Bernie Mac was a comedian and actor. He was so funny. I remember watching him do comedy with Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer and D.L. Hughley on Kings of Comedy. If you have not seen that you have to watch, they all are so funny. Bernie Mac hosts the HBO show Midnight Mac. Here are some of the movies and T.V. shows he was on:
· The Bernie Mac Show
· Kings of Comedy
· Ocean’s Eleven
· Guess Who
· Soul Men
· Life
· Mr. 3000
· Pride
· Booty Call
· The Walking Dead
Bernie Mac won two Emmy Award nominations for outstanding lead actor in a Comedy Series. Bernie Mac was the man. His eyes get really big when he is talking lol. I loved the Bernie Mac show. He was a good comedian. When I say good, I mean funny. Here is some of Bernie Mac Quotes:
· “Only way you can you get upset is when you expecting something”
· “I’m not a star, and I don’t want to be a star. Star fall, I’m an ordinary guy with an extraordinary job”
· “I’m so black, I leave fingerprints on coal”
· “I’m funny. I’m a comedian. I’m not a clown”
Tell me what your favorite film or T.V. show was that Bernie Mac played in. What is the most memorable moment you’ve had of Bernie Mac? Bernie influenced so many comedians and did you know that he and his wife have been together since high school. Go and watch Kings of Comedy and it will get you a good laugh today. Also make sure to follow me @Cece.Atl
Dorothy Dandridge was an actress, singer, and dancer. She is the first African American film star to be nominated for the Academy Award for best actress, which was for her performances in Carmen Jones. Did you know that Dorothy was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Porgy and Bess. She was also recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here are some of the films she was in:
· Porgy and Bess
· Tamango
· Carmen Jones
· Atlantic City
· Sundown
· Lady From Louisiana
Dorothy Dandridge also was a singer and was a very beautiful woman. She sang at venues such as the Cotton Club and the Apollo. When she was young her and her sister toured the United States and they were called “The Wonder Children” later they were renamed “The Dandridge Sisters. Here are some of my favorite quotes by her:
· “Somehow, people just like to look at me”
· “If one person in a thousand criticized me while all the others cheered, I didn’t hear the cheers”
· “I can’t play a slave”
I am a bookworm, but I haven’t had a chance to read any of her books. If you are a fan, check out some of her books and let me know what you think. It’s so sad that so many entertainers overdose and have so many addictions, depression and demons. We have lost so many legends. Thankful for great memories and the impact they left with us. Halle Berry played Dorothy Dandridge and did a wonderful job.
Tell me what your greatest memory of Dorothy Dandridge is. What was your favorite film and song? If you have read any of her books, please recommend them to me so I can check it out. Also make sure to follow me @Cece.Atl.
When we talk about Prince we talk about a legend that meant so much to the world through his music. Prince was everything: he was a singer, songwriter, musician, producer and more. His style was different and so smooth. Prince sold over 100 million records and some of his awards included Grammy President’s Merit award. The American Music award for Achievement, The Billboard Icon award, Academy award, Golden Globe award, and many more. He was also inducted twice into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. Some of my favorite songs by him are:
· Purple Rain
· When Doves Cry
· The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
· Raspberry Beret
· Little Red Corvette
· Kiss
· I Wanna Be Your Lover
Prince Movie Purple Rain was a classic that was one of the biggest films that no one could ever forget. The soundtrack for the film was also big. It’s another feeling and zone when you hear “Purple Rain” and “When Doves Cry”. Prince has a couple of books out. I did get a chance to read two which I learned more about his journey and Life. Did you know Prince first recorded instrumental titled “The Dawn” a thematic idea that would resurface in his work for decades. The meaning behind “The Dawn” is “A Time of Greater Consciousness and Spiritual Understanding”. Prince was a beast on that guitar.
Just watching some of his shows and going back he puts on a show. He was a genius when it came to music. He wrote music for so many people and played instruments like no other. He empowered so many people to own their uniqueness, shaping the more diverse, and accepting you for who you are. It’s so much we can say about Prince but one thing is his music speaks volumes and will forever live within us. Here are some of my favorite quotes by him:
· “Every day I feel is a blessing from God. And I consider it a new beginning. Yeah. Everything is beautiful”
· “A strong spirit transcends rules”
· “Art is about building a new foundation, not just laying something on top of what’s already there”
· “To create something from nothing is one of the greatest feelings, and I would -I don’t know, I wish it upon everybody. It’s heaven”
I can’t forget the Prince Estate; it presents Prince’s life and work. You have to look it up and get a view of what was inside. It’s worth millions. There’s so much to say about Prince and what he meant to us. He touched all of us through his music and he is one that will never be forgotten. We never know what people go through and as I said before let’s pray for one another. We have lost so many legends through addictions, depression, and the demons that live within them that they can’t fight off. Thankful for great memories and the great music he left within us. We have to continue to teach our generation what real music is.
Tell me what your favorite memory of Prince is. What was your favorite song by him? Did you check out his books? What did you think about his fashion? Comment and let me know also follow me @Cece. Atl.
