2012 NYC Black Pride Heritage Awards, Wednesday, August 15th at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

NYC Black Pride celebrates 15 years of community awareness.  This year’s pride season will kick-off on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 with a five day celebration that includes “The Black Pride Heritage Awards" which will honor Tony Award winner Hinton Battle, highly acclaimed Director and Producer of Paris Is Burning, Jennie Livingston, Kim Ford, Laurence Pinckney, Ralph Emerson, Lee Daniels, Monica Roberts, Christian Ruart, Kaz Mitchell, Byron Barnes, Tona Brown, Ayana Elliot Christian, Junior LaBeija, Dray Ebony, Derek Murphy Ebony, Kenny Chanel, Selvin Khan, Tree/Jaszi/Jahlove and NY Senator Eric Adams, among others.

In celebration of this incredible milestone, we have expanded our committee of health organizations, local business and community leaders to also include youth organizers and media companies. Lee Soulja, the executive director of NYC Black Pride says, We are striving to be a united community organization and present  quality cultural events.

We want to not only lead by example but also empower our youth to take control of their lives and the future.” Lee Soulja continues, “Let’s be the change we seek!” 

Doors Open at 6:00pm

Red Carpet from 6:00pm to 7:00pm

Welcoming Presentation Starts at 7:15pm

Awards Ceremony Begins at 7:30pm

Closing Remarks & Ending at 9:00pm

A few of our proud sponsors and partners include;

GMAD, Gilead, GO Magazine, GBM News, Harlem United, Circle of Voices Inc. and Scenario USA.

NYC Black Pride will begin on Wednesday August 15, 2012 and run through Sunday August 19, 2012   www.nycblackpride.com or www.facebook.com/nycblackpride.

PLEASE RSVP for this event at NYCBlackPrideAwards.eventbrite.com

ABOUT GMAD

In 1986, Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) was conceptualized in New York City, a result of the vision of founder, The Reverend Charles Angel who embarked on a mission to empower the black gay men. In the many New York neighborhoods, gay black men continued to exist below the radar: Black men were dying in silence from HIV/AIDS because prevention funds did not reach them; Black gay youth were becoming homeless and resorting to violence and prostitution as a result of feelings of isolation, alienation and harassment; Black gay men were suffering from depression and insecurity because they feared coming out and most importantly black gay men felt unsupported by the community at large. Reverend Angel recognized that the need was a hybrid need that was being left unaddressed. Historically, these men had been forced to prioritize their battles as if each was mutually exclusive. They were simply not just black or not just men or not just gay --- they were all three of these things. GMAD stepped in to fill a void and connect the dots. Choosing not the path of least resistance but one of challenge and uncertainty, Reverend Angel and his colleagues took on the role - and the weight - of community activists in order to create parity for the black gay community.

Drake Covers GQ’s ‘Style Bible’… on Newsstand March 20th

by MUSED MAG ONLINE

There is no secret, GQ loves Drake. GQ managed to grab him for their latest issue… again. Sporting a slim ‘n’ dapper suit and striking a few famous GQ poises, Drizzy ditches his jeans and hoodies for this fashion inspired feature.

Drake also shares the spotlight with actors/directors Dave Franco and John Slattery for the April 2012 issue. The issue is set to hit newsstands on March 20 featuring the ‘Style Bible’ installment. During the interview, Drake talks about the hip hop culture, the effects his music has had on his life and finding ways to deal with fame.

On rap music today…
“Rap now is just being young and fly and having your shit together. The mood of rap has changed.”

Dealing with fame and finding inspiration…
“When I was in my mom’s house, I had nowhere to go, no real obligations. My girlfriend at the time, if she was mad at me, my day was all fucked-up. I didn’t have anything else. And that made for some of the best music, I think, to date. Records where I felt small. That feeling is hard to capture when you’re sitting out here in a space like this.” [gestures to the pool, the tennis court, the volleyball court, the stables] “It’s really difficult for me to find something that makes me feel small.”

On past promiscuity…
“There’s just a time where it was like, just getting p$%^&. Where I was in that sort of ‘I’m young, I’m going to disconnect from my emotions and just do what everyone else tells me I should do and just a be a rapper and have my fun.’ And for me as a person, it just doesn’t work. The seconds after a man reaches climax, that’s the realest moment of your life. If I don’t want you next to me in that fifteen, twenty seconds, then there’s something wrong.”

CNN's Don Lemon talks about race, homosexuality and abuse in his new book "Transparent"

CNN weekend anchor Don Lemon is gay, the journalist announced in his memoir "Transparent."

"I abhor hypocrisy," Lemon told the New York Times. "I think if you're going to be in the business of news, and telling people the truth, of trying to shed light in dark places, then you've got to be honest. You've got to have the same rules for yourself as you do for everyone else."

The 45-year-old anchor's book chronicles his personal life -- growing up without a father and being molested as a child -- and his career as he worked at local stations in Philadelphia, Chicago and New York before starting at CNN. He was cautious about detailing his personal life in the book, a project that was just supposed to be an inspirational pamphlet.

"I'm talking about something that people might shun me for, ostracize me for," Lemon said about being scared to come out.

Lemon made no secret of his sexual orientation: co-workers and managers knew he was gay and the network had assured him of support, he said. But the book was his first public announcement.

