Urban Faith Magazine - March April 2012 Issue

March/April Issue 2012

Table of contents 5 Connect with Us 6 Meet Janice Gaines: A Woman of Faith 9 If you Missed It: See the Pics 13 Book Review: Family Secrets

by Sharon Rhodes 15 Women of Faith: Making History in Shreveport 17 10 Spiritual Lessons We Can Learn from Whitney Houston

Subscribers, send us your thoughts, comments, and suggestions by email: info@urbanfaithmagazine.com 3

Television Talk Show Host & Author Roland Martin explains why Franklin Graham was wrong to question President Obama’s Christianity.

“I had my own plans for so many years. But one day, I asked the Lord what He wanted me to do. And it started me on this journey.”

Donald Lawrence, Natalie Grant and Mandisa.

This is the testimony of singer/songwriter Janice Gaines. Like most people, she had plenty of ideas for her life, especially as it related to a career. But God also had His ideas, and He was preparing her for something far greater than she could imagine.

But perhaps the most profound work was done in Janice’s own Growing up in Memphis, Janice was surrounded by mu- heart. “I finally accepted the sic and ministry. “It’s just what we did,” she jokingly truth that recalls. “We sang and we went to church!” Janice led God’s plans for songs in every church choir her mother directed, and my life are listened intently to each of her father’s sermons. As a much better teenager, she was the youngest member of O’landa than mine.

Draper & The Associates, while also singing in a local And the evigroup led by her brother, Jon Reddick. dence of it was that, once By the time she finished college, Janice had gained I started to more experience through studio session work, as a dive into my background vocalist for R&B/Gospel singer Howard music, I was Hewett, and as a vocalist in the major motion picture more at peace and felt more alive than I had ever The People vs. Larry Flynt. She also traveled to sing been.” internationally in Japan, Italy and Germany.

But it wasn’t until early 2009, as she worked on her second Master’s degree, that Janice began to even consider that her musical experiences might have been more than a mere pastime. She began to wonder what God really wanted from her. And one day, prompted by a friend, Janice laid down her own will, and asked about His. As if He were simply waiting for her question, God immediately began opening doors in music. Moving with her husband from New York City to Nashville, Janice transitioned from schoolteacher to full-time singer, immediately stepping into her artistry.

Janice is currently working on the release of her debut album. With a contemporary gospel vibe, her songs are steeped in truths learned both from her seminary education (she holds a Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary) and from everyday life.

“We’re in an age where a lot of the church is actually getting its theology from songs, so we’d better have it right,” Janice shares. “But I also want people to experience God through real life, so my songs are a reflection of my walk with Christ as a woman, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend.”

With relatable music and lyrics, a soaring soprano range and a rich, clear tone, Janice Gaines is positioned as one of the leading female vocalists in gospel music’s new generation of Within months, she joined the worship team of the artists. And with that platform, she wants to make clear the popular Women of Faith conferences, where she cursimple truth of God’s presence and love for each of His chilrently leads as many as 12,000 women in worship each dren– “God is with us. He’s with us and He wants us.” weekend in arenas across the country. In addition to these thousands of attendees, Janice Gaines has garWatch her videos at www.urbanfaithmagazine.com. nered the support of several of the biggest names in Gospel and Christian music, including 7 Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary,

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Congratulations to Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, who gave birth in late January! The duo has an upcoming reality show set to start in March.

We will keep you posted.

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his month we pay special tribute to Women of Faith. Women of chose to step out on faith to pursue their dreams. Women who, despite life circumstances, chose to turn a negative into a positive. Women whose faith has led them to help others. As we celebrate Women’s History month, we take a look at women who are making history right now!

of "Saltwater Taffy and Red High Heels: My Journey through Breast Cancer" which has received international acclaim from fellow survivors and was nominated for a NAACP Image Award.

If that is not enough, Crystal is the current Mrs. Black Louisiana US and an actress in her own right. (Her daughter, Jaclyn is the current Miss Teen Black Louisiana.)

Our cover story, singer/songwriter Janice Gaines had plenty of ideas for her life, especially her career. But God had something else in mind. On Twitter, she describes herself as a “A silly, feisty lover of Jesus, unapologetically, who sings, writes songs and leads worship.” That is the simple description.

My sister friend, Angelique Feaster Evans, is an advocate for the Arts. Maybe you have seen her acting on stage. Maybe you have heard of her Award-winning theatre company.

Maybe your children have attended her summer camps.

There is no telling where you might have met her. But I am sure that you remember her.

I had the opportunity to meet Janice at the CME Shreveport District Women of Power Conference. And she is awesome!

