by Fred Willis | Jul 24, 2018 | Church, Faith, Featured News, National News
Grace Community Church, Orange County, New York, 5 Campuses and over 3000 Attendees each week. Senior Pastor Jarrod Jones. (PRNewsfoto/Grace Community Church)
Pastor Jarrod Jones is the Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church home to five campuses across Orange County, New York with over 3,000 attendees. Late last night he released a lengthy letter to his church family for the first time breaking his long-held silence on political issues.
Even throughout the letter his turmoil is palpable as he struggles with how best to lead the church in the charged political climate of the country today.
In the letter Pastor Jarrod says, “Is it my duty and responsibility to offer direction and leadership to Grace Community Church regarding the current political climate and any injustices? Or, is it my duty and responsibility to remain silent, focus solely on preaching the gospel, and let our generosity and charity do the talking?”
Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church ‘gets it’ and shares his perspective on racism in America
In the past, that’s what he’s chosen to do. He, as well as the church leadership, had decided to remain silent on political issues. It was the Church’s policy to steer away from political conversations at all costs for fear that one side or the other would take offense and forget the purpose of the church.
As Pastor Jarrod puts it, “No matter what I say and how careful I say it, people will only hear what they want to hear. Or, they don’t want to hear it because it doesn’t fit their opinion, or they deem it personally offensive, even hateful.”
Late last night after weeks of debate and counsel with the leadership of the Church, Pastor Jarrod decided to break his silence. In a lengthy letter to his congregation titled, “Of Politics and Presidents: A Letter to My Church,” Pastor Jones dives into several of the most hotly debated issues of the day.
Sometimes, Pastors don’t always handle diversity in the pews as we’d expect. Pastor Michael R. Jordan caused quite a stir with his views.
He addressed Racism, Law Enforcement, the #MeToo movement, Abortion, and the separation of children from immigrant families. In the midst of sharing his heartfelt thoughts on these weighty issues, Pastor Jones is careful to express his connections to people who have dealt with these issues first hand.
Finally, he concludes the letter with this sentiment, “Let’s take our eyes off what the church is or is not doing and look at ourselves.” He challenges his congregation to be the solution rather than to only debate the cause.
To read the entire letter go to Graceoc.com/letters
SOURCE:
Grace Community Church, Washingtonville, New York
by Fred Willis | May 22, 2018 | People, What I Said
Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, but what about gray matter?
A colloquialism I heard growing up says: “conversation rules the nation”. If that’s true, we’re a nation without rule and to our own demise! The United States of America is a peculiar place to be right now. Still boasting as a super power, the nation’s reputation is withering away with each moment of debate. Gun control, police brutality, building a wall, human rights and much more malign interpersonal relationships across the country. Many are forged and ended without even leaving home and at the hands of a mobile device. What I have noticed is that increasingly, Americans are turning away from intelligent debate in favor of the repetition of rhetoric heard on their favorite news outlet.
As a journalist, it’s my job to be objective. It’s a hard job but I do my best. When citizens are killed, I have to ask readers to be sensible in their evaluation of the news of the death at the hands of a police officer. When mass shootings happen, I have to ask readers to ask themselves if gun access is the problem or whether people and their evil thoughts are the problem.
Last week when Aaron Schlossberg was filmed berating spanish speaking New Yorkers in a deli, he became an instant viral sensation. Amidst the furor, was a call to evict him from his office and even disbar him. This seems to be the new norm. Insult a group of people and expect to lose it all! We removed Confederate monuments this year and no monument or confederate sentiment was safe. The danger in this mass removal of opposition en masse is the unintended result of creating a harbor for the offenders.
Watch how one conversation changed lives for two people
While I will never condone hate-speech, I want to remind you that even scripture has been defined as hate-speech to those offended by the holy scriptures. In California, it could soon be illegal to use the bible in gay conversion therapy. In a sketchy piece of legislation, the bible has come under fire as used by Christians in the practice of conversion therapy for homosexuals. It seems implausible now, but what if someone thought the bible was offensive and moved to further legislation and attempt to ban the bible as an article of hate speech? Gay conversion therapy is akin to rehabilitation for drug users. Despite increasing efforts globally to accept the homosexual lifestyle, many are making attempts to no longer be a part of that lifestyle, some are making the choice for them in the form of gay conversion therapy. The practice is good-hearted but like many other issues plaguing our neighbors, they’re fruitless without relation rapport and devolves instead into a war of hurtful words that crush the soul Jesus cares so much for!
Hate speech should be done away with, but how? I still have hope that intellectual debate can and will change the minds of those with hatred in their hearts. Dr. King in all his eloquence was hated even more when he presented irrefutable evidence to bolster his principles and leadership. What I believe is most important in these tense moments of disagreement that drives a deeper wedge between Americans, is that we think as much as we speak! Many times, we’re a simple conversation away from gaining the perspective and understanding we need to truly embrace our differences.
I implore you to not be so quick to dispose of what you oppose or who/what opposes you and instead think as much as you speak! The only “Matter” that matters is gray…think about it!
