Described as being "too hot for cable", The CLOSET is an electrifying series, depicting the lives of six unique Black men (Emory, Zachary, Eugene, Nicholas, Isaiah, and Nathaniel) living to the beat of a different drum within the heterosexual world. Sizzling with suspense, love, manipulation, and deception, The CLOSET presses the taboo limits by offering to its audience for the first time in film history, Black male-to-male love stories. Creators, Maurice Townes & Kevin F. Allen definitely kick The CLOSET door down, revealing subject matters that are "on the down low" and very "hush hush". Maurice Townes, in his film directorial debut, takes you on a journey deep inside the characters intimate lives, which exposes a secret society that lives among us...that's hidden!

Our opinions on homosexuality is not the focus. The focus is how Senwotnella Films are attempting to educate gay black men on the consequences of our community if they do not come clean and stop the deception. The effects of HIV and AIDS are running rampant through the African-American community and the number of woman contracting this disease is alarming. Anytime ones goal is to educate, we should applaud that action and simply spread the word. The website has a trailer for your review and to gather more information & arrange any interviews you should contact Ms. Osiris Munir @ 323-465-0962.

Medgar Evers College Film & Culture Series Spring 2005 Schedule:

Mar. 17 Thurs. - 'The Edge Of Each Other's Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde' Mar. 31 Thurs. - 'Eyes Of The Rainbow' (Assata Shakur) Apr. 6 Wed. -'Shoot First...Ask Questions Later' Apr. 14 Thurs. - 'Catch A Fire' (Bob Marley)

Admission is FREE! To RSVP call 718-270-6096 or miles@mec.cuny.edu Doors open 6:15pm and open mic sign up, Bless da Mic :Open mic begins 6:30pm Film & Culture series program begins at 7pm sharp!

Live performances open each program and discussions with community leaders, industry professionals and scholars follow each screening.

Medgar Evers College Founder's Auditorium 1650 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225

DIRECTIONS: 2, 3, 4 or 5 to "Franklin Avenue" Station in Brooklyn. Walk Franklin in the direction of traffic. Yellow MEC street banners lead to the campus.

Map of the train station and car at: http://www.mec.cuny.edu/directions/mec_travdrct.htm

by Monique Bruner

Black Dollar Days

The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. have used "Black Dollar Days" as an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the black dollar and spending power of the African American community. Many studies have shown that a dollar spent in the African American community changes hands only one time before it's spent in another community. However, the same dollar in other communities will be spent as many as eight times before leaving. By 2008, African American buying power will rise to $921 billion, a 189% gain since 1990 when buying power was $318 billion. African Americans disposable income will account for 61% of the combined spending power of African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. With these statistics our Black owned businesses should be busting at the seams with customers, but this is not always the case.

What can you do to be part of the solution? Make the choice to spend Black; support Black owned businesses whenever possible. Ask who owns the business, check online stores, and tell others about businesses that you discover. The growing popularity of "Black Dollar Days" will help African Americans become more aware of how and where we spend our money. This concept further illustrates the economic impact on businesses in our community. It will also educate young African Americans to be fiscally responsible at an early age. The next time you go shopping BUY BLACK!

by Monique Bruner

Finally, a medical resource that is by us, for us and about issues that effect African Americans. The African American Medical Network, Inc. (AFMN) is a new placed-based television network, which will deliver educational medical programming to millions of African American patients while they wait to be seen by the doctor. Actor Ernie Hudson will host the monthly updated DVD magazine. The medical magazine is designed in a easy to digest format to help underserved populations educate themselves about health risk prominent in our community. Some of the healthcare topics to be discussed will be: hypertension, diabetes, breast cancer, asthma, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, obesity, immunizations, glaucoma, lung cancer, cholesterol, and prostate cancer. Charles Richardson, AFMN President, stated, "the goal of AFMN is to provide helpful educational programming that will promote dialogue between doctor and patient which will reduce and eventually eliminate the disparity among healthcare."

