November 28, 2019
By Saybin Roberson and E. Mesiyah McGinnis
Contributing Writers
Legendary music executive Berry Gordy was honored with the intersection of Sunset Blvd. and Argyle Ave. emblazoned with his name, directly under the 6255 Sunset building that once housed his famed Motown Records music label once it moved from Detroit to Los Angeles.
On Monday, November 25, in Hollywood, City Council President Herb Wesson and Councilmembers Mitch O’Farrell and Marqueece Harris-Dawson welcomed Gordy, his family, friends and fans to the unveiling of Berry Gordy Square.
As the founder of Motown, also known as Hitsville, U.S.A., Gordy is known for igniting the careers of some of the most influential artists that the world has ever seen and many of them joined him at the ceremony.
In attendance were a who’s who list of entertainers and executives, such as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Debbie Allen, Suzanne de Passe, Thelma Houston, Clarence Avant, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., and more. Many spectators gathered on the blocked-off street to share the joy of celebrating the day in Gordy’s honor.
“This is a very, very important moment for us. Everyone will admit that Motown influenced the music industry, and it is still influencing the music industry,” noted Wesson. “What Mr. Gordy did was, he inspired women and inspired minorities to believe that they could do anything. What is more important than that?
“Everyone from my generation will tell you how this music changed our life. For me, it was slow dancing to ‘Ooh, Baby Baby,’ a smiling Wesson said.
“In this town and on this corner, as long as this is a city, we want the world to see that this is Berry Gordy Square,” Harris-Dawson said during his speech. “They’ll get to see, Mr. Gordy, as you demonstrated, when there is not a path, you make one - and you make that path by walking.”
L.A. Sentinel publisher and civil rights activist, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., saluted Gordy with a speech as well. “You have to really digest the magnitude of this man,” he said, “His contributions to the music industry made him a music industry mogul. Motown’s contributions to the world made him an international icon! For that, we owe him so much.”
Emphasizing the impact of Gordy, Bakewell cited those who discovered icons such as The Beatles and Elvis Presley, and then compared the world-wide effect of Gordy’s accomplishments in producing Motown legends, such as Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and the Supremes and Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Four Tops, and so many more.
“Motown is historically unmatched to this day in music industry history. With all of these artists, he not only invested his time and his creativity, but they also became friends. They became icons in the world together. But to me, what is most valuable is that he is a great friend,” said Bakewell.
Ref
lecting on his relationship with Gordy, Bakewell added, “Beyond his musical prowess, he has always been a consistent supporter of the community and the people, particularly in his support of the Brotherhood Crusade and our multiple humanitarian efforts. In times that are far less glamorous, we have always been able to count on him to support and empower the many disadvantaged people and various charitable causes that sustain them.”
Gordy’s longtime best friend and writing partner, Smokey Robinson, known for legendary songs such as “You Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooh Baby Baby,” and “Tears of a Clown,” shared, “Motown is a once-in-a-lifetime musical event. There has never ever been anything like Motown; there will never, ever again be anything like Motown ever again,” he said.
“Why? Because, we had a man at the helm who was a music man. His love, his first idea about doing this was because of music,” declared Robinson.
Also, Robinson shared a memory of the early days with Motown, touring in various countries and performing for segregated crowds and experiencing racism first-hand. However, a year later, artists could return to the same stage to see an integrated crowd, dancing and enjoying Motown’s unique sound together. He explained his admiration for Motown and credited Gordy with changing his life.
“Whatever they do in his name, I’m going to be there. He has made my life something that I never thought could be possible,” Robinson said. “Today is a great day and I hope that the world follows suit with Los Angeles and does something like this because it is so deserved.”
Wonder began his illustrious career with Motown as an 11-year-old prodigy named Little Stevie Wonder. His first number one hit song was called “Fingertips.”
“With the exception of 11 years of my life, Berry, I’ve given them to you,” Wonder said in the opening of his speech. He also focused on Motown’s influence on the world.
“In this army of love that we have, God has blessed us with a love that will defeat any hate, any prejudice, and He’s given us the instrument of song to do it. So, Mr. Gordy, I celebrate you today, for not only today, but all of my life.”
In separate interviews, both Debbie Allen and Gordy’s daughter with Diana Ross, Rhonda Ross –Kendrick, shared their excitement for this monumental moment.
“I’m thrilled for him; this is another great moment for him, so well deserved,” Allen stated. “He’s done so much to define the cultural identity of America, music and Black people.”
