WSSN Stories

 (EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— DETROIT, MI— Sports enthusiasts and writers crowded the Cartier Ballroom of the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center on Thursday, August 2, to hear from the best in the basketball business. A panel entitled “Detroit Basketball: Then and Now” included former star players Isiah Thomas, Spencer Haywood and Steve Smith. Former Detroit News writer Vincent Goodwill also joined the panel at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair to speak about how much of an influence the Motor City has had on the NBA. 

Moderated by Stephanie Ready, NBA game analyst (Charlotte Hornets) for FOX Sports Southeast, topics included the infamous “Malice at the Palace” and the Pistons’ recent move back to downtown Detroit. 

Panelists opened the discussion, powered by Turner Sports and The Bleacher Report, singing each other’s praises. Goodwill and Smith, both Detroit Pershing High School grads, beamed with pride as they talked about Haywood (also a Pershing alum) and his accomplishments. Haywood’s historic 1971 Supreme Court case ended the NBA rule that barred players from being drafted into the league until four years after their high school graduation.

Thomas spoke a lot about the need for diversity within the media and how an inclusive press environment would have changed the Bad Boys era. “We were being viewed by the gaze of the white male,” he said. Thomas said that instead of being upset by the term, the team decided to embrace their bad boy image. “If you embrace the label then you make the label work for you. … We used the label to instill fear. We didn’t have to be physical or hurt you; if that’s in your mind, then you go for the jump shot instead of the lay-up.”

The November 2004 game between the Pistons and Indiana Pacers, also known as “The Malice at the Palace,” was a hot topic for the panel. The brawl resulted in a historic number of fines for players on both teams. 

The panel had a unanimous feeling of disappointment about media coverage of the incident. “It’s going to be a negative thing for my city,” Smith said about his initial thoughts on the fight. “Even though it was a fight between two teams, it still shined negative light on the city.” 

Goodwill saw it as another reason for people to taint the city’s image. “It became another stain and label the city had to fight back,” the NBA analyst said. “On the news, it never said it was Auburn Hills [where the game actually took place]; it was always Detroit.”

Thomas reiterated just how heavily the Bad Boys influenced the current state of the NBA. “We were the first small-market team to win big, have own plane, stay in first class hotels, wear suits and ties to games,” the NBA Hall of Famer said. “That dress code that David Stern had to put in, look at how the Pistons used to dress; that was us.”

As they looked to the future, the group hoped the team’s move back to the city would mean recreating its strong ties to the community. “When we got to the Palace we lost a little of our everyday people,” Thomas said. Smith said the move to the Palace felt like the team had been taken away from the city. Now that the team is back, Smith hopes the team will reconnect with Detroit residents. 

“To have the Pistons back here is a blessing and we have to finish that blessing off with a statue or a trophy,” Haywood said. 

Thomas summed up the panel with a simple quote: “We change all rules. That’s what we do in Detroit.” 

Perry speaks to packed room of NABJ attendees including Grammy winner Chance the Rapper

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— DETROIT, MI —- Arguably one of the most popular sessions of the 2018 National Association of Black Journalists Convention and Career Fair, Tyler Perry’s master class on entrepreneurship and branding had many walking away with newfound confidence. 

Digital Journalist and former TV One commentator, Roland Martin opened the course with a story of how he helped book Perry for the conference. “I don’t want you to talk about Madea,” Martin told Perry. “I want you to teach.” Martin said the purpose of the course was to help more Black people follow the path to entrepreneurship. “Too many of us operate as workers,” he said. “African Americans are the tastemakers and trendsetters.”

After an introduction from Actress, Ptosha Storey, Perry started his session with a video thanking his fans for 25 years of success and loyalty. He then informed the audience that he had just returned from a spiritual vacation, so his delivery would sound much like a sermon. 

Perry delivered a compelling speech about work ethic and what it takes to succeed as a business owner. “If you’re going do something incredible, you’re going to need an emotional tolerance and high risk endurance,” the father of one said. Perry talked about how his father would build houses for a living and not make nearly as much as the person selling the house. That experience would fuel the entrepreneur flame in Perry’s heart. 

