Thembisa Mshaka Tag

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There will never be a flawless politician. Politicians gonna politic, pander and polarize. It's what they do. I'm not here to tell you how to vote, so save that for another comment thread. Disclosure: I am a Democrat, but I have supported independent candidates before. I even voted for Sanders in the NY primary. I understand the sting of having your candidate lose. But I also understand what's at stake as we stare directly at the *very* real prospect of a Trump presidency. So I am laying out my 15 point case for the Democratic nominee. Yes. Benghazi. I know. All...

26 July, 2016 /

In 2010, I was tasked with writing a salutatory biography on Prince for the program book that was distributed only to attendees of the 2010 BET Awards in Los Angeles. There was only one problem: no current bio on Prince existed. Because the world knew who Prince was. He had long surpassed the point of needing one. But the award show booklet did. So I opened my journalistic toolbox, and researched 40 years of Prince in all his permutations. Fortunately, I was a rabid Prince fan. This was borne out of being strictly forbidden to adore him as a young girl...

22 April, 2016 /

My blogs about films usually come long after release because I like to talk about what happens in movies—and I want to give readers ample time to see the film before I go in. So if you have yet to see this film, bookmark this post until you see it. Because everyone should see it. I fully understand excusing oneself from this film if you are African American. Why pay to watch a piece of your people’s genocide unfold? My answer is easy: if our ancestors could live it, you can spend two hours watching it. In fact, it’s the...

07 November, 2013 /

[caption id="attachment_610" align="aligncenter" width="130" caption="Thembisa speaks to Thisis50.com "][/caption] Thembisa talks to Thisis50.com about her new book in stores now....

20 January, 2010 /

Natasha Eubanks Founder, TheYBF.com Sister Swan Name one professional thing you do that you make look easy despite its difficulty. I would say running the entire site. Most people think it is very easy. However, because I am the only person who writes on my site, I have to be the eyes, ears, and writer. I also handle some technology issues as well. In the tradition of the Ugly Duckling who emerges victorious—and gorgeous, who do you wish could see you now that you’ve reached this place in your life?  Despite the success people see, I am still striving to accomplish so much! I don’t feel...

24 June, 2009 /

Michelle Obama’s presence is a welcome, seismic shift from the stereotypical image of women of color as accessories to their own exploitation in media. In her non-celebrity post as the Most Influential Woman of the Free World, Mrs. Obama is covered by media daily around the globe, giving her the power to unravel the thread of negative perception about Black women in a way that even the mighty Oprah could not.  Dealing a major blow to the video ho, Mrs. Obama is the only First Lady to make Maxim’s 100 Hottest Women In The World, holding her own at #93 with starlets...

15 June, 2009 /

YVETTE D. GAYLE VP Publicity for Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records [caption id="attachment_477" align="aligncenter" width="213" caption="Yvette D. Gayle"][/caption] SISTER SWAN 1. What are you working on right now? 50 Cent, Keri Hilson, and a stable of new up and coming R&B, Hip Hop, and Pop/Rock artists 2. What book(s) are you reading? Put Your Dreams First: HYEB. It’s inspiring ☺. I have a 3 year old and am addicted to buying him books. So this week we are reading The Lazy Lion, Hungry Hyena and Laughing Giraffe by Mwenye Hadithi & Adrienne Kennaway. My favorite books are: Celestine Prophecy, Tuesdays With Morrie and A Pilot’s Wife. 3. Share something you do for work...

03 June, 2009 /

THEDA SANDIFORD Serving the Cyber Generation [caption id="attachment_461" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Theda Sandiford"][/caption] Sister Swan 1. What are you working on right now? I'm working on setting up Jeremih, Lyfe Jennings, New Boyz, Lil Boosie, Reflection Eternal, Shawty Lo, Ginuwine, and Nicki Minaj. Along with Method Man & Redman, Camron, Mike Jones, Paul Wall. I'm also working on a series of mixed media self-portraits focusing on health, wellness, dreams and multiracial themes. 2. What book(s) are you reading? The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and The Reagan Diaries. I love non-fiction. 3. Share something you do for work that’s harder than it looks. Online press is really...

27 May, 2009 /

[caption id="attachment_61" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="Breakfast of champions of rap"][/caption] Pulling out some of my photos from the '90s, from a time I am so blessed to have lived and worked in; a decade that gave us hip-hop's golden era. I found the photos of BIG in this note, and reconnected to a time when hip-hop had purpose; had a sense of humor; had much more respect for its women (and indeed a chorus of female voices to boot); had a hunger for innovation that eclipsed its need for shine. Hip-hop's commitment to being dope is what turned the spotlight on her...

21 May, 2009 /

BOTH LISA CORTES AND MO'NIQUE ARE FEATURED IN PUT YOUR DREAMS FIRST! CONGRATULATIONS, LISA CORTES AND MO'NIQUE! What an inspiration you both are! These ladies swept the Sundance Film Festival as Executive Producer and outstanding actor respectively in PUSH. The film adaptation of Sapphire's searing novel captured The Grand Jury Prize, the Audience Prize in addition to the Special Jury Prize for Acting, awarded to Mo'Nique for her nightmarish portrayal of Mary, the lead character Clareece's abusive mother. http://festival.sundance.org/2009/film_events/films/ push_based_on_the_novel_by_sapphire Both Lisa and Mo'Nique were generous enough to share their trials, triumphs and secrets to career fulfillment in my soon-to-be-released career guide for those who...

27 January, 2009 /

I was a bit put off by his sketch about Kwanzaa today. He actually got a Jewish composer to sing some bootleg Broadway cheese because he couldn't find a decent Kwanzaa song. Like Black folks couldn't be counted on to sing about their own holiday! Then I realized: It's not entirely his fault; these songs are tough to find. So I'm posting this one: it was on a Polygram promo called Mad Tidings. It was sung by Emage, a talented trio of young ladies form Oakland, Kimbre'ly Evans, Mykah Montgomery (of the jazz family of Montgomerys) and Taura Jackson--all now enjoying...

15 December, 2008 /