How to Be Happy: Happiness Becomes You by Tina Turner

 

                                                        Tina Turner, Courtesy of Wikipedia

Tina Turner (November 26, 1939-May 24, 2023) was a famous singer, actor, producer and writer. Her hero's journey began in a small rural town in Brownsville, Tennessee. Turner's childhood was difficult due to financial poverty and racial discrimination. However, she was destined for greatness. Turner became an international star and sold millions of records worldwide. While browsing books at a recent library visit, Happiness Becomes You by Tina Turner caught my attention.  Turner dedicated the book to her readers: "I dedicate this book to you....in honor of your unseen efforts to triumph over each problem life sends your way." Let's discuss...

Celebration Bowl 2025 - Prairie View A&M vs South Carolina State University- Lessons on Bouncing Back from Adversity

South Carolina State University overcomes a 21-point deficit at half-time to win the 2025 Celebration Bowl!

South Carolina State University Wins by 2 points!

At half-time South Carolina State University scored 0 points

I look forward to attending the Cricket Celebration Bowl every year. The bowl is a post-season game between the champions of the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), which are two prominent conferences of historical black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The competitive festive family friendly event is a fun time. Even though I did not attend a HBCU, I love supporting and sharing the experience with the community.  On December 13th, Prairie View A&M played against South Carolina State University. The game is inspirational and a metaphor about overcoming adversity.  Let's discuss....

How to Get Away with Murder: In Defense of Michaela Pratt

                  Michaela Pratt from How to Get Away with Murder, portrayed by actress                                                                     Aja Naomi King

How To Get Away with Murder (HTGAWM), rated TV-14, is one of my favorite legal dramas. As of November 2025, it is streaming on Amazon Prime. Peter Nowalk is the creator and Shondra Rhimes is the executive producer. HTGAWM follows the lives of Analise Keating, a defense attorney and law professor, and five of her law students (K5), who are involved in a series of complex murder plots. However, the complicated relationship between the K5 is why I repeatedly watch it on streaming. My favorite character is Michaela Pratt, portrayed eloquently by actress Aja Naomi King, who on the surface is not very likeable until you get to know her. I know her. Let's discuss....Warning, this post contains spoilers.  

Book Review: 10th Anniversary Edition: Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

 

Shonda Rhimes is a prolific television screenwriter, producer and founder of Shondaland, her production company. Highly rated Shondaland produced shows include How to Get Away with Murder, The Residence, Scandal, Bridgerton and others. When I heard that Rhimes was coming to my city to promote the 10th Anniversary of her Year of Yes memoir, I didn't think twice before buying a ticket. Let's discuss.....

Movie Review: A Soldier's Story, a movie adaptation of Charles Fuller's Pulitzer Prize Winning Play

 

                                                    Movie poster courtesy of Wikipedia

My dear mother passed away in July 2023, after living with cancer for over twenty years. I miss her dearly. Sometimes, rewatching movies we both enjoyed is my way of remembering good times. Recently, I thought about A Soldier's Story (1984 film). We watched the movie over and over again and quoted lines to each other.  A few months before she died, I invited her to see the live play at a local theater. She was not feeling well, so she suggested I take my brother instead.  Like Sinners (2025), A Soldier's Story is set during the era of Jim Crow, segregation of Black people in the United States. Both prominent characters in the films are from Mississippi. However, the villain in A Soldier's Story was not an Irish vampire promising "Fellowship and Love." Let's discuss.....