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SGL Weekly Contents
4 Editor‘s Letter 5 Exclusive: Herndon Davis Brings Common Sense Back 9 Movies 10 Music 11 What‘s The T? The Entertainment Report
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Editor’s Letter
In this issue I sat down with Herndon Davis Author, Speaker, Radio, Television Personality . Turn to page 5 to find out what he is up to in his life, career, and future. We also have new Movies on page 9, new Music on page 10, and our Entertainment section called What’s The T? on page 11. So enjoy the issue and tell a friend about us, also please send us your comments about the magazine sglweeklymag@gmail.com. Cordially, Cleavester Editor In Chief http://www.twitter.com/cleavester
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Herndon Davis Brings The Common Sense Back A Cleavester Brooks Interview
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Cleavester : It's been a long time sense we last chatted for the magazine. What have you been up to with in the past year? Herndon Davis : I’ve spent a lot of my time writing, publishing, and publishing my new book, Repackaged Common Sense. I’ve also been consulting with a few nonprofits and a Hollywood producer. So I’ve been juggling my priorities and seeking the right balance between them.
Cleavester : What is your new book about Repackaged Common Sense? It is a spiritually based career and business guide book. It is meant to inspire people to pursue their goals, dreams and aspirations utilizing spiritual techniques and tools. It also addresses the common challenges experienced in the workplace as an employee and as a business owner.
Cleavester : Where did the title for it come from? I actually thought of the title in graduate school over a decade ago. I was working in a student team setting and I remarked that a lot of what we were studying was really repackaged common sense, something that we already know to do as managers within the workplace but needed reminding of. The term stuck with me ever since and resurfaced in my psyche when the idea of the book was birthed.
Cleavester : What has been the response so far for the book? The book has had a favorable response. In fact many people who’ve read it have either seen themselves or identified their own personal situations within the book. It has nudged them further to achieve their dreams and to embrace their inner Spirit. However for those who do not come from a spiritual or religious background, they may have difficulty at first applying the principles from this book into their lives.
Cleavester : Why write about Career and Business? I have encountered so many people from my work experiences and consulting career who believe that success in life, on the job, in a career or in general really depends upon an individual’s ability to be sneaky, crafty, immoral or even illegal. Sadly many people have given up on their dreams and aspirations thinking that it’s too late or that they aren’t smart enough or do not have enough resources at their disposal. Spiritually that type thinking runs counter to our true essence. We have all the resources and talents inside of us to achieve and to become what we are purposed to do. Since we spend so much of our lives at a job, I decided to take my own personal experiences and fuse them with the spiritual principles which I embrace and provide a book of advice and self help in navigating throughout career and business.
Cleavester : It seems more self help to me than Career/Business on a personal level. Was that your goal to also help people in there personal life? Well I believe that in order to be successful in career and business that you must first be internally centered, grounded, empowered and spiritually thriving. All of this should be a prerequisite before actively pursuing your career and business goals and dreams. I personally have found that once I was able to do the work on the inside, it was much easier for me to withstand the blows and struggles of career and business because I was glowing and standing strong from the inside out.
Cleavester : The book is written in 13 Chapters and in Chapter 1 you have a section call "Shit on the Pot or Get off." Please explain that to the readers who haven't read the book yet? This is a very old saying that is basically an urgent call to action within our lives. There are many people who spend much of their lives not knowing what to do, how to do it or when to do it. They are con-
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stantly second-guessing themselves and sadly spend their lives in an endless blather of doubt and confusion. This section is meant to be the wake-up call that many of us need. It is a call to action to either shit or get off the pot but to just do something! We must make our way out of the endless cycle of indecision and move forward and become what we are spiritually meant to be in our lives.
Cleavester : Why do you say drop Religion and Embrace Spirituality? Religion is a man-made infrastructure that has spiraled out of control. It was meant for good but requires societal approval with a long list of rules and regulations. Spirituality is simply a direct relationship with our Creator that allows us to recognize and embrace that we are glowing manifestation of the highest Spiritual Power. It allows to understand that we are loved regardless and have infinite potential for good. That is why I encourage the embrace of Spirituality.
Cleavester : Are you afraid that you will offend a lot of your reader who are very religious? No I’m not. I hope that if they are offended that they dig deep within themselves to ask themselves why. We have a tendency of either killing or discounting the messenger just because we don’t like or under the message. I challenge those who are offended to stretch themselves spiritually to receive guidance and direction for their lives.
Cleavester : I know that you explained how you over came it, but it explain it to our readers? I became much more spiritual because I had spiritual curiosity. I am a voracious reader of spiritual and as well as inspirational/self-help texts always seeking to grow and develop. Intuitively I knew there was more to learn and I continued to push forward and it eventually manifested within my life. This book shows readers how to do this.
