Yeezy makes his first gospel album 

By Philtrina Farquharson, Special to The Miami Times

Kanye West released his much-anticipated “Jesus is King” album about 12 hours later than he said he would.

West had previously confirmed it would drop at midnight, but he took to Twitter at 1 a.m. Friday to let his fans the album is still on the way, and that his team is working on fixing a few mixes.

The “Jesus is King” album had been delayed before; its release was postponed in September. USA Today reports that West asked the people who worked on “Jesus is King” album not to have premarital sex.

The “Jesus is King” album is West’s first gospel album. He created a documentary film that is playing at select IMAX theaters across the country. Fans lined up at the IMAX in Fort Lauderdale for the premiere on Thursday, unsure of what to expect as the documentary was said to set the tone for the album.

West’s musical ministry or Sunday Service as he calls it, started off as a personal endeavor to heal himself while involving close friends and family on his journey. The presence grew as social media clips began to spread, and then came the pop-up shows and festival appearances. West later realized that he wanted to document his journey and that is where the “Jesus is King” film came in.

The film depicts a special Sunday Service that took place in the Roden Crater, the never-before-seen installation from renowned artist James Turrell, in Arizona.

During the film, viewers are able to see, hear, and feel West’s famed Sunday Service come to life. The film was divided by bible verses with a song to accompany it and visuals of Turrell’s creation. Those verses seemed to shed light into West’s increased expression of the gospel.

Although a lot of people are skeptical, this expression of gospel is nothing new to Kanye West. In 2004, his fourth single “Jesus Walks” on his debut album “College Dropout,” featured a sample of “Walk with Me” as performed by the ARC choir.

In his seventh studio album “The Life of Pablo,” his opening song “Ultralight Beam” featured gospel artist Kirk Franklin and self-proclaimed Christian rapper, Chance the Rapper. If you listen closely, in the film you may hear snippets of this song.

West seems as though he has finally found a balance between music, his personal, and spiritual life.

South Florida residents still have the opportunity to see his “Jesus is King” documentary, which is showing only this weekend at IMAX theaters below is a list of dates and time you can watch the film.

Maybe one day Kanye West can bring his Sunday Service to South Flo.

By Branden Hunter
Motown Records was founded in Detroit in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr. To commemorate its 60th year, the Motown Museum announced plans for its highly anticipated Motown 60 Weekend set for September 21-23. The three-day event is packed full of music and star power converging on Detroit in true Motown style for an incredible not-to-be-missed celebration benefiting Motown Museum.

“It’s been such an important year for us to share Motown history and celebrate this milestone in a big way,” said Motown Museum Chairwoman and CEO Robin Terry. “Our Motown 60 Weekend is the culmination of a year-long celebration all happening right here in Detroit. We’ve created three special and unique events for Motown fans. Most importantly, we will honor and celebrate Motown’s iconic visionary founder Berry Gordy in Detroit where this story was born. We invite all Motown fans to join us as we celebrate the musical and cultural impact of this incredible legacy.”

The weekend’s festivities include a “Motown Gospel Concert” Saturday, September 21 at Detroit World Outreach. The concert will feature artists performing traditional gospel music along with spiritually enhanced Motown favorites. Artists include Grammy Award-winning artist Regina Belle, Stellar Award-winning and current Motown gospel label group Tye Tribbet & G.A., Tasha Page-Lockhart, winner of the gospel singing competition Sunday Best that airs on BET, and Detroit gospel royalty Kierra “Kiki” Sheard. A 125-person choir from more than 70 local faith-based groups will perform. With a capacity of 3,000 people, this is an open-to-the public, free community concert. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis beginning August 28. For more information, please visit motownmuseum.org.

During “Hitsville Honors: Celebrating Berry Gordy & 60 Years of Motown” Sunday, September 22 at Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Marjorie J. Fisher Music Center, the city that started it all will soon play host to an unforgettable evening of extraordinary entertainment. Hitsville Honors is a powerful musical tribute to Motown’s legacy and a celebration of the Motown family. Highlights will include a tribute to Motown founder Berry Gordy and a celebration of his incredible life and transformative musical and entrepreneurial vision. The evening will be a star-studded event, with planned appearances by celebrities, local dignitaries and special guests. The Temptations, Four Tops, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, and Mary Wilson will perform Motown favorites. That legendary lineup is just the beginning. Award-winning Motown artists Ne-Yo and Kem will be joined by Detroit’s own Big Sean with other artists and performances to be announced. The result is sure to be a moment unlike any other, where legendary meets contemporary, and where Motown favorites come together with some of today’s most innovative talents to showcase the generational impact and lasting legacy of Motown. Tickets range from $50-$1,000 and include various opportunities, including pre- and post-event receptions. Tickets for Hitsville Honors go on sale Thursday, Aug. 1 and can be purchased at www.motownmuseum.org.

