October 1, 2020 - FirstLadyB

An Evening Of Thanksgiving With Cece Winans

By FirstLadyB October 30, 2020

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CeCe Winans will be giving an online concert “An Evening of Thanksgiving,” Nov. 22nd to help us kick off the holiday season.

The angelic singer has partnered with Compassion LIVE to stream the concert that reportedly will also feature special guest and probably new music since she’s been in the studio.

Attendees who sponsor a child with Compassion International will be given access to An Evening of Thanksgiving as well as access to a separate VIP event that includes exclusive performances and a very special conversation with CeCe and her family. There will even be a sneak peak at new music from her upcoming live recording due to release in 2021. Individual tickets are available for purchase here.

“I am honored to be a part of the mission of Compassion International and their years of commitment to helping children who are experiencing unimaginable circumstances because of poverty and COVID 19 has made those issues even more dire,” Winans said in a statement. “The Compassion mission statement “releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name” is ministry that is near and dear to my heart and I look forward to what we can do together to forever positively change lives.”

Politics

Jill Biden Campaigns In Lansing, Michigan For Her Husband

By FirstLadyB October 30, 2020

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Dr. Jill Biden campaigned for her husband Joe Biden in Lansing, Michigan on Thursday afternoon.

Even though it was raining, people stood outside and waited to hear our future First Lady talk about our next President and why America should vote for him.

“The life that we built with our boys and our daughter Ashley certainly has changed, she shared with the crowd about being married to Joe. But, one thing that never did change was the character of the man I married…the man who came home from Washington, DC to tuck our kids in… the man who gives his phone number to grieving parents because he needs them to know that even though their hearts are shattered, they are not alone…the man who went to work a few days after our son died because he knew the American public needed him.”

She even talked about Joe’s resilence:

“Over these past few years, I’ve seen Joe get knocked down and get back up again and again. His strength of will is unstoppable and his faith is unshakeable because it’s not in political parties or even himself. It’s in the providence of God. It’s in the potential of our country. It’s in you. It’s in us.”

Dr. Jill will also be making stops in Tallahassee and Orlando Florida on Sunday.

Sunday is the last day to early vote in Florida ahead of Tuesday’s Election Day.

I am so ready to have Dr. Jill as the First Lady of the United States…..

Celebrity News

Whitney Houston Makes History With 3rd Diamond Certified Album

By FirstLadyB October 29, 2020

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The late Whitney Houston is still making history!

She has become the first Black recording artist to earn a third diamond-certified album.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Legacy Recordings announced on Wednesday (October 28) that the legendary singer’s 1987 sophomore album, “Whitney,” has reached diamond status.

The album joins The Bodyguard soundtrack and her self-titled debut studio album Whitney Houston.

Affectionately called “The Voice,” she died in 2012, and will be posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 2020 class. The ceremony will air at 7 p.m. November 7th on HBO.

She is still my favorite singer of all time. Rest well Nippy!

Television

The Hallmark Channel’s Countdown To Christmas “Sleighs” Premiere Week

By FirstLadyB October 28, 2020

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It looks like everyone was tuned in to Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas premiere weekend.

According to reports, the annual television event was #1 on cable for the entire week.

To kick-off premiere week, the network premiered two original holiday movies Saturday and Sunday, “Jingle Bell Bride” and “Chateau Christmas.”

hallmark channel's Countdown To Christmas

Together with flagship sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ ‘Miracles of Christmas’ Saturday and Sunday night original movie premieres, “Christmas Tree Lane” and “Deliver by Christmas”, both networks reached a combined total of nearly 16 million unduplicated Total Viewers from Friday through Sunday. Additionally, the networks delivered 2 of the Top 3 entertainment cable networks for the weekend among Households and Women 18+.

I’m a Hallmarkie, so this is awesome news to me! My television flips between MSNBC (because of the presidential election) and the Hallmark Channel this time of year. My favorite Christmas movie on the network is still Crown for Christmas. It’s about a New York maid who get’s fired from her job working at a hotel, only to get hired temporarily as a governess to a young girl who’s father is to become king.

Movies

TRAILER: Southside Magnolia Documentary Ft. Music From Chance The Rapper

By FirstLadyB October 27, 2020October 28, 2020

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Southside Magnolia tells the resilient story of Victor and Dana Cooksey, black business owners on the South Side of Chicago who was forced to close their restaurant due to the pandemic.

For the past 5 years, Krazy Hog BBQ has been the heartbeat of the Glenwood, IL community, and is known for their “Magnolia Sweet” sauce, a recipe from Dana’s grandmother. Like thousands of restaurants across the country, Krazy Hog was forced to shut its doors due to COVID-19. However, as part of the “Reopen for Delivery” initiative they opened back up on Monday with a new delivery-only restaurant location, in partnership with DoorDash.

World-renowned director Rodney Lucas, who is also a Southside native, has created a new short film to shine a spotlight on Victor and Dana’s story.. The film showcases the resilience of the Cooksey family, the spirit of Black entrepreneurship, and the unwavering commitment of the Chicago community to support their own. It also features music from Chance The Rapper, who not only is a Southside native, but loves giving back to the community that raised him.

Beauty

Bobbi Brown Is Launching A Beauty Brand

By FirstLadyB October 26, 2020

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It’s been about four years since Bobbi Brown walked away from her namesake company, and now the make-up artist and author is launching her own beauty brand.

Jones Road, Brown’s new makeup line is made with clean ingredients and designed for all ages and skin types. The collection is launching with six SKUs, including a moisturizer/skin tint hybrid and a lightweight plumping lip gloss.