Cleavester : Give us a highlight of each chapter? Chapter 1: The Spirituality Behind Career and Business Success A discussion of whether embracing spirituality can make a difference in career and business and the vital importance of decision-making. Chapter 3: Deconstructing Your Theory of Self-Identity, Time and Work A discussion of how individuals must spiritually remodel their lives, careers and businesses for success. Chapter 4: Understanding, Identifying and Measuring Career and Business Success A discussion of how success is relative and how embracing spirituality helps to chart the way towards manifesting it. Chapter 5: Affirming, Declaring and Living your Success into Existence A discussion of how affirmative prayer, meditation and spiritual visioning assist in achieving a vision of career and business success. Chapter 6: Mentally and Emotionally Conceiving the Possibility of Your Success A discussion of how to spiritually utilize one’s mind, emotions and words to achieve career and business success. Chapter 7: Become the “Who” and not the “How” of your Career and Business Success A discussion of how individuals can spiritually find their purpose, passion and success in career and business
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Chapter 8: Do It Now Or Forever Wish You Had in Career and Business How to spiritually overcome fear to realize career and business success. Chapter 9: Become a Thermostat Not a Thermometer in Your Career or Business A discussion of how we should “effect” versus be affected by our careers and businesses. Chapter 10: Forgiving and Healing in Your Career and Businesses A discussion of how forgiveness is a catalyst towards achieving career and business success. Chapter 11: Facilitating and Embracing the Changes In Your Life A discussion of how spiritually embracing change can lead to career and business success. Chapter 12: The 12 Key Spiritual Success Factors of Career and Business Success A discussion of the 12 crucial steps to achieving career and business success. Chapter 13: Unafraid but not Fearless A discussion of how faith must be a spiritual constant in achieving career and business success.
Cleavester : When people are done with the book. What do you want them to take away from it? I want people to take away that they can achieve their goals, aspirations, dreams and desires through a spiritual journey of self discovery, growth and development. I want them to truly know, to understand and to embrace the fact that everything they need is already inside of them; that they are indeed Spiritual Beings having a Human Experience.
Cleavester : Will there be a part 2 to this book? I’m working on an idea for a new book which would incorporate other people’s journeys in an inspirational/self-help book. There are multiple ways to success and I want to shine the spotlight upon other people who are achieving it, understanding what works for them.
Cleavester : What can you tell us about your new show on Embrace Network? It will be an extension of the work that I’m doing now with a mix of inspiration, topical events but with a character driven force behind it. I’m very excited and grateful for the opportunity.
Cleavester : What do you hope to bring to the news west coast perspective? A mix of the behind-the-scenes of the entertainment business along with a true understanding of what it is like to be a west coast person. There are many west coast perspectives that are often overlooked or even dismissed by the rest of the nation. I will seek to broaden this dialogue.
Cleavester : What can we expect from you in the future? I’m working to produce two independent films that I’ve written. So look for that coming in the future.
Cleavester : How can the readers get in contact with you? I’m on Facebook or they can email me at the following email addresses: Herndon@herndondavis.com or herndondavis@aol.com
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Movies
The Lost Coast A night of hot gay sex in a tent is the source of tension among a trio of twenty-something friends when they reunite for a San Francisco Halloween parade in this moody indie.
Greek Pete Greek Pete was filmed for over a year with guys working within and around the sex industry and the story is a representation of their world. The process blurs the boundary between fiction and documentary, giving an authentic and intimate insight into the boys‘ lives. Honest, nonjudgmental, and sometimes explicit, the film offers a portrait of a sub-culture hidden from view.
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MUSIC
One Night Only Barbra Streisand and Quartet at The Village Vanguard September 26, 2009 (DVD/CD) (2010) Barbra Streisand live at the Village Vanguard, New York's legendary jazz club. In September 2009, 48 years after her last club performance, a select group of fans and friends had the rare opportunity to experience Barbra in this ultimate up-close-and-personal setting. Accompanied only by piano, bass, guitar and drums, this is the artist at her most intimate. The deluxe version includes both a CD and DVD of the unforgettable live performance.
