Motivational Monday 9/26

It’s never too late to start over. If you weren’t happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don’t stay stuck. Do better.

Music Mixx…Denitia + Sene

Denitia + Sene

Ryan Mikail

Sounds Like: Entering a coffee shop on another planet and ordering the most chilled-out cold press ever conceived. Futuristic R&B and soul on a cloud of its own.

For Fans of: Rhye, the Internet, Zero 7-era Sia

Why You Should Pay Attention: After a chance meeting at a party a few years back, Denitia Odigie and Brian “Sene” Marc plotted to combine her ice-cutting vocal skills with his serrated, beat-driven synthesizer experiments. Their partnership flourished naturally at the Clubhouse, a four-story Victorian home reimagined as a creative space deep in Brooklyn’s Ditmas Park neighborhood. (“It’s like if the Royal Tenenbaums had all played instruments and made music,” Sene offers.) Following the genre-hopping Blah, Blah, Blah EP, and last year’s His and Hers LP — which hit Number 11 on the iTunes R&B chart — they’ve returned with a focused digital slice, the side fx. EP, coming out via Red Bull Sound Select. Each song coalesces Nashville-seasoned Denitia’s evocative range of emotion with Sene’s pixelated tones (and some harmonizing) for a FaceTime-era transmission of the joys and challenges of modern love.

They Say: “The micro storyline of Denitia and myself is comedic — always me trying to sing less, and her trying to make me sing more,” Sene says. “On the song ‘Call U’ on His and Hers, we kind of broke off on the electronic influence to it [for side fx.]. We latched onto the ‘Call U’ sound, even though it’s not one of our most popular songs, as far as the singles and all that. Every time we do that live, the way people respond is special.”

“Pretty much we could just be anywhere at this point,” says Denitia. “With some recording gear, and something cool would probably happen. I don’t say that in a way that, ‘We’re so great.’ At this point, whatever we’ve done at the Clubhouse, it developed us. We take that vibe with us wherever we work.”

Hear for Yourself: “Runnin.” from side fx. sounds like a cyborg singing along with the XX. By Reed Fischer

 

The Circle City Classic® Parade

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Black Expo, Inc. announced today that WHMB TV-40 will broadcast its annual Circle City Classic Parade® in its entirety. The Circle City Classic® Parade is one of the most well-attended and sought after events during the annual fundraiser presented by Indiana Black Expo. This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, September 24 at 10 AM starting at North and Pennsylvania Streets and ending at North and Meridian Streets.  The parade will be broadcast on a videotape delay and be aired on local station Channel 40, Comcast Channel 9, Brighthouse Channel 22, and DISH Network Channel 8457 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM later that day before the Classic game. WHMB TV-40 is not on Direct TV in Indianapolis. “Indiana Black Expo is excited to partner with LeSea Broadcasting and WHMB TV 40 Indianapolis on our Circle City Classic Parade,” said IBE President and CEO Tanya Bell.  “TV40 has a strong and diverse history in this community and is a perfect fit  for our parade.” Each year attendees are treated to performances from groups throughout the Midwest, as well as competitive opportunities for participating bands, drill teams and Greek units. “WHMB-TV40 and LeSEA Broadcasting are honored and proud to be a part of a historical cultural event like the Indiana Black Expo’s Circle City Classic Parade,” said Keith Passon, WHMB Indianapolis General Manager. “Here at WHMB we’re committed to providing family friendly and faith-based programming for all of our viewers, and this fits right in with that goal. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with President TanyaBell and the IBE family. The Circle City Classic® football game and parade are a perfect fit for TV40 and our rich 43-year history of covering local events, from high school sports to now the Circle City Classic® Parade.” The 33rd Annual Circle City Classic® Game featuring the Central State University Mauraders and the Kentucky State University Thorobreds will take place on Saturday, September 24 at 3 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. For more information or to purchase tickets to the 33rd Annual Circle City Classic®, you can visit the Indiana Black Expo Box Office at 3145 North Meridian or go online to  www.circlecityclassic.com.

