June 1, 2019 - FirstLadyB

Prince Harry and Meghan’s son Archie christening ceremony scheduled

By FirstLadyB June 30, 2019

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are having baby Archie christened next week at St. George’s Chapel.

According to Royal Correspondents, the service is expected to follow royal tradition, with the Archbishop of Canterbury baptizing Archie using water from the River Jordan poured from a solid silver ewer over the Lily Font.

St George’s Chapel has double significance for the royal couple. Not only were the Duke and Duchess married there last year, but it is also where Harry was christened in 1984.

Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland will be there, along with Prince William and Kate, Prince Harry’s father, Prince Charles and Camilla are expected to attend.

Its been reported that Meghan’s friends, Serena Williams, and stylist Jessica Mulroney will be godmothers to baby Archie.

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Tonight, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the first of a two game series of the Major League Baseball #LondonSeries, in support of @WeAreInvictusGames. Tonight’s highly anticipated game between the #Yankees and #RedSox took place at London stadium, Olympic Park. The @WeAreInvictusGames, of which His Royal Highness is Founding Patron, has been selected as charity partner for the @MLB 2019 series. The Invictus Games Foundation is the international charity that oversees the development of the Invictus Games, an international adaptive multi-sport event in which wounded, injured or sick armed service personnel and veterans participate. It celebrates the power of sport in recovery and how it can help, physically or psychologically, those suffering from injuries or illness. The word ‘invictus’ means ‘unconquered’ – it embodies the fighting spirit of the competitors. As part of the partnership, the Invictus Games Foundation have a team participating in London’s #Softball60, the social softball series built for the city and targeted to introduce the sport to new audiences and demonstrate that it is an inclusive sport. On this #ArmedForcesDay, tonight’s event was also a chance for Their Royal Highnesses to shine a light on the men and women here in the UK and around the world who have sacrificed so much for their country. Discover more about the Invictus Games Foundation through the link in our bio. Photo credit: PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jun 29, 2019 at 1:49pm PDT

In other Meghan and Prince Harry news, the couple attended the first of a two game series of the Major League Baseball London Series, in support of We Are Invictus Games. The couple was gifted with little baseball outfits for baby Archie.

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Entertainment

Tori Kelly Drops New Single “Sorry Would Go A Long Way”

By FirstLadyB June 29, 2019

Our girl Tori Kelly is back ya’ll. The Grammy award winning singer just dropped a new single “Sorry Would Go A Long Way” and announced a new album “Inspired By True Events,” out August 9th.

The album is also available for pre-order now.

Fans who pre-order Inspired By True Events in will instantly receive “Sorry Would Go A Long Way” and the record’s first single “Change Your Mind.”

And according to Christian rapper Andy Mineo and Kirk Franklin this album is about to be fire!!!!!

Tori Kelly is also scheduled to perform the new single during the “Today” show’s Citi Concert series.

Entertainment

Bethel Music’s Brandon Lake Drops Debut Single “This Is A Move”

By FirstLadyB June 29, 2019

“This Is A Move” from South Carolina-based worship leader Brandon Lake is being unveiled today, marking his entrance as the newest member of the Bethel Music family.

The awe-inspired track was co-written with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Tony Brown and Nate Moore. The origins of the song are personal to Lake as they stem from his friend Micah’s miraculous healing from a rare form of Multiple Sclerosis. The song found early support when Cobbs Leonard released it earlier this year.

The song infused with belief and healing was mirrored to Lake through the countless stories he encountered on Bethel Music’s well-attended “Victory Tour.” The trek with Tasha Cobbs-Leonard and Housefires sold out markets in Seattle, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Birmingham, Houston, Tulsa, Vancouver and more. The second leg will embark this fall.

“By the grace of God, this small idea turned into a song for this season; the soundtrack to what I believe is a movement in my local church, and maybe, just maybe, some language to what I believe God is doing all around the world,” shares Lake. “I’m convinced that when we take on our true identity as sons and daughters of God, courageously live by the Spirit, and feel the compassion of Jesus towards every person—we become a dangerous force to reckoned with. We begin to meet every sickness, disease, and demon with the reality that it has to bow at the name of Jesus; and we will see God do more than we ever thought was possible.”

Entertainment

Brand New Rend Collective Single “YOUR NAME IS POWER” Out Today

By FirstLadyB June 28, 2019

On the heels of “Counting Every Blessing” marked as the biggest song of their career to date, Rend Collective is delivering “YOUR NAME IS POWER,” a brand new single available on all platforms now.

The anthem of declaration and praise will hit radio airwaves on July 26. In celebration of the release, the group is additionally unveiling a live performance video of “YOUR NAME IS POWER” recorded in Nashville, Tenn.

