I AM QUEEN MAGAZINE (US) JULY 2021

E M P O W E R M E N T

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JULY 2021

TAMELA MANN DROPS NEW RELEASE OVERCOMER

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Lena Byrd Miles Talks New Song, DMX, and 6K Plus Overnight IG Followers STARZ POWER BOOK III RAISING KANAN NEW YORK PREMIERE

EXCLUSIVE

TINA D.

LEWIS

“I MADE A PROMISE TO MYSELF...”

AND MORE...

TABLE OF CONTENTS —

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THE 2021 BLACK MEDIA HONORS TO CELEBRATE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MINORITY TRAILBLAZERS IN MEDIA IN ATLANTA ON SATURDAY AUGUST 21 - SUNDAY AUGUST 22

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COVER STORY WITH TINA D. LEWIS

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MAVERICK CITY MUSIC EARNS NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR AND ALBUM OF THE YEAR WINS AT 2021 STELLAR AWARDS AFTER GARNERING 11 NOMINATIONS

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GRAMMY AWARD WINNER TAMELA MANN DROPS NEW RELEASE, OVERCOMER, AUGUST 6

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XX AT STARZ “ P OW E R B O O K I I I: RAIS I NG KAN A N ” N E W YOR K R ED CARP E T AND WO R L D P R E M I E R E EVEN T

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RESI L I E NT BL AC K WO M A N DEBU TS SHOW AC ROS S MULT I P L E TV S T R E A M I N G P LAT FO R M S TO E M P OW E R WOM E N E NT R E P N E U R S

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LENA B YR D M I LE S TA LK S N E W SON G, D M X, A N D 6 K P L U S OVER NI GH T IG F OLLOW E R S

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TV O NE’ S NE W T RU E - C R I M E SER I ES SI NS O F T H E C I T Y A NALYZ ES TH E D E AT H O F A RENOW NED N E W OR LE A N S G OS P E L S I NG E R

CONTACT US I A M Q UE E N M AG A Z I N E E: HELLO@IAMQUEENMAGAZINE.COM W: WWW.IAMQUEENMAGAZINE.COM — E D I TO R I A L ELLE CLARKE EDITOR CO N T RI BU TO R S PHYLLIS CADDELL S UB S CR I P T I O N S S UB S CRIB E O N L I N E WWW.IAMQUEENMAGAZINE.COM

EDITOR’S NOTE If there was ever a time to dream, it’s right now! Many times we allow the trials that we go through to rob us of accomplishing our dreams. Our trials didn’t come to steal the dream away but to confirm it. We fight for what we love. Your dreams are worth fighting for.

I thank God that my grandparents continued to fight for me in prayer even when I was living a wayward life. Who knows what my life would have been like if they didn’t fight for me.

What would our lives have been like if Jesus decided not to go to the cross? He had a moment where he asked that God take away the cross but he remembered the dream. He

ELLE CLARKE FOUNDER EDITOR IN CHIEF I AM QUEEN MAGAZINE

remembered that God sent him to earth to save humanity. Jesus fought the pain. He fought for you and me.

He fought for the dream.

Whatever you purposed in your heart to do, do it! Faith without works is dead. Begin to work on your dream little by little. Do not overthink it or focus on what you do not have. Start where you are with what you have. As you begin to build, the materials to complete the dream will find you.

Have a little faith mixed with patience and you’ll soon see that what was in your heart will be in your hands. Dream, it’s free!

4 YEARS OF EMPOWERMENT

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GOSPEL MUSIC

MAVERI C K CI T Y MUSI C EARNS NEW ARTI S T OF THE YEAR AND ALBUM OF THE YEAR WI N S AT 2021 STELLAR AWARDS AFTER GARNERI N G 11 NOMI N ATI O NS Congratulations to Maverick City Music, who took home New Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year at the 2021 Stellar Awards for the 2020 release of Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1. Between Maverick City Music and all of its artists, the Billboard No.1 collective garnered 11 Stellar Award nominations. The gospel event of the year, the 36th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, will air on BET on Sunday, August 1st, at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT. Gospel legend Tye Tribbett and multiple Stellar Award winner Jekalyn Carr will host the highly-anticipated event, which will feature inspirational performances from the genre’s most celebrated artists.