The ”Soul In One Celebrity Golf Classic” will take place Monday, September 23 at Tam-O-Shanter Country Club in West Bloomfield Township. Guests will join Motown alumni and celebrities for an afternoon tee time and a gourmet lunch and dinner. Pricing ranges from $350 for an individual golfer with groups packages available. To register golf event and for information about sponsorship opportunities and tickets packages for all events, contact Motown Museum Director of Development and Community Activation, Paul Barker, at (313) 875-2264, Ext. 226, or email [email protected].

In addition to the Motown Museum hosted weekend of events, the Friends of Fuller Gordy Strikefest event, an L.A.-based annual affair led by his daughter Iris Gordy and granddaughter Karla Gordy Bristol, will honor Motown VP, humanitarian and pro bowler Fuller Gordy. The event will serve as a casual ‘warm up’ for Motown alumni, family, friends and fans to connect and support Motown Museum prior to the weekend’s festivities. Featuring bowling, karaoke, dinner and Motown music, Strikefest will take place on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park. To inquire about tickets and for more information, visit https://friendsoffuller.org.

The Motown Museum was founded in 1985 by Esther Gordy Edwards and is committed to preserving, protecting, and presenting the Motown story through authentic, inspirational and educational experiences.

Announced in late 2016, the Motown Museum expansion will grow the museum to a 50,000-square-foot world-class entertainment and education tourist destination featuring dynamic, interactive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studios, an expanded retail experience and meeting spaces designed by reknown architects and exhibit designers. When completed, the new museum campus will have a transformative impact on the surrounding Detroit neighborhoods, providing employment, sustainability and community pride by serving as an important catalyst for new investment and tourism in the historic area.

This article originally appeared in the Michigan Chronicle. 

Jenny Ziegler, Miami Times
[email protected]

This [NFL] is a man’s world, but it would be nothing without a woman or a girl … (speaking in my James Brown voice).

Sure, we are on the sidelines as cheerleaders, owners, reporters and such, but there has never been a female head coach manning the sidelines in any male professional sport.

There’s always a first time for everything.

Well, hold that thought as we are not there yet.

Recently, Condoleezza Rice was trending on social media when it was reported by NFL insider, Adam Schefter that the Cleveland Browns were considering the former secretary of state for its most recent head coaching vacancy.

Recently, Condoleezza Rice was trending on social media when it was reported by NFL insider, Adam Schefter that the Cleveland Browns were considering the former secretary of state for its most recent head coaching vacancy.

Rice, though hailed as being intelligent, a great leader and a woman of great character, is an unrealistic candidate for the head coaching gig with the Browns, yet she has brought the discussion of coaching opportunities for women in male professional sports to the forefront.

Condi, as she is affectionately called, is also an adamant Cleveland Browns fan.

“I love my Browns,” she said.

Her love for the team stems from times when her and her father watched games together and cheered on Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.

But a love of the game does not make a head football coach.

She acknowledged that she doesn’t possess the experience needed to take on such a role and had this to say on Facebook:

“I do hope that the NFL will start to bring women into the coaching profession as position coaches and eventually coordinators and then head coaches.”

Rice went on to say, “One doesn’t have to play the game to understand it and motivate players, but experience counts – and it’s time to develop a pool of experienced women coaches.”

Though Rice never played the game because she is a female, she knows a little somethin’, somethin’.

For three years, she was a part of the College Football Playoff selection committee responsible for determining the top college football teams in the country; ultimately deciding what four teams would compete in the playoff.

How’s that for “women don’t know jack about football?”

The former secretary of state is wise enough to know that though she is not ready to be a coach in the NFL, there are women who can do the job with the proper training and opportunities.

She has expressed an interest in the role of NFL commissioner. If she can broker peace deals in the Middle East, ceasefires and deal with terrorists and drug lords on behalf of our country — then why not?

She ended her post by saying, “BTW- I’m not ready to coach, but I would like to call a play or two next season if the Browns need ideas!”

At 4-6-1, the Browns could perhaps use a few plays this season as opposed to waiting until next season. I’m just saying.

The league however is making strides, as there are few teams that have opened their doors and are affording women the type of on-the-job-training required to be able to take that next step toward coaching in the NFL.

The Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals and the New York Jets all have hired females in some form of football operational capacity (offensive assistant, special team’s coach, strength and conditioning coach, and assistant coach). Kudos to all of them!