Indiana Black Expo Inc., 3145 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208

R&B ARTIST RO JAMES NAMED GRAND MARSHAL OF 2016 CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC® PARADE

 

For Immediate Release Contact Dian Foreman 317.923.3112 R&B ARTIST RO JAMES NAMED GRAND MARSHAL OF 2016 CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC® PARADE INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Black Expo, Inc. has named up and coming R&B sensation Ro James as the grand marshal of this year’s Circle City Classic Parade®. This year’s parade will take place on Saturday, September 24 at 10 AM beginning at North and Pennsylvania Streets. It will be broadcast on a videotape delay on local station Channel 40, from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM later that day before the Classic game. “Indiana Black Expo is pleased to welcome Ro James to Indianapolis and we are looking forward to having him as our Grand Marshal,” said IBE President and CEO Tanya Bell. Influenced by his aunt, a former singer for Prince, Ro James’ love for the album Purple Rain landed him in the studio at the age of 19. His skills as a songwriter began with the song “Portrait,” leading up to a credit on the single “Use Me” by R&B singer Miguel after forming a bond with him on MySpace. James has performed in and around New York with artists such as Luke James and Wynter Gordon. He signed with ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records in 2015 and subsequently released “Permission,” his first single from a major record label. His debut album, Eldorado was released May 27, 2016. It debuted at number eight on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The 33rd Annual Circle City Classic® Game featuring the Central State University Mauraders and the Kentucky State University Thorobreds will take place on Saturday, September 24 at 3 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. For more information or to purchase tickets to the 33rd Annual Circle City Classic®, you can visit the Indiana Black Expo Box Office at 3145 North Meridian or go online to www.circlecityclassic.com.

Indiana Black Expo Inc., 3145 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46208

Music Mixx…Dej Loaf

Dej Loaf

Dej Loaf / Jerry Johnson

Sounds Like: True versatility. One minute the Detroit-bred vocalist is a deceptively sweet-sounding, throwback R&B devotee and the next she’s an in-your-face, fire-spitting madwoman.

For Fans of: Jeremih, Aaliyah, Drake if he manned up and became a woman

Why You Should Pay Attention: The 23-year-old Detroit rapper seemingly came from nowhere when she released the darkly twinkling “Try Me,” but she’s been on a rollercoaster ever since. After getting the coveted Drake co-sign (he put some of her lyrics on his Instagram), Dej saw her song reimagined by Wiz Khalifa and E-40, appeared on a track with Eminem and got a deal with Columbia — becoming one of the few female rap artists with a major label contract. Her latest mixtape, Sell Sole, shows her ability to embody whatever corner of the genre she chooses, with a confidence and a writing ability well beyond her years. “My style is free, I do whatever I feel at the moment,” she says. “If I feel like singing, I sing, if I feel like rapping, I rap. I used to be too shy to sing on my earlier songs when I first started out, recording now is more comfortable. So I let loose and do what I want. Swanging!”

She Says: “Nowadays I feel like women rappers come into the game with the same mentality from way back. They think, ‘It’s hard to be a female in the industry.’ They come in using that and it gets them nowhere. My mentality is just to create. No rules. No old-school remedies. What’s next for me is to stamp my name everywhere and become one of the best to ever do it.”

