TCP Magazine Summer 2018 Edition

Every day above ground is a good day. Every day my feet hit the floor, it’s a good day. Every day I breathe without effort, it’s a good day. There are so many things to be thankful for. Are you thankful for the small things that God provide or the big and abundance? I am thankful for those of you who patronize TCP Magazine and share our message.

In this issue we look at the Evolution of the PK (Preacher’s Kid). Being a child of a Pastor or Minister places you in the limelight and PKs are subject to scrutiny. Some give PKs a bad rap but they don’t know their story and the sacrifices the family makes for the congregation. We introduce you to PKs who have taken over their parent’s ministry or started their own. This is the next generation of Pastors.

I received a BBU Living Legacy Award and take you into the world of high fashion. We also tell how the International Musician’s Summit became a healing place for a caregiver. Our contributors bring us entertainment news, new gospel music and updates on the Triangle Arts Scene. This and more as we trek toward 15 years of bringing you the good news.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

Let’s talk soon. Peggy Tatum, Publisher

P5 Editorial

P7 Salute to Gospel Ladies P9 Authors Corner P10 BBU Awards

P12 International Musicians Summit P14 The Arts

P16-19 Evolution of the PK P22 Entertainment News P26 Wedding Story

Contributing Writers

Alecia Jones

Bobby Parker

Edith Berry

Tolly Carr

Denver Wright, WIZPRO Imagineering

Rick Crank Photography

Joe Yancey, Ozion Media

Katie Gailes, Marketing

Terry Spicer, Epiphany Public Relations

“A Salute to Gospel Ladies of North Carolina”

by Gospel Announcer Bobby Parker

I am so proud to live in a state with such talented and anointed female Gospel artists. In this issue we salute these Gospel Ladies of North Carolina.

Grammy and Stellar nominated vocalist, writer, producer Cynthia Jones is one of Gospel’s greatest soul singers and performer of her generation. She is Gospel’s Queen of Neo-Soul. I met Jones back in 2000 in Durham, NC and she was on a Motorcycle. She has many hit singles, videos, and a new album entitled, “God’s Got Me”. She is truly a down to earth person, awesome in her live shows and a real friend.

Multiple award winner, Kim Person is a dynamic voice-powerhouse woman of God. She has traveled the country all over and has displayed her talents to many in the Gospel world circles. I first met Person in her college days at North Carolina Central University. She was singing in the choir and I asked, “Who is that??!!” Her vocals are incredible. She has performed with many Gospel greats and now has a new album entitled, “Just Believe”. Believe me, you will be blessed.

Marshetta Parker is a true Praise and Worship leader and outstanding vocalist. She is one to be recognized and when you encounter her presence, you will be amazed. I first heard of Parker from my friend Darnell “Showcase” Taylor, guitarist, songwriter, producer and engineer in 2009. He executively produced his first gospel project for Marshetta. I was blown away. She has that “Praise” in her and the Holy Spirit comes through. Parker serves at Victorious Praise Fellowship as the Praise and Worship Leader and Youth Director. She has a new album entitled, “Breakthrough”.

Veronica Evans is a Psalmist, Minister, Songwriter, Worship Leader and Author. This woman of God is a true worshipper. I just met Evans this year at her Album release party through friends that minister with her in her group. They blessed me really good and I have met a new friend in Christ. I can tell that Evans has a passion for worship. Her ministry is dedicated to meeting the immediate and long-term spiritual needs of God’s people through spirit-filled biblical teaching and worship encounters. Evans has preached and taught at conferences, summits, workshops and various other ministry events. She has even traveled to Kenya, Africa where she taught a local congregation about the love of Jesus. She has a brand-new album entitled, “Beautiful King”.

Cheryl Young is a Singer, A Preacher and Author. She is a loving wife, mother and overall everything to everyone she meets. I truly love this woman who has adopted me as one of her sons. This former Gospel radio station owner is a powerful speaker and has done it all. Cheryl published a powerful book in 2015 entitled, “This Is My Journey From Memory Loss” in which she chronicles her total loss of memory. She has been restored and has a beautiful new single entitled, “Darkness to Light”. She will inspire you, lift you up and as a true mama, she will straighten you out. I’m a witness.