–‘Fred
by Fred Willis | Apr 16, 2018 | Books & Magazines, Finance, People
As the saying goes: “it’s not what people call you, it’s what you answer to” that matters. For Dorinda Walker, she now answers to the name given her by living a life full of purpose. That wasn’t always the case, however. In fact, the true-life story of Dorinda Walker can only be defined as her new book says: “Protected By Purpose”.
In life, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and Mrs. Walker is well on her way to a strong finish, following a tumultuous beginning. Born to drug addicted parents, the life of addiction and destruction quickly became a part of her life story as well. Suffering in a home with wayward parents, she was destructive, distressed and suicidal, but more importantly she was protected by purpose. Following an attempt to take her own life, she was visited by the spirit of her grandmother who confirmed the purpose on her life!
Many succumb to the rigors of a lifestyle of drug addiction and pain, but Walker is standing victorious and sharing her story with others in hopes to compel them beyond their current trials and struggles to embrace a path of purpose in their own lives.
Once destined for destruction, Walker attributes divine intervention with the placement of people and opportunities that ultimately altered the trajectory of her life’s destiny. “30 years ago around this time I woke up in a psych ward after trying to commit suicide. And to see where God has taken me and to know that at one point I didn’t think I was worthy and God said you are…only God, it’s only God who could help me and put me in that position.”
In the book, her first, Walker gives a dramatic firsthand account of being born into a dysfunctional family, suffering the consequences of her parents’ drug addiction, her father’s battle with AIDS, surviving domestic violence, mental illness and overcoming crippling low self-esteem. Walker experienced challenges that could stop many in their tracks, but instead it served as a catalyst to success for her.
Though she now enjoys a vivid career as a finance company executive, in demand speaker and newly published author, Mrs. Walker’s most profound position is best defined as living on purpose. Rising from her dark past, she now shines her light illuminating the path to help others discover their purpose and work to achieve it.
“I wrote the book because I wanted to own the narrative of my story. I wanted to show people that you don’t only have to survive, but you can overcome and find success and find that peace and joy and prosperity if you learn through that process of forgiveness and finding your faith and putting that faith with fortitude-putting in the work to make it happen…”
Walker currently serves as an executive in a Fortune 50 company and lives at the opposite end of the spectrum of hope. Once suicidal, she now lives each day full of purpose, power and passion. She is a believer in hard work and believes that people of purpose must be committed to the hard work needed to make it a reality. Faith and fortitude are two of the deciding factors in Mrs. Walker’s life’s turnaround. A message she’s now sharing with readers in “Protected By Purpose”.
“If you’re struggling with hope and despair, understand that you are the only one who can do the work to achieve the vision that God has put in your head. So if you’re struggling with despair know that there’s hope, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I went from trying to commit suicide to becoming a top executive and living my dream of purpose and if God did it for me, He can do it for you. Don’t give up on yourself, understand how to love yourself. Take yourself out of negative environments and away from negative people. You have to put in the work, you have to have the courage and fortitude to see it through. I promise you, when you walk through that door of the unknown and put your faith over your fear, the result will be bigger and better than you could have ever imagined.”
“Protected By Purpose” is Dorinda Walker’s first book and is available by Timothy & Titus at booksellers everywhere.
by Fred Willis | Apr 11, 2018 | Books & Magazines, Celebrity
Warren Woodberry Jr. Owner/Publisher of Millennium Magazine, a Wall Street-based lifestyle & entertainment publication, with interests in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas. (PRNewsfoto/Millennium Magazine)
Warren Woodberry Jr., owner/publisher of Millennium Magazine, speaks to the fast-tracking, trend-setting men and women of New York City, Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles with lifestyle and entertainment news shared with a business edge. The magazine (www.millenniummagazine.com), launched in 2010, is the result of Woodberry’s extensive career as a professional journalist and skilled communicator in the corporate and political arenas.
With cover subjects ranging from Jay Z (“Empire State of Mind”) to Garcelle Beauvais (“Spiderman: Homecoming”) to Ryan Serhant (Bravo TV’s “Million Dollar Listings”) and Tara Reid (“Sharknado”), Millennium Magazine reveals their behind the scenes path to success offering fresh insights into the lives and careers of these celebrities. Woodberry’s innate sense of what makes a valid news story is apparent in the magazine’s complete editorial line-up as well publishing stories relating to relevant lifestyle developments in dining, fitness, and travel. The magazine, published monthly, is fast approaching 100 celebrity covers! It continues to gain an involved and dedicated following through its dynamic social media channels sharing breaking news of celebrity and charity events in NYC.
Among the career milestones that led Warren Woodberry to the point of founding his own media outlet was a seven-year tenure (2000 to 2007) as a New York Daily News Staff Writer where he covered some of the city’s most historic news events from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center to the New York Police Department shooting death of Sean Bell. His work at this vital NYC paper became the foundation for his role as a Deputy Press Secretary to the New York StateSenate and a key communications team member; he played an integral role in helped to secure the historic Senate Democratic Majority during the failed coup of the Senate Republican Minority Conference in June 2009.
Additionally, Woodberry has built up significant experience in international affairs having served as a Communications Specialist for the Federal Aviation Administration, Atlanta for the Southeast U.S., Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in 2008. Working closely with New York elected officials and community leaders in 2011 Warren Woodberry helped facilitate the introduction of legislation that would bar companies that invest in the Iranian energy sector from doing business with state or local governments.