In celebration of Juneteenth last month, Maverick City Music released their newest project, Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition. The new album is a dual-side feature consisting of a live gospel produced A-Side and a Rap/R&B/Pop produced B-Side. Jubilee features a wide range of guest artists, including heavy-hitters from gospel, R&B, Pop and Rap: Ciara, Rapsody, Tamar Braxton, Jonathan McReynolds, Israel Houghton, Jekalyn Carr, and more. As with other Maverick City Music releases, the collective continues to impress as the new album peaked at #1 on Apple iTunes.

Maverick City Music recently made headlines

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with their newest release Old Church Basement, a collab album with Elevation Worship, which broke streaming records at both Apple Music and Spotify. On Apple Music, the group set a new worldwide record for the most first-day streams for a Christian and Gospel album, and on Spotify, the album broke the U.S. record for the most streams in a day for an album by a Christian group and was No. 4 out of all U.S. albums its first weekend of release. Old Church Basement was released April 30 and is a powerful collection that aims to bring listeners back to a pure place of worship and features vocals from Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, Naomi Raine, Chris Brown, Dante Bowe, Tiffany Hudson, Joe L Barnes, and Amanda Lindsey Cook.

This upcoming fall, Maverick City Music will embark on its first-ever tour and the shows will feature electrifying performances with collective members Dante Bowe, Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, Joe L. Barnes, Aaron Moses and special guests, including Lecrae, on certain dates. The group recently added 13 more tour dates after selling out their original 11. The new dates are set in even larger venues, including the Barclays Center in NYC and TD Garden in Boston. Learn more about the tour and tickets: https://tourlink.to/maverickcitytour

GOSPEL MUSIC

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER TAMELA MANN DROPS NEW RELEASE, OVERCOMER, AUGUST 6

Some albums are destined for a certain time. After several years of evolution and change in her life, Grammy® Award-Winning Artist, NAACP Image® Award-Winning Actress, Songwriter, and Producer, Tamela Mann, is set to release her new Tillymann Music album, Overcomer, through The Orchard Distribution on Friday, August 6. There is a new sense of authority and urgency in Tamela’s music now; she has lived these songs and is ready to share the strength and purpose she has found.

Propelled by the singer’s strong, passionate vocals, and her newfound voice as a songwriter, each of the 12 tracks on Overcomer was conceived to bring healing and hope to a world resetting after a tumultuous chapter in its history. There is plenty to unpack from a lyrical standpoint, and Tamela is at the writing helm on most of the songs.

“I poured my experiences into the lyrics, putting my heart and soul into the words on this album,” Tamela says. “It’s me looking at my life and the things I was dealing with, trying to learn from those things, and doing what I can to overcome them.”

Overcomer may be Tamela’s best work to date. Each song stands on its own as a masterful production. The album was executive produced by Tamela and her husband, Music Producer and NAACP Image® Award-Winning Actor/Comedian, David Mann, with production quarterbacked by a cadre of all-star producers and writers. Special guests include Kirk Franklin and Wyclef Jean on the stand-out track melding R&B, reggae, rap, and gospel, “Hello God;” Todd Dulaney on the worshipful “Finished Work;” Travis Green, the co-writer and producer of the anthemic “Finished;” and The Fellas, on her current single, “Help Me.” “Touch From You,” the debut single from the album, added to Tamela’s bank of personal bests; the track was her seventh No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. “Source” and “He Did It For Me” are two other standouts. Says Tamela of the inspiration behind the lyrics for them both: “God is the source and my goto when I’m lost. I can’t do anything without Him, and I never want to try to.”

Overcomer is the latest accomplishment and centerpiece in Tamela’s busy career. In Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living (BET+), she reprises her role as “Cora,” which she originated in Perry’s successful “Madea” plays, films, and hit television show, Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns. She and David released their first book and joint album, the NAACP Image® Award-winning Us Against the World. She is starring in two upcoming films: the Tyler Perry “Madea” movie coming to Netflix and Soul Santa airing this Christmas on BET, which she executive produced with David. Tamela also launched her own successful athleisure apparel line, the Tamela Mann Collection (tamelamann.com).

