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JORDAN PAYNE - ALL AROUND CHAMPION Holding on to Hope Pg.4 High School Athlete Also Positive Role Model Pg.6
Insider Shoutouts Pg.10
Get Unstuck and Fulfill God's Plans for Your Life Pg.14 'America's Night Out Against Crime' Pg.16
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Page 2 The Insider News Wisconsin, April 1-15, 2012
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Our Assignment Continues
Publisher Perspective
The election is over and Gov. Scott Walker is the first governor ever to survive a recall election, Senator John Lehman defeated Senator Van Wanggaard, and Rebecca Kleefisch will remain as Lieutenant Governor. Regardless of the outcome, much was accomplished through the recall election. Seventy Five percent of Racine County turned out to vote. That is historic for this area and the citizens of this county should be proud of those numbers in the face of voter obstacles. This should also speak very loudly to politicians and those who desire to represent us. It lets them know that we are not afraid of a challenge and will not allow others to make decisions about our lives without making our voice count through voting. It is imperative that we continue to press forward and not get comfortable. Our assignment is to continue to educate ourselves about all the upcoming elections. It certainly is important to vote in the presidential race, but we cannot neglect the local races at the grassroots level. The next primary election is taking place on August 14, 2012. You can go to the Government Accountability Board Website: http://gab.wi.gov/ to find out who is on the ballot. At this time, the candidates have not been solidified, but that information should be coming forth soon. You can also call the Racine City Clerk’s Office at (262) 636-9171 for information. Also, if you are not yet registered to vote, now is the time! Be sure to obtain your photo ID as well so you are prepared. The Insider News will play an important role in keeping this vital information in the community. There will be a section specifically designated for political information in upcoming editions.
Owner/Publisher Yolanda James
Layout & AD Designer James Ford
Account Representatives Melvin Lewis Marvin Ellison
Photography Damion Dolley C-Moe Vision Photography The Insider News Wisconsin (INW) is a community based newspaper published in Racine, Wisconsin. The newspaper covers a variety of events that highlight lifestyles in the African American communities in Southeastern Wisconsin.
The INW is a free publication printed on the 1st and 15th of each month and is distributed in over 100 locations. All inquiries about advertisement or news should be made five to seven days before the 1st and 15th of each month 3001 Douglas Ave Racine, WI 53402 (262) 681-2345
Visit our website: www.insiderwisconsin.com
Page 3 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Local News
Holding on to Hope: Racine Author Writes Book to Encourage Others with Life Story BY: Allena G. Berry
We’ve all heard the story before. A young man falls in with the wrong crowd at an early age, drawn into a life of crime and violence at an early age. Sadly, this story is one repeated time and time again But what about that young man who decides to change his story? What about the boy who dared to dream beyond his bleak circumstances? Montreal Martin changed his story and is sharing it in his new book, There is Still Hope: Six Practical Keys for Getting Over Life’s Obstacles and Distractions.
Montreal Martin, 26, started his life in a less than desirable situation. Martin’s biological mother, an alcoholic, lost custodial rights to Montreal when he was a mere four-months old. His aunt, a single mother, adopted Martin and raised him as her own along with her own four children. Growing up in Racine’s Midtown neighborhood, Martin quickly felt the absence of a father figure in his life. “[I would] witness people with that father presence. It made me insecure [to not have a father],” Martin recalled. Montreal began looking to other influences to compensate for his insecurities; unfortunately, those other influences were drugs, alcohol, and eventually gangs. “Without a father in the household, I was out in the community, getting in trouble,” Martin said. “With a gang, you have the leader that stands in as that father figure.”
Montreal’s attorney struck a deal where the teenager would be tried as a juvenile. Martin would spend the next three years at Ethan Allen Boys School in Wales, Wisconsin, a maximum-security facility for juvenile boys. “In my first 30 days there, I had to go to the intake college,” Martin recalled. “Those were the worst 30 days of my life.” In the “cottage,” young men were confined for 22 hours in their rooms, receiving fifteen minutes for meals three times a day, and a discretionary hour for recreation based on good behavior.
