ROOT

THE MERGE SUMMIT EDITION

Issue 24

Sept/Oct 2016

THE BENEDICTION:

#BLACKLIVESMATTER WITH ROLAND MARTIN

OBAMA OUT!

MAN UP! WITH DONDRÉ WHITFIELD

HEZEKIAH WALKER & TYE TRIBBETT TAKE US BACK

+PLUS

MEAGAN GOOD DEBORAH JOY WINANS EDWINA FINDLEY DJ DEX KIRK FRANKLIN

AND MORE!

HOLLY CARTER ROBI REED & TRACI BLACKWELL HOW

SUCCESSFULLY MERGE FAITH & ENTERTAINMENT IN HOLLYWOOD

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IN THIS ISSUE EDWINA FINDLEY.............................................6 3 THE HARD WAY: #HRT ...............................8 MEAGAN GOOD ...............................................13 MAN UP W/ DONDRÉ WHITFIELD ......16 BLACK LIVES MATTER WITH ROLAND MARTIN ................................................................19 ASHAALA SHANAE ......................................20 RAY & VIVIAN CHEW ..................................22 DEBORAH JOY WINANS .............................23 HEZ AND TYE REUNIONS ...........................25 THE BENEDICTION .........................................26

Editor-In-Chief: Hasan James Senior Art Director Fatima Williams-Burke www.LURmarketing.com Contributors Bettine Bowsky Teryn J. Chamberlain Markita Collins Torin Derek Karen Dorris Larif Hamm Jazz Hunter David Hutchinson Ron Magnus, Esq. J.S. Williams

Editor's Note Last year, I had the privilege of attending the Merge Symposium in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the past few years I always wanted to attend the Merge Summit in L.A., LÕÌ Ì > Ü>Þà V y VÌi` Ü Ì Þ Þi>À Þ v> Þ Û>V>Ì ° This time, I was happy to see that Holly expanded the LÀ> ` > ` Ã>Ü wÌ Ì ` ÃÞ « Ã Õ Ã > À V Ì ià across the United States. Considering I was a guest on the Willie Moore Jr. Show in Atlanta that same weekend, I reached out to Holly and her team and was } Ûi >VViÃÃ Ì > vi V > } } iÝ«iÀ i Vi° ÕÃÌ > few hours myself, my manager and business partner, Shawn Gibbs, and my good friend John McClure ­-i>Ã Ó -Õ `>Þ iÃÌ w > ÃÌ®] ÀiVi Ûi` > Üi> Ì v information from some of Hollywood’s best. The likes of Jasmine Guy, Tika Sumpter, Mikki Taylor, LisaRaye McCoy and a plethora of A Listers, shared their stories of Fame, Fortune and Faith, and the conversation was both honest and enlightening. LisaRaye’s Vision Board class was heavily attended, as the beautiful Ms. McCoy Photography by Stephen Reid opened up about the mistakes she’s made in the past Ài}>À` } Ài >Ì Ã «Ã > ` w > ViÃ] > ` Ü Ã i Ü>à able to come out of it stronger and wiser because of the vision she had for herself. Little did I know that this little vision exercise would appear on LisaRaye’s “BEING” episode on BET/Centric and I would be apart of it, sharing my Vision Board story! What a difference a year makes. This year, Root Magazine has made it to the big leagues, as we >Ûi «>ÀÌ iÀi` Ü Ì Þ >ÀÌiÀ > ` iÀ}i Ì «À `ÕVi Ì i vwV > iÀ}iÉ, Ì -Õ Ì >}>â i° I have been following Holly Carter’s career for quite some time and she has been a mainstay on Root Magazine’s Top 20 Power Players of the year list, even making it to the #1 spot in 2014. Holly is a force to be reckoned with in the world of entertainment and continues to make history. For our cover story, Holly and a few more history makers, Traci Blackwell and Robi Reed, show us exactly why girls run the world.

Photography Derek Blanks Tara Hauck Ellis E. McNair III Joseph Mobley Stephen Reid Management Shawn Gibbs for The Firm Artist Management Shawn. TheFirmManagement@Gmail.com

Sales & Marketing Ricardo Cantrell Michael Gordon

It appears that 2016 is the year of the reunion and Root Magazine gives you an up close and personal look at the reunion recordings of two of Gospel music’s leading men- Tye Tribbett and Hezekiah Walker in “Reunited and It Feels So Good”. OWN’s latest series “Greenleaf”, is one of the most talked about shows on television, and one of the stars of the show, Deborah Joy Winans, opens up being picked by Oprah Winfrey and her role as her >Õ Ì i i] Ì i ÃÌ>}i « >Þ º À À / û° ƂVÌ À `Àj 7 Ìwi ` Ìi à > v Ì i LÀ Ì iÀÃ Ì > 1« and actress Edwina Findley discusses her role as Kelly, on another one of OWN’s hit series’, “If Loving You Is Wrong”. ÕÃÌ ÌÜ Ì Ã Üi Ü i iVÌ > iÜ *Àià `i Ì v Ì i 1 Ìi` -Ì>Ìià > ` Ì Ã Ã LÞ v>À Ì i ÃÌ « ÀÌ> Ì i iVÌ ÃÌ ÀÞ° Óään] Üi ÜiÀi >«>ÀÌ v ÃÌ ÀÞ >Ã Ì i wÀÃÌ ƂvÀ V> Ƃ iÀ V> Ü>à i iVÌi` Ì Ì i } iÃÌ vwVi Ì i Ü À `° >ÌÌiÀ Ü >Ì Ì i >ÞÃ>ÞiÀà Ã>Þ] i ` ` > }Ài>Ì L V à `iÀ } Ì i iÃà i Ü>à ivÌ Ü Ì ° ƂÃ Ì Ã Ü Li ÕÀ >ÃÌ ÃÃÕi Liv Ài i i>Ûià vwVi] Üi Ì Õ} Ì Ì Ü Õ ` Li > } ` `i> to do a piece in The Benediction entitled “Obama Out”!

Printing Shweiki Media

ÃÃÕi Ó{ v , Ì >}>â i Ü Li > Ì iÀ i v À Ì i ÃÌ ÀÞ L Ã > ` «i Ì >Ì Þ Õ Ü i Þ Ì° am elated about this partnership with Holly Carter and Merge, and I pray that everyone reading this will be encouraged to follow their dreams because they really do come true, if you have faith and believe.

Visit Us On The Web at: www.rootmagazineonline.com

Love, Live, Life!

Hasan E-mail: Hasan@RootMagazineOnline.com Instagram & Twitter: @ROOTMAGAZINE Facebook: ROOT MAGAZINE

THE MERGE SUMMIT STAFF Dr. Holly Carter, Founder and Chair, President/ CEO, Relevé Entertainment Robi Reed, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Vice President, Talent and Casting, Original Programming, BET Traci Lynn Blackwell, Co-Chair, Senior Vice President, Current Programming, The CW Network David Hutchinson, Executive Producer, Creative Director, Bundrosky

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Our special thanks to our entire team! Thank you so much for your hard work and the spirit of excellence you display in performing your craft. You are the epitome of team work…we could not do this without you! Gretchen Neuble, Conference Coordinator Keesha Brickhouse, Logistics/Production Manager CheLa McIntyre, Event Producer John Ehrhard, Production Supervisor Willie Carter, Head of Security Angele Cade, Business/Finance Manager Rosetta Stringfellow, Finance Manager Maureen Aladin, Social Media Manager Shantell Clemons, Presenter Team Coordinator Marquenta Cloud, Presenter Team Coordinator

Kesha Ealy, Pastor’s Forum Coordinator James Neuble, Audio/Sound Coordinator Nicole Fuqua, Gifting/Glam/Green Suite Coordinator Jonathan Coleman, Producer Tiffany Glover, Administrative Assistant Lamont Leak, Merge University Gwen McClendon, Travel Coordinator Andrea Goodman, Script Coordinator Kiki McKnight, Script Coordinator Deidre George, Script Coordinator Karen Dorris, The Merge Magazine Managing Editor Hasan James, Editor-In-Chief, Root Magazine Robert Max, Web Master Ornan Anthony, Graphic Designer