Rice is advocating for more training opportunities for women to get the locker-room credential that will enable them to climb that proverbial NFL coaching ladder.

Given the right opportunities, the sky is the limit: general manager, commission or even president.

The only thing that is standing in the way of a woman coaching in the NFL is air and opportunity.

Miami Times Staff Report

Only four days after marking World AIDS Day, Art Basel Miami Beach patrons raised $10.5 million to fight against the disease in sub-Sahara Africa.

Bono, and social artist Theaster Gates and Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, were joined by guests including Larry Gagosian, Craig Robins, Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova, Christian Louboutin, Derek Blasberg, Marc Quinn, Guggi Rowan, Bobby Shriver, Princess Alia Al- Senussi, HRH Princess Firyal of Jordan, Ebony G. Patterson, Hank Willis Thomas, Dr. Deborah Willis, Sue Webster, Ti-A Thuy Nguyen, James Casebere, Stephen Burks and Ben Milstein at the third (RED) Auction on Dec. 5 in Wynwood.

(RED) was founded in 2006 to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS. Curated by Gates and Adjaye in collaboration with U2’s Bono, the auction featured contemporary art and design donated by Jenny Saville, Sean Scully, Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson, Jennifer Guidi and many more prominent creators. In addition, Adjaye and Gates created unique pieces for the sale.

“Conjuring this exhibition has been such a privilege. We are so grateful to the art, architecture and design community, all of our friends and colleagues who stepped up … to contribute such beautiful work,” said Adjaye.

Gates’ “A Flag for The Least of Them,” sold for $807,000, an auction record for the artist. Additional auction records were set for artists including Jennifer Guidi, Hank Willis Thomas and Leo Villareal.

“Pieces of work that now will extend beyond traditional utility and serve an even greater purpose in helping save lives,” said Gates.

The concurrent (RED) Online auction remains open for bidding through 4 p.m., Friday Dec. 7. The public exhibition is on view at Craig Robins’ Moore Building in Wynwood.

To date, (RED) has generated more than $600 million to support HIV/AIDS programs in Africa, while also helping to fund the Rebuild Foundation, an organization championed by Gates.

The December event follows two previous (RED) Auctions conducted by Sotheby’s. The first, organized by Bono and Damien Hirst in February 2008, featured works donated by Hirst, Banksy, Anish Kapoor, Marc Quinn, Georg Baselitz and Howard Hodgkin, among others, and established 17 new auction records. The second, curated by Jony Ive and Marc Newson in 2013, offered important 20th- and 21st-century design, and attracted matching funds for the AIDS fight from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“These auctions have been game changing for the AIDS fight. It’s not just about the cash they bring in, which is literally lifesaving – but it’s also about the heat, about keeping this epidemic on the public agenda,” said the band U2’s Bono, (RED) co-founder. “Art has always been a vehicle for activism and for truth telling and the truth of the matter is that we’re at a pivotal point where the progress we’ve achieved is in real jeopardy.  Theaster and David – and all the artists here tonight – are raising the red flag at a critical time when fatigue and complacency are very real threats to the future of this virus.”

By K Barrett Bilali
[email protected]

Democrat Donna Shalala should be a shoe-in for the 27th Congressional District.

The candidate for this predominantly Democratic area knows how to raise money as the former head of the Clinton Foundation; and she knew her way around Washington, D.C. as a former Clinton cabinet member. Most of all, Shalala has local name recognition in Greater Miami as the former president of the University of Miami, and she has been a resident of District 27 for the past 20 years.

“I have very high name recognition,” said Shalala in a one-on-one interview with the Miami Times at her campaign headquarters in Coral Gables.

Shalala won a highly contested race against four other Democratic candidates with 32 percent of the vote. She attributes her victory to support from Black neighborhoods.

“I got the largest vote in those areas during the primaries,” said Shalala.

So far, Shalala said she has visited every church in the Black community and expects more votes from former and current students of University of Miami.

“She has been at our church on a few occasions,” said Pastor Alphonso Jackson Sr. of the Second Baptist Church in Richmond Heights. Jackson says that Shalala doesn’t come to his services to politic; she is there to worship and commune with the 3, 200 congregants in his church.

Jackson has been in the ministry for 35 years and pastor of his current church for the past 18 years. He said he is 100 percent in support of Shalala.

“I like her involvement with the community. I like her work that she has done as an advocate for children. And the job that she did at the University of Miami is phenomenal,” said Jackson.

“I followed her from afar, but I got to know her in the last three years personally,” said Jackson. “And I found out that she is really sincere and genuine and passionate in what she is doing. I think she is going to do well in that position.”