The overall message of the course was unity within the Black community. Perry often reiterated the notion that once one Black person becomes a success, it is volatile for them to keep the door open for others to make it as well. “Once you get to where you going, don’t run from where you came from,” he stated. “Every other culture in this world understands the power of us. We have to stop looking outside ourselves for heroes and become them ourselves.” 

Following his speech, Perry had a sit down conversation with CBS News correspondent DeMarco Morgan. The pair discussed how the media mogul handles criticism and #OscarsSoWhite. Perry said he was urged to speak out against the lack of diversity of the 2016 Oscars nominations. He declined. “While you fighting for a seat at someone else’s table, I’m over here building my own.” 

The session ended with Martin rejoining the pair on stage with a story of how Perry took the time to call him and give encouraging words after his TV One show was cancelled. Perry gave his final thoughts, hoping that his words had planted a seed in the spirits of audience members.

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— New Plus Size Club in Moreno valley is What It Do!

Roll Call! I am looking for all my plus size cuties, my big beautiful beauties and them thick and sexy ladies. It’s going all the way up this Saturday for the grand opening of ‘Club Thick and Beautiful’ presented by ‘Money Moves Entertainment’ and ‘Caligirl Entertainment’.

Finally, a place in the Inland Empire that caters to the plus size world. I’m sure the party goers will be on the dance floor as DJ Sassy B and DJ Westy Mac take to the turn tables.

Money Moves Entertainment’ and ‘Caligirl Entertainment put several entities together in order to help spread the word. The event will be hosted by MC Big D, so ya know it’s gonna be LITT! Come network while having fun and supporting the BBW Movement! For event details please refer to flyer.

L’s!

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- MONTCLAIR, CA— Sterling Venue Ventures, the owner and operator of five premier live music and event venues throughout Southern California, announces planned expansion with the opening of The Canyon Montclair, conveniently located at Montclair Place.  Owner/CEO Lance Sterling comments, “We are ready to roll, and excited to open our new venue.”

With the advent of the new venue, residents of Montclair and the surrounding area can expect to see a dynamic array of iconic classic entertainers without having to make the trek into Los Angeles and other distant locations. Artists as acclaimed and diverse as Stone Temple Pilots, Styx, Todd Rundgren, Smokey Robinson, Paul Anka, Foreigner, Air Supply, Psychedelic Furs, Kris Kristofferson and Kenny Loggins have all played Canyon venues within the past year, and the new Inland Empire venue will likewise host concerts of this elite stature.

At The Canyon patrons enjoy an intimate setting far superior to attending concerts at some of Southern California’s larger theatres and arenas where the actual entertainers are so far away they can barely be seen.   At The Canyons, no seat is further than 70 feet from the stage, the sound and lighting are top-notch, and video screens enhance the performance.

In addition to the intimate, state-of-the-art concert experience The Canyons also feature full dinner service at every event, turning each concert into a true night on the town.  Fans can enjoy a diverse menu prior to the show, and then retain their comfortable table seating for the remainder of the evening.

Further, all of SVV’s Canyon venues are available for special events and private parties, and the ambiance of the venues along with the menu selections, can be transformed to fit the thematic pulse of any special occasion.

Other venues under the SVV/Canyon umbrella include The Canyon Agoura Hills, The Canyon Santa Clarita, The Canyon at The Rose in Pasadena, The Canyon at The Saban in Beverly Hills, and The Canyon Concert Series at The Libbey Bowl in Ojai.

Residents of Montclair and surrounding areas are encouraged to visit: www.wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com, where, not only can they learn more about The Canyon, but will also have the opportunity to communicate directly to The Canyon management team with regard to the artists they would like to see up close and personal at the new location.

More About The Canyon & Sterling Venue Ventures:

Sterling Venue Ventures is solely owned by Lance Sterling, one of the original founders of The House Of Blues.  The company produces over 700 concerts per year in Southern California. The company’s management team owns decades of experience in promotion, finance, marketing, and the execution of concerts performed by national headlining talent. Each of Sterling’s Canyon venues have become well known throughout Southern California as prime entertainment destinations for the 30+ demographic.