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“IF LOVING YOU IS WRONGâ€? STAR, EDWINA FINDLEY, OPENS UP ABOUT NEW LIFE, NEW SHOW AND HER NEW BUNDLE OF JOY as told to Hasan James Root:: How much of your character in “If Loving You Is Wrongâ€? is really you? Edwina Findley: I feel like I can relate to Kelly in a sense. She Â?Ă•ĂƒĂŒ Ăœ>Â˜ĂŒĂƒ ĂŒÂœ Li Â?ÂœĂ›i` Â?ˆŽi Â“ÂœĂƒĂŒ ĂœÂœÂ“i˜° -œ“iĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂƒ ĂžÂœĂ• V>˜ search for love in all the wrong places, because there is such a desire for an ideal relationship. I’m married now, but I certainly have had that desire for unconditional love. I think that’s how Kelly operates and why so many people can relate to her. Kelly is grounded and professional; but in she has such a hard time in the love department. Root:: How’s married life? Edwina Findley: November 2016 will make four years of marriage and I love it. We travel and spend a lot of time together with the organization we’re with and now we’re having a baby! Root:: WOW! Congratulations! I received some information VJCV + YCUPoV GXGP Ć‚UJKPI HQT There are many people who are only familiar with your character Kelly on “If Loving You Is Wrongâ€? but many fans know remember your character on the hits HBO series, p6JG 9KTGq 9KVJ p6JG 9KTGq DGKPI Ć‚NOGF KP $CNVKOQTG /& CPF p+H .QXKPI ;QW KU 9TQPIq DGKPI Ć‚NOGF KP #VNCPVC QPG would think that you haven’t experienced any negativity surrounding the stigma of “Blacks in Hollywoodâ€?. Can you talk about that? Edwina Findley: I do believe that there is a renaissance happening right now for African- American female actors, especially in the last decade of television. My introduction to Hollywood was with Viola Davis. We went with each other everywhere. She taught me certainty of passion to kicking down doors to racism, politics, television and Hollywood. I am seeing the success of some beautiful black women who are willing to stand up and be trailblazers in the industry, which makes things lighter for those of us who are coming behind them and I am truly appreciative. However, although we appreciate this renaissance that is happening, most of the casting directors are still in Hollywood, therefore, it is still an uphill battle. Root:: What is the premise behind your new show, “Shots Fired,â€? and which character do you portray? Edwina Findley: “Shots Firedâ€? is a show that we are premiering ˆ˜ Óä£Ç° 7i >Ă€i wÂ?“ˆ˜} ÂˆĂŒ Ă€Âˆ}Â…ĂŒ Â˜ÂœĂœ ˆ˜ Â…>Ă€Â?ÂœĂŒĂŒi] ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ… >Ă€ÂœÂ?ˆ˜> and it is a great show. It stars myself, Sanaa Lathan, Helen Hunt, Stephan James and a wonderful group of actors. It’s centered around the “Black Lives Matterâ€? movement and the show is ĂƒiĂŒ ˆ˜ > ĂƒÂ“>Â?Â? wVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â? ĂŒÂœĂœÂ˜ ˆ˜ ° ° V>Â?Â?i` Âş >ĂŒi -ĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ÂťÂ° ĂŒÂ˝Ăƒ really about addressing situations like a black teen being shot by a white cop. My character is Cherise Wood who is originally vĂ€ÂœÂ“ ĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒ ĂŒÂœĂœÂ˜] LĂ•ĂŒ Vœ“iĂƒ L>VÂŽ >Ăƒ > Â?ÂœĂ•Ă€Â˜>Â?ÂˆĂƒĂŒ ĂŒÂœ Ă•Â˜VÂœĂ›iĂ€ ĂŒÂ…i story they need and understand from each perspective what happened. What I’ve found in my research about black men

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Liˆ˜} ŽˆÂ?Â?i` LĂž ÂŤÂœÂ?ˆVi] ĂŒÂ…i Â?ÂœĂ•Ă€Â˜>Â?ÂˆĂƒĂŒ >Ă€i ĂŒÂ…i œ˜iĂƒ ĂœÂ…Âœ >Ă€i Ă›iÀÞ vocal about information that has been covered up. It’s been interesting to play that role on such a powerful show, and it’s honestly appropriate for the time we’re in. 4QQV &GUETKDG YJCV VJG /GTIG 5WOOKV OGCPU VQ [QW Edwina Findley: Since I was a teenager, I’ve always felt the calling as far as being a part of the entertainment industry. At that time, I didn’t know too many people who were Christians and yÂœĂ•Ă€ÂˆĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜} ˆ˜ ĂŒÂ…i ĂƒiVĂ•Â?>Ă€ ˆ˜`Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂ€ĂžÂ° 7Â…i˜ Ăœ>Ăƒ >ĂŒ 91] ĂƒĂŒ>Ă€ĂŒi` >˜ organization for artist who were looking for encouragement with our faith, as well as in the arts as we go out from college into the world. I’m so excited that we have a place to go where others V>˜ Li ÂˆÂ˜ĂƒÂŤÂˆĂ€i`] VÂ…>Â?Â?i˜}i`] i˜VÂœĂ•Ă€>}i`] ˜iĂŒĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽ >˜` yÂœĂ•Ă€ÂˆĂƒÂ… >Ăƒ artists.

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With over two decades in the entertainment business, Holly Carter has earned the title - Power Player. This wife, mother of two and creator of the Merge Summit, continues to build a UVGNNCT ECTGGT KP OWUKE VGNGXKUKQP CPF Ć’NO DWV JGT PGZV OQXGU OC[ UJQEM [QW As Executive Producer of the Preachers of LA franchise, what are your thoughts on the criticism that the show gets from mostly church people? Is there a thin line between Church and Reality TV? Initially, I was a bit concerned with the criticism because I didn’t want the heart of what the Lord had given me to be misunderstood. Oxygen coined it best, “Preachers of LA was the most talked about show no one had seenâ€?. Everyone YCU PGTXQWU 0Q QPG YCPVGF VQ UGG VJG QHĆ’EG of the pastor compromised. But once they got there, stayed and tuned in through the end, they experienced redemption, forgiveness, recovery CPF TGEQPEKNKCVKQP /[ ECNNKPI KU VQÇĄETGCVG EQPVGPV that is provocative in approach but redemptive CPF NKHG EJCPIKPI D[ KPVGPVKQP ÇĄ

*QY FKF [QW IGV UVCTVGF KP GPVGTVCKPOGPV!ÇĄ I started as an intern for Hard Copy, a tabloid news show- I then transitioned into casting for Monica Swann and Eileen Knight for shows like “In Living Colorâ€?, “Fresh Prince of Bel Airâ€? and “Rocâ€?. I always knew I would either be in front of the camera or behind the camera. I knew I wanted to make a difference and I wanted my life to count. Ultimately, I wanted to make my parents proud. I was a mama’s baby and a daddy’s girl. They were my biggest cheerleaders and I miss them with every day that goes by. Where did the inspiration come from to want VQ /'4)' VJG HCKVJ DCUGFÇĄEQOOWPKV[ YKVJ VJG secular community?

You’re an African American woman with power in the entertainment industry. For some, that can be challenging as it pertains to having a balanced relationship. What are the tools for a woman of your stature to have a successful family?

I created Merge to give other creative believers the opportunity to get their voices and ideas heard, discovered and platformed. I wanted to be the vehicle to drive opportunities for those who had a heart to impact culture through the arts.