The line has become a popular staple in the athleisure apparel space.

Tamela has always created art that encourages people and draws them closer to their faith. Her hit-laden music career includes such memorable songs as “Change Me,” “God Provides,” and the unforgettable, No. 1 Platinumselling classic, “Take Me to the King.” Tamela has earned numerous accolades. In addition to scoring a Grammy®, she is a BET Award winner, Billboard Music Award winner, and multiple Gospel Music Stellar Award, NAACP Image® Award, and GMA Dove Award winner.

“I love butterflies. I feel like I’m coming out of the cocoon again, energized and on fire,” says Tamela, who underwent surgery to have both her knees replaced in the summer of 2019.

After taking some time to work on her health and wellness, and a fresh creative mindset, she’s stepping forward a changed woman to express her heart and soul. “This is new music for a new time and a new me,” she says.

If someone were to ask the singer/songwriter what her greatest wish was for this album, says Tamela Mann: “My heart’s desire is to give people hope and let them know there’s still compassion in the world. It’s the opportunity for me again to show God’s love and His grace.

That’s my purpose in life and for Overcomer.”

Overcomer is available for pre-sale now.

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BLACK MEDIA

THE 2021 BLACK MEDIA HONORS TO CELEBRATE AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MINORITY TRAILBLAZERS IN MEDIA IN ATLANTA ON SATURDAY AUGUST 21 - SUNDAY AUGUST 22 Atlanta-based media company Empower Media Group (EMG) announced the 2021 Black Media Honors™️ – the annual awards show that honors broadcasting, public relations, media, mass communication and journalism icons who have influenced and made significant contributions to the media industry. Hosted by Actress Brely Evans and Pastor Anthony Murray, the awards weekend is set to begin Saturday, August 21, through Sunday, August 22, in Atlanta. The official awards weekend is taking place at Twelve Midtown Conference Center.

This year’s honorees for the 2021 Black Media Honors™️ include Karen Civil (Live Civil), Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant (New Birth Missionary Church), Kimberly Chapman (Sheen Magazine Editor-at-Large), Jeff Johnson (BET, Rickey Smiley Morning Show, NAACP), Randy Fling (Rolling Out), Dr. Rashad Richey (Political Analyst for CBS46, MSNBC, PeachtreeTV, V-103, Rolling Out), Michelle Rice (General Manager Urban One & TV One), Morgan Debaun (Blavity), Nadia C. Fischer (Publicist and activist) and The Georgia Entertain-

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ment Caucus. There will also be dynamic performances by Stellar Award Winning Gospel Singer Y’anna Crawley, Tasha Page-Lockhart (Sunday’s Best) and Ignatious Carmouche (The Voice Season 13).

“The vision of the Black Media Honors is to recognize the trailblazers in African American Media and other American minorities who have paved the way for the broadcasting, public relations, media, mass communication, journalism professionals of today. Many of these creators have never received their much-deserved recognition,” said Stephanie Davis, Founder of Black Media Honors™️ and CEO of Empower Media Group.

Some of this year’s sponsors include Prima Atlanta, Bomade Vodka,, Billboard Buzzing, B Taylor and Associates, The Collective Shine, Sheen Magazine and more.

Confirmed Media Partners are Fox5, AspireTV, Sheen Magazine, TV One, and a host of celebrity photographers and bloggers.

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n e t s i L

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COVER QUEEN

tina d. lewis THE PROMISE

Tina D. Lewis is the cover queen for this month’s issue of I AM QUEEN Magazine.

We are so excited to share this gem with you!

What were you the first in your family to do?

I was the first in my family to graduate from college. I am a proud Alumni of the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine.

That’s amazing! Congratulations. What obstacles prevented others in your family from going to college?

It had a lot to do with the lack of vision and their ability to delay self-gratification.

How did graduating from University transform your family?

I’m not sure how my siblings felt. But my prayer is that it gave them hope. I pray that it gave CPR to their dreams.