The AFMN will launch in April 2005 and will be provided free of charge in 3,000 doctors office across the country. The doctors are provided the equipment along with the pre-recorded DVD, which is updated monthly. In order to have this useful service at your doctors office ask your physician to contact 1-866-308-9373. AFMN is trying to resolve the health care crisis in our community, do you part - see you doctor regularly. For more information go to their website at www.africanamericanmedicalnetwork.com.

An Interview with Noire

by Yolanda M. Johnson

YOLANDA: Hello Noire, thanking you for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. How busy are you now since the book came out?

NOIRE: So busy that it's crazy. Interviews, emails, contests. All of it eats up my time and because my day job also calls for a big time commitment, I'm pretty much tapped out.

YOLANDA: A lot are comparing you to the likes of Erotic writer Zane. What is your take on that?

I'm cool with comparisons because they are done all the time. What I'm not cool with is the hate that can come along with them but I keep in mind that people hate on what they want to imitate. Zane is a hot writer and seems to be really classy too, so no hate from her at all. So if she ain't mad then I ain't mad either. For real though, I'm a Zane fan but I don't think me and her write the same things at all. She writes mostly erotica and my books are urban erotic tales.

YOLANDA: Now I've never been to New York, but is G-Spot really the name of a gentleman's club there?

NOIRE: No, G-Spot is a fictitious club that I created from scratch.

YOLANDA: What made you decide to use it as the basis of your book?

NOIRE: I wanted to write about what goes on in some of these so-called gentleman's clubs so I created the G-Spot Social Club as the place to be for ballers and hustler's in Harlem.

YOLANDA: You know I have to ask, because I always say, even though their writings are fiction, EVERY writer's work has some truth to it. Is this the case with G-Spot? And if so, are YOU Juicy?

NOIRE: Nah, not at all. I'm Noire. I was never as young and naïve as Juicy.

YOLANDA: How does your family feel about choice of genre?

YOLANDA: They're cool with it. Hell, I'm grown. I'm sure my mother would like me to write children's books though.

YOLANDA: How long have you had the idea for G-Spot and how long did it take you to put it to paper? NOIRE: I wrote G-Spot when I was writing strictly for self. I didn't even consider getting it published so I just wrote when I felt the urge. Most of the time I wrote on airplanes and while waiting in between flights 'cause on my job I travel a lot. YOLANDA: How long did it take you to finish writing it? NOIRE: It probably took me a couple of months to write G-Spot and then I played with it for awhile until I felt the story was deep enough and hot enough. YOLANDA: Are you currently on tour or doing signings and events? If so what is the biggest literary event that 2005 will take you? NOIRE: Nah, I'm not touring. I travel for my job and I don't want to think about traveling when it's not for work. I'm cool hanging around with my family at crib on my down time and I don't really want to give none of that time up right now. YOLANDA: Previously I said that you are being compared to Zane, but in fact you are described as a cross between Zane and Sista Souljah. Have any of the authors tried contacting you? NOIRE: No I haven't heard anything from them. They are both hot writers and the comparison is an honor, but they do them and I do me. YOLANDA: What's next for you? NOIRE: Candy Licker: An Urban Erotic Tale is the next book for me. It will be out late this year. YOLANDA: Will you remain under your pen name of Noire? NOIRE: Noire isn't my pen name. It's the name my mother gave me. I have a sister named Nisaa and a brother named Niger. A lot of people don't know me but a lot of people do. I am getting a lot of love from the readers so they deserve my time and interaction so maybe I'll do a signing when I have more time. YOLANDA: If you don't mind me asking, how young are you? NOIRE: Not young enuf sistah friend! I'm in my 20's. Nuff said YOLANDA: Any last comments or anything you'd like our readers to know? NOIRE: Visit my website at www.asknoire.com to enter our contests, submit a question to the AskNoire! column, or read an excerpt from G-Spot. Stay black, Noire.

Radicism in Today's Gospel Music: Is it too secular or "by any means necessary"?

by Yolanda M. Johnson

I pulled into the grocery store parking lot; my CD player blasting, "What He Wants", by Trinitee 5-7. A woman in her mid-fifties says to me, "They don't make gospel music like they used to. You don't hear Mahalia much these days. All they make now is trash." I smiled at her and disappeared into the store.