Ruth La’Ontra is a National Recording Artist with Tyscot Records. She is a Praise and Worship Leader and a True Performer. I have watched this young lady grow up in the shadows of her grandmother Pastor Lydia Jones and her parents Bishop Arvetra & Ruth Jones. She had “IT” from the start. I call her my niece, but she is a fan favorite. La’Ontra’s music career started in 2013, with the release of her debut album, “So Good”. The album charted on the Billboard charts in the Top 20. She was nominated at the 30th Stellar Awards for New Artist of the Year and Traditional Female of the Year. What a Powerhouse! She has a new album entitled, “I Got You” which features her hit radio single, “Kingdom”. This young lady is here to stay.

Submitted by Bobby Parker, 2000 Stellar Award Winner for Gospel Announcer of the Year. Host of “Morning Inspiration” on 1510 WEAL Big WEAL Gospel Greensboro, NC. Host of the Syndicated Program “The Bobby Parker Radio Show” on Rejoice Musical Soulfood and other stations throughout the country. (40+ stations).

Chasity Melvin’s new book “At the End of The Day” is meant to be read as a day by day devotional for 40 days, but good luck on being that patient.

Melvin chronicles her life as a rural preacher’s kid from Roseboro, North Carolina, who managed to achieve the highest levels of success in professional basketball. Her father, the Rev. Jimmy Melvin, was an African Methodist Episcopal pastor. She parlayed an All-American college career at N.C. State University into a 14-year career both overseas and in the WNBA. It wasn’t easy achieving the fame and notoriety on the hardwood and it was even harder to let it go.

“I went through a depression once I retired,” Melvin said. “Everyone starts looking at you different once you retire. What next? You’ve been this star in so many people’s minds and then once you retire if you are not immediately doing something great they are looking at you like what’s wrong with you?”

As Melvin began to find out exactly who she was away from the basketball court she started writing a journal about some of her life experiences. One of her brothers kept pestering her about turning the stories into a book. She was against the idea before finally deciding to self-publish.

What you might find throughout her book is that Melvin didn’t lead a perfect life, but she had the foundation in place to deal with the challenges she had to face. That foundation in large part comes from her father, Rev. Jimmy Melvin.

He taught his children from an early age the sense of community and leadership. Despite being the star basketball player at Lakewood High School, Melvin oversaw driving a lot of the players home from practice in the family station wagon. She also made sure everyone got something to eat afterwards, even if she had to pay for it herself. Her father had a flock and so did she with her teammates.

Her grandmother, who Chasity describes as one of the pillars of their community, was the same way. All the children around the neighborhood ate at her grandmother’s table at one time or another. Those meals were a pivotal part of Melvin’s basketball career. Growing up she wanted to play basketball with the boys in the neighborhood because she knew that it would make her tougher. The only problem was the boys wouldn’t allow her onto the court. So, Chasity’s grandmother came outside one day and told the boys if they wanted to continue enjoying her cooking they’d have to let Chasity play. The rest is history.

Years later after playing and traveling across the world it would be Melvin’s turn to not see eye to eye with her grandmother.

“Being able to travel through so many countries, I realized that God is everywhere he just has a different name in a lot of places,” Melvin said.

Those experiences of seeing different cultures and different religions opened her eyes in many ways. She felt more open to viewing life differently and that her relationship with God had gone to another level.

“It was challenging for me and my family to see how much I changed through my travels. I went to church in a pant suit and my grandmother said, “Lord we are going to get struck by lightning.”

“That was the most challenging experience of my entire successful career. Managing those relationships with the people you truly care about and taught you a faith but going beyond the small-town ideologies and the way that it’s always been.”

Those episodes of butting heads turned out to be more of a bump in the road than a deal breaker. It was very rewarding to see the evolution of her and her grandmother’s relationship pertaining to her spiritual walk. They soon realized her light still shined just in a pants suit as it would in a dress.

Melvin currently works for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in Raleigh, NC. She enjoys life coaching and helping others achieve balance spiritually, physically and emotionally. Melvin is very passionate about training athletes in basketball and hopes to return to the WNBA or NBA as a coach.

You can read more about the adventures and challenges of Chasity Melvin’s life and career with her new book, “At the End of The Day.” It’s available at chasitymelvin.com.

by Tolly Carr

BBU Awards

I was honored to be a 2018 BBU Living Legacy Award Recipient on Sunday June 24 at the 3rd Annual BBU Awards Gala & Expo. Beauty & Barbers United (BBU) is a platform to recognize and showcase industry professionals and impactful community leaders. This event was another mastermind of Tim Johnson Productions.