Hear for Yourself: Listen to where it all started with “Try Me” — 13 million plays and counting! By Cady Drell

WATCH: Michelle Obama Dances, Opens Up About Leaving The White House On ‘Ellen’ — Black America Web

Michelle Obama has been a beacon of light ever since her introduction to the world back in 2008. Now that her time as FLOTUS is coming to an end, we can’t get enough of her. Mrs. Obama co-hosted Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show on Tuesday, and was nothing less than warm and witty. Not only did she…

via WATCH: Michelle Obama Dances, Opens Up About Leaving The White House On ‘Ellen’ — Black America Web

Wellness Wednesday 9/14

Rejoice! Teyana Taylor Is Working on a Fitness DVD

Singer Teyana Taylor poses before the Baja East fashion show during New York Fashion Week September 2016 at 25 Beekman on September 9, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images)
Photo by Brian Ach

By Avon Dorsey
Sep, 10, 2016

The singer-actress gave us all the details of her “Fade to Fitness” DVD during the Baja East show at New York Fashion Week

In a crowded room filled with smoke, some of New York’s glitziest editors, grungiest hipsters and image-thirsty paparazzi, there was a queen who emerged amongst us all… and her name was Teyana Taylor.

Seated front-row and chatting with two of our fave Iman’s (her hubby, Iman Shumpert, of course, and supermodel Chanel Iman), Taylor proudly displayed what the world has been talking about for the past two weeks… her AMAZING, tight-and-toned body!

We asked Queen Tey ALL the questions everyone wants answered.

On her amazing body and fitness routine:

“I have a couple of little, secret tips… I have a DVD coming out “Fade to Fitness” and I’m very, very excited! Some girls don’t want to go to the gym because they don’t feel as though they look good… but us ladies should be able to walk out the house and feel beautiful and look good!  Teyana Taylor Stomped Her Way Through the Yeezy Season 4 Fashion Show and Obviously Slayed.
“[The DVD will come out] before Thanksgiving! So you can still have all your Thanksgiving food and enjoy it… Eat all you want to eat and don’t feel bad because you’ll have your “Fade to Fitness” video just in time, knowing that Teyana got ya back! You can watch the DVD and workout at home… in your living room, or in your bedroom. We’re going to make this fun!

That Kanye Video!

“I didn’t see the video until the same day it premiered on the VMA’s! And now, my life has changed. I feel like everybody at some point gets their ‘just due’ and I’m finally getting mine.”

On being a celebrity!

“You guys watched me grow up… You know us New Yorkers play no games, but also traveling the world and getting to know different people also builds you as a person. You have the core fans that knew you forever, that’s been following you forever, and you have the new fans where you tell them, ‘welcome.’ It’s almost like if you walk into a store and you don’t know much about that store, but there’s always a welcome. I’m not the type of person who says, ‘oh, y’all better know who I am…’ no, I’ve always been humble. For all the new fans… download the album, “VII” and get to know me!

Her next album:

“I’ll try to put a little bit more uptempo’s on there, but for the majority I’ll just keep building [from the debut album]. I’m all for the baby-making music… I’m all for the Janet-realness. I keep it sexy!”

Baby Junie and Those Headwraps:

“Junie scares me sometimes, and she’s only eight months… When we go to the fabric stores she has a habit of touching things; she’ll turn away if she doesn’t like something and she’ll smile if she does! And if she’s reaching her arm out, then that’s the fabric we’re getting. It’s a family business.”
On ESSENCE:

“ESSENCE is the epitome of having strong, black women on its covers. And, I feel like I’ve earned that… just from my story, from growing up [in the spotlight] being this tomboy turning into a young lady, being a mom and a wife. Going through heartbreak and embarrassment… to overcome all of that and still keep moving… I’ve earned that.”

Well… we hear you Tey… And it sounds like we better get to it then!

And don’t get me wrong, my squad-in-my-head girl looks incredible. But farrrrrrr more incredible is her workout regimen. She kills the game, leaves the treadmill smoking, and will leave you sore just from watching her hustle. And, because I’ve been a fan of hers for so long that I remember her old ustream account where she livestreamed her workout tips, you’ve got a little treat below!

Workout Wednesday

That’s not even all of it.

(If you’re having trouble, try viewing this link and this link.)