Lance Sterling, who is also a chef, an avocado farmer, and football coach, envisions each of his venues as a place not only to enjoy great live music, but also to sit and relax over dinner with good friends for a great night out. The delightful ambience that fills all of the Canyon venues illustrates the SVV slogan – “Where the Music Meets the Soul”.

For more information about the Sterling Venue Ventures Canyon locations, “Where Music Meets The Soul,” please visit: 

http://wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Don’t you see what the enemy is doing in your life?  He has you so bound up that you think that the way it is, is the way it will always be. The devil is a liar! Do yourself a favor and emancipate yourself from the devil. Understand that his mission is to kill, steal and destroy. He doesn’t care nothing about you! He wants to keep you bound, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually because He knows that if you ever realize the potential God has placed in you, and if you ever wake up from your slumber, you will turn this world upside down and he does not want that. But I say to Hell with the devil! Free yourself from the restraint, control, and power of him knowing that he is already a defeated foe. His legal authority was neutralized by the finished work of Christ on the cross [Colossians 2:15]. Take your stand and tell the devil to Hell with you!

You see, as a believer you need not fear Satan but realize and exercise the authority which God has given you over him. You have the right to use the authority of the name of Jesus to repel and drive Satan out of your territory and to break his grip over spiritual strongholds [2 Corinthians 10:4]. Just as Jesus and the early apostles did, command Satan to leave [Mark 16:17]. Have an Angela Bassett Moment: [Waiting to Exhale] and go certifiably nuts … “Get your shat, get your shat, and get out! Screw me for not leaving your behind sooner!” That’s right! Let him know that he has been given a pink slip and his termination date is on the calendar when he will once-and-for-all be cast down to the most intense of judgments [Revelation 20:10].

You see, Christ made a promise in the first sermon he ever preached that fulfilled the sacred revelation given to the Prophet Isaiah that He has come to open the prison door, release the captives and proclaim freedom in every corner of our lives. Christians should not be in bondage or captive to anything as Christ became the great rescuer of all those who are bound by the chains of captivity. Jesus comes to set you free today. And if you really want to be free, the devil that has had you locked up and shackled will have to lose you today by the power of Jesus Christ.

Decide today to deal the death blow to an enemy that has been plaguing your life, breathing down your neck, making your life miserable. Decide today to put something that has been over your head, under your feet. You and I never have to fall prey to the devil! If we can shut every door, close every window, and seal every place in our lives through which the enemy would try to access us, we can prevent him from getting into the middle of our affairs.

 I tell you, don’t give place to the devil [Ephesians 4:27]. Know that you have been given authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy… [Luke 10:19]. “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” [Galatians 5:1]. Trust in the truth of God’s Word. It is finished!

By Naomi K. Bonman

The Swansons (Photo credit: Ricardo H. Photography)

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— A true artist creates music that can cross over into any dynamic. The Swansons have been selling out shows across the coast performing hit songs from their latest album, “Country This”, capturing the likes of fans from all demographics.

The husband and wife duo are an Alternative County Rock-Pop band founded by Joe and Angie Finley. They released their third album entitled, “Country This” which is a 14-song record featuring songs such as, “Let’s Talk” and “Where Did Everybody Go.”

The duo will be receiving an award for “Outstanding County Duo” in Las Vegas on November 7. Check out the interview session below:

Naomi: Can you guys give the readers a brief bio of who you guys are, etc?

The Swansons are an alternative country rock husband wife duo, Joe and Angie Finley.  

We have been making a big splash by performing at the hottest venues all over Southern California for the past 5 years.  Along with some performances in Nashville TN & Chicago IL. 

Joe writes All the songs and we send it to our producer Bill Watson (Nashville Trax)  in Nashville TN for production.  We are so blessed to have the best musicians in Nashville playing on our albums. (Jim Riley~ Drums Rascal Flatts, Bill Watson~ Bass, Brent Mason on Guitar, Jenee Fleenor~ Fiddle Blake Shelton Band, Steve King~ Keyboards formerly on tour with Keith Urban, Michael Douchette~ Harmonica zztop)

When you listen to The Swansons music, you’ll experience something you’ve never heard before in country music.  We guarantee that you be dancing & singing along.  And when you see us in concert, you can expect an incredible live performance with abundance of love & positive energy!!