The beautiful Marriott Raleigh City Center was a welcoming location from the Valet Parking all the way to the dressing room. Attendees lined up all the way back to the Lobby and were updating to VIP status. It was a sold-out event. Excitement was in the air as vendors lined the hallway, VIPs being treated with delicious food and drinks and models walked the hallway with outrageous hairdos. Everybody was some body. The comedian was on point, the band was jamming, and those kid models were simply amazing. This is the one place I felt at home wearing my stylish dress gifted by From Head to Toe Boutique. I tried to fall in line with the models wearing Bramer Leon Couture out of Atlanta with a temporary fantasy. The designers were from four different states and each bought their own unique styles. The BBU Awards gave me the opportunity to laugh and live outside of my daily grind.

Rick Crank captured some amazing pictures that I had to share. Thanks to Tim Johnson for seeing the value that I have instilled in others. Looking forward to joining you next year. Visit www.BBUawards.com.

John Richmond credits Kevin Wilson and the brotherhood of the International Musicians Summit with providing him with a safe place among musicians. A place where he could go and hone his craft. This was equivalent to an elite Conference for those with exceptional musical talent sharing their gifts.

John had been traveling the gospel music circuit for a long time. The traveling stopped when his wife was diagnosed with kidney failure 23 years ago. He got a job, devoted his time to his wife and subsequently donated his kidney to the love of his life. Kevin introduced him to the former Guitar Summit and offered to gift his registration. John accepted and was reunited with past acquaintances and met new ones. This event became his “me time” once a year. He could let his hair down and embrace those with the same spirit.

“At the Summit you walk the halls with notables such as Dr. Johnathan DuBose, Jr., Eric Wall, Paul Jackson, Jr., Doc Powell, Tyrone Jackson and Rick Watford. It’s not just gospel musicians, but musicians who play behind A-List artists. Musicians who patiently give you one on one and hands on advice,” says John.

This year John lost his wife before the Summit. She had open heart surgery after her kidney transplant and suffered a stroke on March 27. Kevin alerted the brotherhood and they embraced him as their own. The outpouring of love he received sealed John’s commitment as an IMS Ambassador.

In addition to the above, this year’s presenters included gospel greats Kevin Bond and Dr. Julie Christie McAllister. A concert was held at Upper Room COGIC featuring Dr. McAllister, the Canton Spirituals and a dream band from the Summit. Musicians flew in all the way from Australia and Switzerland. Kevin Wilson even got sponsors so the youth could attend free. Even the Potters House Band came in from Dallas, Texas.

If you are a musician, mark your calendar for 2019. Visit online at www.intgs.org or join the International Musicians Summit Facebook page. Don’t be misled by John referring to the Summit as a brotherhood. It is open to males and females.

The ARTS - “Always Reaching for The Stars”

By Edith C. Berry

As I trekked around the Triangle these past few months, I have experienced plays, films, bands, workshops, awards for actors and even a game show to entertain people and engage the surrounding communities. This surge of multi-talented people in the field of entertainment, and productions have pervaded the city, and makes going out exhilarating. It is also a wonderful opportunity for actors, as well as singers, filmmakers, theater companies to utilize people that would usually go to larger cities like New York, Chicago, or California. So journey with me to some interesting, and exciting things to do in the Triangle.

Agape Theatre featured under the direction of Artistic Director Kenneth Hinton, “Steal Away.” It was about fine upstanding church members who baked pies and cakes to send young Black girls to college, and then forced into a life of crime. James Baldwin, “The Amen Corner” under the direction of Terra Hodge at North Carolina Central University portrayed religious idealism, and harsh reality, in an African American community plagued by poverty and racial prejudice. It exemplifies a strict division between what is spiritual and what is secular. At St. Ambrose Church’s 150th church anniversary, the play will be at the Burning Coal Theatre, Labor Day weekend. In performing with this cast, we bonded and became a close knit family!

Moses T. Alexander Greene’s World Premiere of Pooled, at the Kennedy Theatre of the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, had five sold out shows in Raleigh, NC. The title Pooled was based on the Pool of Bethesda in the Bible, where people waited for the angel to stir up the water. Whoever stepped in first, after the stirring, was made whole. It was poignant, and powerful. The Pooled production is scheduled to tour other cities.