"It's quite different for an African American male. It's about the worst thing you can be in black culture. You're taught you have to be a man; you have to be masculine," he said. "In the black community they think you can pray the gay away. ... You're afraid that black women will say the same things they do about how black men should be dating black women..."

"I guess this makes me a double minority now."

Lemon appeared as a guest Monday on "CNN Newsroom" and will appear on "The Joy Behar Show" on CNN's sister channel HLN.

"Transparent" lands in stores June 16.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON CNN: Don Lemon talks personal struggles

Courtesy of CNN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41RciYsbaks

Kool Moe Dee Assumes New Role as Digital Content Guru

Kool Moe Dee, he of "Wild Wild West" fame, has now taken on a new persona: Dr. Media, a character that's part of this sometimes painful to watch group therapy session with characters playing Publishing, Hollywood and Network Television. The three are all freaking out about sustaining relevancy in the digital space, but somehow discussing Ashton Kutcher and getting a verse from the doc himself seems to put them all at ease. Or at least that's we gather since we couldn't help but fast-forward a few times.

This effort is brought to you by SoHo agency Barker/DZP it appears and is for NYU Stern's weeklong "Digital Transformation of the Entertainment and Media Industries" seminar. We think Kool Moe Dee would be better served just reviving his feud with LL Cool J at this point.

Filmmaker Maurice Jamal Announces Launch New TV Network

Maurice Jamal, Award Winning Filmmaker, announced yesterday at the Flipping The Script: Beyond Homophobia in Black Hollywood panel the launch of GLO Television Network coming Fall 2010. The event moderated by actress Sheryl Lee Ralph at the Writers Guild of America, examined the issues regarding the African-American gay and lesbian community in film and television and how to make a positive change within black entertainment and the community at large.

“This is a new day. We need to take the lead in creating opportunities and making the quality entertainment we deserve. GLO TV is innovative and forward thinking. This network is our network: with quality programming geared towards the urban LGBT audience, family, friends and allies. Our community is more than just one ethnicity, one race, one body type, one region or creed. GLO TV is about showing us in all our vibrant colors,” Jamal states. The urban LGBT community, our family, friends and allies are diverse, valuable, powerful and important: The time has come for us to stand up and be counted. The time has come for our stories to be told. The time has come for us to show just how amazing we can be. The time has come for GLO.

“This is a major shift in my career and I did some soul-searching, but it was so clear that this was right.” says Jamal. “My partners and I understood the risks with this new and exciting venture; we have faith that it’s the right decision for gay and lesbian community, it’s something we deserve, something that’s overdue. There were no national platforms for the urban LGBT community to share our stories, but now we have GLO TV.”


About The GLO Television Network:
The GLO TV Network is the first network dedicated to the Urban LGBT audience, families and allies. GLO TV will feature a full slate of programming: From original series and feature films, to classics we've grown to love; with cutting edge news programs, documentaries and music that breaks boundaries; presenting artists you can't see anywhere else to our favorite celebrities.

The mission of GLO TV is to present you with what you want, how you want it, when you want it. You'll be able to find GLO TV across the country, in every market. 24 hours a day. 7 days a week.

Each of us laughs cries, sometimes we jump for joy, sometimes we struggle in life, and we hope for love. We each do our best, day by day. GLO is about showing all of who we are with programs that are entertaining, informative, affirming and sometimes provocative. GLO understands that within each of us is a unique story to be told. We have a range of perspectives, ideals and beliefs as varied as we are. We will present these stories with creativity, quality and integrity.It's time for us to get our "shine" on. That's you. That's us. That's GLO.

For additional information, events and release dates go to:
www.gloTVnetwork.com.

Notes from Nathan: Money Making Month!

When I told a friend that I was declaring March, money making month, she laughed in my face.  She asked why I was making such a declaration and I told her that it was what I needed to do. I find that I often say that I am going to do something, but allow the hustle and bustle of my lifestyle to keep me from my own promises.

Growing up, I was never taught what to do with money other than spending it or placing it under the mattress.  Whenever grown folks were engaged in conversation, I was given a dollar to exit the room.  "Go and get yourself some ice cream, and get out from under grown folks," my grandmother would say in her Augusta Georgia drawl.  An hour later, my tongue would be purple and green from consuming several pieces of grape and apple Now & Later candies.

As I got older, my mother started making me buy my own clothing with my $25 per week allowance.  I was given an allowance for doing chores such as washing dishes, washing clothes and taking out the garbage.  When I saved for a month and spent 90 percent of my earnings on one pair of jeans, I realized that I needed more of this green stuff if I were to fit in.

Today, I feel that money should be a subject just like English, Math and Science.  I don't believe that urban America is being taught the value of the oh mighty dollar.  When I see young adults rushing to purchase designer labels and the latest pair of sneakers, I am alarmed and curious to know what type of savings they have.  We allow money to become a sticky conversation amongst us.  So many of us want it but none of us really want to talk about it.  We dance around it.  We whisper about it.  Sometimes we brag about what we spend it on, other times we are ashamed to admit how we spent it.  And the list goes on.

This month my focus is money. Why? Because I intend to attract more of it into my life.  What's in your wallet?  Visit www.themoneymaestro.net