Other accomplishments that led Warren Woodberry to start Millennium Magazine include his time as Vice-President of Print for the New York Association of Black Journalists (2001-2003). Prior to this experience, in 2002 he received fellowships from the Knight Center for Specialized Journalism, Adelphia, Maryland and the Poynter Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida.
MILLENNIUM MAGAZINE: INSIDE TRACK ON CELEBRITIES AND BUSINESS
At The Hartford Courant, Hartford Connecticut, Woodberry in 1998 won a Freedom of Information Act complaint against a local town government for the disclosure of personnel records for employees who sabotaged search efforts to replace a district manager. At the Asbury Park Press, Neptune, New Jersey, Woodberry in 1997 was recognized by the New Jersey Press Association for breaking news coverage for, “Massive Search for Missing Boy: The Abduction and Murder of Edward Werner.”
His reporting stints included New York Newsday, New York, New York, 1994 and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta, Georgia, 1995. During the anticipated build-up to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Woodberry covered game-related events and weekly press conferences of Mayors Maynard Jacksonand Bill Campbell.
In addition to Millennium Magazine, Warren Woodberry’s holdings include Woodberry & Associates Global Consulting & Development Services, Inc. a Wall Street-based public relations, and a strategic planning firm. He is distinguished as an expert in his field and member of the Society of Industry Professionals; he holds a certification in Commercial Fine Art/Advertising. Warren was a member of the United Nations Association-US; served as a board member and chair of the publicity committee for the American Association of University Women, New York City Branch; was honored as an “Emerging Leader” at the AAUW New York State Conference for 2010; served as a board member and chaired of the public relations committee for the 100 Black Men of Long Island, New York.
Warren was honored with the ‘Rising Stars’ award as an under age 40 person to watch presented by Queens Courier, and was among a select group of 50 eligible bachelors in America chosen by Marie Claire Magazine and Upscale Magazine.
Warren earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Arts/Journalism from Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia. He is a native of Queens, New York where he remains active in the community.
Millennium Magazine is a publication of Woodberry & Associates Global Consulting and Development Services, Inc., a Certified Minority Business Enterprise.
SOURCE:
Millennium Magazine
by Fred Willis | Jun 19, 2017 | Celebrity, Music News
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will host its 30th annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at The Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The exclusive event will honor hip-hop legend, Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, with the esteemed ASCAP Founders Award upon the 20th anniversary of his death. His mother, Ms. Voletta Wallace, his wife, singer/songwriter Faith Evans, his children, and his former managers and estate consultant Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts will accept the award. ASCAP will also honor its songwriter and publisher community with awards for the most performed ASCAP songs of the past year on the R&B, hip-hop, rap and gospel charts.
The ASCAP Founders Award is ASCAP’s most prestigious honor and is presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is a musical innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius that will enrich generations to come. Previous recipients include: Quincy Jones, Dr. Dre, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jermaine Dupri, Berry Gordy Jr. & Motown Industries, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley of KISS, Ricky Skaggs, Elliot Goldenthal, Carly Simon, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Melissa Etheridge, Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Patti Smith, Neil Young and many more.
“Biggie was a legend in his own time and his legacy lives on through his music,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Like all songwriters, he was a master storyteller, but it was the realism in his rhymes that captured so many.”
The Notorious B.I.G. is widely known as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of all time. The Brooklyn-bred rapper released his critically acclaimed debut album Ready to Die in 1994, which is certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). At a time when West Coast hip-hop was immensely popular, the success of the album led Biggie to be credited with reviving the East Coast hip-hop scene. He immediately saw pop chart success with his first single “Juicy/Unbelievable,” followed by songs such as “Big Poppa,” which soared to #1 on the rap charts; and “One More Chance,” which sold over one million copies. Biggie was also featured on gold and platinum selling singles, “Player’s Anthem” and “Get Money,” released by his protégé group, Junior M.A.F.I.A, which included Lil’ Kim and Lil’ Cease.
In 1997, after Biggie’s death, his second album, titled Life After Death, was released. It hit #1 on the Billboard charts and was certified with diamond status in 2000, the highest RIAA certification given to a solo hip-hop album. The album spawned #1 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100 charts including the lead single, “Hypnotize,” as well as follow-up “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” featuring Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Mase.
The Notorious B.I.G.’s legacy continues to survive and inspire countless other artists who have sampled his music. On May 19th, two days before what would have been his 45th birthday, Faith Evans released a tribute album titled, The King And I, featuring duets between her and her husband.
During the ASCAP ceremony, awards will also be presented for ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Songwriter of the Year, Publisher of the Year, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Song, Top Rap Song and Top Gospel Song. The evening will feature performances by several award-winning songwriters/performers, and will be attended by some of the top names in the music and entertainment industry.
REVOLT TV is the presenting sponsor for the 2017 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards.
About ASCAP
ASCAP Logo (PRNewsfoto/ASCAP)
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP’s mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world’s best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business – from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With over 600,000 members representing more than 10.5 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.