This woman of God exudes a confidence and love that only God could place in her heart. Check out the pictures on page 9. Read Janice Gaines’ story on page 6.

When you meet her, you feel like you have know her for years. She will do her best to assist you with whatever project you are working on, as well as give you some ideas to take it a little further. She has traveled all over the world winning awards and presenting plays. Theatre is her passion. Read her story on page15.

Friendship is a precious thing and should not be taken lightly. I have the pleasure of calling the rest of the women featured in this issue my friend. Each may or may not know each other, but they know me. Each of them possess characteristics which makes them unique and talented individuals bringing life, love, and happiness to anyone who encounters them.

My sister friend, Rev. Amarylis West, is the first lady at my church, Lane Chapel CME . I have only known her less than two years yet I feel like I have known her all my life.

She has become a dynamic force not just in my life but in the lives of women and youth at our church. Read more about her on page 18.

My sister friend, Crystal Brown-Tatum is professionally known as a Public Relations specialist and owner of Crystal Clear Communications. But she is so much more. A breast cancer survivor and an advocate of breast cancer awareness, she is founder and president of Sisters Network Shreveport, which is a part of Sister Network, Inc. Sister Network, Inc. is a national African American breast cancer survivorship organization. They are committed to increasing local and national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.

Crystal was name a 2011 Pink Power Mom from Brights Start Corporation. A four year breast cancer survivor, Brown -Tatum has won numerous honors for her breast cancer advocacy and outreach including Survivor Legacy Award from Pink Door Organization and Unsung Hero from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She is the author

Check out the book review for Family Secrets. The book is written by my sister friend and soror, Sharon Rhodes. She, too, is a breast cancer survivor. When you are in her presence, you feel a peace which passes all understanding. Her book is awesome! And I am looking forward to the sequel.

It is my hope that these women’s stories inspire you to step out on faith…

Happy Reading

Alynetta Beck 12

Is it true that everyone has skeletons in their closets? What would you do if a secret you have been keeping for 34 years showed up at your door? How would you find the courage to tell the important family members and friends in your life?

Sheila Robertson is coming to a great milestone in her life. 30 years serving her country in the military has come to an end as she is retiring.

With her retirement party days away, all of Sheila’s family and friends arrive to congratulate her on her huge accomplishments. But as Sheila soon realizes, everyone has secrets and they are slowly being revealed one by one. On what is suppose to be one of the best days of her life, the day is slowly turning into a confessional.

Sheila is living the American Dream. She has a loving husband, two beautiful kids, and everything couldn’t be more perfect. That is, until a surprise guest arrives at Sheila’s door and her life is turned into a whirlwind. A deep, secret Sheila has kept for 34 years arrives, and now it's a matter of life and death to come clean. How will Sheila break the news to her family, and what will be the consequences and repercussions of withholding this secret for so long?

Family Secrets was a powerful read by Sharon Rhodes. I really enjoyed how the author gave so much detailed background information about each character. The book covered a variety of important topics, which includes infidelity, down low, and drug addiction. Overall, the message in Family Secrets to me was that no matter how perfect someone’s life appears to be, you never know what they have been through or what past they have endured to get where they are.

Reviewed by Kristin for UrbanReviewsOnline.com To meet the author and to purchase the book, visit Sharon’s page at www.urbanfaithmagazine.com.

About the Author haron Rhodes is originally from Alabama and joined the Air Force right out of high school. She traveled the world for 28 years and retired from the Air Force in 2009. She now lives in Bossier City, Louisiana, with her husband and son. She holds a master’s in public administration from Central Michigan University. Rhodes is currently working on her second novel.

“I had no clue about what went into publishing a book but Outskirts Press made the process simple and easy to understand. I’ve learned so much about the publishing process and would definitely use their service again. I recommend Outskirts Press to those first time novelists as well as a seasoned novelists. Thanks Outskirts Press for helping me make my book a success.”

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Crystal is a San Antonio, Texas native and Honors College graduate of The University of Houston with a B.A. in RadioTelevision. She has completed post-graduate work in public relations and is the author of three poetry books, one nationally published fiction novel Caramel and Cream and a nationally acclaimed breast cancer memoir entitled Saltwater Taffy and Red High Heels. In addition, Crystal Brown-Tatum she completed an Honors College senior thesis on the overlooked effects of gangster rap music on male perception of women.

for her community service and was awarded a Distinguished Achievement Award from the City of San Antonio Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and Unsung Hero Award by Sigma Gamma Rho Gamma Sigma chapter. She is a 2009 Blazing Star Award Winner from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas and the National Diversity Council named her a 2010 Most Powerful and Influential Woman in Louisiana honoree.