However, Montreal excelled at the school, receiving his high school diploma at fifteen. Based on his behavior, Martin was accepted into Rawhide Boys Ranch, a Christian-based program in New London, WI. After spending about a year at Rawhide, progressing from a military-style curriculum to an independent living program, Martin found himself back in Racine at the age of eighteen. Returning home, it may have been tempting for Montreal to also return to his old habits. However, with only a year and a half of proba-
tion left, Montreal decided to take his successes from his time at Ethan Allen and Rawhide and continue to improve his life. In Racine, Bishop Kirby of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church would change Montreal’s life forever. Bishop Kirby proposed that Montreal attend American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee. The former seminary would allow Montreal to continue his education, as well as “accepting the call to preach the Gospel,” as Martin said.
Although Montreal was still on probation, he petitioned the state to allow him to attend school out of state. Martin received an interstate contract which would allow him to start school at the American Baptist College. At school, Montreal would begin to realize that he had his own story to tell. Working as an assistant chaplain at the Juvenile Correctional Facility in Nashville, Montreal came into contact with young people every day with one discouraging characteristic in common: they all felt hopeless. “I figured if I could just encourage them, I could do something worthwhile,” Montreal stated as his motivation for writing the book during his last year of school. The book, which took Martin four months to complete, is meant as an encouragement to youths, who, like Martin, were headed in the wrong direction. Of all the advice presented in the book, Montreal encourages young adults to “give themselves up to God.” For Martin, it was only through “completely surrendering” that he was able to turn his life around. From elementary school felon to a young man of faith, Montreal Martin decided to change is story and encourages others to do the same. If you are interested in purchasing Montreal’s book, There is Still Hope: Six Practical Keys for Getting Over Life’s Obstacles and Distraction, it is available at mdmministries.net, lowbarbookstore.com, amazon.com or at your local Barnes and Noble. Furthermore, if you are interested in speaking directly with Montreal about his life story, he encourages you to reach him via mdmministries.net, Facebook (search Montreal Martin), or 615-582-3691.
At eight, Montreal received his first arrest for armed burglary. He cites both the pressures of gang activity and the desire to acquire money for the household as motivations for the burglary. “Anything I had to do to get what I needed, I would do,” Montreal stated about his criminal activity. Throughout his adolescent years, Montreal was arrested several times. But it wasn’t until five years later, at thirteen, that Montreal’s life came to a crossroad. Arrested for car jacking, with a pistol in hand, Martin was faced with the stark reality that he could be charged as an adult. That charge came with a potentially steep 60-year incarceration sentence. Whether by a stroke of fortune or divine intervention,
Page 4 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Local News
Woman Seeks Apology from Postman BY: Allena G. Berry
On Saturday morning, June 2nd, Lisa Wilder was tending to her yard; the beautiful weather drew Lisa, like many others, outside that weekend. Around 10 AM, Wilder noticed that the postman was coming to deliver her mail. “I stood up to greet him, as I have many times before, not particularly him, but postmen in general,” Wilder explained, “And that’s when I heard him say it.”
The man who delivered Ms. Wilder’s mail did not garner a friendly greeting; rather, he said underneath his breath, “f*****g n******s.” The obscenity caught Ms. Wilder off guard. “It wasn’t just what he said,” Wilder recalled. “It was how he said it.” Ms. Wilder questioned the postman, assuring the man that she would report the incident. “I don’t care,” she recalled the man stating. “They [the Post Office] are not going to do anything.” Ms. Wilder, whose fiancé and three children are African American, stood in shock. Although the postman eventually returned to apologize, she felt that something more should be done. Ms. Wilder filed an official report with the post office that day, and followed up on her complaint the Monday following. The woman she spoke to confirmed what the
Page 5 The Insider News Wisconsin, April 1-15, 2012
postman stated that Saturday: “Maybe he’ll get an incident [report],” the Post Office employee began, citing possible consequences for the offending postman, “But we are union.” That answer was not enough for Ms. Wilder, who called TMJ4 news station, noted for their I-Team investigative reporting on local issues. The I-Team told Ms. Wilder that the Post Office was willing to rectify the situation. Ms. Wilder was to go to the Perry Avenue Station, 1300 Perry Ave, in Racine to talk to the Postmaster. However, when Ms. Wilder arrived, she felt as though the post office was “about to shove me off again.” The situation has not been rectified at this time. Ms. Wilder is seeking a zero-tolerance approach to such behavior. “He is wearing a government uniform,” Ms. Wilder explained. “He was on my property. That is the energy he is brining to my home daily.” Although Ms. Wilder explained that she did not want the man to lose his job, she did want to see a sincere apology from the Post Office.