You guys recently had a big show last month. How was that? How was the crowd?

We performed on Friday, July 6 at The Study in Hollywood. It was our first time performing there and it is a beautiful venue. We have never seen anything quite like it as it is set up like a library with hundreds of books all over the walls. The sound was great, and the audience was very receptive and enthusiastic. We made and met a lot of new fans!!! 

You also recently released your third album, “Country This”. For those of us who have not heard of it, what can we except?

‘Country This’ is country music with a NEW Flavor. It’s a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll. You can expect a variety of songs with strong lyrical content intended to move our listening audience in a positive way. The combination of our voices combined with inspired material and brilliant Nashville musicians resulted in an extremely original country record.

What other projects are guys working on?

Besides continuing to promote ‘Country This’, performing live concerts and releasing new music videos as much as possible. We have been working on our follow up album to ‘Country This’ which is untitled and our 4^th album to date.  The music is done and in June we travelled to Nashville to lay down our vocals.   We have 12 new songs recorded so far and are working on a couple of new additions. We are planning another trip to Nashville before summers end to completely finish production and prepare it’s release.  We are hoping to release the beginning of 2019!

What inspired you guys to get into music?

We inspire each other, and that inspiration has carried on in to our music. We feel blessed to be able to express our love for one another and this world through our gift of music. We literally owe this entire experience to God. That faith has inspired us to take the leap and trust that we will sooner or later achieve our musical goals.

Who are some of the artist that you have opened for and or shared the stage with?

• Wayne Newton
• Berlin
• The Motels
• Pato Banton
• XEB (3rd Eye Blind)
• Missing Persons
• Malo
• The Dan Band
• Live Dead Riders 69 (some original members of the Grateful Dead)
• Stan Bush
• Robert Tepper

Where could our readers find your calendar of events?

The Swanson Music Website Tour Page and The Swansons Music Event Page.

Stay Connected

Website | Facebook | Twitter (Angie) | Twitter (Joe) | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Reverbnation

By Lue Dowdy

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— She ain’t fat ya’ll, just a little thick! Porscha Dillard is an aspiring model with a lot of drive and ambition.  

Stepping into the world of modeling with only a few years of experience, she’s definitely making a name for herself. Ms. Dillard possess a natural beauty which shines through her photos. Her uniqueness allows the relationship between her and the photographers to create magic. This is just a sneak peek of my girl, ‘Porscha Dillard’ the model. Wait for it! L’s!!!!!!!!!! 

Publisher’s Commentary By Wallace J. Allen

LeBron James’ gift to the children of Akron, Ohio is a template for what wealthy folk can do to help America benefit from the potential that is unlocked when our children are supported in their quest for excellence!  Educating children in grade school and guaranteeing their college tuition/education is really a gift to America.  It also lifts our vision beyond the typical distractions that haunt Black Americans and empowers our children with education and hero images that look like them! 

I encourage other affluent people who are concerned with America’s mistreatment of the Black descendants of the enslaved Africans who built the wealth of America; to replace protest with pro-activism!

I have supported the NFL Players kneeling in protest of police shootings of Black People and would support the protest now, were it not for King James’ royal proclamation and commitment. His action has set a new standard for activism by prosperous people.

I suggest that the NFL players who really want to make a difference, redirect their energy from protesting during the National Anthem to pro-action with their paychecks! Affluent Black men dedicating money towards educating our less fortunate will make a powerful impact. Affluent Black men supporting businesses that create job opportunities for our disenfranchised will make a powerful impact!

Kneeling has made a powerful noise that has not only been compromised by haters, but also threatens the income of those who choose to kneel in protest.  I suggest that we encourage our concerned NFL players to protect their source of income by rejecting protest and to demonstrate pro-action by investing in strengthening the Black Family and community. Stay Woke!    

