Entertainment
Free Merry Christmas Dinner for all and Gifts For Kids!
Ellnora's Kitchen, Ellijah Libbett and the Libbett Family hosted a free dinner and gift give away from 4 to 7 pm at Urban Family Ministries Building, located at 543 Eastern Ave SE.
Christmas In November
Ladies, of Encouragement, a widow's support ministry at New Hope Baptist Church celebrated Christmas early this year at the Double Tree Hotel on Saturday, November 4, 2023. They enjoyed dinner, exchanged gifts and enjoyed fellowshipping with one another.
Cindy Charles Celebrates 70th Birthday
Lucinda "Cindy" Charles recently celebrated her 70th birthday twice. One birthday event was held in Atlanta, Georgia because she and her husband had recently moved back to Atlanta from Grand Rapids and there was another birthday party held in Grand Rapids on September 30th at The Thousand Oaks Golf Club. The event was semi to formal dress and about sixty people were in attendance.
Ottawa Hill High Class of 1973 50th Class Reunion A Huge Success
Saturday, September 9, 2023, it was a reunion to remember! The Ottawa Hill High School 50th class reunion was a success.
17th Annual Westside Reunion
The Annual Westside Reunion was held at Rumsey Park (Roberto Clemente Park) located at 624 Godfrey Ave. in Grand Rapids on Saturday, August 19, 2023.
National Night Out Holds Special Tribute to Fallen Officer Joe Taylor
On Tuesday, Aug. 1, millions of citizens, elected officials, city leadership, and law enforcement agencies across the country celebrated National Night Out (NNO).
The Inspiring Story Of Daniel And Mary Bell Brought To Cinema
On June 2, 2022 a special showing of the film The Bell Affair, which tells the inspiring story of Daniel and Mary Bell who sued for their freedom from slavery and won. After slaveholders threaten to re-enslave them and their children, the Bells led one of the largest escape attempts in American history.
Timothy and Earnestine Tolbert Celebrate 70th Birthdays
Tim and Earnestine Tolbert recently celebrated their 70th birthdays at a celebration held at City Flats Hotel, located at 83 Monroe Center St. in down town Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
White Caps Pay Special Tribute to Negro Baseball League at LMCU Park
Fans were treated to a special tribute to the Negro Baseball League on 6/29/23 during the White Caps game against the Dayton Dragons. Negro League Appreciation night honored Blacks who were legends in the game of baseball before Blacks were allowed to play in the Major Leagues.
Lena, Nina and Tina: With Gratitude
Today, I pause to shine light on three women from the music and entertainment industry for whom I, upon learning their stories, want to express my gratitude. Lena Horne (June 30, 1917 – May 9, 2010), Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003), and Tina Turner (November 26, 1939 - May 24, 2023) all faced many obstacles in their lives. Despite the struggles they faced, they remained resilient and prevailed, leaving us with great legacies and valuable lessons. All of their stories resonate beyond music and can be used to encourage and inspire people for generations to come. As we take a brief look at their lives, I hope you are inspired to learn more about them and to use their stories to live out your own dreams with courage and conviction.
Black Music: The Soundtrack of Our Lives
June is Black Music Month, a time dedicated to recognize and celebrate the rich contributions of Black artists and the Black music industry. As someone who loves music but does not always recognize and celebrate artists, artistry, and the impact of Black music, I feel compelled to explore the evolving landscape of the Black music industry. In this discussion, I will embark on a journey through time, by looking at the music of three distinct generations. First, I will explore the music of the 70s and 80s, I'm going to call this "my mama's music." It was the music that laid the foundation of my musical upbringing. Next, I will delve into the music of the late 80s and 90s, which resonates deeply for me because it holds a significant place in my cultural identity. Lastly, I will explore the music of my son's generation, spanning from the late 90s to the present. I want to briefly explore how music has moved and influenced each generation, we can better appreciate the transformative power and enduring legacy of Black music.
Selfie Museum Announces Grand Opening
Sharmese Blackmon, her mother Tonya Sonnie, her mother's fiancé and her business partner Sheena Austin all came together and decided to open a selfie museum.
Juneteenth Freedom Day June 19th
Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln January 1, 1863, it wasn't until June of 1865, when General Granger's arrival in Galveston signaled freedom for Texas's 250,000 enslaved people.
For All The Trash-Talking And Lack Of Sportsmanship On Clark's Part, Reese Received The Backlash
LSU's Angel Reese's post-game gesture has sparked a conversation about double standards in basketball.
Rocking Chair Experiences Connect Women
On Saturday, March 13, 2023, The Rocking Chair Experience returned to in-person after a virtual hiatus due to the COVID Pandemic.
Pat Pulliam, Cedric Ward Honored At GIANT Awards 40Th Anniversary Event
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Dr. Patricia Pulliam and the late Cedric Ward, who created the GIANT Awards 40 years ago to preserve history and inspire the next generations, were honored Saturday with the GIANT's first Legacy Awards for their impact.
Live African American Museum 2023
New Hope Baptist Church will be celebrating Black History Month with its annual Live African American Museum on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Woodland Mall from 1 to 5pm. The exhibit will be featuring Honorable Associate Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Louis Gossett, Jr., Lettitia Wright, Nefertitti, the O'Jays and many more!!!
Black Men and Women: Growing In Love
Ok, so I just finished watching the Best Man Final Chapters (BMFC) on Peacock. Since I have been writing about Black men and women and Black love, I think the franchise (meaning all the Best Man movies and the series) is an appropriate reference for the topic. First of all, I enjoyed the films and the series. The BMFC is well written and is a good follow-up to the 1999 original film "The Best Man" and the 2013 Christmas special "The Best Man Holiday." There are some things I didn't like about BMFC, and I wonder if the franchise accurately depicts Black love and if it could be the source of some lessons for us on the topic.