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Local News
High School Athlete Also Positive Role Model BY: Allena G. Berry They always say good things come in three’s. This is especially true for Jordan Payne, the Park High School first-team allcounty football, basketball, and track senior. Payne recently placed fifth in the state in the triple jump, qualifying in that event for the second time in his high school career; Payne also qualified for state in the long jump this year. But sports, school, and a part-time job are another set of three’s in which Payne has worked hard to excel. “I try to stay busy and stay out of trouble,” Payne said of his busy schedule. “[The activities] help you stay on top of your schoolwork.” Payne has been balancing practice schedules and schoolwork for some time, and enjoys pushing himself both on and off the field. Time-management has become as much of a skill for Payne as throwing a football or making a jump shot. “I set my schedule so I don’t have to make a choice between [homework and sports]. Knowing me, being such a sports person, I would probably choose sports,” Jordan joked. Recently, Jordan received a full athletic scholarship to play football at Alcorn State, a historically black college in Lorman, Mississippi. Unlike other schools Jordan looked at, the coaches at Alcorn were willing to let him play starting as a freshman. Because Jordan grew up with a love a football, his “desire to play” was a driving force in finally deciding with Alcorn. The distance from home doesn’t scare Payne, though.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Payne admitted, “but I feel like it’s another test I have to go through.” Jordan is no stranger to tests. On the field, in the classroom, and even socially, Jordan has been tested throughout high school to make the decisions befitting a young role model. “When a [tough] situation comes up, you have to ask yourself ‘is it worth it’?” Jordan recalled on how he dealt with pressures to get into trouble. “Now, everybody understands that I’m trying to do something with my life.”
dad, and lives with his aunt,” Jordan described of one of the students in his Positive Impact group. “He came up to me one day and told me I was his best friend. It puts a smile on my face [to help].” Jordan gave one of his state
ment.
Through doing something with his life, Payne wants to help others have more opportunities. Working part time as a Playground Supervisor at 21st Century Preparatory School, as well volunteering with Positive Impact, Jordan has encountered students in need of positive influences. “There’s a boy [I work with]. Mom is in jail, doesn’t know his
medals to the boy as a piece of encourage-
Jordan sees himself as having a career helping people. He would like to be either a high school math teacher or a physical therapist. “I like math,” Payne explained. “I’m a numbers guy.” Jordan is also drawn to physical therapy because it would give me a chance to stay around the sports he loves. High school athlete, graduate, and role model: Jordan shows that good people, not only things, come in three’s, too.
Dyland Weathers pose with newly formed band Chicken Grease Dyland Weather's voice cracked as he told friends and relatives about the killing of his daughter, grandchildren, and nephew a year ago. Weather told about 250 individuals who came out to Gerald’s Smokehouse, 1501 Washington Ave., to help him celebrate his 50th birthday, that he had not yet gotten over the incident, but wanted to thank the many people that meant so much to him. One-by-one he called his supporters to the stage, describing how each had a positive influence in his life. “As you all know I have at one time lived a rough life before becoming saved, and many of you played a part in me turning my life around, but ultimately it was God that saved me,” he explained. The highlight of the birthday part was the performance of a newly formed soul band named “Chicken Grease.”
Page 6 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Page 7 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Local News
Voters Meeting Bring Out Pastors And Leaders
Pastors of local African American congregations and elected officials met on Thursday, May 31, 2012 to devise a strategy on how to stress the importance of voting to the minority community in the recall election. Bishop L. Kirby, pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, committed to encouraging his people to get to the polls as well as the surrounding neighborhood. Pastor Mark Freeman of Racine’s Second Missionary Baptist church pledged to use their church van to take people from their homes to the polls. Pastor Buddy Vinson was organized the meeting where approximately 20 people attended. The group also held a “get-out-the –vote” rally at St. Paul Baptist church the next day.
Page 8 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Page 9 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Page 10 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Page 11 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
Junel-15 2012_May050107.1 6/19/2012 9:27 AM Page 12
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Page 12 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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ZOE OUTREACH Ministries
2130 Racine Street Racine, WI 619-3027
ST. PAUL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 1120 Grand Ave. Racine, Wis.