Thomas Burrell, President of BFAA, will be the “EMPIRE TALKS BACK” (ETB) guest this Sunday. ETB, hosted by Wallace Allen, WssNews Publisher, is broadcast each Sunday at 10:00 AM on KCAA 1050-AM, 102.3 FM and 106.5 FM.  ETB streams live video via http://www.kcaaradio.com

By Tom Charlier, Commercial Appeal

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— Black farmers, whose numbers already have dwindled precipitously over the past century, face new hardships after suffering poor crop yields last year because they were sold “fake” soybean seeds, an association alleges in a lawsuit.

Leaders of the Memphis-based Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association have filed a class-action lawsuit against Stine Seed, the nation’s largest independent seed-producer, accusing the Adel, Iowa, firm of targeting African-Americans for sales of defective seeds.

The suit alleges that black farmers who attended the 67th Annual Mid-South Farm & Gin Show in Memphis last year bought more than $100,000 worth of “certified” seeds. But the lawsuit alleges the seeds were switched for inferior ones at a warehouse near Sledge, Miss.

Stine, in a statement, strongly denied the allegations and said it would mount a vigorous defense against the “meritless” lawsuit.

The lawsuit is the latest action by the BFAA, which also has represented some of the African-American farmers claiming widespread discriminatory practices by the Department of Agriculture.

Following an initial class-action lawsuit against the USDA, nearly 16,000 growers had collected settlements totaling $1.06 billion by 2011. Congress has appropriated $1.2 billion to pay for a second wave of settlements.

You may hear more about this case on Sunday, August 5 as Thomas Burrell, President of BFAA, discusses the lawsuit on ‘Empire Talks Back’ with Wallace Allen at 10 a.m. on KCAA 1050-AM, 02.3 FM and 106.5 FM. Listen onine at www.kcaaradio.com.

Lou Coleman-Yeboah

By Lou Coleman-Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—That’s right! Your rejection of the gospel will be inexcusable. You have heard the gospel. Your unbelief is not out of ignorance, but out of rebellion against God and against His Word. I tell you, you are just like Israel, who knew the truth, but chose not to obey it. You are guilty before God just as Israel was and deserving of divine wrath. This is the essence of [Romans 1:18-32]. For God says, “All the daylong I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” [Romans 10:21]. It’s not that God just displays His truth in the heavens, it comes home. It’s received. We get it, but we suppress it, that’s why the apostle Paul said that every mouth will be shut on that day because there is no defense against this [Romans 3:19]. You know it, yet you suppress it. You are created in the image of God, yet you are ungodly. You have the law of God written on your heart, yet you are unrighteous.

“Woe to you Chorazin and Bethsaida, for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you [Matthew 11:21-22] because to disobey God’s commands is a spiritual and eternal death. You see, the more evidence you have of Christ’s reality, the more severe your judgment for not repenting. Your doom will be more miserable than the pagans. I tell you it would have been better for you to have never known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to you.” There is no excuse for unbelief. There is never an excuse for unbelief!

When you stand before the judgment seat in the last day, God will not judge you on the basis of what you did not know but on the basis of what has been revealed to you. Just imagine standing before God and trying to make excuses for your stubborn disobedience of His Word. What will be your excuse? Have you not heard? Indeed you have [Romans 1:19-23]! For the righteousness of God has been revealed to everyone through nature [Psalms 19]. You have no excuse. Your conscience knows the righteousness of God as you see God in nature. You have “heard” of God’s righteousness. How dreadful it will be to be without excuse! [2 Thess. 1:7-9].  

The end of the matter: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

I tell you Paul certainly does not tell us what we want to hear, but rather what we need to hear. The Bible does not sugar coat the message, but tells it in a straightforward fashion. There is no fine print hidden at the end of the Bible. This truth is made known in large print at the beginning. I would remind you; this teaching is placed at the very beginning of the book of Romans. Paul does not hold back this news until the end because it is so unpalatable. Rather, he front-loads the subject of divine wrath at the very outset of the book of Romans. This mention of divine anger against sin is very direct, emphatic, and even abrupt. The apostle makes no apologies. There is no attempt to tone down this reality that threatens all who are without the gospel. This is the sheer, unvarnished truth from God coming through the pen of the apostle Paul.

^“But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the Lordthy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lordthy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it… [Deuteronomy 30:14-20]