NEW BOOK EXAMINES CORRUPTION AMONG LEADERS OF ORGANIZATIONS
Military veteran turned author, Thomas Barr Jr., has spent years working in the service of government. He has penned a book that portrays the urban settings of Miami in examination of corrupt practices among leaders in organizational operations. The book is entitled RISEN: The Accession and Devolution of Yahweh Ben Yahweh: Miami’s Urban Chronicles Volume I and is a biopic of the life of former Miami based mega-church leader Yahweh Ben Yahweh.
The author drew from his years of experience as a Miami resident when writing this book. “The average citizen face troubling times in the light of current political elections of presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton,” the author said. “They must be aware! Caution must be practiced when considering personalities and individuals should not fall prey to disillusionment.”
The author based his main character on the tragic down fall of the former religious leader of the Yahweh nation, and wants to tell his story to others aspiring to understand corruption among leaders in organizations. “The average citizen must recognize that they have a right to fair representation,” said the author.
The book details events which influence the main character in negative ways and documents his success plus failures as a leader of a movement. The protagonist in an attempt to take control of his life makes the ultimate decision in deciding his fate. Author excerpts can be read online at www.thomasbarrjr.com.
About the author
Thomas Barr Jr. in his third novel attempts to chronicle the life styles of African American leaders and why they fall prey to corrupt practices. The book was released on April 1st, 2016 and has a campaign for movie adaptation. The book is available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million and Ebookit.
TV One will premiere Behind The Movement as the centerpiece of its 2018 Black History Month offerings on Sunday, February 11 at 7 p.m. ET. The original film, starring Meta Golding, Loretta Devine, Isaiah Washington and Roger Guenveur Smith, features the actual bus where Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger on December 1, 1955 spiraled into the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott. The made-for-television movie honors the contributions of many unsung heroes in the Civil Rights struggle and recounts the meticulous planning and preparation that took place during three intense days between the fateful evening when Parks was arrested for “breaking the law” to the launch of this significant protest. Behind the Movement is written by and directed by Aric Avelino. It is produced by Swirl Films for TV One.
In the 1960’s, black people were fed up with segregation and discrimination. Not everyone had the liberty to voice it. For many, exercising their freedom of speech came at the cost of their life. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white man sparked the movement that shifted the experience from clandestine conversation to outright civil disobedience and ultimately the shift that rocked this country off its ill base.
In “Behind the Movement”, you’ll see the events that led up to Mrs. Parks’ decision and the tense days and months that followed. After you watch, tweet our editor and let’s talk about it!
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TASHA COBBS LEONARD BRINGS IN THE
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HEART. PASSION. PURSUIT.
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Multiple-award-winner, and top-selling artist Tasha Cobbs Leonard earns her second Billboard Number 1 album with HEART. PASSION. PURSUIT. Since its release on August 25, 2017 by Motown Gospel, the Grammy® Award winner’s third album has also generated an historic 2 million+ streams in one week, dominating streaming and online platforms, and continuing last year’s distinction as Billboard’s Most Streamed Artist in gospel music.
The passion and energy Cobbs Leonard poured into this album has paid off with a stellar week of sales and streams. Not only has HEART. PASSION. PURSUIT. seen the highest-selling week of any gospel album this year, the album released at a record-breaking pace earning the largest streaming debut in gospel music.
“The instant success of this album solidifies Tasha as one of the top gospel artists of the past decade,” says EJ Gaines, VP of Marketing, Motown Gospel. “In a season where the industry has been concerned about sales and the impact of streaming, Heart. Passion. Pursuit. proves that when a remarkable talent has an authentic vision, great songs and a committed team, magic can still happen.”
HEART. PASSION. PURSUIT. has been generating incredible buzz since its unparalleled week-long recording in Atlanta, GA earlier this year. Bringing together worship leaders from around the country, Cobbs Leonard sought to create a sound unlike anything that has been heard in the genre.
“Tasha’s initial vision, combined with her commitment to songwriting and performance throughout the recording process have resulted in a truly career-defining album,” says Monica Coates, VP of A&R for Motown Gospel. “It is incredibly gratifying to witness the impact this body of work is having throughout the music industry and, more importantly, on the lives of consumers around the world.”