Their previous radio hit “Counting Every Blessing” broke through Christian Airplay’s Top 5. The single is housed on Good News which has been streamed over 50 million times. The Belfast-based band has amassed more than 300 million album streams globally.

2019 has proved to be a busy year for the collective. In addition to the newly released single, the band continues to average more than 100 tour dates a year, including a headlining spot on the arena-boasting Winter Jam 2019. They will kick off “The Revival Anthem Tour” in Canada and the U.S. this Fall.

Entertainment

DREAM LABEL GROUP SIGNS CHARMELLE COFIELD / NEW ALBUM ‘CHARMELLE’ AVAILABLE TODAY

By FirstLadyB June 28, 2019

Powerful singer, songwriter and Kansas City native Charmelle Cofield signs with Dream Label Group in partnership with Platform Agency and released a brand new album entitled CHARMELLE today on all digital retailers.

Gifted with the innate ability to speak to the soul with her expressive, heartfelt lyrics and powerful vocal prowess Charmelle was born into music. During a semester off from college, she traveled with a gospel stage play-acting, singing, and writing. She realized that music was her true calling. Within a year, she moved to New York where she landed her first major release.

Charmelle has written and arranged for many hit makers such as; Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Usher, Leon Trees, Letoya Luckett, Blackstreet, Tyrese, to name a few. Charmelle is an accomplished movie composer writing for numerous movies such as The Pink Panther and Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.

In 2016, she released her first LP entitled Created For This proving center stage is where she was always meant to be. Her love of the music, the lyrics and the people who inspire them, keep this innovator working and loving every minute.

Entertainment

Tom Joyner Announces Rickey Smiley To Take Over Morning Show

By FirstLadyB June 28, 2019

Rickey Smiley to take his popular morning show to a new and expanded audience as Tom Joyner retires his groundbreaking Morning Show.

Today on The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Tom introduced listener favorite Rickey Smiley as the successor to the morning anchor position established by Tom over the course of 25 years. Joyner, who is retiring at the end of the year, acknowledged that Smiley has established himself as a trusted leader on-air and in the community with his current show, captivating audiences with his authentic humor but also his unique perspective on topics important to his audience. Smiley also announced that Eva Marcille and Gary Wit Da Tea would be among the on-air cast members joining him to broadcast out of the Dallas studios beginning January 2020. Additional details about the show will be shared in the coming months.

Joyner reflected on his accomplishments and the future, “I’m happy to see the landscape of Urban AC morning radio continue to expand with Rickey, and I’m proud of the doors the Tom Joyner Morning Show opened. Twenty-five years ago, there was no template for a syndicated Urban radio show and we worked hard to prove that we could successfully produce and market a national platform that would entertain, inform and empower African-American listeners. We broke some ground, raised the bar for what audiences expected from Black radio all while partying with a purpose. Yeah, we’ve done a lot but there’s still a lot left to be done. I’m confident that Rickey’s activism along with his love for radio, the community, and HBCUs, will pick up where we left off.”

“It’s an honor to continue the legacy of my boss and frat brother Tom Joyner. Not only has he been a friend to my family and me over the years, but we consider him family. Tom’s mentorship has instilled in me valuable wisdom that I will carry with me through this new morning show,'” Rickey shared.

Congratulations on your retirement Tom Joyner! Rickey Smiley was an excellent choice to be his successor!

Entertainment

Michelle Williams Is Getting Back To Her 1st Love ‘God’

By FirstLadyB June 27, 2019

After calling off her engagement to Pastor and Professional Sports Chaplain, Chad Johnson, Michelle Williams is getting back to her first love.

In a recent interview with Essence, Michelle opened up about how she’s getting to know herself better after her shocking breakup, and being forced to quit Broadway lead to a mental breakdown.

“People have been like, “Michelle, this is a season for people to love on you.” That’s hard to accept when you’re independent. It’s hard to sit down and just let somebody love on you, take care of you. I’m in a church where I’m being discipled. I don’t have to wear makeup. I can just go in and worship the Lord—go to church and just be. I’m getting back to my first love, which is God. And that had been a part of my success before. I was serving God. I’m forming that habit again, Michelle Williams shared with the publication.

Michelle also gave advice to women who may feel overwhelmed with life.

“Thank you so much @essence My prayer is that it encourages women everywhere!! Yes we can have it all but if you start feeling overwhelmed and/or a prolonged period of sadness and fatigue it’s ok to talk with a therapist to get help to process and get to the bottom of things! Love you all so much, she wrote on Instagram.

Entertainment

Tasha Cobbs Leonard Performs on NPR’S Tiny Desk Concert

By FirstLadyB June 27, 2019

Tasha Cobbs Leonard continues to break barriers as she takes over NPR’s renowned Tiny Desk Concert. The GRAMMY winner makes her debut on Tiny Desk with standout performances of her hit songs “Break Every Chain,” “You Know My Name,” and “River of the Lord.”