I know that my mental fortitude, hunger for success, and the promise I made to myself, transformed my life and consequently my family’s as well. I can take care of my mom today because I was committed to my success. Hard work is hard but it has tremendous rewards.

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Tell us more about the promise you made to yourself?

When I was in the 5th grade, my mom was in a near-fatal car accident and was hospitalized for THREE ENTIRE MONTHS! October, November, December to be exact.

When all the other kids were spending time with their families, enjoying trick or treating, Thanksgiving and Christmas, I was just praying to God that my mom would come home from the hospital. We went from having it all to not having anything. It was such a culture shock and

pure devastation.

My stepdad and mom separated. We went from living on our own to living with family, sharing beds and space. It was an extremely difficult transition.

I remember making a promise to myself that I would never have to depend on other people but be in a position where people could depend on me. I would never have to ask anyone for anything but have enough so I could give freely. Most importantly that no matter what life brought my way, I would always be able to take care of my dear mommy!

It warms my heart and I am forever grateful that today I take care of my mom and she’s living her best life ever. She wants for nothing material and is flooded with love from my siblings, myself, and her friends and family.

I’ve worked ridiculously hard, made some unbelievable sacrifices, and done a lot of things that I wish I hadn’t. There is truly a price to pay for success and it’s not a one-time payment, nope. It’s a revolving account!

I’ve lived in areas I wouldn’t walk the streets at night. I’ve lived in the projects, been on welfare, and rode public transportation. Today, I walk three blocks from the beach, live across the street from another beach, have a ridiculous view of my city and the beach, drive a Tesla SUV (it’s the no gas,

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carpool lane, tax writeoff, and falcon doors for me.

I share this not to brag or boast but with pride and dignity. It took hard work, sleepless nights, tears, and pain to achieve the time and financial freedom I have today. It’s not where you are or where you’ve been, it’s where you are going. Yes! There is a reason that the rearview mirror is significantly smaller than the windshield. You see, where you going is so much bigger and brighter than where you are coming from.

The people you see who are successful, who you admire, who you would trade places with, and bank accounts with, have a journey that you would not believe. You see our glory but don’t know our stories.

I’m honored to say that I am keeping my promise. Not to my mom, my siblings, not to my teachers and mentors but myself, and I challenge you to do the same!

What an amazing testimony of faith and fortitude! What obstacles did you encounter on your journey, that almost caused you to quit on your dream?

Well, I was a teenage mother, living in the projects, on welfare. The environment I was in wasn’t conducive to my success. I lacked mentorship and if it wasn’t for my desire to have something better, I would not be where I am today.

What inspires you to keep going?

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WOW! Every time I get this question I get chills. The obvious answer is my precious daughter and my dear mother, but it’s truly deeper than them. It’s something inside of me. It’s internal. I have this bulldog tenacity that I will win NO MATTER WHAT! It’s so powerful that I can’t quiet it or quit. It’s simply just not in my DNA! How were you, out of everyone in your family, able to do something they couldn’t do?

I will not say they couldn’t do it. I believe all things are based on choices.

They’ve done things that I couldn’t do or wouldn’t do. Like, have a job for YEARS! To some, that’s commitment, dedication, and discipline. I don’t have that in that regard. I didn’t and couldn’t.

Choices. I chose to be an entrepreneur (even though I didn’t know that’s what it was! lol! ) I realized I was chronically unemployable. I made a CHOICE to hunt, create, build, make an impact, and not allow anyone or any situation to limit my freedom. How much money I could earn.

How much time I had to invest. Where I went. When I went to the bathroom or when and how long I could enjoy a snack or lunch! I will always create my own economy. I am the boss of me and my success or failure is my responsibility.

PERIOD! You are so inspiring! How can people connect and stay in contact with you?