262-632-1467 www.stpmbc.org
Bishop Lawrence L.
Melvin Hargrove Pastor
KIRBY
Senior Pastor
Sunday School - 8:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Service - 10:00 a.m. Sunday NA Meeting 6:30 PM Community Dinner 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday: Midweek Worship
Sunday School 9:15 AM Sunday Worship Service 7:45 AM & 10:40 AM Wednesday Prayer & Bible Class
6:15 a.m.- 8:15 p.m. Thursday NA Meeting 6:00 PM
SEARCHING TOGETHER MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Greater Mt. Eagle Baptist Church
825 21st Street • Racine
9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 noon 5:30-6:30
6:30 p.m. 8:00 a.m.
Pastor Joseph L. & First Lady Thomas
New Brighter Day Baptist Church 1225 25th Ave., Kenosha, WI
262-552-8090
Joseph L. Thomas, Pastor
Sunday School - 9:00 a.m. - Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Prayer Service - 6:00 p.m. Bible Study - Tuesday 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Racine, Wisconsin
Pastors Willie & Patricia Scott
New Location: 3001 Carpenter (off Durand - West of Memorial Dr.)
262-631-0196
9:00am - Sunday School 10:00am - Sunday Service 6:30-8:00pm - Tuesdays PO Box 085576 • Racine, WI 53408
Trinity United Missionary Baptist Church “A God Glorifying, Christ Centered, Spirit-Filled Church”
Rev. Willie Riley, Senior Pastor 262.633.4421
Sunday School Worship Service Mid Morning Worship Service Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study Wednesday Dinner p.m. Wednesday Evening Bible Study Saturday Morning Prayer
11:00 AM and 6:00 PM Dinner - 5:30 PM
Christian Faith Fellowship Church
Rev. Keith Evans Pastor
Sunday School • 9:00 AM Sunday Worship Service • 10:45 AM Bible Study (Wed.) • 6:00 PM Word of Life (Youth Program) (Thurs..) • 6:30 PM
Page 13 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
306-5th Street, Racine, WI
262.635.1994 email: tumbcc@ameritech.net Rev. Buddy Vinson Senior Pastor
Sunday School - 9:30 AM Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Prayer Service - (Wed.) 5:00 PM Bible Class & Prayer (Wed.) - 6:00 PM
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Insiprational News
Get Unstuck and Fulfill God's Plans for Your Life Do you have dreams and goals you’re reaching for? How do you feel about your life? Are you happy, or do you have an “I hate my life” attitude? Everyone faces problems in their life. We all have disappointments, shattered dreams, people who don’t like us, and people who even come against us. And the devil wants to use these things to discourage us and keep us from moving forward with our lives and the plans God has for us. He’s a dream thief, and if he can get you to focus on what’s wrong or what you don’t like about your life, he can defeat you. How you think, the attitude you have, what you say and how you act determines whether you live in your problems or you move forward in the plans God has for you. Because our thoughts prepare us for action, we have to be determined to think like Jesus and agree with God’s Word. Disappointment That Could Have Held Me Back In the early years of our ministry, we had our TV program on a particular station once a week. At the time, this was a really important station for us to be on. One day, they called and said they were cancelling our contract with us because of programming changes they were making. I was so upset about it and wondered how they could just tear up our contract. It’s so frustrating when there’s an injustice and you feel like something needs to be done, but there’s nothing you can do about it.
to my heart about forgiving the people who made this decision. The devil wanted me to believe that nothing would change, but the truth was, if I would trust God and let it go, He could take it and do something with it. By His grace, I did, and about a year later, this same station contacted us and asked us to come on their station every day. The devil wanted me to get stuck in my anger about the injustice that had been done. And if I had, it’s likely we wouldn’t have made much progress in God’s will for us. God has made a lot of things possible for Joyce Meyer Ministries, including opportunities through our world missions outreaches. We’re currently providing food for thousands of hungry children every day, supporting efforts to rescue victims of human trafficking, providing free medical care in places where health care is either hard to get or nonexistent, fully supporting children’s homes in foreign countries, and much more. We’re also providing our TV program to twothirds of the world and broadcasting on hundreds of radio stations. These are just a few examples of how God has blessed our ministry. But if I had chosen to believe the devil’s lies over what God could do through our ministry, we wouldn’t be helping the hurting and reaching the lost today. The Power of Having the Mind of Christ
Until we agree with God, He can’t do anything in our life. We have to learn to recognize the lies of Satan and stop believing him. We need to glance at our problems and stare at Jesus. Then we can have the mind of Christ and think like God thinks. First Corinthians 2:16 says, “…We have the mind of Christ” (NIV). We also have the Word of God to teach us about God’s promises for our life. When our thinking lines up with the Word of God, we are in a position to walk by faith and do what God is leading us to do.