For Allen, a world-famous dancer, actress, director and more, Motown music was everything, “Oh my God!” she exclaimed, “I grew up dancing to this music, so this is my music.”
“I’m incredibly proud, I’m moved. I’m so thankful that he is here to receive this kind of celebration; to know what kind of impact he had on the world. And then, that this square can stay here so that generations from now will always know his name,” Ross-Kendrick shared.
“He and my mother raised me to know that knowing the accomplishment is enough, so it’s really a bonus when the world knows it too and when the world celebrates it too. But, the most important thing is that you celebrate it yourself,” she said. “We always celebrated him and what he accomplished.”
Lastly, as “Baby Love” by Diana Ross & The Supremes played on the speakers, the iconic Gordy danced his way to the stage, singing Motown hits with the cheering crowd. Gordy couldn’t resist acknowledging musical legend Thelma Houston as he sang to her, “Oh baby, my heart is full of love and desire for you,” as the crowd sang along.
“This is so overwhelming. It’s even greater than I thought it was going to be,” Gordy said. “As a kid growing up on the eastside of Detroit, Hollywood was an unattainable mystical fantasy, where magic happened and dreams came true. I never imagined I would end up here and on this stage talking to wonderful people like yourselves.
“Today, by honoring me, you are also honoring the entire Motown family who followed me down roads that didn’t even exist, and lived, laughed, cried, lived and died to make Motown what it is today.”
Gordy thanked his family, his Motown artists, well-wishers, and the public officials for their supportive efforts. He thanked Bakewell for his friendship and brotherly bond. He also thanked and acknowledged those involved with spearheading the project, including his niece, Karla Gordy Bristol.
Gordy spoke with affection of his business and personal relationships with his Motown artists and executives such as de Passe. He then focused on those seated in the front row, saying, “Stevie Wonder … you stayed with Motown at the height of your decision making. Even though you didn’t like some of the things you were made to do, your love and loyalty was so great to me and I will always appreciate it.”
He spoke emotionally to and about his long-time friend and colleague, Smoky Robinson, whom Gordy called his “songwriting apprentice who soon become the songwriting master.” Gordy then looked at Robinson and said, “He is my best friend.”
In addition, he acknowledged the supporters and and fans that were born into music that Black America could identify with. “I especially thank your parents and grandparents who supported me and Motown when we needed it the most. And believed in my dream that music had the power to bring the whole world closer together as it has done throughout the years,” he stated.
“I’m just very blessed and I want to thank you all, and thank you again. I want you all to know I deeply love you all.”
After a standing ovation, members of Gordy’s family surprised him with a birthday celebration and cake, as the crowd joined Stevie Wonder as he sang his famous version of “Happy Birthday.” Gordy celebrates his 90th birthday, on Thursday, November 28.
The celebration concluded with the unveiling of the Berry Gordy Square sign and photos with his family, supporters, friends, and adoring fans.
November 28, 2019
Aries
MAR 21 - APR 19
If it's not making you money this week, Aries, you're just not interested. As a result, it's likely that your love life will take a backseat to incredible professional developments you have on the horizon. It looks like you're making serious money and career moves and that's beautiful. If you are partnered up, you'll enjoy the unwavering support of your mate. He or she might even become your actual business partner or front some money for your business venture. Perfect!
Taurus
APR 20 - MAY 20
You're not one to typically get carried away in romantic fantasies or the whimsy of love because you're just so darned practical. Overall, you wouldn't dare to dream of anything that seems too good to be true, because your life experience has told you that it probably is. This week, however, you'll have a fascinating shift in perspective. There's a certain grounding potential to a romantic notion you have been whirling inside your head. You just might discover now that love can be a fairytale and real all at once.
Gemini
MAY 21 - JUN 20
A New Moon in your partnership sector this Tuesday spells a fresh start for you and your mate. There can be an exciting new development between the two of you that allows your connection to grow in a magnificent way. If you're dating someone exclusively and know the relationship is solid, this might be a perfect time to consider moving in together, becoming engaged, or even getting married. There might also be remarkable financial news from your spouse or partner this week if you're attached. Venus enters the area of your chart connected to joint resources on Monday, suggesting a lovely boost in this area of your life through December 20. Stay tuned!
