APS: Who's Really At Fault?

First off, let me say that I am THOROUGHLY impressed with 11Alive's coverage and breakdown of the APS investigation report. If you were not able to catch their school-by-school review, you can view the video here. WARNING: It's startling, it's disappointing and scary to think that these accounts render a "mafia-like" mentality. How can people we've held in such high regard, and entrusted the educational careers of our children in, do such things? Good question... but here's an even better one... "Who's REALLY At Fault?"

Are You Stale?

Have you ever bitten into something that’s stale? There is nothing worse than having your mouth set on eating a chip, a cracker, a fry, or a piece of bread, only to realize that it has become stale, flavorless and cold.

Believe it or not, it happens like that in life, too. We get so caught up in trying to balance career, family and finances that we don’t realize we’ve evolved into a “flavorless” existence. Think about it, prior to adult responsibilities, we had hunger and ambition. We had zeal and imagination that dared us to be greater than people’s expectations… even our own. We had dreams of entrepreneurship, writing books, starting non-profits, singing, acting, etc… but where did they go? Have our fresh ideas, thoughts and desires become so stale that they’re lost for good?

Cancer Gets A 'Hat-titude'

Cancer gets a Hat-tiude and YOU can help show it off! On Sunday, June 26th from 2pm - 6pm, the 2nd Annual "Hat-titude: Big Hat Brunch" will take place in the eclectic and artsy district of Atlanta's Castleberry Hill. Men and women from all over Atlanta, and from all walks of life, will be supporting the fight against this disease in style and sophistication! Hosted by V-103's Sytonnia Moore, and Atlanta's favorite foodie, Grace Lee, it's sure to be the most unique & positive event of the summer!

Why Good Girls LOVE Bad Boys!

BAD BOYS... THUGS... RUFFNECKS... these are the men that women DON'T want, but GOTTA HAVE!!!

Why the contradiction, you ask? Well, we had the exact same question, so we had to bring in Dr. Joyce Morley to help us put it out there for discussion on today's POWERTALK w/ Lorraine Jacques White! Needless to say, a heated debate ensued as Mars (men) and Venus (women) got to verbal scrappin'!

CLICK HERE to listen for yourself and see why our listeners were in such an uproar!




ABOUT POWERTALK:
Powertalk is hosted by Dr. Lorraine Jacques-White on News & Talk 1380 - WAOK. If you would like to hear us LIVE, tune in every Monday - Friday from 6AM - 10AM!

LISTEN ONLINE: www.WAOK.com
ON YOUR WAY TO WORK: 1380-AM
CALL TO CHIME IN: 404-892-2703
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @WAOK; @vproducerdiva; @Lorraine1380

The Song In My Head

The Life Monologues: Aunt Sara's Girls

"We might be a little crazy but we love each other. Nobody's family is perfect, it just seems my girls... just can't get right. But I love 'em to death and would give my life for them because... they are MY GIRLS!" 

                                                                   - Aunt Sara

The Life Monologues: Aunt Sara's Girls is going down on Sunday, February 27th at 595 North Event Venue & Lounge from 6PM - 8PM! It's a V-103 ALL-STAR CAST with Rashan Ali (The Ryan Cameron Show), Elle Duncan (The Frank & Wanda Morning Show), Sytonnia Moore (V-103 On-Air Personality), Shay Moore (V-103 On-Air Personality)... and wanna guess who's playing Aunt Sara?! Yep! MEEEEE!!

Other featured performers include: Bridgette Levi, Miz Rik, Latheausa "Tee" Compton, Tiquisha Moneque, Urban Light a many more! Also, there will be a special Nina Simone Tribute by PEACHES!

Hosted by Osei "The Dark Secret," tickets are only $15 and on sale now at http://www.auntsarasgirls.eventbrite.com/. For more details and information, email learicaljonez@live.com.

Hope to see you there!

All I Want Is Your K.I.S.S.

DISCLAIMER: This post may mirror an entry in the diary of a mad Black woman... however, I encourage you NOT to take this personally! This exhale is simply drawn from the gutteral of my experiences and those of my friends. Today was just the day that the frustration came to a head.

Please understand that NOT ALL MEN fall into the category of this rant, and I will be the first to profess that THERE ARE GREAT MEN IN THIS WORLD! I know MANY of them, so there is no doubt in my mind about that fact; and thus, this does not apply to those. However... for boo-boo the fool and his entourage of nitwits... I dedicate this piece to you :)

Men, I encourage you to K.I.S.S.... and no, I don't mean the act of juicy lip-locking! I mean KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!

Duncan Hines 'Hip Hop' Cupcakes... Racist?

So, America's beloved Duncan Hines has produced a "Hip Hop" commercial that many are claiming to be racist... Now, in my opinion, the musicality presented in this commercial does not even come close, or relate to, the creativity of Hip Hop music stylings... but I guess because the chocolate is brown it's supposed to be a disrespect to Black people? Oh, wait... I get it! The additive of pink lips and bulging eyes mirror the racial slur of "Black face" from back in the day, right?! #whatever!