It’s critical to understand that your family must be a priority. Before we know it, our kids are grown and formative moments are missed. I have always said, that if I become popular for creating great content and managing and building the careers of great talent, and my kids are neglected and my husband is lonely and miserable, I’m a failure. God is the center and my family is my anchor. It’s like the principal with kingdom, when you seek it ƒTUV CNN VJKPIU YKNN DG CFFGF + CO XGT[ CEVKXG KP my church, as I lead the praise team and I’m over VJG ƒPG CTVU FGRCTVOGPV. I am regularly at both of my children’s school activities, and a very active girlfriend to my husband! Balance is key.

*QY JCU VJGÇĄ/GTIG 5WOOKV GXQNXGF QXGT VJG years and what are your plans over the next few years?

Many people know of Holly Carter the executive and entrepreneur, but people are not familiar with Dr. Holly Carter, the preacher and teacher. Talk to us a bit about your faith and how it has shaped you?

I have helped many, and I am so proud of it. From Usher, Master P, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans and others. However, my talent management days have marched toward their end. It’s more about brand management partnering and content creation. I love producing VGNGXKUKQP CPF ƒNO VJCVŨU YJGTG O[ JGCTV KU + am passionate about partnering my talent with brands and concepts and making an impact. I’m about creating experiences and moments that will change and inspire you. That’s what Deitrick, Michelle and I do together in our partnership, create ways to inspire and incite change in others. The traditional manager no longer resides here. The kingdom is suffering violence...so by any means necessary, we got to take it by force, and that’s my calling! - Torin Derek

My faith is what makes me who I am. It informs what I will and will not do, and cautions what I should steer clear from. My faith is what I stand on when I am feeling low, and assures me that whatever God promised is on the way. Therefore, I call those things that be not, as though they already are! That’s the other thing faith allows me to do.

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My plan is for Merge to go international. Someone once said to me “God is not American, so don’t think that he can only bless you domesticallyâ€?. I thought that was funny, but it fueled what I asked him for with Merge. Next year we are aiming for 0KIGTKC ÇĄ You helped develop the careers of Kierra Sheard, Deitrick Haddon, Michelle Williams, Mali Music and others. Are you working with any new talent?

ROCKIN’ ROBI!

Robi Reed is the Emmy winning, VP of Talent and Casting for Original Programming at BET Networks. She JCU QXGT Ć’NOU CPF VGNGXKUKQP shows to her credit, including “The Best Manâ€?, “Soul Foodâ€?, “For Colored Girlsâ€?, “Love Jonesâ€?, “Set It Offâ€?, “In Living Colorâ€? and “Girlfriendsâ€?. Let’s be clear, if it weren’t for her, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut and Tracee Ellis Ross probably wouldn’t have gotten their big break. Meet the woman who is responsible for most of your favorite stars appearing on the silver screen. - H. James

Robi, how did you get into casting? + UVCTVGF KP RTQFWEVKQP CPF ECUVKPI ÇĄ+ eventually landed a casting assistant job on C HGCVWTG Ć’NO ÇĄÇĄ I read that you knew at 15 years old that you wanted to cast people in movies. How did you have that “a haâ€? moment at such a [QWPI CIG!ÇĄ I was exposed to the industry at a [QWPI CIG ÇĄ/[ EJKNFJQQF DGUV HTKGPF KU Tracy Davis, daughter of Sammy Davis Jr. My brother was a child actor, and I YQWNFÇĄCEEQORCP[ JKO QP JKU CWFKVKQPU UQ one day I asked who the person was seeing KP VJG TQQO DGJKPF VJG ENQUGF FQQT! ÇĄ6JCV YCU VJG Ć’TUV VKOG + JGCTF VJG VKVNG ĹŤ%CUVKPI Directorâ€?. I knew at that moment this is what I was born to do. I was an avid reader and while reading I would imagine the actors in the characters in my book. Little did I know that I was casting! I really believe + YCU DNGUUGF YKVJ CP G[G HQT VCNGPV ÇĄ I’m sure there are many young African American kids out there who would love to do what you do but they’re just not educated about it because it’s not a traditional career. Can you give us a breakdown of what a Casting Director’s job FWVKGU CTG!ÇĄ The casting director auditions the actors HQT VJG TQNGU ÇĄ6JG DGUV EJQKEGU CTG VJGP shown to the director, producer and studio

executives. It is key for the casting director to have a vast knowledge of actors. You’ve done casting for many groundDTGCMKPI Ć’NOU NKMG ĹŤ5EJQQN &C\GĹŹ ĹŤ6JG Best Manâ€?, and for television shows like “In Living Colorâ€? and “A Different Worldâ€?. Typically, directors gets all the credit, however, without CD’s like you, the world probably would not have been introduced to award winning actors like Jamie Foxx, Halle Berry and Samuel L. Jackson. Do you think that casting is a thankless job? Thank you so much. I have spent many years correcting people, setting the record straight so to speak lol. I used to feel that it was a thankless job but that’s a strong word. Inevitably there is someone that remembers and is grateful. Of course the human side of us would love to hear the gratitude on a big stage like the Oscars or the Emmys for the world to hear! At an event not long ago, Terrence Howard pulled me aside and said “You know you are responsible for much of this, thank youâ€?. Just the other day, Larenz Tate said, „You have done so much for so many and continue to do soâ€?. God has a way of reminding us that we’re appreciated. You are one of a handful of African Americans who won an Emmy award. How FKF KV HGGN TGEGKXKPI UWEJ C FKUVKPEV JQPQT!ÇĄ + YCU VJG Ć’TUV VQ JCXG DGGP PQOKPCVGF CPF

actually win, and I must say it is one of the highlights of my career. I am so grateful to God and my parents for instilling in me early on that I could be anything that I wanted to be, if I put my mind to it and worked hard. I am also grateful to my alma mater, Hampton University, who made us believe VJCV YG EQWNF TWNG VJG YQTNF ÇĄ+ YKNN PGXGT forget how it felt when I heard my name ECNNGF +V YCU CYGUQOGĐ‘ ÇĄ You have been involved in the Merge Summit since its inception. Why do you think this medium is so important to the *QNN[YQQF CPF HCKVJ DCUGF EQOOWPKV[!ÇĄ It is important because it is a pathway to information that might not be attainable for many who live outside of the heart of the entertainment industry. It provides opportunities to learn how faith and entertainment can coexist without EQORTQOKUKPI GKVJGT UKFG ÇĄ How would you describe The Merge 5WOOKV!ÇĄ A conference that offers a wealth of KPHQTOCVKQP KP C RQUKVKXG CPF URKTKV Ć’NNGF environment. How do you feel The Merge Summit helps CURKTKPI VCNGPV TGCNK\G VJGKT FTGCOU!ÇĄ By offering information that is viable and CRRNKECDNG ÇĄ