Cancer
JUN 21 - JUL 22
With love planet Venus moving into your partnership sector this Monday, you and your sweetheart are in for a real treat. Love has not been smooth for you thanks to both Pluto and Saturn moving through this area of your chart. In fact, if your relationship has survived, it is only because you and your partner have an unwavering loyalty to one another through thick and thin, for better or worse. Now, if you have gone through the trenches together and feel as if you are a bit worn, there is some relief. Until December 20, you'll enjoy a feeling of restoration in matters of the heart. Romance stabilizes and your heart can rest easy.
Leo
JUL 23 - AUG 22
A New Moon on Tuesday in your romance sector is brimming with the most amazing potential for you to meet someone new and fall in love. On the heels of last week's gorgeous Venus-Jupiter conjunction in the same area of your chart, you really are in a major cycle of heart-stopping potential. Open your eyes and heart because someone is about to capture your attention. If you're already with someone, this is just even more big love this week. The two of you might even decide to have a baby together. Congratulations!
Virgo
AUG 23 - SEP 22
If you're completely single, there is some major love potential on the horizon. Venus enters your true love sector on Monday for the first time in about a year and, until December 20, will offer you harmonious opportunity to meet and mingle with new romantic prospects. Dating is serious business with Venus in Capricorn, but you're likely to enjoy the earthy side of it thanks to Venus making a perfect trine to Uranus on Thursday. Delectable gourmet dinners or long, romantic walks on the beach or at a park are all par for the course with your sweetheart. If you've lost faith in love, you're in for a real surprise. Suddenly, you'll get it back.
Libra
SEP 23 - OCT 22
As your ruling planet, Venus, moves into your home and family sector this Monday through December 20, your family will have a greater impact on your romantic life somehow. Perhaps a relative will try to set you up on a date with someone he or she thinks would be perfect for you. Another possibility is that you're already dating someone and have now decided it's time to test the waters and see how well this special love integrates into your family unit. It might be a week of meeting the parents or, if you have children, introducing your sweetheart to your kids. It'll go over well.
Scorpio
OCT 23 - NOV 21
It might feel like your love life is anything but clear this week, yet, that might be how you prefer it. Neptune, the planet of confusion and illusion, will turn direct on Wednesday right in your romance sector. As a result, you might feel like you're caught in a reverie when it comes to your current love life scenario. You know that warm feeling you get between the conscious and sleep state as you're pulled into dreamland at night? Yeah, that's exactly what you'll be feeling all week connected to your love life. You would much rather be asleep and enjoy the fantasies you have about love or your lover. Reality is just too harsh sometimes.
Sagittarius
NOV 22 - DEC 21
A New Moon in your sign this week can be quite magical for your love life. You'll enjoy an infusion of optimism and inspiration, making you believe that, as long as you continue to put good out into the universe, it surely must come back to you. There is real growth potential with this lunation, so if you want to expand your life with someone special, now is the time to make it happen. You might take a leap of faith and begin a major new relationship. Or, if you're already in one, it's possible that you'll initiate something with your sweetheart that requires a bit of pixie dust and a magic wand. Abracadabra!
Capricorn
DEC 22 - JAN 19
Your magnetism is about to reach a whole new level. This Monday, Venus will move into your sign and remains in Capricorn through December 20. Although you're cautious in matters of the heart, you'll feel as if it's much safer now to send out those vibes of "Hey, I'm into you" to that special someone you're crushing on. You'll also get some attention that you might not have been searching for. That's because your "ooh la la" factor has just kicked into high gear. You're hotter than you realize and, on Thursday, it's possible you'll receive a sexy advance from someone you work with or while you're minding your own business working out at the gym. It'll feel great.
Aquarius
JAN 20 - FEB 18
Sometimes we need a break from love and matters of the heart and it looks as if you're in that space now, Aquarius. You might simply feel overwhelmed with whatever is happening in your current romantic situation and, as a result, need to take a step back and process. Perhaps you're terrified of the feelings that someone special in your life is triggering. Falling in love gets harder to do after each heartbreak we endure. And yet, the reward of love is always worth the risk. This might be a good time to talk to a therapist or trusted friend to sort out what is going on in your mind. It will help.
Pisces
FEB 19 - MAR 20
You're ready to go back into la la land, Pisces. On Wednesday, Neptune, your ruling planet, turns direct in your sign after having been retrograde for several months. While Neptune was retrograde, you had time to process the reality of your current love life situation. Certain veils of illusion concerning where you might have been fooling yourself were lifted, forcing you to see your love life for what it truly is instead of what you wish it could be. Now that Neptune is ready to turn direct again, however, you might prefer to go back to that blurry version of romance you have. It can hurt you sometimes but, ironically, it's also where you feel safest.