4:13). When he says it’s impossible for you to do what God has put in your heart, remember that all things are possible with God (see Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27). Make up your mind to shake off the lies that hold you back and have a good attitude. If you will, the devil can’t defeat you. Remember: Nothing is too hard for God!
When the devil lies and says you can’t, remember that God’s Word says you can do all things that God wants you to do through Christ who strengthens you (see Philippians
Kingdom Builders Fellowship Center & Outreach Ministry Opens Community Food Pantry!
Shortly after this happened, I felt God speak
“Days of Hope” Racine, WI, May 30, 2012: Kingdom Builders Fellowship Center & Outreach Ministry will open our doors to the community with a Food Bank. Beginning Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 10:00 – 12:00 pm weekly, we will provide monthly food baskets to local families in need. This is just a small token of the love we want to share with our Community here at Kingdom Builders Fellowship Center & Outreach Ministry. Our desire is to be a model Church in all that we do so we want to feed all who are burdened & heavy laden in these most difficult and pressing times. We are here to serve our neighbors as ourselves both spiritually and physically. We are looking to win souls for Christ Jesus for He is the provider for every meal we eat. We also solicit volunteers who would like to share in this great experience of “serving"
Page 14 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Community Events
Jesse Jackson Inspires Community To Vote
Rev. Jesse Jackson reads the Insider News as he waits for the voter rally to begin.
Rev. Bobby Vinson listens intently to Rev. Jesse Jackson’s message regarding the June 5 recall election.
Bishop Tavis Grant, National Field Director of the Rainbow Push Coaltion, and Della Buckley smile as they prepare for the voter rally.
Jesse Jackson greets people as he enters the Bray Center.
Rev. Jesse Jackson was the guest speaker for a “get-out-the -vote” rally held on Sunday, June 2 at the George Bray Center. Many people from the community gathered to hear Jackson’s message and also learn how they could effectively encourage people they know to vote. Volunteers were solicited to canvas the neighborhoods with flyers and help get people to the polls. Page 15 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
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Community Events
'America's Night Out Against Crime' from simple to elaborate. Most involve food and socializing, and many events offer creative games for all ages. NNO offers residents a chance to become better acquainted with one another and their public safety visitors, in a friendly, relaxed setting. A National Night Out event is an excellent way to initiate or build on community ties among neighbors.
Register for National Night Out by July 16 National Night Out 2012 is Tuesday, August 7. City of Racine residents are invited to join the 29th Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. It will involve over 15,000 communities from all over the country, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases around the world. Over 37 million people are expected to participate in 'America's Night Out Against Crime'. National Night Out (NNO) is designed to: * Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness * Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts * Strengthen neighborhood spirit * Build partnerships with local public safety officials * Send a message to criminals letting them
National Night Out events must be registered with the Neighborhood Watch office. A registration form is available by request know neighborhoods are organized and from mary.mcilvaine@cityofracine.org<mailfighting back to:mary.mcilvaine@cityofracine.org> or by calling Racine Neighborhood Watch, Inc. at NNO 2012 is being supported in part by TARGET, a national corporate sponsor which 637.5711. It can be mailed, faxed or emailed. has been actively involved in Racine's events Registering by the July 16 deadline ensures in recent years. Generous donations have also coordination of event visitors, chosen from Police, Fire, Sheriff, and McGruff, and other been received from SC Johnson, A Family event resources. Company; Great Northern Corporation; and Racine County Food Bank. A request for street barricades requires a separate registration. A block party form for City of Racine resithis purpose is available from the City of dents are encouraged Racine Department of Public Works, or the to host a gathering on their block, of any Racine Neighborhood Watch, Inc. office. size. It can be a front porch party, or a backyard barbecue, or the street may be closed off so that neighbors can congregate out front. NNO events range
Page 16 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
Mary McIlvaine Program Director Racine Neighborhood Watch, Inc. 800 Center Street, #316 Racine WI 53403 262.636.9574
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What’s New?
