How her voice in film sparked inspiration and dreams Waking up to news of Academy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress Irene Cara, her voice bounced in my brain and tears flowed. I could hear her cheering, confident voice sing the lyrics to “Fame” the theme song to the movie of…

‘Learn to Swim’ Should Flow Smoothly. Instead, It Crashes and Lands In Awkward Storytelling By Lisa D. DeNeal I love a good, great, jazz film. For example, ‘Paris Blues,’ a 1961 motion picture starring the late Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Paul Newman and his real life wife, Joanne Woodward …

Creatives leave their gifts for their fans to enjoy, appreciate and remember Lately it seems that whenever I check my social media pages there’s an announcement of a celebrity death. Over the weekend it was announced that actor Roger E. Mosley, known to 80s TV fans as T.C. on “Magnum…

By Lisa D. DeNeal There’s nobody’s business more greater and more truthful than Mama’s business. Especially if it’s a Black Mama/Mommy/Ma Dear’s business. In the documentary, “In Our Mothers’ Gardens,” their business is out for the world to learn, but it is done with love from their daughters and granddaughters. …

Unbeknownst to what was going on 30 minutes ago on television and social media, my five-year-old great-nephew sang and played in my living room as my body was tense. He has no idea nor an understanding what news was breaking. A cheerful background of playfulness as a I stood facing…

In this film, the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party serves as a backdrop regarding FBI informant William ‘Bill’ O’Neal’s infiltration of the organization to bring down its leader, Fred Hampton. By Lisa D. DeNeal UPDATE: Actor Daniel Kaluuya is now a Golden Globe winner for his Best Supporting…

“What’s today? Sunday.” My 94-year-old father asked and answered his question within seconds as I helped him get ready for the day. “Yes, it’s Sunday…and it’s Father’s Day,” I announced loud and clear in his right ear. His second set of ears, aka, hearing aids, rested on top of his…

A pandemic didn’t stop this beautiful ceremony. Remembering a local pioneer of Juneteenth and other Black History celebrations. Plus a few things you can do locally and online today. By Lisa D. DeNeal Today is June 19. June 19 is also known as Juneteenth. Juneteenth represents June 19, 1865, a…

By Lisa D. DeNeal Yep. My silly, possibly foolish self tweeted that name five times on a dare from the official Twitter page for a new rendition of the Clive Barker horror movie, ‘Candyman.’ Today, I, along with thousands of horror peers, received a tweet from the official page, and…