Celebrities Jared Cotter, Patti LaBelle, Sherri Shepherd, and Jay Sean feed the homeless in Harlem.



    Every year I'm always looking for something to actually give me the true feeling of Christmas. The Christmas of 2010 involves lots of commercialism. It annoys me so much I really don't need to celebrate Christmas and could just sit back, relax, and stay home with no gifts involved. Last year when I went to Chicago, I was given the opportunity to buy, cook, and serve an excellent christmas dinner for a bunch of people at a homeless shelter. It was one of the most fufilling experiences that I have ever had in my life. It gave it more meaning, and there I found the true meaning of Christmas. As of right now I am still looking for some ways to give back this christmas, but I had to shoutout the celebrities who have recently accomplished the deed I have not.

    On December 15th, at a West Harlem Community Food Bank with other celebrity's like American Idol Alum/Former Fuse Host Jared Cotter, Singer Jay Sean, Actress and Singer Patti LaBelle, and ABC's "The View" Host Sherri Shepherd the celebrities dished out delicious hot meals on that cold day. I definitely love them right now for taking the steps that I haven't done yet! Even though I wasn't there to view them doing the courteous deed other blogs said they served food, and even took time to give hugs! In my opinion of the celebrities that came down.....I feel they couldn't have selected a better bunch. Knowing Jared Cotter he has the personality to make people happy. Patti LaBelle everyone already knows is like a mother like figure. Jay Sean definitely knows the right words to say as he is an excellent songwriter, and Sherri Shepherd (who i've met through a previous interview with harlemtalkradio.com) just can keep you laughing for hours, and the Christmas time is definitely a time for a jolly chuckle!

My interview with actress Phylicia Rashad for "For Colored Girl Who Have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf".

       

      Meeting actress and singer Phylicia Rashad was like being an adopted child meeting his biological mom for the first time. Phylicia is considered to be everyone's mom being one of the first most popular african american mothers on television. Watching her everyday on "The Cosby Show" made you want to live in her brownstone in Brooklyn Heights, with the funny dad, and loving but rambuncous siblings (the perfect family enviorment). Everyone knows Ms. Rashad for her pivitol role as Mrs.Huxtable on "The Cosby Show", but on the day of this interview it wasn't about that.
       This interview was about her new remarkable role in the book to film movie "For Colored girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf". The film is based based off of poetry from Award Winning writer Ntozake Shange's original book. The film is about nine women going through tramatic and difficult situations that a great amount of african american women (not all, but some have gone through). For example, some situations like rape, abortion, crime, and heartbreak. Phylicia plays the role of "Gilda", the nosy neighbor who deep down has love for everyone in the building, but also has a secret past that reciprocates "Tangie's" present played by Thandie Newton.

         Even though the film has an all star african american cast (Tyler Perry, Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise, Thandie Newton, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose, Tessa Thompson, Kerry Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, and Macy Gray) the poetry not only hits home for african americans, but also touches all different races in some form of another. The film was definitely a risktaker for actor, director, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and author Tyler Perry who said when given this project turned it down a couple of times. Watching the film from my eyes, Tyler Perry did a wonderful job making a very entertaining film while still keeping the poetry intact and not dumbing it down for the audience. For some who have not read Shange's poetry you get a emotional and educational ride in this film, while still keeping it's entertainment value. If you are the type of person who is looking for a film where "Madea" and her gun make an appearance then this is not that type of film. Tyler makes an A-Plus transition which we don't see a great amount as he loves to add comedic value to so many of his films.

         When meeting Ms.Rashad I was a little bit nervous, but anxious as anyone would probably be meeting their "Metaphorical" biological mom for the first time. Nervous because she has done so much for the african american community when it comes to breaking stereotypes, the roles she chooses to play, and her community activism. I was anxious because like Wendy Williams always says "She's a friend in my Head", and Ms. Rashad was everything and more. She made it her duty to make me feel comfortable. We sat side by side on a lovely couch at the London hotel (NYC), and we had an excellent conversation as if we were good friends catching up on all of the good times.
       
         We talked about how she came up in the industry, advice on how to get in, talked more in detail about certain parts of the film, her role, working with such a wonderful powerful cast, and more. If you are interested in listening more in detail then definitely check out www.HarlemTalkRadio.com or you can go to the link below to get the in depth interview.