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE -,C\\ *WPVGT

Traci Lynn Blackwell is the Senior Vice President of Current Programs at the CW Network and she is a black woman of faith. How does she use her voice to bring forth change in the ever-changing world of television? You are apart of many initiatives that strive VQ GXGP VJG RNC[KPI Ć’GNF KP *QNN[YQQF CU KV pertains to screen writing, producing and acting. How have these initiatives helped in making Hollywood more diverse? ÇĄ Diversity in all forms of entertainment, in particular in my area of television, is extremely important to the industry and to me on a RGTUQPCN NGXGN ÇĄ /[ )QF IKXGP RWTRQUG KU VQ ensure that I help create opportunities for men CPF YQOCP QH EQNQT KP VJKU DWUKPGUU ÇĄ +V’s the TKIJV VJKPI VQ FQ OQTCNN[ DWV CNUQ URKTKVWCNN[ ÇĄ+P the last few years, we’ve seen examples like 5JQPFCÇĄ4JKOGU’ Thursday night line-up, mega hits like “Empireâ€? on Fox, and “Blackishâ€? on ABC, ETGCVG JWIG TCVKPIU QP VGNGXKUKQP ÇĄ &KXGTUKV[ KU just really good business.ÇĄ #U C YQOCP QH EQNQT and a person of faith, God has placed me in this RQUKVKQP VQ JGNR OQXG VJCV CIGPFC HQTYCTF ÇĄ ÇĄ As Senior VP of Current Programs for the CW Network, have you ever had an experience when your faith was challenged? ÇĄ Yes, that’s happened, but it’s not everyday that I’O HCEGF YKVJ C URKTKVWCN EJCNNGPIG ÇĄ + HGGN XGT[ strongly about trying to represent the heart CPF OKPF QH %JTKUV KP VJKU RQUKVKQP ÇĄ 6JGTG CTG always times where situations come up, and VJCV KPENWFGU UKVWCVKQPU QH FKXGTUKV[ ÇĄ #U CP ambassador of Christ, what would He have me do, in terms of making sure people are provided with opportunity; that’s always a spiritual EJCNNGPIG CU YGNN ÇĄ &Q + FQ YJCV HGGNU UCHG QT popular? One of the great things about my voice in this company is, I’ve gotten to a place where I’ve become comfortable with my spiritual life, where I wasn’V KP VKOGU RCUV ÇĄ6JGTG KUP’t anyone who works with me on a regular basis that doesn’t know that I’m a Christian woman and C HQNNQYGT QH %JTKUV ÇĄ + VCNM CDQWV KV CPF RGQRNG can discover it in my character, as I flow through O[ LQD QP C FC[ VQ FC[ DCUKU ÇĄ 6JGTG CTG UQOG instances from a creative standpoint, whether it’s an image being portrayed or a moral dilemma being examined, where I’ve had to speak up and say “We should consider a different point-ofXKGY QT C FKHHGTGPV FKTGEVKQP HQT VJKU TGCUQPŲŏǥ 6JCV KU O[ URKTKVWCNKV[ UJKPKPI VJTQWIJ ÇĄ 6JGTG’s situations all of the time where I have to stop and think “What is the heart and mind of Christ?ĹŹÇĄ ÇĄ What has your experience been like working with two other powerful women in Hollywood, like Holly and Robi on the Merge Summit for all of these years? Do you feel like you all have CEEQORNKUJGF C NQV!ÇĄ ÇĄ + FQ /GTIG KU UQOGVJKPI VJCV + RTC[GF HQTĐ‘ÇĄ + was at a point in my career where I felt like my RQUKVKQP CPF KPHNWGPEG YCU UJKHVKPI ÇĄ + FKFP’t just want to be a television executive; I wanted VQ DG UQOGQPG YJQ YCU GHHGEVKXG ÇĄ 5Q + RTC[GF CPFÇĄ CUMGF )QF JQY + EQWNF ĹŤOGTIGĹŹ PQ RWP intended, what I do for a living, with what I love? The Merge Summit is literally what God gave me.ÇĄ *QNN[ %CTVGT CPF 4QDK 4GGF ICXG me this opportunity to be apart of something much bigger than myself, something that

could absolutely help inspire, educate, and empower men CPF YQOGP QH HCKVJ ÇĄ 6JG Ć’TUV couple of years I had so many ideas, just as a panelist, then I was asked to be on the Advisory $QCTF CPF + JCF GXGP OQTG KFGCU ÇĄ Holly then asked me to co-chair, to help her and Robi create the vision, by using our relationships to make this C YQPFGTHWN KPKVKCVKXG ÇĄ Gretchen “Mrs. Gretchenâ€? Neuble, the Merge Conference Coordinator, hashtags us (Holly, Robi, and Traci) as #HRT. I love that because to me KV URGNNU JGCTV ÇĄ+ DGNKGXG GXGP VJCV KU FKXKPG order. But let me be clear, the three of us don’t do this by ourselves by any stretch of the imagination; we have built an incredible team that help make The Merge Summit great. ÇĄ Shows like “Girlfriendsâ€?, “The Gameâ€? and “Everybody Hates Chrisâ€? were hugely popular and successful for the CW network and were predominately African American shows. Will there be more shows like those, targeting the AA community?ÇĄ ÇĄ I don’t know that I can answer that question directly, because I don’t work KP FGXGNQROGPV ÇĄ 9JCV + YKNN VGNN [QW is that our company is committed to creating diverse programming inclusive of everyone, featuring men and woman of all colors, KPENWFKPI .)$6 ÇĄ ÇĄ With the popularity of reality television, where does that leave scripted shows within the PGZV Ć’XG [GCTU! ÇĄ I know reality television is KPETGFKDN[ RQRWNCT ÇĄ + CNUQ know from a business perspective it’s very valuable VQ VJG VGNGXKUKQP NCPFUECRG ÇĄ However, I think there will CNYC[U DG C DCNCPEG ÇĄ I don’t think reality television is ever going to push scripted programming out; there’s CP CRRGVKVG HQT DQVJ ÇĄ+ VJKPM at any network, particularly a broadcast network, depending on their targets, a lot of places try to have a healthy balance of both (reality and UETKRVGF VGNGXKUKQP ÇĄ;QW JCXG VQ FGEKFG YJCV [QWT CWFKGPEG KU CPF YJCV CFXGTVKUGTU YCPV ÇĄ+ can’t say that it’s even, we’re primarily focused on scripted programming here at CW. ÇĄ Do you feel Merge is apart of your mission Ć’GNF!ÇĄ ÇĄ #DUQNWVGN[Đ‘ÇĄ 6JKU KU C )QF CUUKIPOGPV HQT OG ÇĄ + MPQY VJCV )QF URGEKĆ’ECNN[ RNCEGF 6JG /GTIG KP O[ NKHG VQ JGNR OG NKXG QWV O[ RWTRQUG ÇĄ There’U PQ FQWDV CDQWV KVĐ‘ÇĄ

MERGE ADVISORY BOARD Merge Advisory Board DeVon Franklin, Founder/CEO, Franklin Entertainment Tirrell Whittley, Principal/CEO, Liquid Soul Media Suzanne DePasse, Co-Chair, DePasse Jones Entertainment Mark Baker, Sr. Pastor, Greater Work/ Than These Ministries Derek Watkins, Actor/Producer Wayne Chaney, Jr, Sr Pastor, Antioch Church of Long Beach We would like to extend a special thank you and heartfelt appreciation to our partners in THE MERGE SUMMIT 2016 - Walgreens, > ` Ƃ - i> Ì V>Ài Õ `>Ì ­Ƃ ®] > ` Ì ÕÀ iÀ}i Ƃ`Û Ã ÀÞ >À` Ü >Ûi i «i` ÕÀÌÕÀi > ` }Õ `i Ì Ã Û Ã ° 7i > Ã would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our entire Merge V-Staff and Leadership Team who helped bring the vision for this year’s SUMMIT to fruition. We are forever grateful to our partners in ministry who have supported this vision and labor of love: Jurisdictional Prelate Bishop Joe L. Ealy, Pastor Mark Baker, Pastor Mike Ealy, Pastor Wayne and Lady Myesha Chaney, Pastor Dennis West, Bishop Noel Jones, Pastor Alicia Norton, Bishop Ron Gibson, Pastor Xavier Thompson, Bishop Milton M. White, Pastor Michael Nash, Pastor Nisan Stewart, Pastor Ed Smith, Pastor Michael Fisher, Pastor Welton Pleasant, Bishop Terrence Rhone, Pastor Charles Gibson, Pastor W. Todd Ervin, Pastor Terrell Fletcher, Pastor Bam Crawford, Pastor Joe Robinson and Bishop Kenneth Ulmer. - To those listed and everyone who has supported THE MERGE SUMMIT vision- THANK YOU!

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Actress, /GCICP )QQF shares her best advice for Christians who want to enter the world of entertainment. by Karen Dorris

What is your best advice for believers who want to enter into the entertainment industry?