When you look at Teyana, know that she’s always been relatively thin, but she grinds until there’s nothing left when it comes to staying that way. She’s more than “post-baby body goals,” she’s HUSTLE goals through and through. I might be inspired by her sneaker collection, sure—I mean, can I get the plug, too?— but I’m inspired by the way she treats her workouts: like business.

Might even cut on her track “Maybe” for inspiration next time I head out for my own.

 

Motivational Monday 9/12

4 Motivational Video’s For When You Feel Discouraged

 

Staying focussed, excited and motivated can be very hard when you do not see the result yet, failed or even after a fun weekend that felt way too short. It is Monday morning again, the first working day of the week.

You are either getting ready for work or if you are lucky still cozy in your bed. Either way we can all use a little motivation to get a great, motivational start and to get us focussed again for this week ahead.

These 4 videos will encourage, motivate and excite you again for whatever it is you are dreaming of or working towards. Pick 1 or watch them all, and experience how a video of just a couple of minutes can get you back on track!

#1 – Be fearless

#2 – Chase your dream, whatever 2 – Chase your dream, whatever that dream is!

#3 – If you have never failed, you have never lived!

 

#4 – Why do we fall?

 

Your Girl Taraji….

Why you want Taraji as your home girl…..

She’s become a household name since bringing the character, Cookie Lyon, to life. Taraji P. Henson has been in the game for a long time, but there’s no doubt that right now is her moment. With a hit show on Fox and a leading role in the upcoming movie, Hidden Figures, which is also expected to be a hit, not to mention a MAC makeup line launching this month, the most appropriate response to everything the actress is doing right now is exactly what Entertainment Weekly put on their cover with her: “Yaasss Queen!” Here’s just a few things we lloovvee about Taraji!

1. Her humility

Although Henson is most famous for playing the role of an arrogant drug dealer turned corporate force, she is a very humble person in real life.

“Empire means to me that I’m valuable,” Henson told USA Today in a recent interview. “It proved to me that all of my hard work and efforts building an audience and a fan base payed off because they followed me to ‘Empire.'”

2. Her charisma

Henson is humble, but that humility doesn’t take away from her charisma, which easily shines through in her role as Cookie on “Empire.” Just watch a few interviews and you’ll see the way she can command your attention.

(Photo : Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain)
Taraji P. Henson is definitely the most charismatic person on 3″Empire.”

 

3. Her acting chops

Taraji has been in Hollywood for almost two decades, and in that time she’s shown great range. In “Hustle & Flow,” she presented a nuanced portrayal of a meek, but fiercely loyal prostitute. In “No Good Deed” Henson played the part of a down to Earth woman determined to save her child’s life. In “Empire” she steals the show when she plays the effortlessly charismatic, and aggressive Cookie.

Are you going to watch the rest of “Empire” season two? Let us know by voting in our poll below

The Fox star wowed at the the Golden Globes in January, sporting a strapless white Stella McCartney dress with a cape-like back.

Taraji P. Henson looks white hot at 2016 Golden Globes

Stunning: The Fox star wowed at the the Golden Globes in January, sporting a strapless white Stella McCartney dress with a cape-like back; pictured January 10 in Los Angeles – she said she loves to shop at Target, but now she is famous finds it harder

Pure happiness: Taraji accepted the Best Actress Award at the Golden Globes last month for her portrayal of Cookie on the Fox hit; pictured January 10 at the show

During the stunner’s acceptance speech for her Best Actress award, she said: ‘I mean who knew that playing an ex con would take me all around the globe?’

Adding: ‘It just goes to show…it was Cookie who spent 17 years in jail for selling crack!’

When she was told to wrap her acceptance speech, Taraji exclaimed: “Please wrap!” Wait a minute. I waited 20 years for this. My fans have been praying for this. You gotta give me time.’

Taraji accepted the Best Actress Award at the Golden Globes last month for her portrayal of Cookie on the Fox hit.