Her district is known as one of the wealthiest in South Florida. Bentleys, Jaguars and even the occasional Maserati SUV pass through the tree-lined streets and perfectly manicured lawns. Some parts could be considered the Rodeo Drive of Florida.

But Shalala understands that there are people in her district who face economic and other pressures.

“That’s the myth of this district,” said Shalala. “There are large pockets of poverty. Some of them are immigrant communities and some are old Bahamian communities. Many of them are being gentrified.”

Her district includes Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Perrine and some parts of Miami Beach.

Shalala pointed out that both attorney general candidate Sean Shaw and gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum won these neighborhoods and cities during the primaries. Gillum was raised in Richmond Heights, which is part of her district. The strong Democratic base may be able to pull Shalala into office.

Her main opponent is Republican Maria Salazar, who has never held public office and is known in the community as a TV personality. There is also an Independent candidate named Mayra Joli who is both Black and Hispanic and running in support of the Trump agenda.

“Neither of my opponents have ever designed or delivered a program,” Shalala said.

Shalala touts her work as secretary of Health and Human Services during the Clinton Administration as part of her ability to deliver to the Black community. She said 7 million children nationwide have health insurance as a result of her policies. She has worked to provide low-income housing and extend Medicaid to those who can’t afford health benefits.

“Gun control is also very important to all the communities, which I would represent,” said Shalala.

The 27th Congressional district is nearly 60 percent Hispanic with a diversity of Spanish-speaking communities from Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who was born in Cuba and represented the district since 1989, was a popular Republican politician.

“Cuban Dems are going to vote for me,” said Shalala, whose ancestors immigrated to America from Lebanon.

“If you look at my votes and the polls, it is very clear that the Hispanic community knows me and supports me. It is a myth that you have to be a Hispanic to win this district.”

Both her opponents are long-term Spanish-speaking residents of the district and are strident Trump supporters.

Some political analysts have predicted that in this three-way race, the two Trump supporters may split the Republican vote and hand Shalala the victory.

“My grassroot movement is catching fire,” said Joli, a former Democrat who said she sees herself as the poster child for the Walk-Away Movement consisting of former Democrats.

Currently, Joli only garners about 10 percent in the polls but feels she will get votes from the 138,000 independent voters in the district as well as votes from both main parties.

Shalala said she respects Joli but does not see her as a threat to her chances of winning the election.

“Her impact will be as a Republican not as a Democrat,” said Shalala. “Her impact is not in the African-American community. Her impact is not there because she is a pure Trumpite. Yes, she is Black, but her ideology is that of Donald Trump.”

The district consists of 139,000 Republicans and 148,000 registered Democrats giving the Dems a 6,000-vote advantage.

Shalala acknowledged that both campaigns are vying for those 138,000 independent voters.

A New York Times/Siena poll shows Shalala ahead by seven points while a Mason-Dixon poll shows Salazar ahead by two points, according to realclearpolitics.com. Neither poll includes the impact of Joli as a third-party candidate.

Shalala’s campaign manager, William Washington said he has a two-fold strategy to give Shalala the win: First, by using a complete ground operation and second, a media digital operation.

Washington said their team will be canvassing, calling and texting voters in order to make a personal connection to people.

“We are making sure that we get across Donna’s message and why she would serve this community with great honor,” Washington said.

By K. Barrett Bilali, The Miami Times
[email protected]

Elections have consequences.

This election could change the political balance in Washington or make a balanced, representative government. Currently, Republicans control the House, the Senate, the presidency and with the recent appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, the judicial branch.

But the nation is poised to see the rise of Black political empowerment as Stacey Abrams and Ben Jealous have a chance of winning the governorship of Georgia and Maryland respectively, both Southern states with racist histories.

For Black Floridians, this could be the most-consequential and historic election in their lifetimes.

Locally, this election could result in Florida gaining its first Black governor and attorney general, the restoration of voting rights to ex-felons, new legislation to improve blighted Black communities, the end of a 20-year stretch of Republicans controlling the state, and so much more. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is making a run to put Democrats in the governor’s mansion by besting Republican former U.S. Rep., Ron DeSantis.

Historians, students and activists – both young and old – weigh in on what Election Day 2018 means and some of the far-reaching effects that will occur the day, years and decades afterward.

Rudy Jean-Bart, an assistant professor of history at Broward College, sees a more historic element to the political decisions that will be determined next Tuesday.

“I think as people of color we have to be extremely mindful that throughout American history, we have been disenfranchised to not be as engaged in the voting process. And legislation is passed that is disadvantageous to us,” Jean-Bart said.

Jean-Bart said that Republicans have been effective in limiting the vote of Blacks and restricting the right of felons as a means to limit Black votes.