Raleigh Little Theatre presented The Cantey Awards in June. It is synonymous to the experience of an event like the Oscars. It was a free event to celebrate the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Production and recognition of volunteers. The name of the award was changed from “Oscar to “Cantey” in honor of Mrs. Cantey Venable Sutton, the Grand Dame of Raleigh Little Theatre.

Smooth Ivory Band is a group of seven seasoned musicians who enjoy playing and creating diverse genres of music: from the “tried and true” standards and love ballads, to the contemporary tunes that will get you up on your feet. They round out their repertoire with original compositions. The band performs regularly at Club Noir every 1st Sunday of the month in downtown Raleigh, NC.

After The “I Do’s” Game Show, produced by Vernita and Ken Griffith, was held at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, NC. Everyone loves a Reality Show especially this being the Pastor’s Edition! The format parallels The Newly Wed Game Show. One of my favorite questions asked of the wives was, ‘Which cereal describes your mate: Cocoa Puff, Special K, Lucky Charms or Fruit Loops?” Stay tuned for a show coming to a city near you.

Women’s Theater Festival had a 24-hour marathon, Occupy the Stage in June, at The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre. It offered an opportunity of workshops and script readings as well as improving skills in public promotions using Social Media. Their theme for this season was “Women are Heroes.” Goblin Market was directed by Ashley Popio, and performed with, The Carolina Ballet.

These are just a few productions mentioned, and there are more coming up, for the 2018-2019 season. Follow Edith Berry and TCP Magazine on Facebook and Instagram.

EVOLUTION OF THE P.K. - DR. ANITA PHILLIPS

Raised by pastors, Anita Phillips and her older sister Valerie appeared to have the perfect childhood; it wasn’t. Anita was often awakened by her sister’s screams as she insisted that demons were standing in their bedroom door. While their parents covered Valerie in constant prayer, throughout her life, she was battered by a mental illness that lead to decades of addiction. Emotionally drained and spiritually lost, wondering why God didn’t seem to answer her parents’ prayers, Dr. Anita dedicated her life to seeking spiritual and scholarly understanding of mental health and illness. Her insights are unlike anything you’ve heard before.

I caught Dr. Anita at the kickoff of her Turn The Light Out Tour where she encourages people of faith to voice their authentic experiences, educates our community about mental health and illness and empowers each individual to both prevent and respond to mental health issues in their lives and relationships. This information needs to be provided to churches around the globe. Bishop T.D. and Lady Serita Jakes have embraced Dr. Anita’s platform and she will be presenting a Master Class at Woman Thou Art Loosed Conference Octo-

We are featuring Dr. Anita in our Evolution of a PK Series. I am confident that her outlook on being a PK and the work that she is doing with mental health will prompt you to google and find out more about this woman. Just simply visit www.anitaphillips.com for more info. Here

“My husband and I raised our children very intentionally to sidestep the pitfalls of previous generations who did their best and how we are able to do it better. My kids are so far ‘very good’ and

Anita’s daughter will be 16 in June. She is a phenomenal ballet dancer. She’s smart as a whip and a mini-therapist as a result of living with her mom. Her son is 20 and a sophomore at Harvard University with an internship with Facebook so he already just killing the game. “We’re so of them. As pastor of these children, our goal was to make a relationship with God synonymous with our identity as a family. Not as a ministry but as a family. This is what the Phillips do. We serve God; however, you end up serving him in your life whether it’s at church or in a profession, we’re Christians.”

“I am a third-generation pastor’s wife. What’s cool about that is none of our husbands were pastors when we married them. My family is like a lot of black families. Their

Mom’s family is from Wilson and dad’s is from Rose Hill. My grandparents founded St. Rose in Wilson. My husband is a 5th generation pastor. We are trying to take all the lessons from the past generation and continue to improve the work that we do.”

Anita’s husband, Michael, took over the church from his mom. “His dad passed away when he was a kid and mom stepped in. He took the church over 14 years ago. She was worn down from all the hard work. They were down to 80 members, now we’re up to about 3,000. “Down here you have these great big churches but the farther north you go it’s harder to get people to come to church, so we are excited about how God is growing our ministry in Baltimore City.”