• redbookmagIntroducing our October cover star: @tarajiphenson! Tap the link in our bio to hear what the @empirefoxstar has to say about single parenting, finding real love, and aging gracefully.

• briannareyess@maryann465
• youngatstyleYAASSSS!💜
• zlie17That is awesome you put her on the cover. She is a force to be reckoned with!

Taraji P. Henson poses with her MAC products in Chicago on Wed. (Photo: Tasos Katopodis, Getty Images for MAC)

Taraji P. Henson just launched her MAC Cosmetics collaboration this week. In fact, she had an in-store event for its launch yesterday,

The collection only went on sale online Tuesday, but already items have sold out. Henson’s own mother couldn’t buy a powder from the six-piece set.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKENgAZhlj6/embed/captioned/?v=7

Fortunately, she probably was the one who gave the actress her perfect complexion, and doesn’t need to pay for that “Taraji Glow.”

But for those outside of the Empire star’s bloodline, items that are still on sale online include a deep beige “Strip Me Down” lipstick, a black “Haute & Naughty” mascara, “Rapidblack” liquid eyeliner and a “Duo Fibre” brush. The highlighting powders in the collection are not currently available online, but are “coming soon,” reads the MAC Cosmetics site as of Thursday evening.

Empire on FOX – Returns on September 21‎

CLARESSA SHIELDS..MAJOR TAYLOR AWARD RECIPIENT

INDIANA BLACK EXPO WILL HONOR OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL BOXER CLARESSA SHIELDS AS 2016 MAJOR TAYLOR AWARD RECIPIENT DURING CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC®  Olympics | US Boxer Claressa Shields Discusses Rio Gold Medal (click on image) INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Black Expo, Inc. announced today that Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields will receive this year’s Major Taylor Award at the Circle City Classic NCAA Coaches Luncheon presented by the Indianapolis Colts. One of the main events of the 33rd annual Circle City Classic weekend, the luncheon will take place on Friday, September 23 at 11 a.m. at the Westin Hotel. The Circle City Classic® game features a rematch between the Central State University Mauraders and the Thorobreds of Kentucky State University at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, September 24. Shields is the first U.S. woman to win a gold medal in boxing. She won the gold in Women’s Middleweight Boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2016 Summer Olympics, which made her the first American boxer, male or female, to win an Olympic title twice in a row. The Major Taylor Award is presented in honor of Marshall “Major” Taylor, the prominent Indianapolis cyclist. Since its inception in 1987, the award has been presented to African-American athletes, coaches, athletic administrators and officials who not only make a significant local and national contribution to youth but also encourage excellence in future generations. This year, Jones will join such past recipients as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Muhammad Ali and Tony Dungy. Shields was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and was introduced to boxing by her father, Bo Shields, who had boxed in underground league. Bo was in prison from the time Shields was two years old, and released when she was nine. After his release he talked to her about boxer Laila Ali, piquing her interest in the sport, although Bo nevertheless believed that boxing was a men’s sport and refused to allow Shields to pursue it until she was eleven. At that time she began boxing at Berston Field House in Flint, where she met her coach and trainer, Jason Crutchfield. Shields credits her grandmother with encouraging her to not accept restrictions based on her gender. “We are excited to honor Claressa Shields as the 2016 Major Taylor Awards recipient,” said IBE President and CEO, Tanya Bell. “She is a true example of how women continue to break the glass ceiling and live their lives without boundaries.” Previous recipients of the Major Taylor Award include: Eddie Robinson, Florence Griffith Joyner, Earl Woods, Muhammad Ali, Dominique Dawes, Tamika Catchings, Tony Dungy, Jerry Rice and George Hill. Tickets for this year’s Circle City Classic Coaches Luncheon are $40 per person/$400 per table and can be purchased by visiting the Indiana Black Expo box office at 3145 N. Meridian St. For more information regarding the Major Taylor Award and the 33rd Annual Circle City Classic, visit www.circlecityclassic.com