Last year when the month of October came rolling in, I had read through my collection of magazines that contained stories written by and about people who were survivors of breast cancer. These testimonies and accolades from so many supporters of Breast Cancer Awareness Month stirred up something within my spirit. I began to reflect on an issue I was currently dealing with; the murder of my sister-in-law which was more pressing to me at the time than dying from breast cancer. Her life was taken on December 30, 2004, by the hands of her youngest child’s father as a result of domestic violence. Domestic violence has increased in our communities and in society at a faster pace than many can begin to imagine, let alone believe. This is the very reason I feel tougher laws are deemed necessary. The devastation behind losing a loved one to such a violent crime has motivated me to speak out and against violence in our communities. Not to mention the aftermath, a family has to get through in order to move on. “Speaking Out Against Domestic Violence,” was launched on December 1, 2005 through the promotion of my debut novel, “A Woman Scorn’d” which ironically I was working on the very year my sister-in-law was murdered. While I was sitting at home penning this novel, I was totally oblivious to the abuse that was taking place in my sister-in-law’s life. Today, I often wonder how many people are unaware of a friend, a co-worker or a family member living this version of “hell” every second, minute and hour of their life.

Nov. 2006 - National - Tony Rose, Publisher and CEO of Amber Communications Group, Inc. (ACGI) the nation’s largest African American publisher of self- help books and celebrity bios, and Rosette M. Union, President, of Cine Seven Entertainment recently announced the launch of Literary Living on Black Family Channel. Literary Living hosted by best-selling author Heather Covington, airs every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. (EST). The show targets an exclusive audience, the African American book buying market. The half-hour program will take viewers on a journey through the offices and streets of New York City; will introduce some of today’s greatest publishers, authors, writers and poets including: Haki Madhabuti; W. Paul Coates; George C. Fraser; Wade and Cheryl Hudson; Kassahun Checole; Terrie Williams; Barbara Reynolds; Jewel Parker Rhodes; Melvin Van Pebbles; Ruby Dee; Wendy Williams; Hill Harper and Tavis Smiley. The series give viewers a complete African American literary experience to include exclusive newsworthy events and interviews. Tony Rose, Creator and Executive Producer of Literary Living is recognized as the nation’s first African-American book publisher to successfully publish commercial/pop/self-help book titles to the African-American consumer. Rose stated, “We want to give a national platform to African American publishers and authors who have, for years, worked hard to bring us the best information and the best stories - both fiction and non-fiction. By partnering with the Black Family Channel, along with our great cast and crew, we will be able to introduce many of our country’s book publishing professionals into every African American household within the scope of the network’s programming reach.” Rosette Union, Producer/Writer of Literary Living is an adjunct Professor at The New York Institute of Technology, Graduate School Communications Arts Department, teaching film and TV production courses. She is the President of Cine Seven Entertainment, which she co-partner's with her sister Maude Middleton, CEO, to produce independent films, documentaries and commercials. Black Family Channel is America’s only minority owned and operated cable network committed to providing responsible programming for the entire family. Their mission is to entertain, inform and empower communities with family programming that is original, real, authentic and relevant. BFC is currently viewed in over 16 million households; including all of the top 25 African-American TV markets and 49 of the top 50 DMA TV markets. For more information about Black Family Channel visit www.blackfamilychannel.com. For advertising/sales and commercial production, please contact: Literary Living Television Productions, Monty Bowens, sales Director at 480- 650-9898. To book appearances on Literary Living, please contact: Literary Living Television Productions, Rosette M. Union, Executive Producer at 212-252- 3900 Media Contact: Tony Rose, Executive Producer. Literary Living Television Productions Phone Number: 480-650-9898, E-mail: amberbk@aol.com

