Black Pearls Magazine, bringing the jewels of publishing to the book clubs

Based on true events in the midst of the 2000 election, AMERICAN VIOLET tells the astonishing story of Dee Roberts (critically hailed newcomer Nicole Beharie), a 24 year-old African American single mother of four young girls living in a small Texas town who is barely making ends meet on a waitress salary and government subsidies.

On an early November morning while Dee works a shift at the local diner, the powerful local district attorney (Academy Award® nominee Michael OKeefe) leads an extensive drug bust, sweeping her Arlington Springs housing project with military precision. Police drag Dee from work in handcuffs, dumping her in the squalor of the women's' county prison. Indicted based on the uncorroborated word of a single and dubious police informant facing his own drug charges, Dee soon discovers she has been charged as a drug dealer.

Even though Dee has no prior drug record and no drugs were found on her in the raid or any subsequent searches, she is offered a hellish choice: plead guilty and go home as a convicted felon or remain in prison and fight the charges thus, jeopardizing her custody and risking a long prison sentence.

Despite the urgings of her mother (Academy Award® nominee Alfre Woodard), and with her freedom and the custody of her children at stake, she chooses to fight the district attorney and the unyielding criminal justice system he represents. Joined in an unlikely alliance with an ACLU attorney (Tim Blake Nelson) and former local narcotics officer (Will Patton), Dee risks everything in a battle that forever changes her life and the Texas justice system. AMERICAN VIOLET also stars Emmy Award® winner Charles S. Dutton and Xzibit.
For more information - http://www.americanviolet.com

Black Pearls Salutes YOU!

The Black Pearls Magazine is dedicated to refining and defining our history!

For years, I have offered economical marketing promotions to the literary community because I love literature and my people. With the marvelous changes my organizations, Black Authors Network, Sankofa Literary Society and EDC Creations, has gone through in this past year we have exceeded all of my previous expectations. I come to you today to thank each and every one of you for supporting me during my journey as a person and as a community leader. We are going to celebrate our history, our people and our written word in style! Stay tuned as we announce our new projects each month.

EDC Creations will direct the full attention of all our companies and networks to the marketing and PR of African American authors. We are focusing on BOOKS. Books and reading have always played a pivotal role in our African American history, changing our people and our paths in life in remarkable ways. 2009 begins a year of change for us all-- socially, politically, physically, and mentally! Let's embrace change and use it to reach new heights! [Read more here]

Howard University Theater Professor Henriette Edmonds Dies at 74

Henriette "Henri" Edmonds, 74, a former chairwoman of what is now Howard University's department of theater arts, died March 12 at Washington Hospital Center. She had leukemia. Ms. Edmonds, a Silver Spring resident, had been affiliated with the theater department since the 1970s and at her death was a professor. Survived by family and many friends. Services was held at Unity of Washington, DC, Inc., 1225 R St., NW, Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m., Rev. Sylvia Sumter officiating. Inurnment Arbutus Memorial Park, Baltimore, MD. Services by STEWART.

She directed theater productions at Howard as well as those presented by the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts. Her acting roles included a supporting part in the Emmy Award-winning HBO film "Something the Lord Made" (2004). She wrote the musical score to "Brother, Brother, Brother, Mine," a musical based on Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors" that played at Howard in 1978, and wrote story collections including "The Georgia Avenue Bus."

"There's a quality about black life that's on Georgia Avenue," Ms. Edmonds told The Washington Post in 2007. "The cooking odors. The way people greet you. I don't care what problems you have, there's always laughter. Pennsylvania Avenue is the intellect. K Street, that's the business of Washington. But Georgia Avenue, that's the heart and soul of the city." [Source Washington Post]

In her 2006 published book, Henri Edmonds, author, playwright and professor at Howard University, captures the lives, personalities, frailty, humor, and tragedies of regular passengers who ride the Georgia Avenue Bus. Simply entitled "The Georgia Avenue Bus," author Edmonds writes about a single bus driver, Morris Bernard Fletcher, and how he relates to the various characters who are regulars on his bus.