Bright Starts Corporation named her a 2011 Pink Power Mom.

Crystal is very active in the community and has lobbied on Capitol Hill for heart attack and stroke survivors and been instrumental in community outreach on several local political and grassroots campaigns. She was selected by the Houston Business Journal in their inaugural 40 under 40 Top Professionals of Houston as well being Crystal has appeared on several local and national radio named a 40 under 40 Top Professional for Northwest and television shows, including Oprah and The Bill Cun- Louisiana from the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. ningham Show and has had more than 1000 editorials published including editorial work featured in national She is a member of the Texas and Louisiana Advocacy magazines including Vogue, People, Self, Shape, Health Committees with the American Heart Association, For& Fitness, Elle, The Capitol Times, Today’s Christian mer Board of Directors of the Kiwanis Club of Southern Woman, Washington Weekly, The Daily Cougar, The Hills (Shreveport) where she was named Chairperson of San Antonio Informer, Coping with Cancer, Amoena the Year, member of the Bauer Society at The University Life and The Houston Chronicle. In addition, she has of Houston, Board of Directors of Gridiron Heroes, and a appeared on Women’s Entertainment Television as a fea- member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. She is married tured guest on the Dove/Conde Nast “A Cut Above: to Sergeant First Class Philip Tatum and has one daughBeautiful Hair” television show. and The Discovery ter, Jaclyn. Most importantly, Crystal is a four year Channel featured her story in the Triple Negative Breast breast cancer survivor.

Cancer patient education program.

Crystal is the 2011-2012 Mrs. Black Louisiana and was twice voted Miss Congeniality in the Miss Texas USA pageant and was a top ten finalist in the Miss San Antonio USA pageant. She was the first African-American women to be crowned Sigma Chi Fraternity Fight Night Queen. She was a recipient of the 2005 Emerging-10 award sponsored by the Houston Minority Business Council, 2006 Women on the Move recipient and H Texas magazine named her a Top Professional on the Fast Track for 2006, 2007 and 2009 as well as a Top 100 Professionals of Houston in 2011. In addition, she received a Texas Senate Commendation

Crystal Brown-Tatum is a San Antonio, Texas native and author of Saltwater Taffy and Red High Heels: My Journey through Breast Cancer (Lulu Press, 2008). She is an honors graduate of The University of Houston in Radio-Television and Founder/CEO of Crystal Clear Communications; an award-winning PR firm based in Houston (www.crystalcommunicates.com).

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Angelique Feaster is an artist, entrepreneur, creative educator, and founding Artistic Director of MAHOGANY ENSEMBLE THEATRE, resident community theatre of the M.E.C.C.A. Foundation. Angelique is a Northwest Louisiana Juried Roster Artist and has made accomplishments on the local, regional, and national level. She has been featured in the nationally distributed Belle Magazine and was the spec model for the National Lottery of the United Kingdom.

and presenting quality classic, contemporary, and original literary works of the African Diaspora.

In June of 2003, Ms. Feaster‟s vision of African American community theatre became a reality with the Mahogany Moods Dinner Theatre production of Indigo In 2008, she produced the first Southern Black Theatre Blues, by Louisiana‟s own, Festival which celebrates the rich tradition of African American theatre in the region. Her television credits in- the late Judi Ann Mason.

Angelique Feaster Evans This pilot production continued clude a co-starring role on Lifetime Television THE DIwith touring performances at Southern University in VISION. Angelique’s stage credits include CROWNS, Steal Away, For Colored Girls, Having Our Say, Rumors, Shreveport and Mississippi Valley State University in late Steppin’ Out, and Doubt. She has worked with regional 2003 and early 2004. arts organizations including Cultural Crossroads, Multicultural Center of the South, Natchitoches Multicultural With the highly favorable reception of this pilot producArts Center, North Central Louisiana Arts Council, tion, faith, and belief in the vision of providing ongoing Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Shreveport Symphony, African American theatre in the community, Mahogany Pamoja, and River City Repertory Theatre. This Centen- Ensemble Theatre was born. In November of 2005, MET ary College graduate has a B.A. in Speech and a Masters debuted as the premiere seasonal African American theain Education Administration. This Detroit natre company of Northwest Louisiana. Recognizing the imtive currently resides with her family in North Louisiana. portance of nurturing and developing the next generation of creative artists, MET formed the Young, Gifted & Mahogany Ensemble Theatre (MET) is the brainchild of Black teen troupe to present social awareness and youth Angelique Feaster, Artistic Director of this emerging centered plays in the community. In December of 2005, community theatre. Having performed in a cross-section the troupe performed Defining Moments, a play about of theatres and organizations throughout the Shreveport- teens and their lives touched by AIDS, which toured in Bossier area, Ms. Feaster recognized the need for a perarea recreation centers, schools, and libraries as a partnermanent seasonal offering of quality theatre of the African ship with The Philadelphia Center. In 2008, MET proDiaspora. After meeting Mr. Curtis King, founder of The duced the first Biennial Southern Black Theatre Festival.

