Editorial It’s been a while since we have produced a print edition of the magazine, so I say to myself, “Welcome Back”. The pandemic allowed me to work at my own pace and reflect over 17 years of accomplishments. Little did I know that someone in another county was praying to God for an answer that I would fulfill. Amanda Mandy will fill in the blanks in our cover story, which ultimately launched The GUT Patrol and presentation of a grant from the N. C. Society of Gastroenterology to help bring awareness of colorectal cancer prevention in our community through TCP’s Female Pastors Fellowship and other partners. This edition of the magazine is dedicated to The GUT Patrol and our quest to educate the minority community about prevention, healthy eating, testing and provide resources for disadvantaged citizens. You’ll find some compelling stories we hope will push you to get tested or schedule your colonoscopy. Please take a deep dive into what’s in this issue and pass it along to someone you think could benefit from the information. Join our Facebook Community online at facebook.com/thegutpatrol. If you are a colon cancer survivor, we’d love to hear your story. Peggy Tatum, Publisher The Connection Place, Inc. 181 Wind Chime Court, Suite 104 Raleigh, NC 27615 tcpmagazine@gmail.com 919 796-4724 Copy Editor, Laura Clemons Contributing Writers: Amanda Mandy Audretta Hall Dr. Teresa Smith Edith Berry Willie Bowe Ray Photo Credits: Glen Parson Edith Berry Jay L Clendenin-Los Angeles Times RJPLV.com/portraits Kevin Winter - © 2011 Getty Images
Graphic Design and Layout: WIZPRO Imagineering, LLC The William Group
JUMP TO IT! 7 11 12 14 16 21 23 28
Meet Dr. Angelo Moore, Community Advocate Dr. Ruth Phillips Winnie Bowe Ray Survived Colon Cancer Getting Screened for Colon Cancer Cover Story – How It All Started Thyroid Disease Led Me To Sleeve Surgery Get Your Gut Health Together Edith Berry Covers the ARTS
The GUT Patrol Team Duke Health Advisory team members consist of the following Gastroenterology providers: Katherine S. Garman, MD, MHS Associate Professor of Medicine Vice Chief for Research, Division of Gastroenterology Co-lead Cancer Risk, Detection, and Interception, Duke Cancer Institute Duke Molecular Physiology Institute Department of Medicine, Duke University
Meira Epplein, PhD Associate Professor In Population Health Sciences Associate Professor in Medicine Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
Dr. Julius Wilder, MD, PhD Assistant Professor of Medicine Chair, Duke Dept of Medicine Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-racism Committee Vice Chair, Duke Dept of Medicine Minority Retention and Recruitment Committee Co-Faculty Lead, Duke Community Engaged Research Initiative
Dr. Angelo Moore, PhD, RN, NE-BC Program Manager, Office of Health Equity Duke Cancer Institute
INTERNS: Jessica Goodwin | Information & Media Coordinator Clinical Research Intern | DIRECT Cancer Fellowship Program Diversifying Research and Experiential Learning in Cancer Training (DIRECT) Duke Cancer Institute Trainee Member Siri Chenna | Information & Media Coordinator Junior at Green Hope High School and is passionate about public health and medicine.