“Michael is a mind-blowing phenomenal preacher. I never get tired of hearing him and I’ve never heard him preach the same sermon. He is who he says he is. He’s a good man, a good father, he loves the Lord, he treats me well, he spoils me to death. One of the reasons I feel our kids are so healthy as PKs is because they don’t see anything different at home as they see at church. Children are damaged by the incongruence very often. That doesn’t necessarily mean that a pastor is sinning or doing anything wrong. We have to be careful about how we let our hair down at home. If we are having a day that we are venting about a frustrating member, we don’t do it in front of our kids. If we are going through a trial at our ministry, that’s not for our kids to hear about. They are not mature enough to handle suffering and trials. It’s too much for them. They are not cognitively prepared. Sometimes it’s not so much that the pastor is cussing or sinning or cheating or drinking but allowing the pain of ministry to be seen by our children before they are mature enough to process. It is damaging, so we have been really careful to protect them from the pain that they are not ready for without painting a false picture of the work”.

Anita feels like her son will do ministry. She assured him that he can have a career and still do ministry. It doesn’t have to be your whole life. It can be your second life or your third life. “He is an amazing speaker. When he gets up to speak, it arrests the attention of people. God doesn’t give us gifts like that if he’s not going to use him to spread his Word. Just like me and my sister did when we were little, my kids fake preach and we joke about it. If we say something funny, my son will turn it into a sermon and act like he’s preaching. I say it’s all fun and games now but that’s the sign of a gift. I don’t know how, when and what God will do, but I believe there is ministry for my son.”

“I am waiting to see what my daughter is going to burst into being. She definitely has the tradition of the women in our family line. My mom was the first woman to preach in many COGIC pulpits when women were not allowed to stand in the pulpit. People would demand her, and they would override the pastor to request Evangelist Graham. I remember I was my mom’s armor bearer at 10 years old. That’s when we ran revivals. I would be at church every night with my mom and I loved it. I grew up watching a woman proclaiming the gospel so that shaped me and spoke to what was in me already. One night we were leaving the church and I was giving her such a fit about women not being able to preach and like they gave her some privilege after they stuffed $10 in a brown envelope as an offering. We were driving home and she said ‘don’t never worry about what anybody else says, you do you. They can say women don’t preach and they will have to make up a different word for what I just did and I am going to keep doing it. Always do you.’ That was a very important mandate for me and so my daughter definitely has that power woman thing in her in her own way and I think she might sneak up on us and surprise us all and be THE preacher. I wonder but for now she’s a dancer who is interested in PR and that’s okay because she can have more than one life.

That’s important in the 21st century because ministry is different than it use to be. People should be able to earn a living without completely always depending on the ministry. When you are super dependent on the offering plate it can get hard. If you have ambitions of being a certain type of person and ministry is the only way for that, it can get tough. It’s good to be multifaceted.”

Dr. Anita Phillips serves alongside her husband Pastor Michael Phillips at The Kingdom Life Church in Baltimore, Maryland. www.thekingdomlife.com

Apostle Jimmy and Prophetess Nicole Federick

Apostle Jimmy Frederick Jr. is not his father, but the elder Jimmy Frederick Sr. helped shape the man. Frederick Jr. leads the congregation at Higher Calling Ministries in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The church isn’t too far from Mount Olive College, a school he entered as an athlete. He left as something different altogether after a transformational moment during his sophomore year.

“It was about eight o’clock at night. I had this tremendous God encounter in my dorm room. I just really felt like the Lord was sitting me down to say ‘I need you and there are some things I’m calling you to.’ I felt like that was the point I really totally submitted everything to God,” Frederick said.

In 2001 Frederick preached his initial sermon wearing his father’s old pastoral robe. It’s the same robe that Frederick Sr. is wearing in his pastoral photo on the wall at Point Level Disciples Church just outside of Clinton, North Carolina.

The elder Frederick was the pastor at Point Level from 1984-1990, when the now Apostle Frederick was better known as little Jimmy. The infrastructure of church in rural America during that time is nothing like the church many experience today. There was no internet, no megachurches and the idea of women in the pulpit was still a hotly debated topic. And there were robes, plenty of robes.

Frederick Jr. doesn’t wear robes anymore, they are too hot and stuffy. He says he nearly passed out after that initial sermon back in 2001. He is more comfortable in the pulpit with a button-down shirt, some nice jeans and dress shoes.

The son is anchored with the lessons he learned from his father, but he is undoubtedly paving his own unique road into the future.

“The culture has changed and because of that I have to be careful. He’s old school. I draw from him in some respects from a leadership and pastoral standpoint. For the most part he’s allowed for me to become my own man,” he said.