Black Academy of Arts & Letters in Dallas, Texas, AnMahogany Ensemble Theatre stages at least four producgelique was inspired to independently produce a dinner tions each season—two mainstage plays, one children‟s theatre experience for the community. play, and one original play by a regional playwright. MET is the 2011 State AACT Festival Winner and will repreTheir mission is To enlighten, enrich, and empower com- sent Louisiana at the Regional AACT Festival in April munities through entertaining African American theater 2011 in Lewisville, TX. experiences while exploring the common ground of humanity.

For more information about Mahogany Ensemble Theatre, visit their website at The purpose of the organization is to preserve the tradition www.mahoganyensembletheatre.org. of African American theatre by producing 15

By Bishop T. D. Jakes

10 things to learn spiritually from Whitney Houston.

Although taken far too soon and too unexpectedly, we can learn these things from Whitney Houston's home going services: 1. She was a child of God and embraced that posture throughout her life 2. She never strayed far from her Baptist roots, the birthplace of "The Voice," and the Gospel music that filled her soul and influenced her stylistically 3. She was a woman of deep and abiding prayer, known for gathering her friends and colleagues in an impromptu circle to petition God 4. Family was her bedrock, her source of strength, comfort, and a fiercely protective cross-generational love that incubated and informed who she was 5. She generously created opportunities for others who had gifts needing exposure.

6. She was a friend, beloved by those close to her as evidenced by the overwhelming outpouring of an unbridled grief, sense of loss and deep sorrow

one who experienced her immense talents.

She let the world know that she was here and in her home-going, death did not win. We can find hope that our dreams are more than inspiration but mixed with determination and steadfast faith even the most obscure dream can be realized. We can find comfort as parents that faith instilled in our small children is a long term investment that will benefit them as they face the varied challenges of their adult life. And most importantly we can garner a deeper understanding that all of us have some things to accomplish as effectively and expeditiously as possible, being reminded that tomorrow isn't promised to any of us no matter the enormity of the gifts we posses.

7. She maximized her God-given gifts, achieving legendary status in a family of standout superstars 8. She didn't allow others or define or limit her potentials by being compartmentalized to one gift when she possessed many.

9. She believed in redemption, second chances and new beginnings and threw herself wholeheartedly into a fresh start being willing to confront the daunting task of change.

10. In 48 short years, she made an indelible impression on the hearts and minds of every17

Watch video of Whitney’s last performance on UrbanFaithMagazine.com.

Women’s History Month: Women of Faith Continued Rev. Amarylis D. West is the daughter of William and Mary Didley of Augusta, Georgia. Her primary and high school education was through the Richmond County School System. She attended Fort Valley State University for her undergraduate studies. She has completed further studies at Macon State College of Macon, Georgia.

Amarylis accepted the call to preach the gospel in 2003 under the leadership of her husband, Rev. Curtis L. West, Jr. She was ordained a Local Deacon to serve along with her husband by Bishop Othal H. Lakey in the 2006 Annual Conference. Amarylis has been involved in youth ministry on the local church level and is the founder of Right Way Youth Ministry. She has also served as the Ministerial Advisor for the "Ministers of Praise" liturgical dance team. In addition to her local ministry, Amarylis is co-director of Women of Christ. This is a ministry that helps hurting women learn to heal under the guidance and grace of God. Her mission scripture for life is Romans 8:38-39 which states, "Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Prior to relocating to Louisiana, Amarylis was employed as the Office Manager at Macon Area Habitat for Humanity.

Amarylis is married to Rev. Curtis L. West, Jr. and they are blessed to be the parents of Cymone Alexandria, Lauryn Elizabeth, and Curtis, III.

Urban Faith Magazine would like to feature Women of Faith in every issue. If you know a Woman of Faith that you would like to see featured, contact us via our website at www.urbanfaithmagazine.com.

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Check out next month’s issue as we feature Rev. Eddie Giles.

Learn why he was a Losing Boy….

But he is A Winner Now! 19