November 28, 2019
By Lapacazo Sandoval
Contributing Writer
The dynamic soul known to the world as Diahann Carroll was born in 1935 and made her transition—at the age of 84—succumbing to cancer on October 4, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA.
Ms. Carroll was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. A survivor, she worked tirelessly to raise awareness around the disease, its diagnosis, and treatment.
She was a founding member of the Celebrity Action Council, a volunteer group that served the women’s outreach of the Los Angeles Mission.
Diahann Carroll is the consummate entertainer. She is one of America's major performing talents appearing in nightclubs, the Broadway stage, a Las Vegas headliner, motion pictures and television.
Diahann Carroll is a Tony Award winner, an Emmy and Grammy nominee, a Golden Globe winner and a Best Actress Oscar nominee.
Her television nominations go back to 1963 and in 1968, Diahann Carroll became the first black actress in television history to star in her own series, Julia for NBC, which soared to the top of the Nielsen rating and received an Emmy nomination in its first year on the air. In 1989 she was nominated for an Emmy Award for the successful NBC TV series, A Different World, as an outstanding actress in a comedy series. In 1984 Diahann Carroll became the first black actress to star in the award-winning nighttime series Dynasty.
She had a recurring role in Showtime’s hit series Soul Food, playing the outspoken “Aunt Ruthie”, for which she was nominated twice for an NAACP Image Award. She guest-starred in Lifetime TV’s Strong Medicine and in NBC’s TV show Whoopi, playing Whoopi Goldberg’s mother. In 2004 she starred on stage in the musical “Bubbling Brown Sugar” receiving critical acclaim. In 2006, she appeared on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and in 2008, on USA Network’s White Collar.
In October of 1995, she starred on stage as ‘Norma Desmond’ in the Toronto premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Sunset Boulevard, staged by director Trevor Nunn and the show's entire original creative team. Hailed by the press as "the ultimate Norma Desmond", Diahann Carroll played to sold-out crowds and her Canadian cast recording outsold all other recordings of the show.
Diahann made her Broadway stage debut starring in Harold Arlen and Truman Capote's House of Flowers and after seeing her in this production, Richard Rodgers created the Broadway production No Strings as a starring vehicle for Miss Carroll, for which she won the Tony Award. She also starred on Broadway in the award-winning play Agnes of God.
Her film work includes Claudine, for which she received a 1974 Best Actress Academy Award nomination, Carmen Jones, Paris Blues, Porgy & Bess, Hurry Sundown, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and Eve’s Bayou.
She is an award-winning actress, a successful entrepreneur, a devoted humanitarian... indeed Diahann Carroll is a legend.
In New York City a group of family, colleagues, friends and invited media gathered to celebrate the life of Miss Diahann [Carroll] at the Helen Hayes Theatre in New York City’s theater district on Sunday, November 24. Ms. Carroll’s daughter, Suzanne Kay, believed it was important to create a service in a place that her mother loved most - the Broadway stage - and with people whom she loved most.
The celebration of life began with a performance of “A Sleepin’ Bee,” by Tony-nominated actress/singer Denée Benton.
Diahann Carroll was introduced to the world in 1954 with House of Flowers, Harold Arlen, and Truman Capote’s Broadway musical. Suzanne Kay remarked on why she chose to open with the song offering this: “I was extremely honored when Ms. Benton agreed to perform ‘A Sleepin’ Bee.’
I know my mom, wherever she may be, couldn’t be happier to be celebrated in such a meaningful way on the stage today. She was always very passionate about ushering in a new generation of talented entertainers of color.”
The event continued with a poetry readings offered by Emmy Award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne (from Roscoe Lee Browne’s “Song”) who joked, imitating his version of Miss Diahann’s unique voice. “What can one say about Diahann Carroll—darling—I say ‘timeless.”
More of her colleagues took to the podium to share their feelings of Ms. Caroll, the loved flowed, deservingly so with Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress Angela Bassett (from Maya Angelou’s “When Great Trees Fall”); and Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield (from Lucille Clifton’s “Won’t You Celebrate With Me?”) offering their observations on what made Diahann Carroll such a force to be reckoned with.