Produced by Kenneth Leonard, Jr., songs like “Great God” and “Your Spirit” feat. Kierra Sheard are sure to resonate with longtime fans, while “The Name of Our God” and “Gracefully Broken , ” co-written with Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin, build new bridges in worship. The album also includes features by worship artists Jimi Cravity and Anna Golden, as well as a surprise guest appearance by Nicki Minaj on “I’m Getting Ready.”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard continues to criss-cross the country with concerts and appearances in support of the album. In conjunction with her New York City tour stop on October 19th, Cobbs Leonard kicks off the HEART. PASSION. PURSUIT. FLY AWAY contest, where one lucky fan will win a trip for two to New York City to meet Tasha and attend her show at B. B. King’s Blues Club & Grill.
Season 3 of TV One’s RickeySmiley For Real has followed the highs and lows as RickeySmiley has gone through parenting trials and tribulations with his kids. It seems just as one relationship improves, another falls short!
Last week, when Rickey attempts to surprise Malik by bringing his favorite boxer, Heavyweight Boxing Champion Roy Jones Jr. to his practice, the teen shows out and doesn’t want to participate. The season finale picks up with Jones Jr. having a heart-to-heart with Malik about respecting his father on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 8 p.m. ET.
“I learned all the stuff that you love about me from my father,” said Jones Jr. “Our fathers mean the most and the best for us. They’re not there to be an enemy, even when it seems like they are. They mean well and they try to give us the best that they can give us. So, you have to learn to trust your father.”
As Rickey watches the champion boxer talk to his son, he’s left speechless.
“Sitting there watching Roy Jones give my son a real talk about respect was deep,” said Rickey. “When you be defiant and you don’t do what your parents tell you to do, you the one that miss out on your blessings. I hope he learned a lesson from this.“
Later, Rickey welcomes Comedian Tony Rock to the morning show to discuss his new venture as the host of TV One’s The Game of Dating.
“We’ve all been in a restaurant, chilling with your boys or out on a date, and you see a couple across the room and you just try to play that game like ‘what are they going through…are they breaking up or is it a first date,'” said Rock. “So we turned that into a game show! It’s pretty simple to follow the rules. You get the answer right, you get some money and the team with the most money at the end of the game wins $10,000.”
Rock plays the game with Rickey, Da Brat, Gary With Da Tea and Headkrack and their responses to the dating scenario have the crew divided.
“The show is hilarious because it’s going to have you the edge of your seat,” said Rickey.
“If you’re watch with your girl, y’all going to be arguing about the questions or what you think the answer is. You do not want to miss this show. This is probably going to be one of the best game shows ever! Now I want to be a game show host!”
Other highlights throughout the finale include:
D’Essence confronts Rickey to find out why he was a no-show at her pageant
Malik tells Brandon about his plans to leave the country for college, however Brandon thinks he’s running from dad
Rickey calls a family meeting to address the house rules when the kids come to town
Gary with Da Tea has a team meeting with Swan, Shanté, Brandon and Special K in preparation for his talk show premiere. Later, the big day arrives for the first show taping featuring Trina and Towanda Braxton, Karlie Redd and, of course, RickeySmiley.
RickeySmiley For Real is produced by Bobbcat Films for TV One with RickeySmileyand Roger M. Bobb as executive producers and Angi Bones and Shante Paige as co-executive producers. For TV One, Lamar Chase is executive-in-charge of production, Robyn Greene Arrington is vice president of original programming and production, and D’Angela Proctor is head of original programming and production.
ABOUT TV ONE
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Military veteran turned author, Thomas Barr Jr., has spent years working in the service of government. He has penned a book that portrays the urban settings of Miami in examination of corrupt practices among leaders in organizational operations. The book is entitled RISEN: The Accession and Devolution of Yahweh Ben Yahweh: Miami’s Urban Chronicles Volume I and is a biopic of the life of former Miami based mega-church leader Yahweh Ben Yahweh.
Season 3 of TV One’s 
Launched in January 2004,