Emerging from a life on the streets and breaking the shackles of depression, domestic violence and low self-esteem is the inspiration behind the new stage play, ‘The Devil Thought He Had Me.’ In a one night showing at Central Piedmont Community College’s Pease Auditorium on June 7th, the play touches on a bevy of personal struggles including rape and the “stigma of not feeling good enough.” Peachanda DuBose, founder of Mayan Productions, is the writer and director of  ‘The Devil Thought He Had Me.’  Due to the subject matter and language, Ms. DuBose says the play is for mature audiences. Ms. DuBose talked with ’Community Voices’ host, Ron Holland, about her production and personal journey that led her to write the inspiring play.  

By Tonya Jameson

“Change ain’t easy. It ain’t magic,” Woodard said. “Get the word out to young people. It’s not a process. It’s a way of life.”

The youth summit will coincide with the Democratic National Convention and draw students from 20 area colleges. The Congressional Black Caucus Institute and JCSU are sponsoring the event. Woodard and actor Hill Harper are expected to attend.Harper campaigned in Charlotte for President Obama during the 2008 election.They summit will be a highly technological affair with web streaming and other online interaction.

Woodard said young people have so much more power today because of technology to organize and fight for progress and freedom.

“This is cyber-happening in which our audience will be texting, tweeting and live streaming in a dialogue about the 21st century challenges facing them individually and collectively,” Woodard said.

During Tuesday’s press conference Watt and Woodard emphasized that students must stay engaged with the political process after the election rather than every four years. Summit organizers hope the student participants will return to their campuses energized about the political process for the upcoming election, local politics and their feature.

With Woodard participating in the summit, the students can’t help but be inspired. She spoke with such passion on Tuesday about the president and her hopes for America’s future and it’s youth.

“I’m still fired up about moving forward,” Woodard said. “This president has made more progress within such a short time than any president in our history.”

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Violence against women received national attention in recent weeks as Congress debated varying versions of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The House passed their version of the measure this week excluding protections to Native Americans, Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Americans and illegal Immigrants. Gurmay Fraser-Darlington, Author of the book, ‘My Journey to Spiritual Restoration,’ talked with ‘Community Voices’ host, Ron Holland, about her experience with Domestic violence, the VAWA legislation and efforts to eradicate physical abuse.

Sometimes we hear people brag about their new car, new home, luxurious apartment, expensive jewelry, designer clothing, or high tech gadgets. These boasters enjoy bragging about their prized possessions to communicate that they have achieved a certain social status. In the mind of the untrained financial professional, these people are “Doing It Big!”, “Flossin”, and “Shinin.”. The sad truth is that many of these people are “Smelling Good, Looking Good, and Broke!” Why? Because it’s not what you have, it’s what you’re worth.

Whether you are a business expert or you have troubling balancing your checkbook, life requires that you participate in business transactions (such as: financing a new car, leasing an apartment, buying a home, or purchasing insurance). But the sad truth is that most people lack the required education and experience to make sound business decisions. The result of the lack of business expertise leads to major confusion between assets and liabilities. In simple terms, some people think that they are financially “getting ahead” when they are actually setting themselves back.  Before the economic crisis of 2008, the average American thought that they were “getting ahead” with the purchase of their new home. But really they were setting themselves back because many people purchased homes at peak prices, over-financed their home purchases (because they put down little or no money), and did not have a plan to pay off their home loans. Buying real estate can increase your financial worth but the use of bad money (ex: high interest rate home loans or equity lines) decreases your financial worth.

When I say It’s What You’re Worth, I am referring to a financial term called net worth.  Forbes magazine uses net worth to determine the richest athletes, business executives, and entertainers. To calculate your net worth, total all of your assets (such as: cash, bank accounts, stocks and mutual funds, real estate, and personal property) and then subtract all of your debts (such as: credit cards, student loans, home loans, auto loans, and personal loans). The result is your net worth.

In 2009, according the Pew Research Center, the median net worth for African-American households was $5,677, $6,325 for Latino-American households, and $113,149 for White-American households. The Economic Policy Institute’s 2009 report disclosed that 25 percent of American households had zero or negative net worth and 40 percent of African-American households had a zero or negative net worth.

Many people are trying to purchase a financial status when they are really burying themselves in debt. If you want to aim higher than the “Smelling Good, Looking Good, and Broke!” crowd, you should consider developing strategies that increase your net worth. Below are some simple steps to increase your net worth.

1.) Pay Off Your Debts! Start with High Interest Rate Debts.

2.) Reduce Your Monthly Expenses.

3.) Increase Your Savings.

4.) Create an Emergency Savings Account. (So you don’t have to use a credit card for financial emergencies).

5.) Pay for everything with Cash, Check, or Debit Card.

6.) Keep Your Car for 8 to 10 Years! (Increase your savings when you don’t have a car payment)

7.) Start an Investment Portfolio (Invest after you have reduced your debts).

Rashad Phillips is a Certified Financial Coach and a Tax Accountant. For additional information about this article contact Phillips at phillipstaxg@aol.com.

Joyfest is back May 26, 2012 at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. Don’t miss your favorite Gospel artists such as Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Marvin Sapp, Lecrae, Humble Tip and Bone Hampton! Watch the video below to get you ready for this wonderful day of music, family and fun.

The musical stage play, ‘Daughter of the King,’ delighted hearts during its debut on Mother’s Day weekend. The musical, which was first written and produced as a song by playwright, S. Kristi Douglas, was held at Central Piedmont Community College’s Pease Auditorium.  Dancers Elijah Ali, Symere Andrews and Dakota Douglas provided the visual inspiration as they took to the stage to perform a host of moving dances.

Vanessa Figgers, who played the role of sister “Gossa-pene Nortial,” a play on the words – gossiping know- it-all, gave the audience lots of laughs as she depicted hilarious moments in church.  But it was the personal journey of three sisters that aroused the emotions of the audience. Cassandra O’Neil, who played the role of Ophelia King had to wrestle with a secret that bound her for years. Jessica Macks, who played the role of Deanna King, battled with disappointment and self-esteem issues as she realized her relationship with Filipe Reyes, played by Moses Bonilla, had interfered with her relationship with God. But it was big sister Renee King, played by Diatricia Willis, who helped to guide her loving sisters through their emotional turmoil.

S. Kristi Douglas played the role of the Princess – a kind spirit assigned to help the sisters face their past and begin their journey toward redemption. Throughout the play, the audience laughed, clapped and sang. The play was directed by Vicki L. Evans, founder of Soaring High Productions.

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Tonya Jameson

Al Sharpton stopped by the Radio One Charlotte studios to broadcast his show. He talked about the encouraging jobless rate as well as “Think Like A Man.”

View Playlist: Al Sharpton Broadcasting Live From Radio One Charlotte

May 4, 2012 | 20 items

Tonya Jameson

Men Who Care Global were among five honorees at the annual Vision Awards at the NASCAR Hall of fame this year. Charlotte Center City Partners honored the group “for their initiative in community leadership and by serving as a positive role model for Charlotte’s youth.”

The organization surfaced last year in response to a fatality following Speed Street uptown. Men wearing neon t-shirts patrolled the streets talking to black youth. The effort includes a coalition of churches and elected officials. Mayor Anthony Foxx presented the award.

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