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9J[ KU KV KORQTVCPV VQ /GTIG HCKVJ CPF entertainment? Entertainment is something that you can pursue because you’re passionate about it, however it’s also a medium where everything that’s created can go out into the world. When you have the opportunity to put something out to the rest of the world, you can put out something positive. You can lead people in a direction that has to do with God; He’s our base in which we build upon. I also think that it serves as a platform for people to be able to speak about God and actually be heard, because they have a platform because of what they do in the entertainment business. With that, we also have a responsibility, with whatever it is that we create, whether it be a life lesson, insight, `ÂˆĂ€iVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ ÂœĂ€ Â?Ă•ĂƒĂŒ ĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŒÂ…ÂˆÂ˜} positive. I believe entertainment is a powerful medium that God should be mixed with.

People will ask you to make compromises and that you have to leave your faith at the door, which is not true.

because whatever He wants will be more powerful and gratifying, than what you want for yourself.

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[God’s] our /Â…iĂ€i ĂœÂˆÂ?Â? Li > Â?ÂœĂŒ Âœv Ă€iÂ?iVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜] LĂ•ĂŒ `ÂœÂ˜Â˝ĂŒ ĂŒ>ÂŽi ÂˆĂŒ ÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?° />ÂŽi Ă€iÂ?iVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ >Ăƒ God’s protection; what God has for you, is for you and no one can take it base in from you. which we Trust that God’s timing is perfect, and the way that He wants you to get there is perfect. Even though it doesn’t always feel that way. build i ĂƒÂŤiVˆwV >LÂœĂ•ĂŒ ĂœÂ…>ĂŒ ĂžÂœĂ• Ăœ>Â˜ĂŒ ÂœĂ•ĂŒ Âœv ĂŒÂ…i LĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜iĂƒĂƒÂ° 7Â…iĂŒÂ…iĂ€ ĂžÂœĂ•Â˝Ă€i ÂŤ>ĂƒĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜>ĂŒi about acting, writing or singing; if you’re a person of faith you should use whatever upon. God gives you in life to build the kingdom. Ask God what he wants from you, >˜ `ÂœiĂƒÂ˜Â˝ĂŒ Â…>Ă›i ĂŒÂ…i w˜>Â? Ăƒ>Ăž] Âœ` `ÂœiĂƒt

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MAN UP! /QUV TGOGODGT &QPFTÅ 9JKVƂGNF as Robert, Vanessa Huxtable’s quirky boyfriend in the 80’s sitcom The Cosby 5JQY /QUV JCXG PQ KFGC VJCV VJKU Brooklyn, NY native is more than an actor/producer and husband to the DGCWVKHWN 5CNNK 4KEJCTFUQP 9JKVƂGNF *KU VTWG NKHGoU YQTM! #FXQECVG CPF OGPVQT helping usher black boys and men in manhood. Next up: his nationwide p/CPJQQF 6QWTq By David Hutchinson

9JCV YCU [QWT LQWTPG[ VQ OCPJQQF CPF YJCV YGTG UQOG QH VJG EJCNNGPIGU VJCV [QW HCEGF KP PCXKICVKPI CPF ƂIWTKPI KV CNN QWV! I had a lot of bumps and bruises because my father was in and out of jail my entire NKHG + YCU TGCNN[ FGƂEKGPV EQOKPI KPVQ O[ manhood because I never had a model that I could mirror. One of the things that is wrong with our community today is that our men lack role models that they can mirror. Take gang violence for instance, the problem that we’re having with our young men being involved in gangs is that they are actually searching for love CPF CHƂTOCVKQP 6JG UVTGGVU taught me most of the lessons that I thought was associated with manhood but it was actually the total opposite. The things that I learned in the streets of Brooklyn taught me how to survive in the streets, but what it didn’t teach me was how to be a husband and a father. *QY JCU [QWT YKHG 5CNNK JGNRGF [QW KP [QWT LQWTPG[!

9JQ KU &QPFTÅ 9JKVƂGNF! A servant, that really sums me up in a nutshell. Everything that I do in my life now is about being of service to other people. If I’m at home, that’s being of service to my wife and my kids. When I’m outside my home, my purpose is really to serve black and brown males and get them to come into their manhood. You don’t get to be a man just because you turn 18 or 21. Manhood is something that you must be ushered into, my life’s purpose is to guide men into their manhood and to restore women.

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I want to write a book entitled, “Master your Wife, Master your Lifeâ€?. I truly believe this. Your wife will be the messenger to deliver the message of the things VJCV CTG VTWN[ FGĆ‚EKGPV KP [QWT manhood. My wife is from the south side of Chicago, she is no shrinking violet, she is a black woman with a lot of opinions. She is a partner that supports me and challenges me to grow. In every case, if you’re able to better deal with your wife, to lead your wife, the rest of the world is cake. Your wife will tap into the very things that are very sensitive and that can anger you very quickly, they serve to expose the things in you that are not concrete in your foundation. I’ll give you an example; I’ll never forget the day that I bought a house for the two of us. The door swelled and my wife said, “take it off the hinges and shave it downâ€?. I had this quizzical look on my face and my wife said, “You don’t know how to do that?â€?, and I said, “no, I’m from Brooklyn, we call a super to do that, I don’t know how to do that.â€? I will never forget the feeling that I had because she looked

at me, sort of disappointed in the fact that I couldn’t do that. Let’s examine that for a minute, here you’re talking about a man who could afford to buy a house. There are a bunch of men that have the skill set to shave the door but cannot afford to buy the house. Which man is going to feel more manly? That’s a trick question because it should be neither. Your manhood is not directly tied to being able to buy a house; your manhood isn’t directly tied to being able to shave a door. But the point is that in that moment, I got very angry because I didn’t know how to deal with my profound hurt. So again, whenever I’m able to better deal with my wife, I know that dealing with the rest of the world is going to be cake, because my wife is able to tap into things that the rest of the world cannot, so I truly feel like my union is an extraordinary blessing to me. 9JCV YQWNF [QW VGNN VJG [QWPIGT &QPFTĂ…! I would tell him to pray, take your time and let him know that manhood is not wrapped around your sexual conquests. If I had those teachings at my disposal at an early enough age, it would have changed the course of my life tremendously. #V C VKOG YJGP YG CTG RWUJKPI GHHQTVU to elevate and empower our young women like your daughter, why do you feel that the concept of “manhoodâ€? is more important than ever? In secret, every black girl who rocks, every girl that is watching “Lemonadeâ€?, sitting VJGTG UVKEMKPI WR JGT OKFFNG Ć‚PIGT WR CU the song beckons, is secretly dying for a man to really be engaged in a way that VJG[ DGPGĆ‚V 0Q YQOCP YJQ KU WPEQXGTGF wants to be in that space, all women want to be covered. I can say that with EQPĆ‚FGPEG DGECWUG + WPFGTUVCPF )QFoU design for us. What is your ultimate goal for your p/CPJQQFq OKUUKQP! 9JCV FQ [QW ultimately hope to achieve? I hope to change the paradigm of our community, to change the perception of the black father and the black husband. I want us to have that shift where in a generation or two, the new normal will be black and brown husbands and fathers will have all hands on deck at all times because when you leave you expose a woman and children to the dangers of society. I want the “Manhood Tourâ€? to serve as the impetus and a blueprint.