The collection of short stories reflects the struggles of common people in Washington, as each character's story is described with the common feelings of joy, passion, and despair. Prof. Edmonds explained, "I rode the George Avenue Bus and became aware of the many different types of people who were on the bus and how they were a loose knit 'family' of some sort, because they saw each other every morning on the way to work. I was so intrigued by the events I witnessed during my ride that I was inspired to write this book."

Even though the book is structured around a series of short stories, it reads like a novel as the bus driver is part of each story. Stated Prof. Edmonds, "I wanted to capture the dynamics of what happens when a group of diverse people interact with each other when they are confined in a common space on a regular basis for a few moments in time."

Prof. Edmonds was born in Baltimore and raised in New Orleans and Tallahassee, Fla. Her parents, Irene C. Edmonds and Randolph Edmonds, were in the theater faculty of what is now Florida A&M University, a historically black college. She was a 1955 graduate of Fisk University in Nashville and in 1956 received a master's degree in theater at what is now Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Early in her career, she was a speech pathologist for the Prince George's County school system. She received teaching awards from Howard and the Prince George's school system.

Henri has left this world, but she will never be forgotten! She was a dear friend and mentor to me from day one. If this world had more giving and loving people like Henri, we would not have wars, domestic abuse, hopeless children or hate!

In short, the United States has all sorts of financial problems. It’s so bad, that the government is hoping that an $819 billion stimulus plan will lead to an economic recovery[1].

As the financial crisis wreaks havoc across the United States, folks are unjustly forced to pay more, but they receive less:

A 5.8 percent increase in international airfares and a 6 percent increase in domestic airfares seem to have triggered a 50 percent increase in stranded travelers at airports across the country[2].

Transport companies such as cabs, movers, and general deliveries are forced to implement a gas surcharge. If you ask me, they need to implement a money back guarantee for broken air conditioners, tardiness, and damaged goods.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit (Metro) recently announced they will soon have yet another fare increase (Geez), but it’s still difficult to get a seat on their forever-late buses and overcrowded trains.

Read the entire article. Join in the discussion by sharing your thoughts on the article.

Will Domestic Violence be Covered up once the Rihanna and Chris Brown Story leaves the Headlines?

Domestic violence is no stranger to Essence best-selling author Brenda L. Thomas who, after having success with several novels decided to pen her memoir, Laying Down My Burdens. After ending a violent marriage of 15 years, during which her husband threatened her with death if she were to ever pen her story, Ms. Thomas is speaking out on the recent violence that erupted between Rihanna and Chris Brown. “It is important that individuals in the public eye stand up and make it their priority to see domestic violence awareness become as much a part of public efforts as breast cancer and other ills,” says Ms. Thomas.

There is a long list of celebrities whose lives have been affected by domestic violence, either as a victim, an abuser or simply as a witness. Celebrity or not, most victims have chosen to remain silent because of its mere shame and embarrassment. Currently the U.S. Justice Department reports that 1 to 3 million women are physically abused by their husbands or boyfriends each year. However, those statistics are even clearer when you read the papers and see that over the course of a recent weekend (PA-MD) in March three women were violently murdered by their abusers, leaving one victims 11-year old daughter hospitalized with stab wounds. What more statistics do we need?

To give those who might be hesitant to speak out for themselves a voice, Ms. Thomas has been committed to touring the country and sharing her message of L.O.U.D. (Living Out Your Dreams) which is about the importance of never giving up, no matter what the obstacle. Please share your thoughts or comments on the Brenda L. Thomas blog, by clicking here.

© 2008 Brenda L. Thomas brendalthomas@comcast.net

Please join in the discussion by reading more about Brenda L. Thomas and her books.

How much will the Obamas being in the White House mean to Young Women?

One of our most influential, most poised black female influences of today is Mrs. Michelle Obama. Now, with all of the "Hoopla" in today's black church about whether it is "Biblical" to call the pastor's wife the "First Lady", our First Lady Michelle Obama goes without question.

She is truly an inspiration to every woman, young and old. The older women look at her, and they just know. They know how strong one has to be to handle all of that pressure. They know the struggle of juggling household, career and children, trying to hold it all together and still squeeze in some time for self.