“In order to reach a different demographic or minister to the culture that we are in now, I may do things differently than the way he might have done it. It’s a healthy respect between the two.”

From the beginning, the elder Frederick has always shown his son what it takes to be his own man. As Frederick Jr. pondered for an adjective to describe his father’s influence he settled on one word. Affirmer. “He was one that made sure I didn’t lose sight of my identity.”

His wife, the former Nicole Darden, is ironically the daughter of the pastor who took over from his father at Point Level Church. The late Rev. Lonnie Darden also impacted his flock at home just as he did his congregation. His daughter, Prophetess Nicole Frederick helped give birth to the PACE Network along with her husband. The PACE Network is devoted to grow new ministries from the talents of different people. The network literally is designed to give people “momentum” or “pace” to their burgeoning ministries.

It’s that passion to help others along their spiritual journey that continues to drive Frederick. “It’s always exciting being able to get up and say this is the day that Lord, I submit my life to you that you can use me to bring change in somebody. To see that unfold in the flow of ministry, is worth getting up and worth all of the sacrifice.”

Pastor Jared Wilkins

Just because your father leads one of the most dynamic congregations in the country don’t assume that leaves you in the shadows. Pastor Jared Wilkins is the son of Bishop J. Jasper Wilkins II, who serves as the senior pastor of Wake Chapel Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Wilkins says he never experienced his father as the towering leader from the pulpit, he was always just Dad. “He’ll come to the games, he’ll throw the baseball in the backyard, he’ll come out and shoot basketball in the driveway. Because he pastored out of who he was, there was never a switch,” said Wilkins.

You also shouldn’t assume it was inevitable that the younger Wilkins would automatically follow in his father’s footsteps. He says he knew he was called upon to preach at age 15, but he decided to go in a different direction. Something changed when he was 21 years old during his time as an organ player at a church in Western North Carolina. His pastor approached him with a very direct request. “I want to challenge you to think and pray about what God is calling you to. How do you move beyond yourself and what Jared wants to do?”

Jared went into prayer and decided to walk into his calling to be a minister. “If it was just up to me as an individual, I probably wouldn’t have done it. But a collective community surrounded me and spoke into my life. For me it was just accepting that,” he said.

After graduating with a business law degree in 2004, Jared was now setting out on an entirely different path. He needed experience to become what it was he was called to be.

“Alright Lord if this is what you are doing in my life, I need a job to open up back in Raleigh so that I can serve as a volunteer in my Dad’s church and really kind of understand the working of a ministry from a different vantage point.”

Within two weeks he landed a job with a US Congressman back home, a position that he held for the next 14 months. He was able to pepper his father with questions about what it means to be a pastor and lead people. “During that time, he never forced it upon me, he stood back and guided and answered hard questions.”

Jared applied to Divinity School at Duke and his career in the ministry was fully underway. Fast forward to today and Wilkins is a Group Life Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois.

Willow Creek is a multicultural church which has its advantages and challenges for people in leadership roles. Different people see things in different ways and in today’s America those differences are often amplified, especially along political lines.

“Regardless of what political party you are in, you need to know Jesus and you need to be growing a relationship with him. At the same time, I know that some people are probably more their party than they are Christian. It forces me into a posture of listening more than talking so I can understand and then engage,” Wilkins said.

“When people are praying for one party or praying against another party, that’s hard to hear that in prayers. You have to be willing to listen and engage and then when the moment is right, speak prophetically. I don’t think Jesus would take either side, he would take the side of the poor.”

While Wilkins has made a few stops across the country in his young career he and his family aren’t stressing the future. His wife and four children live by the motto that whatever God has in store for them, they will walk towards.

“I would like to continue to use my gifts to build God’s Kingdom in whatever role he has.”

Interviewed by Tolly Carr

In the world of entertainment, what’s going on in the exciting lives of celebrities. Recently, I spoke with several celebrities to inquire about what’s new.

In this era, we are still having conversations about Black firsts.