Yes! Visit me at TinaDLewis.com info@TinaDLewis.com, Facebook.com/TinaDLewis Instagram.com/TinaDLewis Twitter.com/TinaDLewis Linkedin.com/in/tinadlewis/ Ph: 310.496.5875

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TINA D. LEWIS PICTURED WITH TONY ROBBINS

TINA D. LEWIS PICTURED WITH SIR RICHARD BRANSON

TINA D. LEWIS PICTURED WITH A DOLPHIN

TINA D. LEWIS PICTURED WITH DONALD TRUMP

I made a CHOICE to hunt, create, build, make an impact, and not allow anyone or any situation to limit my freedom.

-Tina D. Lewis

ENTERTAINMENT

XX AT STARZ “POWER BOOK I I: RAISING KANAN” NEW YORK RED CARPET AND WORLD PREMIERE EVENT On Thursday, July 15th, STARZ hosted the red carpet and premiere of the new STARZ Original Series “Power Book III: Raising Kanan’’ at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center in New York. In true “Power” Universe fashion, audiences were treated to incredible performances from artists, including 50 Cent, Uncle Murda, NLE Choppa, Rileyy Lanez, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap. Attendees included “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” cast members Patina Miller, MeKai Curtis, Omar Epps, London Brown, Malcolm Mays, Hailey Kilgore, Joey Bada$$, Lovie Simone, Quincy Brown, Toby Sandeman, and Shanley Caswell, Executive Producer, Creator and Showrunner Sascha Penn, Executive Producer Courtney A. Kemp, Executive Producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Executive Producer Mark Canton, Executive Producer Chris Salek, Executive Producer Bart Wenrich and Executive Producer Shana Stein.

Recurring talent from “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” in attendance included Antonio Ortiz, Natalee Linez, Annabelle Zasowski, Rosal Colón, John Clay III, Joseph Melendez, Tina Benko, Hasaan Gilmer, Sharief Johnson, Lawrence Gillard Jr., and Kelly Deadmon.

From STARZ series, additional guests included “Power Book II: Ghost” cast members Michael Rainey Jr, Shane Johnson, Woody McClain, Daniel Sunjata, Berto Colon, Gianni Paolo, Lovell Adams-Gray, Paige Hurd, Paton Ashbrook, LaToya Tonodeo, Daniel Bellomy, Alix Lapri, Melanie Liburd, “Heelz” cast member Alison Luff, “Power” Universe cast members Naturi Naughton, La La Anthony, Joe Perrino, “Power Book IV: Force” cast member Joseph Sikora and “Run The World” creator and executive producer Leigh Davenport; STARZ President and CEO, Jeffrey Hirsch and President, International Networks, Alison Hoffman.

Additional notable guests included Roxanne Shanté, Lil Mama, Kid Capri, Hood Celebrityy, DNice, Lil Mo, Tiff McFierce, Ari Melber, and Da Baby.

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Photo Credit: Courtesy of Starz Set in South Jamaica, Queens, in 1991, “Raising Kanan” is a prequel to the original Power franchise. It is a sprawling family drama that revolves around the coming of age of Kanan Stark; Ghost and Tommy’s mentor, partner and adversary, who ultimately dies in a hail of gunfire in the eighth episode of Power’s penultimate season.

When we catch up with Kanan here, though, he is the fifteen-year-old only child of Raquel “Raq” Thomas, a cocaine distributor with an emerging network of dealers across the city.

Much like the original Power, Raising Kanan explores themes of identity, violence, and legacy, but it is also a deep dive into the very pathology of family; the unique, complicated and fraught dynamic between parent and child, mother and father, brother and sister. In an increasingly fractious world, family often feels

like the only refuge from all the divisiveness and discord and yet, at the same time, we often discover that it is those closest to us who betray us and our values most. The first season of Raising Kanan is an exploration of these betrayals, the secrets and lies that accompany them and the ways in which they fester, metastasize and ultimately erupt.