Pulse 2010 album from the R&B diva, her first studio album in five years. The album is Toni's most powerful and personal musical statement to date. Braxton personally chose to collaborate with a veritable who's-who of red-hot producers and songwriters, including Frank E, Steve Mac, Lucas Secon, Harvey Mason & Oak, Troy Taylor, Dapo Torimiro and David Foster. What's more, the album features a guest appearance from R&B/Hip Hop sensation Trey Songz, who lends his distinctive vocal stylings to the single, 'Yesterday.' 10
WHAT‘S THE T? THE ENTERTAINMENT REPORT Mike Epps To Launch New Series
Here is an interview with Mike Epps on the Red Carpet of "Mike Epps Presents..." that we hear may be a brand new series. We are not sure, but we do know that there was a taping a couple of weeks ago of at least one show. The show, produced by Codeblack Entertainment got a great start at the Nokia Live theater in Los Angeles last week, and we hear that there are many more scheduled for the future. The show features Epps as the Host where he showcases comedians who you have seen, and many who you haven't. Stay tuned for more info and more interviews from this events shortly! Ice Cube Leans Away from Comedy
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We just discovered that rapper, director and ac- So what exactly was Fox News Channel reporting while the other two cable news outlets were tor Ice Cube, who just premiered his new docu- broadcasting the president‘s eulogy of Dorothy Height? One of the stories wasn‘t even real mentary Straight Outta L.A. at the Tribeca news. Film Festival-and created a lot of buzz about his project- is returning to his early roots in film As previously reported, CNN and MSNBC covered Obama‘s eulogy Thursday morning from with a drama that's straight out of the headlines Washington National Cathedral, while Fox News opted to remain with its regular in L.A. ―America‘s Newsroom‖ programming, directing viewers to its live stream of Height‘s service on We hear Cube will star with actors Woody foxnews.com. Harrelson and Ben Foster in a new film titled During President Obama‘s 13-minute eulogy, Rampart, the new dramatic film about police FNC instead explored new arguments that a recent Noah‘s Ark sighting is real despite having corruption. been proven a hoax by multiple sources. We hear that Cube will play a homicide detec- Ben Dimiero of progressive outlet Media Matters for America explains: tive sent to investigate a dirty cop (Harrelson) in Earlier this week, numerous conservative blogs a drama that is squarely based on the scandal and Web sites were promoting a story about a involving crooked Los Angeles cops in the team of evangelical researchers who supposedly „found‟ Noah‟s Ark in Turkey. The story is quite 1990s. obviously a hoax, and when it made the jump to FoxNews.com, they were ridiculed for promotAs we reported earlier, Cube just recently pro- ing it in their „Science‟ section. duced the new comedy film titled Lottery Ticket This morning, Fox News decided that this rithat also stars Bow Wow, Brandon T. Jackson, diculous “story” merited some on-air coverage, Mike Epps and many more, and opens August and America‟s Newsroom devoted several minutes to “Noah‟s Ark.” This wouldn‟t be so nota20th. Cube is also producing the new sitcom ble if it came on a morning during which nothtitled Are We There Yet?, a series that bows on ing else of note was going on, but Fox News ran this segment while President Obama eulogized TBS June 2nd. civil rights legend Dorothy Height. If the movie spinoff reaches a certain ratings threshold over the first 10 episodes, TBS will pick up another 90 episodes. Fake Ark Sighting, Bears Fill Fox During Height Funeral
Fox News clearly thought they had found an archeologist who would lend credence to the idea that this may actually be Noah‟s Ark — host Martha MacCallum introduced Eric Cline from George Washington University by saying that “you say that there‟s a pretty good chance that this is it.” Unfortunately for Fox, as evidenced in the video above, Cline shot numerous
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holes in the “finding” and labeled it as possible “pseudo-science” or a “hoax.” Media Matters noted that Fox also ran a story about bears during the president‘s eulogy.
Oprah Winfrey has announced another reality show slated to premiere with the Jan. 1, 2011 launch of her cable network, OWN. ―Inside Rehab,‖ set within a facility for the Dr. Height‘s funeral service was also streamed treatment of eating disorders, will follow a live on C-Span2, theGrio.com and BET.com, group of patients as they undergo a 42-day recovery program. starting at 10 a.m. EST. Some featured commentary. TV One also aired the 90-minute serOver its eight episodes, the one-hour documenvice live, with Roland Martin hosting.. tary series ―gives viewers a rare look inside an The main BET channel featured ―news updates‖ eating disorder treatment facility where patients face their demons and struggle to come to terms during its regular programming but aired the with what‘s behind the food,‖ according to a service on its secondary Centric channel. (A spokeswoman said the number of cable systems statement from OWN. ―This is what happens carrying that channel ―has not been fully deter- after the intervention.‖ mined yet.‖) OWN chief creative officer Lisa Erspamer said the show ―takes viewers into the world of eating C-Span announced it would air Wednesday night‘s memorial service in its entirety at 8 p.m. disorders in a raw and transformative way. Whether you have issues with food or know EST Friday. someone who does, this series offers perspecOWN Adds Reality Show about Eating Dis- tive, hope and the possibility to see food-based orders issues in a new light.‖ Developed by Harpo Studios, ―Inside Rehab‖ is produced by Tijuana Entertainment‘s Troy Searer and John Foy, creators of the docu-series ―Obsessed.‖ It‘s announcement comes a day after E! announced it was developing a sixepisode series about compulsive eating disorders for October. 13
Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry have Reportedly Split
Although the two have not been to a lawyer to formalize a custody arrangement or a property settlement agreement, Halle and Gabriel are TMZ.com is reporting that Halle Berry and her clearly separated and have chosen to seek a cusboyfriend Gabriel Aubry have ended their five- tody arrangement for Nahla on their own. year relationship and have already reached a ―We are told by sources close to the situation temporary custody arrangement for their two- that Halle and Gabriel are ‗working well toyear-old daughter Nahla. gether‘ and are handling parental duties without The actress was smiling for cameras on the red carpet yesterday at DKMS‘ 4th annual gala for Linked Against Leukemia in NYC, but a source tells TMZ that Halle has been going through private anguish because the couple has ―clearly been having problems‖ for a while now.