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B L M #BlackLivesMatter with Roland Martin BY HASAN JAMES

On a crisp spring Wednesday night in his new home church, Jericho City of Praise (Landover, MD), J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise took us on a trip down memory lane, in a live recording hosted by radio veteran, Cheryl Jackson. The evening was Ć‚NNGF YKVJ RTCKUG CPF YQTUJKR CU , , CPF YP went through a time capsule of hits that KPENWFGF UQPIU NKMG p*G 4GKIPUq p)TCVGHWNq p&GNKXGTq p+PETGFKDNG )QF +PETGFKDNG Praiseâ€?, “Lord, You’re Mightyâ€? and their FGDWV UOCUJ JKV p#YGUQOG )QFq 6JG project will be released on Hairston’s newly formed JamesTown Music label. -L. Hamm

ROOT:: While the recent events of police brutality is nothing new and has been going on for decades, do you think that things will get worse before they get better? Roland Martin: The question isn’t if it will get worse. As a result of camera phones, the public gets to see more now than what we have ever seen. It’s actually forcing the police to be accountable for their actions, which in this case makes it a good thing. I can’t say if it will get worse, because this has been happening for years. Accountability is the key. You’re now seeing the accountability being enforced if nothing else. ROOT:: Is it something that the African American community is failing to do to cause cops to “get off� with the murder of the black males?

Referred to as the “Michael Jackson of )QURGNq QP JKU 20 Years in One Night Tour UVQR KP 2JKNN[ OWNVKRNG )TCOO[ #YCTF YKPPGT Kirk Franklin, proved that he has just as many hits as the King of Pop. Only difference is, Kirk and his singers was sending up praises to the King of Kings! If we are counting correctly, Kirk has actually been serving up hits far longer than two decades, with “The Reason Why We Singâ€? debuting on the charts in 1993. That aside, fans were able to witness the energetic 46 year-old in his element. “Stompâ€?, “The Reason Why I Singâ€?, “More Than I Can Bearâ€?, “Revolutionâ€?, “Lean On Meâ€?, and an impromptu performance by the incomparable Jazmine Sullivan (who sang from her seat) on the heartfelt “My 0GGFU ;QWq 6JG ;GCTU +P 1PG 0KIJV 6QWT was simply a night to remember. Oh‌did I OGPVKQP VJCV VJGTG YGTG QXGT OQTG UQPIU on his set list?- H. James

Roland Martin: You have to understand the system is set up to give police officers a tremendous amount of leeway and this causes a problem. Based on how they were trained, if their life is threatened, they can use reasonable force and that’s real. The laws are set up to benefit police officers more than anyone else. Whether you’re Black, White or Latino, you can be injured as a result because of how the laws are set up. That’s why so many DA’s are willing to prosecute the police officers, because again the Prosecutors society gives Police officers a huge leeway. ROOT:: The Black Lives Matter movement has been under harsh scrutiny lately, especially since the recent assassinations of Alton Sterling and Philando Castille. Even former New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani blasted the organization during the RNC for being a hate group. Why do you think the Black Lives Matter movement has become the scapegoat? Roland Martin: History will show you that any time you have a movement when you have people who are demanding change and accountability, nobody likes that. People don’t want to be forced to change and that’s why you have level of attacks on Black Lives Matter, who is no different from the Civil Rights movement. Dr. King was attacked, as was the SCLC and the NAACP. So when you fight for change, you will always be attacked in some way.

ROOT:: You had some harsh words for talk show host Wendy Williams regarding her ignorance of HBCU’s and the NAACP. Do you think there are other high profile individuals like Wendy Williams, who are out of touch with the African American reality? Roland Martin: Wendy Williams said that she was trying making a point and she didn’t say it properly and I am fine with that. There are other people who think that same and are not educated on the issues. They don’t know and make general assumptions all of the time. We have to educate as much that is possible and to make clear what our institutions means to us. ROOT:: What happens to “Black America� if Donald Trumps becomes President of the United States? Roland Martin: With the Republicans controlling the House, the Senate, Donald Trump in the White House and controlling all faces of the government, I think the war will not come to an end. You will see a cultural shift in terms of how this country behaves. Trust me, you will see a lot of back and forth that will not be positive for the country.

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Class Is In V

1%#. %1#%* 61 6*' 56#45 #5*##.# 5*#0#' 5*#4'5 5'%4'65 #$176 81%#. *'#.6* 6*#6 #.. 5+0)'45 0''& 61 -019 #5 61.& 61 614+0 &'4'As a vocal coach who works with a plethora of gospel artists, what is the biggest mistake gospel artists in particular, make when they sing?

One of the biggest mistakes most gospel artists make when they sing is not using their diaphragmatic muscle correctly to help extract the air out of the lungs, which connects to the vocal folds in order to produce the best quality of sound. Diaphragmatic Breathing is 80% of singing and speaking UWRRQTV /QUV IQURGN UKPIGTU end up singing from the throat color which ends causing a lot of vocal health issues in the long run. There are many people in the gospel music industry who sing as well as preach. Is that a recipe for disaster when it comes to misusing their vocal cords? #DUQNWVGN[ 'URGEKCNN[ KH VJGTG isn’t proper vocal health and vocal pedagogy practices being done. There are 4 main ways in YJKEJ YG|WVKNK\G|QWT XQECN HQNFU singing, speaking, yelling, and whispering. If the vocal folds are not sustained properly with adequate vocal health etiquette and techniques, the “Singing Preacher� can damage the

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vocal folds severely, which in the long run affects their career KP OKPKUVT[ |/QUV UKPIGTU VJCV preach, especially those that may “hoopâ€? as we say in the DNCEM EJWTEJ GPF WR WVKNK\KPI C part of the voice box called the “Ventricular foldsâ€?. For years, we’ve all heard stories about legends like Aretha Franklin and Barbra Streisand not performing at venues with air conditioning, in an effort to preserve their voices. Are these legends over-reacting? No, not at all. It is important that the singer practice vocal health etiquette on and off stage. Poor vocal health etiquette contributes to almost 60% of vocal health issues. When performing at any venue, it is important that the air conditioning is not too cool, as this may cause dehydration in the vocal folds and provoke sinus pressure, allergies, nasal congestion, and/or a head cold. It is also important to make sure that the air conditioning is not too warm or that the green room isn’t too warm, as that may cause moisture which produces mold. Let’s face it, there are many gospel singers out there who are overweight. It’s actually accepted in gospel music. How important is diet, as it pertains to singing effectively? 1DGUKV[ FGĆ‚PKVGN[ RNC[U a factor in how a singer effectively sings. There is a big misconception in the gospel

Session

with Ashaala Shanae

music industry that says, the larger the UKPIGT KU KP UK\G VJG DGVVGT QT OQTG powerful they can sing. Obesity can cause major health issues for a singer which have a direct affect on the the vocal folds. These health issues may KPENWFG JQTOQPCN|EJCPIGU KP VJG DQF[ which can alter a singer’s register and vocal range. Obesity also causes complications with physical stamina and endurance while performing on stage, as well as other medical health issues that can affect the vocal folds such as heart disease, high blood RTGUUWTG CEKF TGĆƒWZ CPF QT KPHGEVKQPU caused by mucus build up. You are an amazing singer in your own right. You’re debut album “Matters of the Heartâ€? was a solid piece of work that you released independently. When can we expect to hear new music from you? |

who sought after my expertise right after experiencing vocal health issues, which caused him to have surgery on his vocal folds. He felt at the time that he wasn’t fully rehabilitated the way he should have been and therefore GPTQNNGF KP O[ p8QECN #EEGNGT q Program. Within that program, using my custom designed curriculum and practicums, I was able to provide him with effective vocal health tips, as well as pedagogical techniques to prepare and sustain him through his recent live TGEQTFKPI CPF PGY CNDWO p(GCTNGUUq | I remember interviewing an opera singer years ago and she said that many gospel and urban artists don’t really know technique, causing them to use their ÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŒĂ€Ă•Â“iÂ˜ĂŒ ˆ˜VÂœĂ€Ă€iVĂŒÂ?Þ° Âœ ĂžÂœĂ• w˜` ĂŒÂ…>ĂŒ ĂŒÂœ be the case?