Dr. Angelo D. Moore is the Assistant Director, Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity (COEE), Duke Cancer Institute, where he provides overall direction, coordination, and implementation DCI’s community impact-designed projects to reduce cancer outcomes disparities in the DCI community and across its Catchment Area. COEE goals are to: (1) Engage meaningfully, respectfully, and collaboratively with community partners, (2) Build strong, bi-directional partnerships between our community and DCI cancer researchers, and (3) Develop a multi-level, prospective data infrastructure to guide community-DCI partnerships. The mission is to reduce cancer disparities and improve population health in DCI catchment area for historically marginalized and medically underserved populations
Dr. Angelo D. Moore
such as the African American, LatinX, Asian American, Native American, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, refugee, and rural communities. Dr. Moore leads the Community-Facing Navigation program at Duke Cancer Institute. Duke Cancer Institute utilizes a longitudinal patient navigation multidisciplinary matrix model, which incorporates multiple patient navigation entities. Within this longitudinal patient navigation multidisciplinary matrix, COEE has Community-Facing Patient Navigators, which is unique. These Community-Facing Patient Navigators are employees of the health care system, operate in the community, and trained by the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute. Some responsibilities include providing cancer education on prevention, early detection screening as well as navigating individuals needing cancer screenings, follow-up for abnormal screenings to diagnostic testing, and into treatment if diagnosed with cancer. The uniqueness of being within the health care system allows these Community-Facing Navigators get patients to and through the health care system to maximize continuum of care. He is a member of the National Navigation Roundtable Steering Committee. He is also a member of the Evidence Based Promising Practices Task Group and the Membership Committee. He received his BSN in 1995 from Winston-Salem State University, MSN in 2002 from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and PhD in 2010 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He served 25 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He has over 25 years of nursing experience in Medical-Surgical, Critical Care, and Primary Care Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. He has held multiple leadership positions including Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, Commander, as well as multiple Executive Leadership positions such as Deputy Chief & Chief for the Centers for Nursing Science & Clinical Inquiry, and Chief Nurse of Education for the Fayetteville VA Medical Center which also included 8 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics throughout Southeastern North Carolina. He is a board-certified Nurse Executive. Dr. Moore is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing. He enjoys mentoring and teaching. He has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented podium presentations at local, regional, national, and international conferences. He is a member of several professional nursing organizations and takes special interest in encouraging higher education and increasing and retaining the number of minority nurses and nursing students.
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Dr. Phillips, affectionately called Dr. Ruth relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina in 2008 from Baltimore, Maryland. She served as a Public Health Specialist and later as Assistant Director for Wellness Promotion at North Carolina A&T State University. There she developed programs and collaborated with national organizations such as the American Heart Association to broaden her reach and increase health awareness to diverse surrounding communities. As Executive Director of Student Health and Counseling Service at North Carolina Central University, Dr. Phillips has developed programs, partnered with national organizations, collaborated with fellow campus departments and student groups in an effort to effectuate positive change not only for students but faculty and staff regarding their overall well-being.
Dr. Ruth Gilliam Phillips
As an Adjunct Professor, teaching the UNIV1100 class to incoming freshman, she was able to be honest, transparent and funny as she prepared students with the necessary skills to become acclimated with college life, navigate their independence, move beyond a setback, how to have sex the right way (a titled presentation) and to just talk to one another. Dr. Ruth has taken her success, pain, epic fails, vulnerability and disappointments and transformed those experiences into crucial conversations, engaging those for whom she advocates to ensure them that they were always at the forefront of her mind and efforts. Dr. Ruth currently is the Executive Director for the Community Health Coalition in Durham N.C. In addition to her role at the Community Health Coalition, she serves on the Executive Committee for the African American Covid-19 Task Force, Chair of the American Heart Association Health Equity Task Force for the Triangle Area, the Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Governor’s Task Force, the American Heart Association Triangle Board, the American Cancer Society Central and Eastern Northern Carolina Board, the Diabetes Research Foundation Board, the American Cancer Society Advisory Board and Aging Well Durham Board. Dr. Phillips coined the acronym L.I.F.E. Listen, Investigate, Follow-up and Engage when it comes to serving the community as well as advocating for one’s own well-being.
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I SURVIVED
COLON
CANCER by Winnie Bowe Ray
A few years later in May 2006, a co-worker mentioned that her hemorrhoid started bleeding while she was in a meeting. Her primary physician recommended a colonoscopy to determine the cause and status. The similarities in our situations with a hemorrhoid nudged me to volunteer to have a “buddy colonoscopy”. However, the gastroenterologist informed me that since I was only 48 and had no symptoms, it was unlikely that the procedure would be covered by insurance. For an unknown reason, I dug my heels in and said I would do it anyway.
