davis Drama Movi...

What a brilliant, telling film about - life. August Wilson, An American playwright, has written a masterpiece. #FENCES inexplicably forces one to walk in the shoes of  married couple Rose and
Troy Maxson.

.

August Wilson Brings to life, front stage and center, Rose and Troy Maxson, during a time in American History, when black men worked hard, had to be twice as good, and then, even then,
 had slim to none of a chance to make it in the world of sports.

In this instance, we're talking about Baseball, and about one man's dreams being destroyed.
As a result, the anger, hurt and pain directly affects the next generation in the house that Rose Maxson (Viola Davis), and Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) created. Rose depicts a strong woman, a loving woman that wants her husband, Troy, to get over the speed bump that keeps him from healing himself. Forgiving himself and moving forward in life emotionally. I love Rose for trying to keep her family together at any cost, weighting and measuring the length that she will go to keep her husband happy and her children close to her, behind the #FENCE that Troy builds....

If you love your children, you won't want to miss seeing this film. Listen and learn from characters such as Bono, Rose and Cory.  

Will your baggage build up or destroy your family? That's the question.

As old man Troy would say, "You've got to take the crooked with the straight." Troy Maxson

#FENCESTheMovie opens 12/25th  - Go see the film and let me know your thoughts.





(Bravo #DenzelWashington #ParamountPictures) #FencesTheMovie
#TeamBH #TeamSF #TeamFENCES #TeamDenzelWashington #TeamViolaDavis

As - "Stevie Wonder - Songs In the Key of Life