Michelle Obama's Motivational Speech

Michelle Obama gave a wonderful speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Monday, August 25, 2008. "Wonderful" may be an understatement; motivational, moving, and inspirational also describe Michelle's words.



Barack Obama truly has a strong woman by his side. Michelle noted family values, world issues, and the like in her speech. She moved the crowd with the relevance that we are all one and can relate to each other!! Everyone should've left the room different than what he/she came in.



Check out her speech if you didn't see it or want to see it again:

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones Passes Away

Ohio Representative, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, passed away on Wednesday. She was 58 years old. Tubbs Jones was the first black woman to represent Ohio in the U.S. House of Representatives. She suffered a brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm, medical officials said.



According to CNN:

She was rushed to East Cleveland's Huron Hospital, where a team of doctors determined Wednesday morning that she had "very limited brain function," said Dr. Gus Kious, the hospital's chief of staff.

Wednesday afternoon, before Tubbs Jones died, Kious said that the aneurysm was in "an inaccessible part of her brain" and that she was in critical condition.

She died at 6:12 p.m. ET Wednesday after her condition declined "throughout the course of the day and into this evening," according to a joint statement from her family, Huron Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic.

Tubbs Jones was known for her outspoken & vibrant personality. She was one who spoke out against the Iraq War. In addition, President Bush stated that she "was an effective legislator who was dedicated to helping small businesses, improving local schools, expanding job opportunities for Ohioans and ensuring that more of them have access to health care."


Tubbs Jones was a widow and leaves behind one son. Our prayers are with her family, friends, and colleagues.

photo courtesy of Getty Images

The Movie: "Longshots"

A movie on my "to see" list is Longshots featuring Keke Palmer, Ice Cube, Tasha Smith, and Jill Marie Jones. The movie is based upon the true story of Jasmine Plummer who, at the age of eleven, became the first female to play in Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history. Keke describes the movie is described as an "uplifting and inspiring story".



The movie's release date is August 22, 2008. Check out the clip:

Rev. Timothy Wright Seeks Donations to Help with Medical Costs

The Associated Press (AP) reports that "the family of Grammy nominated Gospel singer Rev. Timothy Wright, who was critically injured in a car crash that killed his wife and grandson, is asking for donations to cover medical cost."

Rev. Wright's wife, Pastor Betty, and grandson, D.J., died in the accident that happened on July 4th. The driver of the other car, John Pick, also passed away.

According to Laurie Scheider, a spokeswoman for the Wright family, he "has exhausted his health insurance coverage and could require as much as $500,000 to cover medical cost over the next several months."

Wright suffered a C4 spinal cord injury and will need extensive rehab. He has movement in his neck and upper arms and shoulders.

Wright is a Grammy nominated artist and founder of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights.

According to the My 9 News website:

If you want to help with the medical expenses of Rev. Timothy Wright, you can send checks of more than $500 payable to "The Kessler Institute" and in the memo line write: For Rev. Timothy Wright. Checks of less than $500 should be made payable to: Rev. Timothy Wright.

All checks should be mailed to:
Timothy Wright Trust c/o Timothy Wright
3399 Lawson Blvd. Oceanside, NY 11572

We must continue to pray for the Wright Family.

Tina Turner: 2 New Songs for Next CD

Tina Turner has been in the studio recording 2 new songs for her Greatest Hits CD, "Tina!", due out September 30, 2008. "It Would Be a Crime" and "I'm Ready" will join 16 hits spanning Turner's career, including "Nutbush City Limits" and "What's Love Got To Do With It," reports Billboard.

Tina returned from retirement this past February after performing with Beyonce' at the Grammys.

Tina, 68, remains a fan favorite. Tina turns 69 on November 26th and will be starting her next tour soon. For tour dates and to purchase tickets, click here

YourBlackCelebrities: 'Hairspray' Costar Brittany Snow Speaks About Nikki Blonsky vs. Bianca Golden

(PEOPLE.com) Nikki Blonsky's friend and Hairspray costar Brittany Snow is as taken aback as anyone at the news of Blonsky's Friday arrest for alleged assault in a Caribbean airport.

"Of course I was surprised," Snow, 22, told PEOPLE Sunday at the Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles.

"Nikki is one of my really dear friends, and she's not a person that I would ever expect to have that controversy … surrounding her," says Snow.

"But at the same time, you know things get misconstrued in this business," she adds. "I really hope the best for her, because ... she's one of the sweetest girls I've ever met, so I just hope it works out – and it will, because she's a good person, and good things happen to good people."

Blonsky, 19, and her father, Carl Blonsky, were arrested following a brawl involving the family of America's Next Top Model contestant Bianca Golden in the departure lounge of the Providenciales International Airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Golden was also charged with assault.

Although Snow has not spoken to Blonsky, their Hairspray costar Zac Efron had. "Zac talked to her for a while."

Snow also said, "I don't know how it happened or what exactly went on, but my heart goes out to her, because I really do love her, and I know she didn't mean to hurt anybody – and nor did her dad. Her family is amazing!"

YourBlackCelebrities: Jacksons Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Jacksons will receive a lifetime achievement award during performing rights group BMI's eighth annual Urban Awards on September 4.

Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson will be bestowed with the Icon award during the ceremony, which honors the most-performed R&B/hip-hop songs of the past year in the BMI repertoire.

A BMI spokeswoman said Michael Jackson has yet to confirm his attendance, but the others will on hand at the Wilshire Theatre in Beverly Hills. As honorees, the Jacksons will not perform. Other artists, as yet unannounced, will take the stage to cover the group's songs.

Starting out as The Jackson 5 in their hometown of Gary, Ind., the siblings found fame at Motown Records where they enjoyed a string of hits beginning with 1969's "I Want You Back."

Later smashes included "Enjoy Yourself," "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "State of Shock" with Mick Jagger, released in 1984 at the height of Michael Jackson's stardom.