Looking back in the past is so difficult because it brings back so many negative memories. This is the first time that I am publicly sharing my story in hopes that you will advocate for your body. My best recollection of anything that could have been remotely connected to my cancer journey was when I had my 45th birthday checkup with my OB-GYN. The minimal presence of blood was assumed to be related to a childbirth related hemorrhoid. There were no other symptoms or reasons for concern back in 2003. 12
My friend and I both had the colonoscopies, and she got her results almost immediately. We both celebrated the fact that all went well, and she’d likely never have any bleeding again. Since I was confident I was fine, I never worried about my results. Approximately two weeks later, it occurred to me that I had never gotten my update from the doctor, so I contacted his office only to learn he was on vacation. When asked why my friend had gotten her results and I hadn’t, I was told that the doctor wanted to speak with me. I recall smirking and thinking it was likely about the insurance coverage. Here we go. A couple days later on June 14, the doctor contacted me at my office, and he asked if I was alone. In a matter of fact tone, he told me that he had found a malignant tumor in the sigmoid section of my colon. At that moment, I truly wished I could recall the difference between malignant and benign, but I was so confused, overwhelmed, and scared that I didn’t know the difference. My clearest recollection of that moment is turning in my chair in The James Center, Richmond, VA, and looking toward Kanawha Plaza Park, and thinking, “I am going to die.” It felt like a long pause until the doctor asked if I had a surgeon. I explained that I never needed one before, but I would look into it. I asked him what the surgeon needed to do, and he explained that he was unsure beyond the tumor removal, but I needed to meet with my family and begin the process immediately. Fortunately for me, and the love of family and friends, I established a relationship with a surgeon who categorized and staged my colorectal cancer, and scheduled my surgery for a month later. Most of the longer-term decisions would be finalized after the surgery. The interim month until my surgery was almost like an out of body experience. Most of my co-workers avoided me simply because they felt helpless and sorry for me. I was very sad and concerned for my daughter’s future so I started praying and negotiating with God. I truly wanted to see her graduate from college in 2009, but if I made it to that…maybe He would bless me with her marriage…and maybe PLEASE God, can I see a grandchild? Fortunately, July 21, 2006 came soon enough, but unfortunately surgery was delayed to July 27. Ironically, the 21st was my Mom’s birthday, and the 27th was
my late Dad’s birthday. Surely, that was God and Daddy sending me a message. The surgery went well. Approximately eighteen inches of the sigmoid section of my colon was affected by the cancer. The resection of my colon successfully removed all of the cancer and provided me with safe margins, since the cancer was fully contained within the colon. The remaining stay in the hospital was a stressful time, until the last day when I was told that all of the cancer was removed. Going forward I would need to diligently monitor my colon for new polyps. On the trip home from the hospital, it occurred to me that I had never appreciated how beautiful our lawn or the crepe myrtles were; I needed to fix that. I needed to change my life to be an even better person than before. During my first six months post-surgery, I worried that I needed more treatment than the surgery, so my doctors worked with sigmoidoscopies to assure me that I was going to be okay. After that, I required colonoscopies every year, while sometimes finding precancerous polyps. Finally, in 2016, when finding no polyps, I was told that I could skip 5 years before the next colonoscopy. After 4 years of no testing, I panicked that we were waiting too long and I contacted my gastroenterologist to request one immediately. During that scanning, he spotted a benign cyst on my liver. As a result, I’m now required to have an annual scan of my liver going forward, along with a colonoscopy every four years. Despite the tough times, I am forever thankful for my life, and especially my fifteen years of survivorship. God delivered my daughter’s graduation, she married the love of her life, and I am now blessed with three granddaughters, just like I prayed for, and more. All things are possible, if you only believe; one day at a time. Lastly, here’s to being brave enough to understand that we each know our bodies far better than any doctor, family member, or friend. If you sense something is off with your body, or it just needs to be checked, follow your instinct. Your Body Is A Temple. Early detection of cancer saves lives.