I begin to think about what she had said. She was right; to a point. Some of today's gospel music has gotten out of hand. Or has it? I was reminded of the day and time in which we now live in. This generation cannot relate to my generational issues, my parents or grandparents generational issues and vice versa.

Webster's Dictionary defines radical as being extreme. We are living in radical times, thus we must take extreme measures to win souls to Christ. If secular music is leading our children down a road of sex, lust, adultery, fornication and perversion, then we must find a radical way of cutting it off at the trail. Today's gospel does just that, frequently using radical gestures and overtones.

An example of a radical gospel artist would by far be national recording artist, Tonex; (pronounced Toe-nay). Embedded in Tonex's mission statement, is I Corinthians 9:19:23. Paul says, Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in it's blessing.

Tonex's lyrics, in his album, "H20" touch on subjects from homosexuality to high school shootings. His title song "H20" (Oxygen) spew profound lyrics. "Can't believe what I just heard on the radio. Has music really come to this? Can't believe what I just saw on the video. Kids watching 2 girls kiss. Now I ain't hatin' on nobody's hustle, cuz I know that the root is greed. Labels keep on manufacturing while they procreate immortality. But everybody don't wanna hear this mess now."

This generation is ignorant to Mahalia Jackson's, "Precious Lord," or lyrics like, "take me to the water", "amazing grace", or "swing low sweet chariot". In order to win souls and prepare for the kingdom, we need an 'in-your-face' approach. We don't need any more candy coating in the seriousness of God's word due to fear of hurting someone feelings. It simply is no longer an option.

Some would argue that gospel music spills over into the secular vernacular. Truth be told, it has and it needs to. Mary, Mary's "Incredible", Trinitee 5-7's "My Body", TP Mobb's "Sindy" and Detrick Haddon's "Oh Yea", as compared to R.Kelly's "Bump and Grind", Destiny Child's "Bootylicious", or Ludacris' "What's Your Fantasy". As for me and mine, we'll take contemporary gospel any day.

Don't discredit however, the swindler that is out to make a mockery of gospel music to gain a quick buck. Just remember that if it does not edify God, it is doing more harm than good.

Remember, Jesus Christ himself is the epitome of radicalism. Imagine, God in the flesh being crucified amongst a group of his peers, so that you and I may have eternal life. Now that is extreme!

by Monique Bruner

The world of sports is such a strong part of the recognizable American fabric that it would be hard to imagine the social, cultural, or political development of this nation without African Americans involved in this pastime. Early records indicate that African Americans were involved in these sports whenever given the opportunity to participate. However, American sports are filled with records of African American athletes capable of participating in the broad sports arena but not given the chance due to their race. In the 1920's and 1930's, the leaders of the NAACP and the Urban League encouraged participation in sports, believing that if African Americans showed the white community they could excel, doors would open in other fields and racism would begin to crumble. Most sporting events were separated by race up until the 1940's. For the few African Americans who were ready and able to cross that line, they had to pay a heavy price. They became the prime symbol of their race in that individual sport while often dismissed in terms of moral and intellectual capacity.

Despite the degrading of intellectual vigor of the African American athlete, The Golden Age of the Black Athlete made way when Jackie Robinson entered major league baseball in 1947. During that time, black families were depicted as success stories in sports more than in any other field. Blacks made up 80% of team roosters in the NBA and nearly 70% of the NFL. Blacks won 41% of the Most Valuable Player titles over the last 25 years, while accounting for only 17% of the players. At the 1996 Olympics, Blacks won 13 of the 14 gold medals in men's track and field. I guess that's why 66% of your young black males believe they can make it as a professional athlete. The odds of playing a professional sport are 10,000 to 1 while playing in the NBA is 50,000 to 1.