MJB Says ROCK OF AGES is Personal
Mary J. Blige is the heart and soul of hip-hop infused R&B. Recently, the stylish and dedicated music diva took some time to discuss her role in the new film, ROCK OF AGES, the story of small town girl Sherrie (Julianne Hough “Burlesque”) and city boy Drew (Diego Boneta in his feature film debut), who meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. “MJB” in the role of “Justice,” owner of a gentlemen’s club, lends a needed hand to Sherrie when her world falls apart.
Always coiffed, “MJB” with every blonde hair in place, rocked a gorgeous pair of red-framed glasses. Wearing jeans, her trademark high heels and hoop earrings, the Yonkers (NY) born, 41-year-old opened up during a conversation at the posh London Hotel off Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. There she spoke candidly--
You are comfortable as a recording artist and solo soul singer. What has been your process of transitioning and preparing for the movie world?
MJB: It’s not a transition because I’m not giving up my day job which is singing but it’s an add on-- it’s something that I’m attaching to my career. To answer the question, getting an acting coach and preparing for the acting part is a whole new thing. I also loved the coaching aspect of it because it’s therapeutic. As an actor, you have to find this person (your character) -who is she-- and you’ve got to dig within yourself to bring her to life. As you’re looking within, you’re finding all this stuff and it needs to come out, especially if the character is depressed or doesn’t trust men…you have to find this person. That aspect was the best part for me, again, it was therapeutic. Did “Justice” feel familiar to you?
MJB: Yes. The fact that she works in a strip club, first of all, means she has to be strong for all the other women (there) and to be a light in a dark place; to believe in herself regardless of her circumstances. Justice does not let her environment dictate who she is. She’s teaching the same thing to the women by being strong and letting them know that they are better than this; this (type of work) is just a rest stop that hopefully can help you out there in the world.
Adam Shankman of “Hairspray” fame directs "Rock of Ages" from a screenplay by Justin Theroux, Chris D'Arienzo and Allan Loeb, based on D'Arienzo's musical of the same name. The film’s list of producers is long including Tobey Maguire with Shankman and D'Arienzo serving as executive producers. Shankman said he thought no further than Blige as Justice. She was reciprocal of his confidence in her abilities and she in his— MJB: It was so great working with Adam. It was pleasant because he just knows exactly what he wants and he tells you what he wants. He’s just beautiful, he’s he’s fun to be around and he makes us (the cast) feel comfortable. You know, to the point where it (the role) doesn’t intimidate you or to work next to Tom Cruise
(the film’s lead as “Stacee Jaxx”) or all the other actors in the movie. He just makes you feel comfortable to do what it is that you do to deliver the character. He said you were his first choice for this role; did you know that?
MJB: Yes, I mean, he told me at Jennifer Lopez’s housewarming party that he was going to put me in a movie. You don’t pay attention to that because in Hollywood, people just say stuff. But, six months later he showed up with the role, I didn’t even have to audition. In addition to Blige, Hough, Boneta and Cruise, "Rock of Ages" costars include: Russell Brand ("Arthur," "Get Him to the Greek"), Oscar® nominee Paul Giamatti ("Cinderella Man"), Academy Award® winner Catherine Zeta-Jones ("Chicago"), Malin Akerman ("The Proposal") and Oscar® nominee Alec Baldwin ("The Cooler," TV's "30 Rock"). You’ve explained how the coaching aspect of acting has meaning for you. Exploring this character, did you decide that “Justice” had been a stripper before she owned the club and perhaps she was there was to “in a way” serve as a mother to these girls because she knew what that life was like? What back story did you give your character?
MJB: I just decided that she had been destroyed by men-- completely destroyed by them and she wanted to gain her power back on some level. Something happened in her childhood with some man that snatched all of her power away and she’s been violated since then; in an environment like the gentlemen’s club, she can gain all her ground back because she’s in control of the money, she’s in control of the men, she’s in control of the girls-- that’s how I saw her.
Speaking of childhood influences, what kind of music did you like to listen to early on? MJB: I was listening to R&B; Anita Baker (recording artist) was everything to me in the 80’s. I listened to Melissa Morgan and Tina Marie…all the women that were out back then; I listened mostly to R&B.