When To Start Getting Screened for Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States when men and women are combined. However, regular screening can find colorectal cancer when it is small, hasn’t spread, and might be easier to treat. Some types of screening can also help find and remove pre-cancerous growths called polyps before they have a chance to turn into cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has guidelines for colorectal cancer screening and recommends people at average risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45. In the most recent guideline update, ACS lowered the age to start screening because studies show rates of colorectal cancer among people younger than 50 are on the rise. ACS experts have determined that screening starting at 45 could help save more lives. Screening recommendations for those at average risk for colorectal cancer • People at average risk should start regular screening at age 45. • People who are in good health and expected to live at least more 10 years should continue regular screening through the age of 75. • People ages 76 through 85 should decide with their health care provider whether to continue to get screened. This should be based on personal preferences, prior screening results, overall health and how long they are expected to live. • People over 85 should no longer get screened for colorectal cancer. Screening for people at higher risk for colorectal cancer People at higher risk for colorectal cancer may need to start screening before age 45. They may also need to be screened more often or get specific tests. People at higher risk are those with • A strong family history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps • A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps • A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) • A family history of a hereditary syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syn drome • A history of radiation to the abdomen (belly) or pelvis to treat a prior cancer
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People who think or know they are at higher risk for colorectal cancer should talk to their health care provider. Your health care provider can help you choose your best screening option and schedule. If you’ve delayed your screening appointments or they have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, talk to your doctor about the steps you can take to safely resume these important tests. Recommended colorectal cancer screening tests There are several test options for colorectal cancer screening. There are some differences among the tests. But the most important thing is to get screened, no matter which test you choose. Stool-based tests: • Highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year • Highly sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year • Multi-targeted stool DNA test (MT-sDNA) every 3 years Visual exams: • Colonoscopy every 10 years • CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years • Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every 5 years It’s important that everyone talk to their health care provider about which tests might be good options. You should also check your insurance about payment for each test option. These screening tests must be done at recommended time points to be effective. If you choose a test other than a colonoscopy, any abnormal test result must be followed up with a colonoscopy to see whether you have cancer. How to find more information The best way to know when to begin colorectal cancer screening and how often to get screened is to talk to your health care provider. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visiting cancer.org/coloncancer.
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On August 28, 2020, the world received notice that our beloved super hero, the Black Panther star Chadwick Aaron Boseman, was dead at 43 years old. In the weeks following his death, we learned Chadwick died of Colon Cancer. Less than four months later on December 7, 2020, Actress Natalie Desselle-Reid known for her roles in “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” “B.A.P.S.,” and “Def Jam’s How to Be a Player” also died from colon cancer at 53. Played out on television on the popular show, Real Housewives of Atlanta, Gregg Leakes, husband to NeNe Leakes who stars on the show died on September 1, 2021 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 66 years old. For me, like many of you, this broke my heart experiencing three prominent figures dying of Colon Cancer within a year. This news, combined with my work as a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Gastrointestinal Clinical Research Unit with one of the major hospitals, caused me to step on my soapbox and voice my thoughts. I took to my Facebook page and with a deep passion and concern for my people; I expressed my frustration and went on a rant about
Colon Cancer and the importance of early detection. I reiterated how Colon Cancer is the third leading cause of Death in America. Colorectal cancer rates are highest within the African American Community. According to the American Cancer Society, African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups. Not only did I voice my concern on Facebook, but I used my position to voice my concern about getting this word out to the Gastroenterologist and Epidemiologist who I work for at the hospital. They heard me, and presented me with an opportunity to write a grant from the North Carolina Society of Gastroenterology, to bring awareness to the community. The kicker was I only had less than a month to get things together. I reached out to an organization and was given all the reasons it couldn’t happen. For a moment, I felt hopeless. Not being one to give up, I remembered who I was, and that I belonged to a group of incredible women and together we had an established network in the community. I presented the idea to Mrs. Peggy Tatum and without hesitation; she said yes.
I arranged meetings with the providers, Peggy and myself, and we went to work. Within a few weeks, we had all the components of the grant. We had one last meeting to review the package and on the last day of submission; the grant was submitted to the society. A few weeks later, The Connection Place received notification of approval. At a luncheon on November 4, 2021, a mock check in the amount of $9,500 was presented. In attendance were members of TCP’s Female Pastors Fellowship, members of the Duke Gastroenterology Clinical Research Unit, the Duke Community Engagement Department, and special guests. Together with our community partners, we have made plans to reach the community and bring awareness to this deadly disease with the launch of The GUT Patrol. It still amazes me how God drops opportunity in your lap and He then provides everything you need to accomplish the mission. Use your voice to bring awareness to what moves you. You will never know who’s listening, and perhaps what you have to say might change or even save lives.
by Amanda Mandy
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Thyroid Disease Led Me To Sleeve Surgery by Dr. Teresa A. Smith
When you suffer from uncontrollable weight gain, you try every weight loss program on the market, hoping you will lose weight. However, when your weight gain is because of Graves’ Disease, you quickly realize your ability to lose weight is hampered by the disease. This is where my gastric sleeve surgery journey began.