Naomi Judd was an actress and singer. She and her daughter Wynonna formed the duo known as the Judd’s which became very successful. They won five Grammys and nine Country Music Association awards. Did you know she was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1990 and cured eight years later. One of her highlights in life that she spoke on was when former president George H.W. Bush asked her to introduce him at his rallies during his campaign for re-election. Here are some of her songs:
· Change of Heart
· Let Me Tell You About Love
· Cadillac Red
· Grandpa
· Mama He’s Crazy
· Rockin’ With the Rhythm of the Rain
Naomi also wrote a book “River of Time” that talks about depression and more. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet but it is on my list. If you read it already let me know how you liked it. It was sad when she passed away. Depression and mental health are real. We never know what someone is going through. We have to pray for everyone. Even though she went through anxiety, depression and more. She always was doing things in the community to speak on it to maybe help others going through the same thing. Here are some of my favorite quotes by her:
· “Every day, in every way, I’m getting better and better”
· “Service is the work of the soul. I believe we are here to grow in wisdom and love and to be of service”
· “Often the best therapy is being able to talk about what you’re going through, out loud, with a group of people who understand and support each other’s efforts to be well”
· “My motto became, Acknowledge. Allow, accept”
Tell me what your greatest memories are of Naomi? What was your favorite song? Have you read her book? Make sure to check on friends and family going through depression and hard times in life. Also make sure to follow me @Cece.Atl
Artis Leon Ivey Jr also known as Coolio was a Grammy award winning rapper. I remember listening to Gangsta’s Paradise all the time. I also got a chance to interview him and do an article on him. He was funny and down to earth. Glad to get to know his wife, she is also a down to earth person and loved that they keep it real. Here is some of my favorite songs by him:
· Gangsta’s Paradise
· Fantastic Voyage
· C U When U Get There
· What is an MC
If you ever watched the film Dangerous Minds that’s where Gangsta’s Paradise was on, and everyone loved that movie. Did you know he was on Celebrity Wife Swap? He also loved to cook. He was the cooking master. He talked about doing something with cooking that he was working on. He also had 17 million records sold worldwide.
I was Glad to get to know him a little and I definitely want to give prayers to wife Mimi and his family. They had a great connection, and they were doing a couple of videos you can check out online. So, quotes by him that I loved:
“Life is too short to not have fun; we are only here for a short time compared to the sun and the moon and all that”
“I want to provide a well-rounded perspective life”
“I am a winner; I win most of the time”
Make sure to check out the interview and article I did on Coolio. Great memories. He was a good person. Tell me what are your most memorable moments by Coolio? What was your favorite song by him?
I had a chance to read a Cicely Tyson book. It was a great book. I got a chance to get to know her a little bit more and her journey. As you know she was a great actress. She received three Primetime Emmy Awards, four black reel awards, one screen actor’s guild award, Tony award, an honorary academy award and a Peabody award. She was amazing. Here are some of the films she was in:
· The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
· Sounder
· The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman
· Roots
· A Woman Called Moses
· Diary of a Mad Black Woman
· How to Get Away with Murder
· The Help
She was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1977. Did you know when she was born, doctors predicted she wouldn’t make it three months because of a murmur in her heart. We all know that she was a strong woman, and she left a mark in the world. Here are some of my favorite quotes by her:
“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew”
“I have learned not to allow rejection to move me”
“You never know what motivates you”
“Age is just a number”
Cicely Tyson was an Awesome woman she has been through a lot in her life but the roles she played touched our lives and she was a great actress. Make sure to check out her book “Just As I Am: A Memoir” and tell me what you think.
What is one of your favorite films by her? What was your greatest memory of hers? Make sure to follow me @Cece.atl.
When I look up a definition of a Soulmate it says a person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner. I do believe in soulmates. I think that it is someone out there for everyone. It is a connection with a person. I am still waiting on my soulmate, and I believe he is out there. Here is a saying on soul mates: make sure to check it out.
My motto is that your soulmate is your best friend. That’s how I look at my soulmate.
Do you believe in an afterlife? If so, what do you think happens after we pass away?
By: Cece Hymes
I do believe in the afterlife. When being raised we learned if you were bad you were going to hell if you were good you were going to heaven. I always thought that was going to happen. I also think it is spirits that haunt us, and some spirits look over us.
I believe that some of my family spirits like my mother and grandmother are looking over me. I feel like sometimes when I am talking about them that they are in the room. I am trying to live right and get my life right. I believe in doing good deeds to be entered into the gate.
So, what are your thoughts about the afterlife? Comment below.
When I think about values and beliefs I think of honesty and loyalty. Most people think of beliefs and think of their religion, but I don’t want to go the religion way with beliefs and values.
Values and Beliefs -My values are definitely honesty, respect, kindness and believing in myself. Beliefs- Just making it happen, going after what you want. I can do anything I put my mind to.
Lessons I learned in these times was being a parent. That was the main lesson in my 20’s. The life of really being an adult. Paying bills, working, college, and figuring out life raising kids. That’s a lot in your 20’s. It was hard, but it was a learning process. Everyday was a learning process. You had to go with the routine of working, coming home and making sure the kids are good. It starts over the same process over and over again. These were the 20’s for me. For most people it was living life, going to campus parties, having fun and traveling. For me it was work, college, and parenting. Those were my Lessons in my 20’s.
Lessons learned in 30’s
Now in my 30’s still parenting but I travelled more. I started to get out and see the world. Invest in a business and save. I learned more about credit, loans, starting a business and finding my passion. I moved to different places and learned different things. I enjoyed life a little more. I felt like in the 30’s I was wiser, stronger, and learning to be at peace. I found my passion and tried new foods and went to events. I opened my eyes to see more of life. We have a lot that went on in the 30’s, kids growing up, mom passed away, just going through more life struggles but learning the grieving part and being at peace in life. Trying to be more positive and do more in the community.
Lessons learned in 40’s
I am just starting my 40’s club. So far Life is bringing me to do more for women and the book club. I know in my 40’s I want to learn more about culture, community work and building a business. I want to also get into ownership. Hopefully I will have my own store where people can come into and also want to make money every day. I am going to work hard on learning the business part in my 40’s. Still Travel and learn about different parts of the world.