Women such as myself, we can see it in her eyes. The 'chin up, shoulders back, put God first, give a little but not too much' air about her that we all practice everyday. The young girls, however, in this election, really got to see family in action. Being the mother of a 10 year old girl, I found it easier to say, "Look at what you can do, if you put God first, and apply yourself." I got to tell her that it is okay to use correct diction, and you will be alright if you decide to dress appropriately.

So often our young girls find themselves too early in their lives becoming mothers, forcing themselves into adulthood. The result of this is broken homes, sometimes with no father figure- often without a good one. But the Obamas stand as proof that whatever your situation is...it doesn't have to stay that way. Our president has a strong black woman supporting him, lifting him up when he's down and softening those blows.

Selena Winston author, "Butterfly Kisses"
http://www.selenawinston.webs.com

Join in the discussion. Read the entire article.

Meet New Hollygrove Author Shay Nolon

The phrase "diamond in the rough" has been over used when describing new found talent. But, never has the phrase been more appropriate for an author when describing the newest member of the Hollygrove Publishing family - Shay Nolon. Shay first dipped her toe in the literary pool in 2006 when she self published her first book, Tell Me No Lies.

After going un-signed for the past three years, she crossed paths with Hollygrove Publishing President, Brian W. Smith. Her short story "Masquerade Ball" was accepted for the Bedtime Stories 2 Anthology. Further discussions led to Shay submitting samples of her other manuscripts to Brian for review, and the rest is history. Brian was so impressed that he broke his own policy of only offering one book deals to authors. Shay has signed a two book deal with Hollygrove Publishing, and she is about to wreak havoc on the literary world.

Her first novel on Hollygrove Publishing, Everything You Owe Me, will be released in January 2010. Her second novel, Greedy, will be released in July 2010.

Intimate Conversation with Hollygrove Author Ayana Eintou Wade

Ella: Hello Eintou, tell the Black Pearls family a little about you and your work.
My name is Ayana Eintou Wade. I am 24 years old born September 30, 1983 in Dothan, Alabama. I am the youngest of 4 children, 2 girls 2 boys. I am the proud mother of a 4year old, Iysis Jai. My dad passed when I was 17 years old and my mom just passed November 13, 2008. They are now my sole reason for completing this journey of self-discovery and creativity.

I've always been a lover of books. When I was in 6th grade my best friend and I wrote a book together called, "I didn't think it could happen to me." It was a story about 2 high school students in love and end up HIV positive. I know that's a pretty heavy subject for 2 young girls, but we were actually in school with a guy who contracted the disease and we felt inspired by it.
Read the entire article at the BP Blog.

Intimate Conversation with Hollygrove Author Elaine Flowers

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations chats with Elaine Flowers

Elaine Flowers is the author of two Dallas Morning News bestsellers, "It's Morning: Torn Lovers and Their Stories" and "Black Beauty." Flowers is new to the Hollygrove Publishing Imprint, and resides in Dallas, TX.

Ella: Finish this sentence: I am Powerful because...
I am Powerful because...I know exactly who I am, and exactly who I am not.

Ella: Please introduce us to your new book.
“It’s Morning: Torn Lovers and Their Stories” is a compilation of two novellas and one short story, each involving a love triangle with two men and one woman.

This particular book makes for fast reading because of the three stories and the drama helps it to move really quickly.
Read the entire article at the BP Blog.

Intimate Conversation with Hollygrove Author Donna Deloney

Donna Deloney earned her B.A. from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. She is also a freelance editor and writer, with her works appearing in The Wall Street Journal and Epitome Magazine. Donna was a second-place winner in the 2007 Black Expressions Book Club Fiction Writing Contest. Her first novel, Journey to Jordan (Hollygrove Publishing) debuts in May 2009.

She is also a contributing author to the Christian fiction anthology Bended Knees (November 2009, Hollygrove Publishing). In addition to being a workshop presenter at the 2009 Black Writers Reunion Conference, she will be a featured author/panelist at the 2009 Faith and Fiction Retreat in Orlando, Florida.