Rap music has been around for quite some time. Dating back to the days when it began, people have always related their natural lives to the lyrics of a rap song. Now things are beginning to change in a drastic way. The T.V. is getting more promotional, and a lot of young teens are starting to live out the lyrics, rather than relate to them. I give props to the fathers of hip hop, they’ve come along way in making the different races combine in their love for music. We all have some giving up to do, but the major turn in music is becoming a relative problem in today’s society. It was one thing to show girls in swimsuits, but now almost every video has a drug concept, as if the rappers are really living this way. Not all rappers have the same genre of music, but the stressed lyrics of “trap houses” and “weight pushing” has gotten out of hand. As a black man, in this country, I feel we’ve failed as a people. These images aren’t doing anything but hurting our youth, and making them believe that there is a life in the streets. If we date back to the times when rap music began, a lot of these new rappers with their "trap houses" and Louis Vuitton bags with dope in them, wouldn't stand a chance in the original gangster era. Some of you may already know, but it was a time when rap music was so hated, that the police would harass you, and pull you over because you were listening to NWA. Just ask Ice Cube, and the rest of the crew. There is a level of respect and power in the United States, and even the entire world, but we haven’t been able to reach it due to self- destruction. Our heritage rose from slavery over 400 years ago, but somehow we’ve managed to jump right back in the economical enslavement that kept us down for so long. Television has never affected a community like it does now and whatever is done on the T.V. is revamped in the real world. The respect factor for rappers that talk about major distribution, and illegal cartel, is poison. You’d be surprised how many young black men go out and purchase fake Jacob watches, gold chains, and platinum teeth, to look like their fellow emcees. Since when was selling drugs one of the most influential careers? Not only that, the music serves as a motivation to those that are really doing it everyday. Rappers like Young Jeezy, T.I., and Rick Ross, are some of the ones that represent “dope” in their lyrics. I can understand if you chose that type of lifestyle before making it in the music industry, but once you’re their, it’s no need to keep talking about it like you still do it. We all know that record companies and sales pay your bills, not the cocaine. What really baffles me is that the A&R’s and record producers actually allow this music to be produced, and that takes an affect on the people who listen to it. They don’t care about how it changes the youth’s mindset, and how it makes them result to the rappers when they feel the rest of the world is against them. I’m not taking anything away from any rapper who does their job, I believe they’re all talented in their own way, but it’s all about waking up and seeing just how much it changed society. These young people are at the maturing ages of mind molding. You can mold a child to think, act, and feel a certain way, and most of the teens that don’t have strong father figures in their lives, turn to the lyrics to enhance their decisions. Every single record company CEO is a man that could care less about how their marketing strategy controls the mindset. They laugh and write the checks so the rappers can continue to buy rims and chains to sell the “bling-bling” image. This is starting to become an epidemic that needs a cure. [The love of ] Money is the root of all evil, but the branches and leaves fall short of the same tree. Let’s keep it simple. We’ve got a long way to go before we have the real power, money and respect we claim was taken from us.-Jared Holloway

Sweet Honey In The Rock is a Grammy Award- winning African American female a cappella ensemble with deep musical roots in the sacred music of the black church - spirituals, hymns, gospel - as well as jazz and blues. With expressive sign-language interpretations, the renowned sextet preserves and celebrates African American culture and singing traditions, addressing the most pressing contemporary issues with its electrifying musical drive. Tickets: $21-$72 Call (212) 247-7800 or www.carnegiehall.org Carnegie Hall, 57th Street at 7th Avenue

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Paul Johnson is the author of A Lovely Murder Down South. In his second novel Mr. Jhnson story wil take you into the lives of three young ladies. In this book you will experience the loss of innocence between them growing up down south amongst hustlers, predators, lesbianism and even a serial killer. A Lovely Murder Down South is an unforgettable story of three young ladies taking back the power of the streets and terrorizing their past victimizersAMAG: Mr. Johnson. Excellent book. Tell the readers, why did you set the book in the late 80's as opposed to present day? Paul Johnson set the book in the 80’s because I thought the story of the awakening of the drug game in Atlanta and the awakening of the young ladies to their sexuality and ability to do harm make for very colorful parallels Was there any reasoning behind the racial make up of Lovely's Mother? Lovely’s mother’s racial make-up was another view into how a lot of my friends were color struck in the 80’s. When I was young like them I adored light skin women. Now I am more partial to darker tones. How long did it take you to write this book and under what setting do you write (your ideas; spur of moment, methodical)? A Lovely Murder Down South” took about 18 months. I write from my street experience, my conscious yearning to see things better and my desire to have our lives displayed more true to how and why we survive If this book was to be a movie who would play Lovely? Candice? Joy? Dre? Pistol?As a movie it’s hard to picture established actors in the roles. I would like to see some newcomers get a chance to shine. I hear that! What is next on the horizon for Mr. Johnson? I hope to write a few more novels, probably sequels to “Blood Money” and “A Lovely Murder Down South”. One day I hope to make them into movies myself. At a panel discussion at the Harlem Book Fair, many where commenting on the saturation of Urban Fiction poisoning the minds of our youth. What do you say to those critics? As for urban fiction poisoning minds, I think once we get the youths to reading we can direct them to more diverse, more mentally strengthening works. I’m already trying by making my stories about more than just sex, drugs and death. I wrote this book because too many men think lowly of black women without taking any responsibility for it. You see Lovely Candace and Joy turn vicious, but as a result of men actions. What type of group would you like to form (if you have not already started) that would benefit our collective community? I would like to be able to help the youth see that it’s not all fun and gains, crime cost- your life or long incarceration. The odds of losing are probably 90%. The odds of winning are probably more impossible than they winning the lottery tomorrow. I’m open to suggestions. Mr. Johnson, I thank you for your time and again BRAVO on a SUPERB novel

Join The Power Networking Business Series on Thursday November 30th, 2006 at Baton Rouge for its third monthly Social Mixer sponsored by Proud Poppa & AMAG...For The Conscious Professional. Network and Socialize with dozens of small business owners from 5-8 pm. Happy hour is between 5-7 where you can enjoy a warm comfortable setting, appetizers and great connections. You are welcome to stay beyond 8:00pm relaxing to the smooth sounds of jazz. Baton Rouge is located at 458 West 145th between Convent & Amsterdam avenues. Please RSVP by calling James Lisbon @ 212-413- 9554.