+ LWUV Ć‚PKUJGF TGEQTFKPI C PGY UKPING GPVKVNGF p$KI )QF q C 4GIICG )QURGN YQTUJKR CPVJGO YJKEJ features International )QURGN 4GIICG recording artist, Papa San. I am also working on a Live worship album scheduled for recording in (GDTWCT[ |

#DUQNWVGN[ +VoU VJG YQTUV OKUVCMG CP[ gospel and/or urban artist could make. There’s a myth that says that if you can naturally sing, then you don’t need to get any vocal health or pedagogy training and that is far from the VTWVJ /QUV ITGCV CVJNGVGU UVKNN JCXG coaches! One of the best voices of all times, Celine Dion, still conditions and maintains her healthy vocals with the aid of a Vocal Pedagogy expert. It is important that singers invest in their voice, which is their brand, and learn to sustain their brand by investing in practicums that will equip them for NQPIGXKV[ KP VJGKT ECTGGTU ||

You have worked with a plethora of artist. In your opinion, what artist has made the most progress?

Ć‚Ă€i ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ ĂƒiĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂƒ Â?Ă•ĂƒĂŒ }i>Ă€i` ĂŒÂœĂœ>Ă€` ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}iĂ€ĂƒÂś 7Â…Âœ iÂ?Ăƒi V>˜ Li˜iwĂŒ vĂ€ÂœÂ“ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ services?

I was super elated to work with eOne recording artist, Jonathan Nelson,

/[ UGTXKEGU CTG IGCTGF VQYCTFU any one that uses their vocal folds

for ministry, career, and/or business advancement. This includes but are not limited to: Singers, Rappers, Poets, #EVQTU 2WDNKE 5RGCMGTU 2CUVQTU 4CFKQ and Television Personalities, Educators, Lawyers, Politicians, Debaters, Hosts, 'OEGGU 8QKEG 1XGTU #PPQWPEGTU CPF OCP[ OQTG | Who is your dream client? Wow...I have so many, but I would have to say, Lalah Hathaway! Give us a synopsis of the Music and Arts Healing Institute. 6JG /WUKE CPF #TVU *GCNKPI|+PUVKVWVGv

/#*+ KU C|/WNVK 'PVGTVCKPOGPV 5GTXKEGU Consulting Firm which provides a EWUVQO FGUKIPGF |U[NNCDK CPF U[UVGO QH over 12 years of professional study and /WUKE +PFWUVT[ GZRGTKGPEG VCTIGVGF VQYCTFU JGNRKPI /WUKE 'PVGTVCKPOGPV CPF /GFKC 2TQHGUUKQPCNU CU YGNN CU PQP music industry Creatives artistically and JQNKUVKECNN[ JGCN VJTQWIJ HQWT #TVKUVKE curriculum streams involving: Vocal *GCNVJ CPF 2GFCIQI[ 5QPIYTKVKPI /CUVGT[ CPF 'ZRTGUUKXG 9TKVKPI #TVKUV &GXGNQROGPV CPF /WUKE $WUKPGUU /GPVQTKPI CPF %JCTCEVGT 'PTKEJOGPV for Entertainers and Public Figures. For more information regarding 2TQITCOU CPF %WTTKEWNWOU QH VJG /WUKE CPF #TVU *GCNKPI +PUVKVWVGv XKUKV www. themahi.com QT ECNN %QPPGEV YKVJ #UJCCNC 5JCPCG QP CNN social media outlets: @ashaalashanae. %QPPGEV YKVJ VJG / # * + 2TQITCO on all social media outlets: @ themahiprogram.

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Ray and Vivian Chew bring Inspiration to New York’s famed Carnegie Hall Stage. The evening’s guests were given an opportunity to step on to Carnegie Hall’s historic stage, followed by a reception in the Weill Music Room, atop Carnegie Hall with a warm welcome from Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s executive and artistic director. The party featured a superb performance by a quartet of musicians from Ensemble ACJW, a fellowship program for talented young professional musicians created by Carnegie Hall and The Juilliard School, in collaboration with New York City’s Department of Education. By Teryn J. Chamberlain Ray and Vivian Chew hosted special guests at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday evening, June 15, 2016. The event was a celebratory kick-off to preview A Night of Inspiration—an evening of spiritually uplifting music featuring gospel greats to be led by Mr. Chew, the acclaimed composer, music director, and producer - on Tuesday, December 6 at 8:00PM in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman

Go DJ!

by Jazz Hunter

DJ DEX has been serving up soul on his Technique 1200 turntables since the age of 15, playing at various college parties. One day his father sat him down and asked “Why can’t you use your gift to lift up the name of Jesus?â€? Since then, DJ Dex has become a trendsetter in Â…ÂˆĂƒ wiÂ?`]

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sharing the stage with the likes of Canton Jones, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Monica and many others. DJ Dex ÂˆĂƒ VÕÀÀiÂ˜ĂŒÂ?Ăž ĂŒÂ…i "vwVˆ>Â? on )GV 7R /QTPKPIU with Erica Campbell and host of The Well on SiriusXM Kirk Ă€>˜ŽÂ?ÂˆÂ˜Â˝Ăƒ *Ă€>ÂˆĂƒi ­ Â… Ăˆ{Ž° “My vision, is to translate the Word of God through HipHop and encourage the world through my music.â€?

&, &':o5 612 6'0 510)5 61 )'6 6*' p*1.; )*156 2#46;q 56#46'& 1. Kirk Franklin - 123 Victory 2. Canton Jones - Put Em Up 3. Jor’dan Armstrong - So For Real 4. Keyondra Lockett - Bring Me To 5. IZ - Amen 6. Lecrae ft. E-40 - Can’t Do You 7. FOCUS - I’m Free 8. Tye Tribbett - He Turned It 9. Erica Campbell - Nobody Else Remix 10. King ED - Dreams

My OWN Way! She comes from Gospel music royalty, but “Greenleaf ” star, Deborah Joy Winans, is making history in her OWN way!

AS TOLD TO HASAN JAMES Root: How did you get the role of Charity Greenleaf-Satterlee in OWN’s latest drama series “Greenleaf ”? Deborah Joy Winans: I play the role of the daughter to the Bishop and First Lady, played by Keith David and Lynn Whitfield. I got the job because one of the executive producers gave me a shot. I thank God for her because here I am living my dream. Root: How did you get into acting? Deborah Joy Winans: I got my BSA from Wayne State University in Detroit, which is where I was born and raised. I moved to Los Angeles in 2006 to go to Grad School and I graduated in 2010. After which, I traveled the country for two years with a conference called “Women of Faith.” It’s been very hard trying to find an agent and I still don’t have one. The struggle was very real. Agents said that they want new talent, but if you don’t have enough on your resume then they are not “checking” for you. I met my husband in 2013 and I began serving in my church. I began to tell the Lord, “If this is what You would have for me, then I need You to open the door.” Never in my

Photography by Derek Blanks

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wildest dreams would I think that God would use Oprah Winfrey. I literally got a call from her just two days after my prayer. He is such an “on-time” God. We think we want it when we want it, but God’s timing is always the best. I am so thankful that I waited and things calculated the way they did. Now Oprah is my boss! Root: How has it been portraying your aunt, CeCe Winans, in the stage play “Born For This?” Deborah Joy Winans: I tell everyone who comes to see the show, don’t expect me to be CeCe Winans (Laughter)! That was my biggest challenge. I had to understand that I was not going to be her. There is only one CeCe and she is who she is for a reason. I had to work really hard at being able to display the true essence of who she is as a person and a singer.

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I sing in “Greenleaf ” as well. It’s funny, because I also told the Lord some time ago that I would not be singing. I think He is in heaven cracking up at me, because I am singing on “Greenleaf ” and for the musical. I went from not doing any of that to doing everything. It has been so much fun and such a great experience learning about who they were, how the Bakkers had such a profound impact on their lives, how they got started as a duo with TCL, and how they overcame difficulties in the south at that time. It’s been really incredible in particular, because I get to do this with my brother, Juan, who is playing the part of BeBe. I think he’s one of the most amazing vocalist I’ve ever heard and I’ve learned so much from him. He’s helped me a lot with my singing and I help him with his acting. We work together and it’s been a blast.