Maintaining her status as the top artist in the genre, Tasha Cobbs Leonard was honored last night at ASCAP’S Rhythm & Soul Awards for her hit “I’m Getting Ready” and her single “You Know My Name” currently sits at #7 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart.

Fans can catch Cobbs Leonard next week as she headlines the Gospel Power Stage at the 25th Annual Essence Festival in New Orleans. Tasha will also join Olay and My Black Is Beautiful campaign at the 2019 Essence Festival as they support and celebrate African American Women who are fearless to #FaceAnything. Tasha will not only share her fearless story during the Olay #FaceAnything panel and will talk about her skincare routine with an Olay scientist at the MBIB booth.

Tasha has also continued to expand her brand into fashion business ventures. Last summer, Tasha launched FRITZ Eyewear, a limited collection of glasses and sunglasses sold online. Her first run quickly sold out and she plans to introduce the 2019 collection next month. Last month, she launched CURVE Athletics, an athleisure collection for plus-size women. CURVE comes in a range of sizes from 10/12 up to 26. The pieces are made to be worn for all occasions – working out, daily errands, even going out on a casual date, and have the ease of your favorite sweatpants, with the shaping hold of some body garments. For more information visit: http://fritzeyewear.com/ and http://www.curveathletics.net/.

Entertainment

McDonald’s Gospel Tour Weekend In Atlanta

By FirstLadyB June 26, 2019

The McDonald’s Gospel Tour switched it up during it’s Atlanta stop.

This past weekend, McDonald’s USA brought the first-ever Golden Voice Talent Showcase and in-depth Master Class to Atlanta as part of the 13^th Annual McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour.

This is the first time the McDonald’s Gospel Tour has offered a two-day empowering and educational experience as part of its free nationwide tour. The tour is an extension of McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden campaign, an initiative that shines a brilliant light on Black excellence through the areas of empowerment, education and entrepreneurship. The Golden Voice Talent Showcase and Master Class were produced in partnership with RCA Inspiration.

The power-packed experience kicked off with the Golden Voice Talent Showcase Friday night at the Riverside Epicenter. Twenty-four hopefuls from as near as metro Atlanta to as far as Rochester, NY, auditioned before a crowd of gospel music fans and judges, including musical powerhouses Donald Lawrence, Kierra Sheard and Sir the Baptist. RCA Inspiration Vice President of Marketing Damon Williams joined the judging panel, giving aspiring singers feedback on their performances. In the end, Atlanta-native Aarion Rhodes, blew away the judges and onlookers with a traditional gospel hymn. She took home the grand prize, which included opening for the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour concert the following day in her hometown.

The following morning, the showcase judges joined tour host Lonnie Hunter for an in-depth Master Class, held at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The panelists gave an intimate crowd an inside look into the music business.

The exciting weekend culminated with an explosive concert featuring performances by Donald Lawrence, Kierra Sheard, Sir the Baptist, Tye Tribbett, Keke Wyatt and DJ Standout. The event was hosted by Lonnie Hunter and drew approximately 6,000 attendees to New Birth.

Entertainment

Beyonce & Donald Glover ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ Duet In New Lion King Remake Teaser

By FirstLadyB June 24, 2019

Beyonce and Donald Glover duet of ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ for the Lion King remake will give you chills.

Nala (Queen Bey) and Simba (Glover), appear to have successfully given new life to Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning original.

Bey shared Disney’s teaser clip for her highly anticipated duet with Glover ahead of the live-action remake. The TV spot went viral when it leaked last week, before Disney shut the clip down. Beyoncé’s share on YouTube is outpacing Disney’s original post, 190K to 143K., according to USA Today.

The Lion King remake arrives in theaters July 19th.

Entertainment

PICS: Kirk and Tammy Franklin BET Awards Blue Carpet + Love Theory Performance

By FirstLadyB June 24, 2019

Kirk and Tammy Franklin fashion choices never miss, especially when they are attending industry events.

During the BET Awards Sunday night, Kirk and Tammy stepped on the blue carpet representing well for the Kingdom!

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Tammy Franklin, who was styled by J. Bolin, slayed the blue carpet in a chrome pant suit by Stephen Goudeau, while Kirk wore a baby blue suit with his white sneakers.

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Kirk was nominated for the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for his single Love Theory, and for ‘Never Alone,’ his duet with Tori Kelly. Kirk ended up losing to Snoop Dogg.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzEv6PRBBth/

But, that didn’t stop the Franklin’s from having fun, the couple danced around in the BET BETA Express. The way they vibe with each other is everything!