Link to Interview:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/harlemtalkradio/2010/11/15/630pm-the-world-of-black-theater--phylicia-rashad

Interview with VMA Winning Choreographer for Beyonce's "Single Ladies", Jaquel Knight

Interviewing Jaquel Knight was very insightful and informative. I interviewed Mr. Knight a day before his nomination for Best Choreography for “Single Ladies”, the dance that is sweeping the nation and putting everybody in a craze. The dance originated when Beyonce acknowledged seeing the video of Gwen Verdon dancing a Bob Fosse number on You Tube. Using it as inspiration for her video for "Single Ladies”, Jaquel definitely took his own spin on it, and perfected it making it his own. We spoke on the many hardships, successes, and ups and downs of the entertainment industry. There was also one point during the interview where I shocked Mr. Knight with how much information I knew on him. What shocked him was the fact that I knew that he was working on a new film that is being directed by Steve Antin (Brother of Robin Antin from the Pussycat Dolls) called “Burlesque” which is featuring top celebrity heavyweights such as Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Stanley Tucci. Jaquel also gave a great amount of influential information to anyone actually trying to pursue a career as a professional dancer or choreographer. We also spoke on the whole reason he was there which was to give back to the community and teach a class on dance. The class was a master class, but Jaquel was a very great teacher and brought it down simpler especially for people who are beginners and were taking the class just to be taught by the VMA winning choreographer. During the interview I told Jaquel I would be taking his class and his words to me were “Be Prepared to Sweat”, and sweat I did. By the end of the class I felt like I no doubt lost about ten pounds! After that class with Jaquel I decided to keep taking classes at the Alvin Ailey Extension program, and I also got others to join with me. If you want to take the class just because you think Jaquel will be there teaching be prepared to be disappointed as he only comes once in a while due to his busy schedule, but there are a bunch of other excellent teachers (like Robin Dunn – Hip Hop) that are very up to par with just enough experience to make you work. It’s a great class if you want to stay healthy and fit! The classes consist of a warm up, exercises, and then for like an hour you learn great choreography that you can definitely take to the clubs and break it down! There are classes for Beginners, Intermediate, and Masters. There are also many different classes you can take. They have Ballet, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, West African, and many others to choose from! If interested in the Alvin Ailey Extension Program you can go to their building at 405 W. 55th Street (at 9th Avenue). They have a great staff and they will take you in the right direction or you should check out www.AlvinAiley.org for more info. You will not be disappointed!!! Attached below is the footage but you should also check out http://www.harlemtalkradio.com/ for more info.

Staples ‘Do Something 101 School Supply Drive

Staples ‘Do Something 101 School Supply Drive


Every year Staples and Do Something 101.org get together and create some inspirational magic.

Good samaritans go to any staples store around the country and drop off school supplies to donate to kids who are less fortunate. Products like Calculators, Notebooks, pens, and pencils are some of the supplies that are donated to give children the tools to recieve a great education.
Every year this event chooses a celebrity spokesperson who embodies what it is to give. For 2008 it was American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, and this year it is R&B Singer and Songwriter Ciara who donated her time to give back to the community. Since Ciara is the spokesperson she made it her duty to speak some inspirational words to the youth of tommorow at the event.

There were also a great amount of kids at the event that could have been at home playing video games, or riding their bikes, but they decided to donate their own time by filling book bags with educational goodies.

This years event was held at the Children’s Aid Society Dunlevy Milbank Boys and Girls Club in Harlem New York so it was only right that Harlem Talk Radio make an appearance.

To see some official footage of the event check out http://www.harlemtalkradio.com/
 

Introduction to my HarlemTalkRadio.com Blog.

Being a Correspondent for HarlemTalkRadio.com has been a great experience and I just decided that I should also keep you guys updated with a blog. I work in the entertainment industry in all different areas but I love the whole premise of what HarlemTalkRadio.com is all about. HarlemTalkRadio is not only about the Harlem community, but about ALL THE HARLEM COMMUNITIES around the world. On this blog you will see everything that I have been doing with the website when it comes to interviews, red carpet events, fashion, discussions, as well as when my show will be up and running on the HarlemTalkRadio.com website.