Cast includes Tony© Award Winner Patina Miller (“Madam Secretary;” The Hunger Games Franchise) as Raquel Thomas, Kanan’s queen pin mother, MeKai Curtis plays the titular character of Kanan Stark, the cast also includes Omar Epps (“House,” Love and Basketball) as Detective Malcolm Howard, London Brown (“Ballers”) as Marvin Thomas, Malcolm Mays (“Them,” “Snowfall”) as Louis “Lou-Lou” Thomas, Tony© and Grammy© Award Nominee Hailey Kilgore

as Jukebox, star of the Oscar© winning shot Two Distant Strangers, Joey Bada$$ as Unique, Toby Sandeman (“The Royals”) as Symphony Bosket, Shanley Caswell (The Conjuring) as Detective Shannon Burke, Lovie Simone (The Craft: Legacy) as Davina Harrison and Quincy Brown (Dope) as Crown Camacho.

Sascha Penn serves as creator and showrunner and is executive producing alongside Courtney A. Kemp and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The “Power” Universe series are executive produced by “Power” creator and showrunner Courtney A. Kemp through her production company End of Episode and through her overall deal with Lionsgate Television, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through G-Unit Film and Television, and Mark Canton through Atmosphere Entertainment MM. End of Episode’s Chris Selak and Danielle De Jesus, Shana Stein and Bart Wenrich continue executive producing.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Starz

Listen

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RESILIENT BLACK WOMAN DEBUTS SHOW ACROSS MULTIPLE TV STREAMING PLATFORMS TO EMPOWER WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS Sherry Bronson, an outstanding tv talk show host, television producer, live stream consultant, trainer, speaker, and author, just announced the re-launch of her show The Sherry Bronson Show, to elevate the voices of women and underrepresented minorities and becoming a strong advocate in the female empowerment and entrepreneurship movement.

On her show, Sherry dives into an array of topics with prominent female and Christian leaders surrounding family, lifestyle, relationships, and business seeking to provide women with the tools they need to overcome difficult situations.

Far too often, diversity has been a highly underappreciated and overlooked factor in shaping the narratives that define our society and the ways in which we live our lives. Even though, stories should be told by individuals whose expertise match the topics being discussed, too often, voices of women experts are disregarded. For far too long, female voices have been underrepresented across mainstream media – as writers, spokespeople, experts, and editors. This issue has only been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with male voices dominating the narrative of the situation and once again turning men as the leading figure of authority.

“Women are changing the landscape and we have been doing so for many years – however, the issue still remains, our voices have been highly underrepresented across a multitude of industries. Via the Sherry Bronson Show, it is my ultimate goal to not only help women overcome difficult situations, but also expand the reach of women experts and entrepreneurs who continuously contribute their knowledge and know how every day all across our country.”Sherry Bronson commented.

Originally launched in 2006 and now available across streaming television Roku, AppleTV, AmazonFireTV and Apple iOS and Android Mobile Devices reaching over 400 million Homes and Businesses worldwide. The Sherry Bronson Show shares life-changing stories of individuals who are hurting, lost, hopeless, and faithless. Guests include prominent Christian leaders, authors, entrepreneurs with extraordinary stories of victory, grace, and salvation.

For more information visit: www.sherrybronson.com

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LENA BYRD MILES TALKS NEW SONG, DMX, AND 6K PLUS OVERNIGHT IG FOLLOWERS Written By Phyllis Caddell of PCPR Communications Contemporary gospel artist Lena Byrd Miles recently released her new single and accompanyingvideo “Watch Me,” via My Block Inc. “Watch Me” heralds her anxiously awaited debut album, due for release in 2021. An effortless yet powerful song that encapsulates conviction, hope, and faith, Miles says, “the response and the anticipation for ‘Watch Me’ is greater than my debut single.” Although her first single, “This Is the Day” expanded her audience, her affiliation with My Block Inc, and that her new song features background vocals by multi-award-winning producer and My Block Inc. President, Warryn Campbell, multi-award-winning Erica Campbell, their daughter Krista, and the talented Myron Butler, heightened curiosity within the music industry, and with Miles’ fans.Cowritten by Miles and Warryn Campbell, produced by Campbell, and co-produced by MichaelBereal, the single offers a powerful lyrical message that floats over changes of traditional gospel and jazz vibes sprinkled with a hint of R&B. According to Miles, “the message of the song is watching God with great anticipation of Him making life better for us however He sees fit to do so.” Singing across the country in churches comes naturally however, recently all eyes around the world were on Miles when she sang at the home-going celebration for as part of Kanye West’s Sunday Service choir.She sang lead on