For instance, I would prepare for a special event by purchasing ‘cute clothes’ only to find that I couldn’t wear them several days before the event. My doctor and I tried many weight loss practices, but none were successful. As my weight increased, I developed additional health issues that often accompany morbid obesity, sleep apnea, elevated liver enzymes, and borderline diabetes.
The thyroid gland produces a hormone that regulates the body’s metabolic rate and affects the heart, muscles, digestive functions, and bone health. Graves’ Disease occurs when there is an overproduction of the thyroid hormone. Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment options include medication, radiation therapy, and thyroid removal.
Finally, my doctor recommended gastric sleeve surgery. The surgery removes a portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch (stomach). This reduction in stomach size reduces the amount of food eaten. I never considered metabolic surgery and wanted to know the success rate for thyroid patients. She indicated the success rate was high so I had the surgery. My gastric sleeve surgery was successful, with no complications. During my recovery, I decided to share my story with others who might suffer from thyroid disease or want to live a healthier lifestyle. My new show, Transform With TAS, was birthed. Transform With TAS has cooking segments and interviews with individuals working to become the best version of themselves. Transform With TAS Show premieres in March 2022 on my YouTube Channel. You can keep up with my journey by following me at youtube.com/c/DrTAS.
It took over a year before they diagnosed me with Graves’ Disease. Because of the severity of my disease, my endocrinologist and I chose radiation therapy as the best treatment option. However, this meant a lifetime of thyroid replacement hormone to regulate my body’s metabolism. We struggled to maintain the hormone replacement dosage, and I felt tired and sluggish most of the time. In addition, my weight gain was uncontrollable.
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3 Great Reasons to Get Your Gut Health Together by Audretta Hall
I received a crash course in gut health about 15 years ago when I lost my third close relative to a complication of the digestive system. The coroner actually spoke to the family at the funeral. He spoke words that changed my health focus (and life) FOREVER! “The Death of your body begins in your colon,” he said. And his words rang in my ears like the bells in the movie “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. I left that funeral and went straight to researching. I needed to know HOW to get my gut health in order. I figured if death started there, I’d better take care of it before IT took me out too! It didn’t take a detective to put the clues together. The people with the same eating habits, with the same genetics, were dying from the same diseases! I had been battling the disease of obesity for most of my life. I’d lose 40 pounds then gain 50 pounds back! I tried every ‘diet’ imaginable. The only thing I was consistently losing was my MIND trying to stay on those restrictive programs. When I started concentrating on saving MY LIFE, by getting my gut health together, I lost (and kept off!) 100 lbs. Who knew that focusing on my digestive tract would be the key to opening the door to weight loss success? So here are three great reasons to get your gut health in order: 1. It is one of the Easiest Ways to correct Several Health Issues OBESITY, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Acid Reflux and several forms of Cancer are all associated with a digestive system that is not working properly. Get it ‘moving’ correctly and you take a few steps closer to getting your total health in order. 2. The Digestive tract Heals Itself! The lining of your intestine replaces itself every 15 to 20 days. I just had to go a few weeks limiting the amount of dairy, alcohol, bread, meats and sweets that I took in because these are some items that got my system ‘off track’. 3. It lets you know when you got it RIGHT (and Wrong!) A few signs that your system is in order: You ‘go’ within 30 minutes of eating. When there is some input, there should be output. Your Output FLOATS. Your Output Comes out like toothpaste out of a tube. A few signs that your system needs attention: Constipation, bloating, painful eliminations, loose stool. Some more serious signs: Off color (dark black, white, yellow, RED etc.), not eliminating for days at a time and excessive elimination. I have more energy and look better now in my 50s than I did in my 20s! For more health tips you can visit my website at www.findyourhealth411.com or follow me on social media at www.facebook.com/transformationaudrettas411. I hope you enjoyed this article. Please partner with your physician before changing your health regimen.