I've seen and experienced the ugly truth of racism throughout the course of my life, and though I may not have marched with Dr. King, or been beaten on a bridge in Selma, my 34 years of living have yielded a sensitivity to the cause and effects racial injustice. In this case, however, I don't see it. Nothing in this commercial connected with me as a Black woman. It might have made me want to jump off my diet, but it didn't appeal to me or offend me.

I don't know. Maybe you're different... what are your thoughts?

It's Not Just Me!!

And so there I was... standing in line at the grocery store (impatiently, I might add, because you would have sworn that the person in front of me was paying in pennies), when Becky & her BFF Jill came to stand in line behind me. Now, I'm not one to eavesdrop (except for that one time in band camp... but I DIGRESS); however, the conversation they carried on about was surprisingly familiar. I listened intently, recognizing words and phrases that I'd either spoken or heard so many times throughout my life.

Suck It Up!

Okay, now "brace" yourself (pun intended) because today's rant lends itself more to the side of "too much information" or "unnecessary graphic illustration", but there is a message in it all... and thus, I teach...

Have you ever had a constipated bowel movement? You know, the kind where you're stuck on the "porcelain god" pushing and straining and rocking back and forth until veins pop out of your forehead and neck? Despite your unrelentless efforts to try to get something to move, the blockage just stays there in an uncomfortable stillness... like boulders blocking the only safe exit of a cave... my bad, I had a flashback.

Live, Laugh & ENJOY!

So, I came across this video today, which gave me a much needed laugh :) After watching it, I just HAD to find out who this kid was, and it surprised me to see that just about every video he's created has a million + views! Some even 7 million +! But what's so amazing to me is that this little boy has become a Youtube/Internet sensation simply because he chose to create humor despite his physical challenges. I have to admit that it has truly warmed my heart to see his innocent contributions bring him so much success!

So, I ask you, as I ask myself... What challenges, problems and/or limitations are you willing to rise above just to touch the world?

Live, Laugh and ENJOY!

For THIS Colored Girl...

Red, Green, Orange, Brown, Purple, Blue, Yellow,White.. BLACK! After seeing Tyler Perry's latest big screen contribution, these colors will forever shine a little brighter, and with greater resilience... at least for me...

Question of the Day...

Here's something to think about.. What are you holding on to that's not holding on to you?  What exactly is it that you're investing time and energy in that isn't reciprocating the effort?

Willow's Whip

I don't know about you, but I want the "Little-Girl-Swag" that Willow Smith has in this video! However, given my age, I may need a Crackhouse Starbucks fix to achieve THIS energy! I know one thing... Baby, if I had a weave, THIS is what I'd be doing!





GIRL POWER!

Hump Day Praise Break!

Saints, I offer unto you a REVISED Holy Ghost filled,  JUMP FOR JESUS PRAISE! Please modify your shouts accordingly! #Godblessyou (Thanks Khalil!)

Ode To Wachovia...

Wachovia, Wachovia, I'm distraught of your transition.The eyesore of blaring yellow "Wells Fargo" signs have disrupted humanity simply by being void of a creative typefont. This day I am perplexed, challenged emotionally, leaving me with the single hope that your legacy lives on... May Heaven "Wach-ovi-ya".

#fadetoblack

100% Chance Of Rain

It always amazes me how life's most important revelations can come through simple, everyday occurrences. Today, such a revelation presented itself and I found myself appreciating a divine message through the simplicities of life. Here’s what happened…

I Know I Can, I Know I Can...

Something has clicked... Call it an "ah-ha" moment, a light bulb, WHATEVER! I just know that something has truly shifted as it relates to my career cognizance... and it's a GREAT THING!

"What the heck are you talking about, Candace?" I'm sooooo glad you asked! For lack of a sensible explanation, I'll tell you that somewhere within the depths of my brain, I have perceived a new level of responsibility and confidence as it relates to my ability to do the jobs that have been laid before me... I don't know, maybe it was the Starbucks I had prior to this revelation, but it was revelation nonetheless.

One Night Only...

(<--- Nakita. Don't let the SWEET look fool you!)

I've never been one for violence. I'm a gentle spirit with a kind heart. I wouldn't dare lift a hand to hurt a fly; however, in this less-than-perfect world we live in, I have recently found that I cannot assume that everyone is like me... Enter Nakita... she is our dear sweet intern, who until recently, I thought had no mean bone in her body, but when I failed to blog about a once in a lifetime experience I had a few weeks ago, I saw another side to Nakita I thought unimaginable. I became scared... fearful for my life and safety; thus, in order to save myself from a beat down and untimely death, I must blog about ONE NIGHT ONLY!

Chronicles of an Anointed Curling Iron...

In no way do I watch Oprah as much as I may give evidence to in this blog, but I have recognized within myself some "Oprah-like" qualities...

Periodically, I see within me her eye of determination, her perfect ability to liaise and entertain audiences of different backgrounds, but today... today, a whole new characteristic took hold... Today, my friends, I have OPRAH HAIR!!