There were additional performances by Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor/singer Leslie Odom, Jr. who blew the roof off the place with “For All We Know”. Each person shared something new about Diahann Carroll her daughter joking that her mother turned down romantic advances from both Marlon Brando and John F. Kennedy Jr.
We also learned that Carroll owned a piece of her television show Julia, an American sitcom (1967) that ran for three seasons (86 episodes) and was produced by Savannah Productions, Inc., Hanncarr Productions, Inc., and 20th Century-Fox Television.
“She was the first African-American woman, in television, to ever own a piece of her own show,” shared her daughter Suzanne Kay. “The other women who could claim this was Marlo Thomas and Mary Tyler Moore.”
Others who shared their memories included Kennedy Center Honors alum Carmen de Lavallade, whose friendship with Carroll goes back to their Broadway debut in House of Flowers; Grammy Award-winning singer Dionne Warwick, who spoke via video; and critically-acclaimed author and award-winning writer/producer Susan Fales-Hill, for whom Ms. Carroll had been extended family stemming from her close friendship with Fales-Hill’s mother, the late Josephine Premice.
But it was the words of Academy Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson that really brought the house to an important recognization.
“We become inseparable and we went everywhere together, we did everything together —- with exceptions—together,” joked Tyson. “She had what very few people realized an incredible sense of humor because she was always so proper, and so prim.
Every now and then she would shoot a bolt that would have people [open their mouth in amazement] [asking] did that come from the elegant, swell-a-elegant, Diane Caroll? Yes, it did.”
Miss Tyson took a moment becoming silent, gathering her thoughts before she could continue sharing her deep love for her friend— Diahann Carroll. “This is a very difficult moment for me, right now. I can only say that she [Diane Caroll] came to me several nights in a row, in a dream, and I kept talking about calling her and I never got around to it.
I did, however, fly out to the coast [Los Angeles, CA] to do some work and I made a decision not to leave Los Angeles without seeing her. I made a call to her daughter and she said, come on over. I went to see her. She was asleep at the time [I arrived] and I waited until she was able to be awakened.
It wasn’t Diane. She was not the effervescent, really glamorous Dianne Caroll. [She was not] laughing and telling jokes. She could barely talk. I felt bad. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to hug her and say don’t but I didn’t.
I just knew that I had to be there and I stayed until Lenny Kravitz came in and took a look at me, and said, ‘what are you doing here.’
He was on his way to Japan, I believe, on a tour and he had to come to LA to catch a plane. And he said I’m going to run up and see Diane. I am so grateful that I had those moments with her. “
Before closing the memorial one of Carroll's colleagues reminded us, with words from the poet Lucille Clifton that celebrating Miss Carroll was a celebration of gargantuan proportion— “…come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.”
It was shared that one of Miss Carroll’s favorite songs, “Black Bird” was written by Paul McCartney and inspired by racial tensions in the late 1960s. “Black Bird” is actually about the freedom needed for Black women noting that the word Bird is British slang for a woman.
Grammy award-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves closed the memorial of the incomparable Diahann Carroll with “Black Bird.”
To continue the legacy of Diahann Carroll the family encourages well-wishers to donate to a cause about which Ms. Carroll cared deeply: Planned Parenthood, www.weareplannedparenthood.org.
November 21, 2019
By Associated Press
Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is suing Chicago for malicious prosecution and says the city should not seek payment from him to cover the cost of the investigation into his claim that he was a victim of a racist and homophobic attack because it accepted his $10,000 bail “as payment in full.”
Chicago filed a lawsuit in April seeking reimbursement of more than $130,000 for overtime paid to police officers who were involved in investigating the alleged January attack.
Smollett’s attorneys filed a response Tuesday in federal court. It said the city should not be allowed to recover costs from Smollett because it accepted $10,000 from the actor “as payment in full in connection with the dismissal of the charges against him.”
They also filed a counterclaim, saying Smollett was the victim of a malicious prosecution that caused him humiliation and extreme distress.
Smollett told police that he was beaten Jan. 29 by two men who looped a noose around his neck and threw vile comments at him. Chicago police said the attack was staged, and Smollett was charged with making a false report.
Prosecutors dropped the case in March. Smollett maintained his innocence but agreed to let authorities keep the $10,000 bail.
Chicago’s Law Department issued a statement Wednesday saying the city will continue to pursue its efforts to recover the full cost of its investigation.
“The judge in this case has already ruled in our favor once and we fully expect to be successful in defeating these counterclaims,” Bill McCaffrey, Chicago law department spokesman, said in a statement.