Dr. Donna Corbett Executive Director Amazing Grace Etiquette Certified Etiquette Professional Author, Instructor and Life Coach 181 Wind Chime Court | Suite 104 | Raleigh, NC 27615 | 919 413-8614
APRIL 2–JULY 17, 2022 tickets
ncartmuseum.org/faultlines
Explore humanity’s relationship to the environment through an immersive, multimedia exhibition and outdoor sculpture installations in the Ann and Jim Goodnight Museum Park. Through video, photography, sculpture, and mixed-media works, 14 contemporary artists focus on current concerns and opportunities for sustainable action. Fault Lines: Art and the Environment is made possible, in part, by the generous support of the Hartfield Foundation and Libby and Lee Buck, and by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation, Inc.; and the William R. Kenan Jr. Endowment for Educational Exhibitions. Research for this exhibition was made possible by Ann and Jim Goodnight/The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fund for Curatorial and Conservation Research and Travel. Kirsten Stolle, Chemical Bouquet, 2016, hand-cut collage on paper, custom gilded frame, 56 × 45 in., Photograph: Rocky Kenworthy Media Sponsor:
Participating Sponsor:
2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh Robert P. Holding Foundation
Fault Lines TCP Magazine 8x5.indd 1
2/16/2022 4:56:46 PM
EDITH
The ARTS
ALWAYS REACHING FOR THE STARS by Edith C. Berry Traveling On the Road with TCP Magazine has taken me all around the world! My first stop was in Bethlehem via The North Carolina Museum of Art at the Joseph M. Bryan Jr. Amphitheater in Raleigh, N.C. The Justice Theater Project’s annual production of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes directed by Dr. Asabi Stephanie Howard with Music Director Ray Watkins. Dr. Kristi V. Johnson and Latoya Chinfloo did remarkably in choreographing the dance compositions.
The audience brave the cold and were mesmerized. The downsizing of the cast from previous years did not deter the message nor power of the musicians’ voices. Approximately 3,000 patrons were in attendance for
this outstanding revue. Then I headed to New York City, 525 miles away to the historic theatre district of Times Square. I doubled my pleasure by watching two shows in one day. The first show MJ The Musical at The Neil Simon Theatre directed by James L. Nederlander with executive producer Michael David was upbeat, finger-popping, and moonwalk stepping as if Michael Jackson was reincarnated and came back as himself. Myles Frost starred as MJ and danced with a phenomenal cast. Then I had to “Beat It,” and head closer to 42nd Street.
BERRY Next, I headed through the hustle and bustle along that renowned street called Broadway to the American Airlines Theatre of The Roundabout Theatre Company to see Trouble in Mind by Alice Childress. Todd Raines, Artistic Director and CEO, with the Executive Producer brought to life a story that took sixty-six years to make it on Broadway. It performed off Broadway in 1955, and White directors tried to change the ending. Childress’ experience as an actor foretold in this script about racism, lack of equity as a female actor, diversity, and inclusion never made it to Broadway until now. Trouble in Mind, a state of disorder in the acting world still takes precedent in 2022.
white. I sat looking at a painting with no other color measuring four-feet by five-feet. It made you laugh with Ivan (Juan Isler), as Marc (Byron Jennings) did not appreciate his friend making a frivolous purchase. Do you tell the truth and hurt your friend’s feelings? My last stop took me to The Wendell Community Center in Wendell, NC to hear the sultry sounds of Gospel-Jazz artist and actor, Lynnette Barber. She performed for The East Wake Community Center which focused on healthy living and the Oak Street Health gave a presentation on Heart Health. The highlight of the day was Barber singing Proud Mary. Many of the ladies became Ikettes raising the cardio levels of all the participants.
Upon my return to Raleigh, North Carolina, I headed to Burning Coal Theatre presented by Artistic Director, Jerome Davis to see ART by Yasmina Reza, with Stage Managing Director, Simmie Kastner, and directed by Ken Hinton and Production Stage Manager, Cynita Lew.
Now, if your adrenalin is stirring to attend live entertainment, join me as Agape Theatre Project presents Front Porch Society at Burning Coal Theatre, March 19-27, 2022. As one of the cast members in this production, come experience a trip to Marks, Mississippi to witness the political unrest and secrets on the eve of the election of Barack Obama as President. For tickets go to: www.agapetheatre.com.
This revue of three long-time friends played by Preston Campbell, Juan Isler, and Byron Jennings challenged their friendship because Serge (Preston Campbell), spent $200,000 francs on a French painting which is all29