Root: Being from such a musical family, was there ever any pressure with singing and putting out an album. Deborah Joy Winans: There was never any pressure. Our parents wanted us to choose our own route and never forced us into anything. However, when I wanted to pursue acting, they asked me if I wanted to do something that was more stable career wise and I told them no, this was it. When they came to see my first show, they agreed. They were really supportive with whatever path we chose. Singing wasn’t what I wanted to do and my dad really thought that I could sing after hearing me sing in a play. He said, “You need to use all the gifts God gave you and not limit yourself.” I brushed it off. I wish I would have worked a little harder on it to hone my craft, because singing wouldn’t be as challenging for me at this point.

Root: Are you ready for the pressures of Hollywood? Deborah Joy Winans: I think we’re ready. My husband is very supportive and I think together we are ready. Root: Do you have any other projects you are working on? Deborah Joy Winans: I will be busy with “Born For This” through the end of August 2016 and “Greenleaf ” has already been green lit for a 2nd season; we will start shoot for that in mid-January. Oprah believes in the work and in the show and when she believes in someone or something, she pushes for it. After the initial screening, it was very well received. I am sure Oprah already made up in her mind that there was going to be a 2nd season.

Several guest artists took to the stage in tribute and celebration of Hezekiah Walker and LFCC. 21 years after he first recorded his song with the choir, Isaac Carree, returned to deliver a soul

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n Saturday, July 16th, the energy at the standing room only, Fillmore Theater in Philly, was electrifying. It had been more than five years since fans got a chance to see Tye Tribbett and GA on stage together, and thousands waited in anticipation. But before the adorned GA hit the stage for a highly anticipated reunion, the two-time GRAMMY® winning singer, songwriter, television host and pastor, revealed new songs from his upcoming 6th album titled BLOODY WIN. Sunday Best winner, Le’Andria Johnson offered up some soul on the infectious “I Made It”, which was ironically released by Fantasia on her latest album just one week later. African singer Uche Agu took us to the Motherland with the African Medley and emerging artist

REUNITED

school flavor to a beloved favorite with his delightfully acoustic rendition of “Anyway You Bless Me”. Dorinda Clark- Cole in true Clark Sisters fashion, came through to “Lift Him Up” as only she could. Marvin Sapp reminded everyone that in spite of it all “God Favored Me,” while Shawn McLemore gave his amazing testimony of being brought back to life from death being forever “Grateful”. Of course no reunion would be complete without the contributions of two legendary voices, Kervy Brown with “I’ll Be Satisfied”, Timiney Figueroa with “Calling My Name” and Monique Walker with “Second Chance”. The vocal gifting of these three powerhouses further helped to solidify the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir’s place in Gospel Music history. The choir closed out the evening with “Clean Inside” and “I’ll Make It,” leaving the crowd encouraged, uplifted and inspired. In every sense of the word, the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir is iconic, timeless and most of all, an institution. -B. Bowsky

Photography by Ellis E. McNair III

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stirring “Restore Your Joy In Me”. Tasha Page-Lockhart came through like a mighty rushing wind with “Lord, Send Your Spirit Down” singing alongside the original lead, Janice Wallace, who brought the house down! Jonathan McReynolds brought new

and it feels

SO GOOD

KJ Scriven reminded us that “The resurrecting king is resurrecting me by your spirit I will rise from the ashes of defeat”!

The 2nd half of the recording featured the long-awaited and highly anticipated reunion of Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing (G.A.). The crowd went into a frenzy as the group made their way to the stage. G.A. performed a medley of songs like “Mighty Long Way,” “No Way,” “You Are My Joy,” “Still Have Joy,” “Bless The Lord,” “Everything Will Be Alright,” “Stand Out, ” “Everything” and “Victory” from their chart-topping albums Life (2004), Victory Live (2006), and Stand Out (2008). As G.A. got into a huddle prayer for what could potentially be the last time, it was evident that old wounds were healed and chains were broken. Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing was back…if only for one night! -H. James

Photography by Joseph Mobley

or the first time in 16 years, Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir came together in a history making reunion concert and live recording. Standing before a SOLD OUT crowd at Brooklyn’s King’s Theater, Walker and the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir took a 31 year trip down memory lane, filled with timeless classics and hits. LFCC began the musical journey with an electrifying performance of “Jesus Is My Help” that instantly brought the crowd to its feet. In the songs that followed, songs such as “Let The Redeemed”, “Christ Did It All”, “Wonderful Is Your Name”, “How Much We Can Bear”, “Jesus Is The Light”, “I Will Go In Jesus Name” among others, LFCC proved why they are considered one of the greatest choirs of all time and why they have one of the greatest bands in the land!

THE BENEDI For eight years, America had the privilege of witnessing the first African- American president at work. Even with his fair share of criticism, President Obama actually succeeded at making America great again.

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t was election night 2008 and history was being made, as President-elect, Barack Obama, was soon to address the gathered masses, many who never thought that this day would come and openly wept on a crisp autumn night in Chicago. Yet, a miracle had taken place for the 44th President of the United States, his lovely wife Michelle, and their two daughters would soon take the stage. In addressing the President’s legacy, one has to begin with the purely transformative nature of President Obama’s election as the first AfricanAmerican President in America’s 240 year history. To our nation, President Obama’s election in 2008 was a historic and cultural milestone, one uniquely American and undoubtedly electrifying. The seemingly impossible, now became possible. The first African-American President will long be remembered because of his charisma, and the fact that he presided over America’s economic revival from the great recession to the great robust economy that is in place today, changing and elevating the view of the presidency. His character also caught our attention, his grace, cool demeanor, charm, smile, wit and that undeniable spirit came across every time haters,

CTION

Obama Out! By Ron L. Magnus, Esq.

republicans, or birthers tried to pull him down with their unnerving insults and put-downs. Even republican nominee, Donald Trump, had the audacity to question his citizenship but through it all, he never lost his cool and rose above all the madness. As First Lady Michelle Obama said at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, “when they go low, we stay high…” At a time when we became more polarized and our political and partisan

His Triumphs U

Not since the “Great Depression” of the 1930’s had America been brought to its economic knees. The President went to work on day one, quickly pushing through Congress, the

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which

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Helped save the auto industry

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The President delivered on a radical reform of the trillion-dollar student loan program which took away from Sallie Mae and other private lenders that had raked in enormous fees without taking much risk, saving a record breaking $36 billion.

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In March 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law commonly referred to as Obamacare, which covered millions of uninsured Americans

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After a long 10 year hunt for America’s arch-nemesis, Osama Bin Laden, it was President Obama who kept his promise to hunt him and take him out in 2011

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Forged a $200 million White House initiative entitled “My Brother’s Keeper,” to secure commitments from foundations and businesses to help keep young minority men in the classroom and out of prison

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Ended the 50 year embargo against Cuba, normalizing relations and restoring trade relations with Cuba

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Only the 4th U.S. President to receive the Nobel Peace Prize

discourse reached a boiling point, President Obama always came across as the only adult in the room. With President Obama, from his soaring acceptance speech to his epic speeches on race and religion, his very thoughtful and reflective responses to the shootings in Tucson, Ferguson, Dallas and Newtown, among others, saving the American economy, the killing of Osama bin Laden, Obamacare, the opening of Cuba, and numerous other momentous trailblazing achievements in American history, President Obama will go down in history as one of our best Presidents of all time, his place in the presidential archives of American history is secure. His eloquence, his eternal optimism, his grace, his “swag” has endured him to the vast majority of the American public, as evidenced by his historic popularity, rarely witnessed by a President in the final days of his second term. We remember that like the greatest presidents before him, President Obama was dealt a terrible hand, won big, and left the country better off than it was before. Mr. President, we will miss you dearly, there will never be another like you.

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