conflict,‖ TMZ reported. ―We are told the longterm plan is to share custody but nothing has been formalized in writing.‖ Currently, the two have a ―very short-term custody arrangement,‖ TMZ reports. ―They have renewed them each time they have expired and are still working under a short-term agreement but no permanent agreement has been struck.‖ Robert L. Johnson’s Bank Issues Visa Prepaid Debit Cards
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help individuals gain financial literacy and savings for the future,‖ stated Johnson. ―Financial literacy is the first step towards saving for home ownership — the cornerstone for generational wealth in this country.‖ In addition to churches, the program will expand to community organizations, credit unions, and student organizations. The prepaid card empowers cardholders with many of the benefits of traditional debit or credit cards, without the poUrban Trust Bank – a minority controlled bank tential to misuse credit. founded by BET creator Robert L. Johnson, Frank J. Hanna and Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., These cards may be used anywhere Visa debit the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of cards are accepted for shopping and for ATM Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey – will withdrawals at thousands of locations nationwide. begin offering Visa-branded prepaid cards as part of the dfree financial literacy program. Sheila Johnson Now ‘Ashamed’ of BET
Sheila Johnson, the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television alongside her ex-husband Bob Johnson, was asked by The Daily Beast blog what she thought about her groundbreaking Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. network since selling it to Viacom in 2000 for Founded in 2005, dfree stands for ―Debt, Delin- $1.3 billion. quency and Deficit Free‖ and was created by ―Don‘t even get me started,‖ says the 60-yearDr. Soaries as a strategy to address the financial old Johnson, who has since divorced and remareducation needs of his congregation. ried (charmingly enough, to the Virginia circuit court judge who presided over her divorce). ―I In 2010, the dfree campaign will expand to don‘t watch it. I suggest to my kids [a twenty churches nationwide under the sponsorship of something daughter and a college-age son] that Corporate Community Connections, Inc. they don‘t watch it… I‘m ashamed of it, if you (CCCI), an entity formed by Soaries in 1997 to create partnerships between major corporations want to know the truth.‖ and community and faith based organizations.
Johnson was being interviewed at the Tribeca Film Festival about the premiere of ―The Other ―This program will allow Urban Trust to fulfill City,‖ a searing, but ultimately hopeful docuits mission of assisting community leaders to mentary she produced about the AIDS epidemic provide urban communities with the tools to 15
in Washington, D.C. — an epidemic Johnson says BET is making worse, and potentially contributing to its spread, by promoting promiscuous, unprotected sex in raunchy videos. ―When we started BET, it was going to be the Ebony magazine on television,‖ Johnson told the blog. ―We had public affairs programming. We had news… I had a show called Teen Summit, we had a large variety of programming, but the problem is that then the video revolution started up… And then something started happening, and I didn‘t like it at all. And I remember during those days we would sit up and watch these videos and decide which ones were going on and which ones were not. We got a lot of backlash from recording artists…and we had to start showing them. I didn‘t like the way women were being portrayed in these videos.‖ Johnson says she has absolutely nothing to do with BET these day. ―I just really wish—and not just BET but a lot of television programming—that they would stop lowering the bar so far just so they can get eyeballs to the screen,‖ she says. ―I know they think that‘s what‘s going to keep programming on the air; that‘s what‘s going to sell advertising. But there has got to be some responsibility. Somebody has got to take this over. Because with all the studies that are out there, this is contributing to an atmosphere of free sex, ‗I don‘t have to protect myself anymore.‘‖
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