Donna resides in Chicago and is a married mother of one and a member of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. Visit her blog at http://www.dcdeloney.wordpress.com/ or on Facebook (Donna Dickson Deloney).

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations chats with Donna Deloney

Ella: Donna, tell us about your passion for writing.
My passion for writing stems from my love of reading. I’ve been reading since I was three years old. I read everything I could get my hands on and writing was a natural extension of that. In grammar school, I was enrolled in a gifted program at Chicago State University. We were taught skills in research and creative writing. It was during those years that my desire to write – anything – was fully realized. I’ve written skits, plays, poems, short stories and a novel. I’ve also written non-fiction pieces for publication. Read the entire article at the BP Blog.

Intimate Conversation with Hollygrove Author Rickey Teems II

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations chats with author Rickey Teems II

Ella: Rickey, tell us about your passion for writing.
My passion for writing can best be understand by turning a few pages of my latest novel, Regression. The attention to detail, the intensity, the intrigue and ability to keep my readers glued to the story, it all lends itself to the evidence of my passion.

Ella: Introduce us to your new book, Regression.
Regression is a one of a kind rollercoaster. Many stories and books may keep you entertained, but none will command your undivided attention like this social thriller. It offers the reader a chance to experience the ultimate “what if” scenario. Read the entire article at the BP Blog.

Intimate Conversations with Award Winning Book Clubs
Read the special interviews

Intimate Conversation with Sharon Haynes
Coordinator of Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group – Tulsa Chapter

Ella: Welcome, Sharon Haynes, coordinator for the Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group – Tulsa Chapter. It is such a pleasure to have you visit with us the chapter.

Ella: Tell us about the mission of the literary group.
The Tulsa chapter of Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group is committed to providing an opportunity for women from all walks of life to come together for a common and primary goal…reading and promoting literacy through our community outreach programs. Our pledge is to transmit our passion for literary pursuits to future generations.

Ella: Sharon, tell us a few books that you would define as "Literary Hallmarks."

-- The Known World by Edward P. Jones
-- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
-- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
-- Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
-- My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due

Ella: That is a wonderful selection of books! What do you define as Quality Literature?
Quality Literature encompasses style, characters, plot and the ability for the written words to come to life and embrace you in a way that totally consumes you. We know the characters personally and can visualize the settings and after reading the book we’re wishing for more.

For more details, read the entire article.

Tracy, also known as Beautiee, is also a Tournament Director for Cases Backgammon & Spades Ladders. She hosts live tournaments in the evenings and on weekends at Safe Harbor Games. Email: tracy@secretsinwestchester.com

'Sexy Readings' on Sexy Talk Radio

Kerry Fezza on Sexy Talk the First Thursday of each month.
Kerry specializes in Astrology and Intuitive Tarot Readings. She is also available for parties, charities, media events ~ radio broadcasts, TV appearances, Public Speaking Events, Nightclub promotions, and Private Lessons!

Yesterday, I spent most of the morning and early afternoon sitting in the office of the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission). I filed a complaint against my employer, a major bank, on the basis of retaliation for me going to HR. The situation is so messy, but I find myself fighting for my dignity.

I do not want to go into the new year with old stuff and baggage. I want to go with the expectations of wonderful opportunities, freshness and new beginnings. Goodness, I truly hope this mess doesn't set the precedent of 2009 for me, otherwise I would have to take a seat and wait for 2010.

Hold up! Is that defeat and fear talking? No, I am just tired of fighting battles.
(I say that as I have been watching several documentaries on the Civil Rights Movement, don't I have a lot of nerve to even think of the word "tired"?)
[Yes, there is more. Read the entire article here]

Do you ever fantasize about leaving your current career behind and pursuing something totally different? Perhaps you've thought seriously about it for a day or a week, but then the fear of leaving the virtual security of your current job floods your head with dozens of sound reasons why you should stay put.

Whether your dream is to write a novel, start your own business or go back to school, you can make it happen. Here are five tips that will help you begin your journey. [Pamela has 5 great tips for ya. Read the entire article here]