the cover of The Clark Sisters “You Brought the Sunshine.” Not only did she bring the sunshine, she brought people to their feet, had men crying, and gained notoriety from hip-hop greats, but more importantly, she gave God the glory. “If I’m singing in front of 50 people or 50,000, I want to make sure I glorify God as best as possible.” In an interview with Erica Campbell on Get Up! Mornings, Miles talks about the DMX home going experience.“I was so nervous I got on stage and had my back turned to the audience,” she laughs. “The choirdirector Jason White had to tell me to face the audience... It was fun, exciting, and a lot of pressure but a significant experience.” After her stellar performance at DMX’s service, Miles woke up to 6K plus new followers on Instagram. “It blew me away, and I just smiled like WOW! I woke up and noticed Ledisi, Tamar Braxton, Dondre T Whitfield, Derek Watkins aka Fonzworth Bentley had followed me, and many more.”

She adds, “Some of them even reposted the clip from the service of me singing and reached out to me in my direct messages.

That was a pretty awesome Sunday flying home reading all the messages/reposts/captions/love shown.” Some say social media is a blessing and a curse. For Miles, social media has been a blessing.Posting on IG is where Warryn Campbell noticed her vocal style which led to inking a deal with his label (My

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Block Inc.) and joining the roster with artists such as multiple-award-winning duo Mary Mary, Erica Campbell, JoiStaRR, rising star Jason McGee and the Choir, and superb vocalist Jason Champion. “Artists like Lena Byrd Miles aren’t born every day,” says Campbell.

“She is very special, and her gift is absolutely supernatural. ‘Watch Me’ is impactful on impact. One listen and you’ll fall in love with the girl with three names; Lena Byrd Miles.”

Miles advises aspiring singers, If you are trying to be discovered on social media, make sure your pages are public so people can see what you are doing and who you are as a person. Be confident and true tothe gifts and talents God gave you and they will make room for you.A wife, daughter, sister, friend, and licensed hairstylist who has an exceptional ability to connect with people, she is a natural-born comedian who loves to laugh.

Sincere and passionate about herministry, music, and its delivery, Lena Byrd Miles is a Queen to watch.

Follow Lena Byrd Miles at:IG: @lenabyrdmilesFB: Lena Byrd MilesTwitter: @lenabyrdmiles

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TV ONE’S NEW TRUE-CRIME SERIES SINS OF THE CITY ANALYZES THE DEATH OF A RENOWNED NEW ORLEANS GOSPEL SINGER A new episode of the true crime docu-series Sins of The City aired Thursday, July 15 at 9 p.m.

ET/8C on TV One. Experts analyze the killing of a local gospel singer. Various experts, community leaders, family members, and the like, provide real-life perspective and insight into the cities profiled this season.

This episode of Sins of the City takes a deep dive into the brutal murder of Raymond Myles.

Though New Orleans is known for its wild reputation, the community is also historically close which is why the mysterious crime took the city by storm. In the days following the unfortunate tragedy of Myles’ death, over 10,000 French Quarter residents gathered to mourn and pay homage to his legacy. In what seems like a hopeless search, one anonymous tip turned the tide of this case.

Sins of The City is a close-ended docu-series exposing the underbelly of American cities and highlighting perplexing crimes that will forever alter the fabric of these communities. Through first-hand storytelling, Sins of The City depicts investigators working through the evidence to secure case leads, as narration and interviews capture the history behind each city’s woeful tale.

Sins of The City is produced for TV One by Jeff Collins and Deborah Allen (Executive Producers), and Victoria Duley (Co-Executive Producer)

of Catalina Content, LLC. For TV One, Susan Henry is Executive Producer in Charge of Production; Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting; and Robyn Greene Arrington is Vice President of Original Programming and Production.

KIDS BOOK CLUB WORDS AT FIRST SIGHT BY DR. MONESHIA DASHIELL AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

“I am too busy mothering nations through education”

- Dr. Moneshia Dashiell

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