This is to make you think about how far has the African American community come in the area of sports? Today we are doing more then just playing the game. We are managing the sport. Promoting the big event. Negotiating the big contracts. Presiding over entire operation. Finally, owning the team! Black Enterprise announced the 50 most powerful Blacks in sports. We may recognize the names of the players on the field but we need to know who is running things behind closed doors. The list of the 50 Most Powerful Blacks in Sports is divided into eight categories: agents/promoters (6); athletes (3); collegiate decision makers (8); corporate executives (6); front-office leagues executives (8); front-office team executives (14); industry association heads (4); and owners (1). Please refer to their website for the complete listing: http://www.blackenterprise.com/AboutUsOpen.asp?Source=AboutBE/0305pr.html Check out the list and celebrate our brothers and sisters behind the scenes in sports then educate somebody else.

by Yolanda M. Johnson

Excerpt from "All The Joy You Can Stand" by Debrena Jackson Gandy.

Power Principle #21

Attitude is not just a disposition or mind and a state of heart. Your attitude affects your perception, shapes your experiences, and actually affects uotcomes in your life.

Contemplate these seven points every day for the next seven days. I encourage you to make a copy of these seven points and tape it to your bathroom mirror, the dashboard of your car, or on your refrigerator.

1. It is your attitude at the begining of a task more than anything else that will determine your success or failure. 2. It is your attitude towards and about life that will determine life's attitude toward you. Despite many people's belief to the contrary, life plays no favorites. 3. Develop the attitude that there are more reasons you should succeed than reasons you should fail. 4. We become what we think about. Control your thoughts and you will control your life. 5. Radiate an attitude of confidence, of well-being, of a person who konws where she is going. You will find yourelf attracting good things to you. 6. Attitudes are more important than facts. 7. Attitudes are based on assumptions. In order to change attitudes you must first change your assumptions.

Check yourself. What attitudes are you holding in your mind and, more importantly, in your heart? Do you have an attitude of caution, suspicion, or that others will screw you over if given the chance, and can't be trusted? Do you have an attitude that life has to be hard? Life has to be a struggle? Life is the school of hard knocks?

Your attitude either empowers you or disempowers you. If you are not sure about the attitudes you're holding in your mind and in your heart, just take a look at what comes out of your mouth, how you behave, how others treat you, and how you interact with and treat others. I promise you'll find some undeniable evidence.

Attitudes are invisible but they become visible through our words, actions, interactions, and behaviors. As you come to understand the process going on behind the scenes that is the source of the kind of life reality you have, you come to understand how to change your life reality. Here are the six levels that explain the connection between your attitudes and your experiences.

Level 1: Your core beliefs are the source of your values. Your core beliefs act as your "personal truths" Examples: Life is a struggle. Money is the root of all evil. A good man is hard to find. Level 2: Your values reflect what you think is important Examples: Going to church on Sundays is important. Everyone should have the goal of going to college. Level 3: Your attitudes arise from your values Level 4: Your attitudes inform and shape your perceptions Level 5: Your perceptions shape your experiences Level 6: Your experiences make up the content and substance of your reality, and thus give you your quality of life.

Your attitudes actually shape what you perceive and how your experience what occurs in your life. Adjusting your attitude is part of te process of empowering yourself.

Tips for Peaceful Living

by Monique Bruner

Living on a peaceful purpose can make all the difference in the world. The last few years have been so rich and rewarding for me in so many ways. I've learned so much about life and how what happens during the course of living can affect you. · I'm no longer discouraged easily by life's trials and tribulations. · All that surrounds me - both the good and the bad, inspires me. · I recognize that God destines my success. And that I can define success in my own way. So I believe that success is not like a dress - one size does not fit all. · You must align your priorities so that they work with your purpose in life. Recently, I spent several weeks at home recovering from surgery; I was able to have the much-needed quiet reflection time with God. It was during that time that, these seven requirements for peaceful living came to me. It is my hope that you too can feel the calmness and joy that God delivers all the time.

Tips for Peaceful Living 1. Knowing that God is everywhere all the time 2. Having a positive attitude changes everything 3. Taking the time for quiet reflection helps you refocus 4. Love should be uncompromising 5. Dedication to your purpose is key (finding your purpose can be difficult) 6. Forgiveness will free your soul and open your heart to heal 7. Service to the community and uplifting the kingdom of God is your charge

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.