“If Amendment Four is passed that can definitely change the political landscape of Florida.” Amendment Four is a ballot referendum that, if passed, gives ex-felons the right to vote again unless they were convicted of murder or sexual assault.

“With more Black and Brown people voting, that may result in legislation, which would be more advantageous to us as a people,” said Jean-Bart. “Therefore, a lot is at stake in this election just like a lot is at stake in any election. But I will say that in Florida, what makes this election unique, is that we have the first Black gubernatorial nominee running. Andrew Gillum is running for office as a viable candidate.”

Gillum is the first Black gubernatorial nominee in the history of the state of Florida. Abrams would be the first Black, female governor of Georgia. It’s the first time in history that three Black people are seeking governorships at the same time.

“This is definitely an election of historic nature when it comes to Black people.”

Jean-Bart also weighed in on the historical significance of the attorney general race as well.

“Having a Black attorney general would have an impact on stand your ground. That is definitely going to be an interesting race to watch,” said Jean-Bart. “The dynamics would shift should Sean Shaw be elected attorney general.”

For those who are incarcerated, as well as the effect of the stand your ground law, two cases came to mind: Trayvon Martin and Markeis McGlockton. The shootings of Martin in 2012 and McGlockton this year ignited debates and national protests against a law that allows someone to use deadly force if they feel threatened, sometimes with no consequence.

“There are an awful lot of issues which will be determined by this election,” said Bradford Brown who serves as vice president of the Miami-Dade Branch of NAACP and has been active in the civil rights struggle since the early 1960s.

“To me, the most important things are the judges,” said Brown.

Brown is concerned that three Supreme Court justices in the state of Florida face mandatory retirement next year. And the next governor will appoint their replacements.

“Those three judges will determine the shape of the court for decades,” said Brown.

“We could have very conservative judges who will tend to crush our civil rights or Andrew Gillum who will appoint three progressive judges,” said Brown.

Brown also sees the taking of the Senate from the Republicans as crucial so they will not continue to reshape the federal judiciary.

“Senator Nelson’s re-election is absolutely critical,” said Brown. “They [Senate Democrats] can’t afford to lose anybody.”

Tameka Hobbs is a native Floridian and African Studies history professor at Valdosta State University in Georgia.

“It is very important to vote for Andrew Gillum for governor – not just because of his politics and his race – but because of how his opponent behaves and how DeSantis represents the Trump agenda,” said Hobbs.

She expressed regret with not being able to vote in her birth state for Gillum and Amendment Four.

Hobbs said there was a concerted effort by whites to undermine the 15th Amendment, which gave Black men the right to vote in 1870. Certain crimes were punishable by the loss of voting rights. “When we talk about this law, it is really a holdover from this blatantly discriminatory practice,” Hobbs said. “That type of law is a holdover from the days of Reconstruction,” said Hobbs.

She had a simple message for her fellow Floridians.

“Our civil rights have risen or fallen based on our voting rights. When we vote we have had increased protections. If not, we see a decline. So vote,” Hobbs said.

Dadly Joseph is a 38-year-old activist with Fight for 15 who believes that his fate and the security of his family is tied to increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

“I can’t really take care of them at all,” said Joseph about his responsibilities to his family.

“I’m trying to make it, but it ain’t working. With $15 an hour I could pay for some of the money for my kids to go to college,” said Joseph. “What we are making now can’t even pay your rent.”

Joseph is so deeply committed to this issue that he actively protests in front of different McDonald’s with other members of Fight for 15.

“This [election] is about putting someone into government or Congress just like us. Ordinary people like us. It will guarantee unionizing and help a lot of urban communities, especially like mine in Little Haiti.”

Students at Miami Northwestern Senior High School understand the importance of voting. They produced and published a video encouraging all people to vote on youtube.com entitled, “Our vote matters.”

The video begins with two students saying they are not voting because nothing really changes. But then a student shows them the video on her cellphone.

“Each of us has a moral responsibility – if we are of voting age and if we are registered to participate. I come here to urge every person to go the polls and vote,” says Martin Luther King Jr. as a lead-in for the video. And then the kids begin their song.

“You better vote, because our vote matters,” are only some of words in a song written by Thomas Demerritte of the Admit Program. The program provides music intervention projects for youth in the community.

“On August 28, 1963, Dr. King gave his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, tweeted

Gillum before the primary. “On August 28, 2008, President Obama accepted his nomination for President. On August 28, 2018, I’m going to win the Democratic primary for Governor of Florida.”

Gillum won the Democratic primary, his first step to making his pronouncement ring true.