During the years when you were working hard for your big break, what were the thrilling parts of the journey even through the struggle; what were the things that got you excited as you got another step further in the music industry?
MJB: Honestly, it was the fans and loving the music and buying tickets to come to the concerts, buying the albums. Selling some four million or five million albums or even two million or one million-- it was that, that keeps you Page 17 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
going.
With everything that you’ve been through professionally and personally, at what point do you really start to fall in love with yourself and just feel comfortable in your own skin? MJB:
It’s been duri n g the trials that I ’ v e learned to fall in love with myself-in those hard times, in those times of recovery (drugs and alcohol), in those times where the world is against you. It is during that difficult period that you go through, not because your hair
looks nice but I’m talking about going deep inside so you can walk outside with your head up. And that’s not just something from the past, that’s every day, constantly, all day.
The struggle of life in the spotlight is a balancing act that many can’t seem to handle, the good and the bad. What have been the joys of being a famous artist?
MJB: Well, you are constantly having to fight for your identity as a female artist; everyone is not happy for you and there are those who just say ‘yes’ to everything. When there are people around you that just say ‘yes,’ it can really be bad for you. No one is telling you the truth. I’ve learned to be more confident so I make better ‘people choices’ in my surroundings. If you’re not confident you are going to lean on those people that are lying to you. If you are confident, you can tell those types, ‘you’re lying, get out of here.’ I know who I am and what I want. I thank God that that part of my life is gone. I wish I had had more parental guidance back then, I wouldn’t have gotten into so much trouble. I would tell any of you mothers and daughters, if she’s 19 and getting into the music business, please go with her because it’s hard out there.
Clearly, this film is a showcase of the intensity and frenzy in a rock star’s life. Along with this reflection, the look of Cont. Page 18
Junel-15 2012_May050107.1 6/19/2012 9:27 AM Page 18
Community Events
ACTSO
Floyd G. Harmon Jr., Christopher Rogers, Justice Weaver, Ryan Thompson, Michaela Usher, Lataisha Dismuke, Turiya Hamilton
Elementary and middle school students showcased their talent during the ACTSO (Afro-American, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics) talent show and dinner on Friday, June 8, 2012 at Infusino's Banquet Hall. The event also included the revealing story of the "Dred Scott Decision", the true case of a slave who sued his master for freedom.
Cont..MJB Says ROCK OF AGES is Personal Toussaint Cruise, Camille Cruise
the film is tastefully retro and the soundtrack is awesome. Rounding out the "Rock of Ages" creative team are director of photography Bojan Bazelli ("Hairspray"), production designer Jon Hutman ("It's Complicated"), editor Emma E. Hickox ("A Walk To Remember"), Oscar®-nominated costume designer Rita Ryack ("How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Hairspray"), Grammy-nominated music supervisor Matt Sullivan ("Dreamgirls," "Nine"), and Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels ("So You Think You Can Dance"). The original score is
by executive music producer Adam Anders and Peer Astrom (TV's "Glee").
Are there elements of this film you kind of identify with in some ways? MJB: Yes.
Do you still party like a rock star?
MJB: Not like I used to. I’ve had my ‘party like a rock star’ years but I still have fun though.
What does that mean today?
MJB: That means my girlfriends we go to dinner, we laugh, we have drinks, we go to bed and go to work the next day. Like there’s no more hanging out until 7:00 in the morning and doing it again. The body just can’t take it.
Blige is celebrated for uplifting women through song. Asked to share lyrics of future songs that follow in that tradition, she holds such intelligence close to vest but did say--
Page 18 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
MJB: Let me just tell you this because it’s weird that you’re asking me, the timing of your question and all. Instead of getting angry about what life is doing to you, what trial you’re in or what someone has done to hurt you, it’s when we get muscle, spiritual muscle that we get stronger. When we’re in those trials you learn to gather up enough strength to say ‘thank you,’ for everything. That’s really hard to say when people have hurt you, but when you come out, you can say, ‘thanks for that.’
Junel-15 2012_May050107.1 6/19/2012 9:27 AM Page 19
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Page 19 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012
Junel-15 2012_May050107.1 6/19/2012 9:27 AM Page 20
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Page 20 The Insider News Wisconsin, June 15-30, 2012