Jones Road philosophy is that the world doesn’t need more beauty products. It needs better beauty products. Clean, strategic, high-grade formulations that work on every skin type and tone—and that are as simple to use as they are to master. Shop the line HERE.

Television

Kelly Rowland’s Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding Airing Nov. 28th On Lifetime

By FirstLadyB October 25, 2020October 28, 2020

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Last holiday season I watched Merry Liddle Christmas starring Kelly Rowland on Lifetime, so I’m looking forward to the sequel Merry Liddle Christmas Wedding.

In the first installment, Jacquie Liddle (Kelly) a successful tech entrepreneur has her dysfunctional family in town for the holidays to check out her dream house and at the same time pose for a video shoot for the “perfect” Christmas. Like all holiday’s when family get together, things get a little chaotic, but it doesn’t stop her from falling for the guy next door…Tyler!

The sequel picks up with Jacquie as she and Tyler try to plan their perfect destination Christmas wedding, according to the synopsis. Naturally, Jacquie’s plans go awry when her boisterous family intervenes in her planning and her snooty wedding planner quits in protest. While nothing goes as initially planned, Jacquie and Tyler get a wedding more memorable than they could have ever dreamed. Thomas Cadrot, Debbi Morgan, Bresha Webb, Latonya Williams, Jaime M. Callica, Nathan Witte, Chris Shields also star.

Faith

The Black Church Taught Me The Importance Of Voting

By FirstLadyB October 25, 2020

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Since the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Black churches have played a major role in the electoral process.

This act was signed into law on August 6, 1965, by President Lyndon Johnson. It outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests as a prerequisite to voting.

I personally witnessed this growing up on the south side of Chicago. As a child I attended Manor Community Church in the Jeffrey Manor neighborhood of Chicago. During my high school years until Pastor Charles Jenkins took over Fellowship, I called Salem under the leadership of James Meeks home. Because of my political and business relationships throughout the city, I would visit Rock of Ages (Marvin Wiley) on the westside of Chicago and my dad kept me visiting New Covenant under the leadership of THEE Dr. Stephen John Thurston.

I wrote all of that so you would know I’ve witnessed some of the best leaders.

Back in the day you couldn’t find a church that wasn’t engaged or a pastor that wasn’t weaving into his/her message the importance of registering and getting out and voting. Always so scholarly educating us in the pews on the civil rights movement and our voting rights. We would hold voter registration drives, offer rides to the polls, knock on doors, you name it, we did it, and did it with pride.

Taking care of family and community is an American value and we have the power to reclaim that!- Barack Obama

The church showed me how to fight for our people, our communities and our elders with poise and integrity.

As Bishop Charles E. Blake stated back in 2016, “it remains the Black churches responsibility to encourage its membership to participate in the electoral process; remind them of their history; and empower them to be heard through their vote.” The Black church equals Black power.

With 9 days until election day, I encourage all of you to talk with your friends, family, co-workers and followers about the importance of them voting on Nov. 3rd.

Signed a girl who was raised by the Black church!

Television

Gwen Stefani Partners With Hallmark For Countdown To Christmas Theme Song

By FirstLadyB October 24, 2020October 28, 2020

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Gwen Stefani has recorded the new theme song for Hallmark Channels’ Countdown to Christmas.

Produced by Ryan Tedder and performed by Stefani, “Here This Christmas” is the exclusive Countdown to Christmas theme song.

Gwen also recorded a fresh, modern cover of the classic Christmas carol, “Sleigh Ride.”
“Here This Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride” are featured on a reissue of the Deluxe Edition of
Stefani’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas holiday album on Interscope Records available now at
all digital retailers. Originally released in 2017 You Make It Feel Like Christmas debuted on
Billboard’s Top Seasonal Albums chart and featured six originals and six classic holiday tunes.

Both songs are the focal point of all Countdown to Christmas promotional spots, playing in heavy rotation on Sirius XM’s Hallmark Channel Radio, and available wherever you purchase your music.

Take a listen:

Celebrity News

Regina King Brand Ambassador for Cadillac’s “Never Stop Arriving” Campaign

By FirstLadyB October 23, 2020October 28, 2020

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If you’ve been watching TV, you’ve probably seen actress/director Regina King in the new Cadillac commercials.

The award winning actress/director is the new brand ambassador for the luxury automobile makers’ “Never Stop Arriving” campaign.

Shot by Dee Rees and Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison, the new campaign reflects themes of bravery, resiliency and overcoming obstacles.

“I would say that Cadillac’s tagline of “Never Stop Arriving” is definitely symbolic to me and is, in a way, a mantra for me, King shared. If you’ve achieved something, that achievement is just like a little piece to inspire you to want to do the next thing. Not that I’m not appreciating or taking time to take in the moments when they’re happening, but it definitely encourages me and reminds me that I am capable of going beyond the moment.”

Entertainment Movies

Watch: Netflix The Prom Trailer Starring Meryl Streep Is Here!

By FirstLadyB October 23, 2020October 28, 2020

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Netflix has released the official trailer for The Prom musical from Ryan Murphy and it looks like a lot of fun.

Starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Kerry Washington, James Corden, and newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman, the movie looks to bring a lot of energy to our Holiday season.

The film tells the story of Dee Dee Allen (Streep) and Barry Glickman (Corden) who are New York stage stars that have their careers flatlined after an expensive Broadway show flops. When the two discover high school student Emma Nolan ( Pellman), who has been banned from attending prom with her girlfriend Alyssa (DeBose), the two see a perfect opportunity to support a cause and resurrect their public image.

The musical/movie starts streaming Dec. 11th.