Actor, Writer, Producer Melvin Jackson, Jr. is recognized as Kurtis Blow in BET’s New Edition Movie among an extensive list of accomplishments. Melvin and his lovely wife, Actress Kelly M. Jenrette, are now a dynamic husband and wife duo, who marked Emmy’s history as the first Black Married Couple to each become Emmy-nominated in the same year. Together, they won 2 of their 3 Emmy nominations which undoubtedly chipped away at the existing mold; showing continued growth within the industry. On July 12, 2018, the Television Academy announced from its film category, Kelly’s Emmy nomination for her Guest Star role, as Annie, on The Handmaid’s Tale, Season 2, Episode 4. Kelly is known for roles in “Grandfathered” also “Pitch” on FOX. And to seal the epic news, then came the announcement of her husband, Melvin Jackson Jr. as the recipient of an Emmy-nomination for OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A SHORT FORM COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES for the web series he co-wrote alongside Kelly in “This Eddie Murphy Role Is Mine, Not Yours - 2018.” Melvin also produced and stars in as himself and Eddie Murphy. Should he win the Emmy, he will become the youngest black actor to win in his category and only the 2nd Black Actor to win.

Melvin and Kelly replied when asked how they plan to inspire people with their nomination. “By simply telling them to believe in themselves and Dream Big. Had we not believed in ourselves and dreamt bigger than we could see, then we would not have submitted ourselves to be considered for an Emmy nomination.”

Their speaking platforms inspire others on diversity in entertainment and inspire women. In solidarity, with Award-Winning Actress Halle Berry, and to further empower youth, Melvin recently joined the discussion on domestic violence. He also speaks on his father’s suicide. Kelly and Melvin co-authored a children’s book; the first of a series.

Jokingly, they explain their Emmy-consideration campaign in a YouTube video. Visit www.melvinjacksonjr.com for more.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Celebrity Chef Robert Stewart, known as “Chef Stew,” seen on Food Network, Cut Throat Kitchen, and the OWN Network, is a television personality, children’s book author and motivational speaker. His greatest passion is cooking and making people feel good through his exquisite five-star international cuisine. He is homegrown in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore, in its current state of devastation is where, after a promise he made to God to uplift his neighborhood, Chef Stew returned. In September 2018, he is scheduled to launch his barrier-free multifaceted culinary arts training program - Transition KitchenTM - free to Baltimore youth, young adults and reentry citizens. While the commercial kitchen will appeal to chefs and catering companies, the syllabus teaches skills necessary to pass the ServSafe test and secure employment in culinary arts through this sustainable model. In phases, it will also resolve fresh food deserts and hunger.

In June, I caught up with Chef Stew in Baltimore. During his Transition Kitchen Meet-N-Greet, he invited the community out to witness a demo of curriculum to be taught and responded to inquiries. Chef Stew is unfolding layers of what is described as an enterprise designed around the concept of transitioning those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. The program includes a home base for its own drop & go catering service and a component to engage law enforcement through positive engagement. Sponsors and partners are critical to its success. The cost per student is offset by donations. Partners include Stratford University, Publix Supermarket, Happy Chef, Inc., hospitality staffing companies, and nonprofits. Celebrity chefs, nationwide, are invited. Visit www.chefstew.com/transition-kitchen to learn more and to give.

And closer to North Carolina, is a celebrity in her own right. Speaker, Serial Entrepreneur Portia Shipman, is the founder and executive director of the Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Inc. (SDJF) - a Greensboro-based nonprofit organization celebrating its 10th year. Portia was seen on TV One’s Fatal Attraction, which first aired the tragic story of her friend, Sherri, in January. A home was recently donated to her nonprofit. Among many accolades, Portia was recognized by Congressman Mark Walker, as his Community Leader of the Month. In March, a flag flew at the U.S. Capital in Portia’s honor. Recently, during a Pilgrimage in Nigeria, she became an Ambassador for Anti-Violence Against Women. There she will advance the mission of her signature domestic violence awareness campaign - Paint The City PurpleTM. Visit www.sdjfnc.org to learn more and donate.

By Alecia Jones, Celebrity Publicist, Contributor. @VALIDITYENTPR

TCP Summer 2018 Issue - Page: 26

WEDDING BELLS

Congratulations to Lamont & Belinda Blackmon on their recent nuptials. Thirty years ago, love had already found them. He was afraid to approach her thinking he didn’t measure up. Not knowing he was her heart’s desire. They attended church together as young teens. They grew up watching each other through high school. Each experienced their chance at life but were finally reunited on November 14. “It was a breathtaking experience,” says Belinda. Lamont finally got over his fear and made her his wife. “Life is wonderful now that my rib has been found.” Lamont is best known for his musical prowess on the guitar and Belinda is in ministry. This new Raleigh couple will be enhancing the ministry of many in the Raleigh area.