As Black families across the nation continue to face many challenges, the Claudia Faye Foundation hopes to transform barriers into opportunities with a town hall meeting in Dallas titled “State of the Black Family”.

This free event is designed for a community discussion on connecting the missing link between a good job, a happy family and a better life.

“Each of us has a gift, one that we can leverage and turn it into something meaningful if we just apply ourselves,” said Larry Washington, founder of the Claudia Faye Foundation. “’State of the Black Family’ is designed for the men, women and children of our community to teach them ways to help themselves at home, at their job and within their community.”

“State of the Black Family” will feature renowned special guests Dr. Na’im Akbar, one of the world’s preeminent psychologists; Karen Hunter, publisher and MSNBC contributor; Arthur Muhammad, director of Black Angels; Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson of Highland Hills United Methodist Church; as well as other local community leaders and officials.

Prior to the general community town hall meeting, professionals may attend a special session for continuing education units (CEU) credits. The CEUs available at the free professional session are ideal for probation officers, social workers, counselors, and domestic violence workers. Professionals are urged to RSVP in advance for the CEU session.

“It’s important that general community members attend this powerful town hall meeting, but also important for leaders and professionals who help shape the minds and direct individuals down a meaningful path in life,” Washington said.

“State of the Black Family” will be held on June 11, 2010 at Highland Hills United Methodist Church (6006 Flagstaff Dr.). A special session for professionals for CEU credits will begin at 4 p.m. The general community session begins promptly at 6 p.m. with a book signing by Karen Hunter following at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the town hall meeting or details and to RSVP for CEU credits, please call 972-780-5160.

Amid much controversy, the OUT TAKES Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival has announced that it will be screening Pornography on Saturday, October 10, at the Inwood Theater in Dallas.

“I admit it. After all these years, of suggesting otherwise, I am telling the world that OUT TAKES Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival will, indeed, be screening Pornography for Season 11 on October 10,” revealed Managing Director Phillip Archer.

Pornography is the high‐tech thriller by first‐time filmmaker David Kittredge. As it sweeps the indie film circuit, awards and reviews are stacking up.

LA Weekly called the film, “(a) … crazily ambitious debut thriller… intelligent and well‐acted… marks Kittredge as filmmaker with a strong mind and a gift for drawing full‐bodied performances from his actors. That’s especially true of (Matthew) Montgomery… .”

Pornography is just one of the featured films in a three‐day festival running from October 8‐10 at the Inwood Theater in Dallas. The festival is bringing to Dallas some of the freshest, most thought‐provoking gay films being created today.

“This is our best festival yet,” raves Archer. “We have some of the most exciting work coming out of the industry this year. It is our privilege to not only bring these films to Dallas but also some of the filmmakers and artists. In conjunction with the screenings, we have planned several receptions, mixers, and Q&A sessions to give the audience a chance to get to know the people behind the films.”

Scheduled to appear at Season 11 “Wanna Watch?” are Cathy DeBuono, Jill Bennett, Cynthia Davies, Ann Hagemann, Thom Fitzgerald, Steven Jay Crabtree, and local filmmaker Robert Camina.

“The Dallas Film Commission congratulates OUT TAKES Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival on its 11th year,” said Janis Burklund, director of the Dallas Film Commission. “We welcome the opportunity for the film industry to showcase its work to Dallas residents and visitors alike. Dallas is building a reputation both nationally and internationally as a destination for filmmakers as well as home to a growing base of local production. This film festival can and will showcase the city and our local talent.”

Season 11 of OUT TAKES Dallas begins on October 8 with a three-day-long film festival. The season will continue by screening a new film on the second Thursday of each month at The Magnolia Theater in Dallas. For more information on OUT TAKES Dallas and for a schedule of film screenings, please visit www.outtakesdallas.org.

I had a wonderful opportunity this evening to wander on over the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas to see the legendary Diana Ross speak about her fabulous life and career.  It was the last event in the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts 2008-2009 Brinker International Forum.

The Forum gave audiences unique opportunities to hear the inside stories from icons of stage and screen, to get behind the camera with filmmakers who bring powerful stories to life and to gain insights from the brightest minds of our time.

Diana Ross is without a doubt an icon American recording artist (and actress… and entrepreneur) that helped shaped the music industry as the lead singer of The Supremes during the 1960s and on into her solo career beginning in the 70s.  

Like so many stories in life, Ross grew up poor in the projects of Detroit.  Though stereotypical stories are often heard from those who were raised in the projects, Ross shatters them all.  With trade skills in many areas including fashion design, she always had a desire to sing.

Ross has an impressive portfolio that spans music, film, television and Broadway.  She holds awards in almost each genre.  Billboard magazine name her “Female Entertainer of the Century” in 1976 and the Guinness Book Of World Records declared Ross as the most successful female music artist of the 20th century with a total of eighteen American number-one singles.

During the Forum tonight, Ross touched on many of the topics that we’ve all heard and read about.  From Detroit, to The Supremes, to her solo career, and even into her personal life, Ross candidly spoke about her experiences along the way.

One of the most interesting things I walked away remembering was her viewpoint regarding the music industry.  Yes, times have indeed changed from “back in the day”.  Long gone are the records, 8 Tracks, cassette tapes, and everything in between.  Ross noted that no longer can you walk into a Tower Records to browse aisles and aisles of music.  Now you boot up your computer and launch iTunes.

She says that we’re missing out today on the art of music.  Back then you were able to flip over an album cover and read about the artist/band, the performers, the lyricists and composers, photographers, and the stories behind each song.  I guess I never really thought of it that way.

In conclusion, I just wanted to express my appreciation to One Arts Plaza and the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts for the opportunity to see the legendary Diana Ross speak this evening on her life and career.  It was an extreme pleasure.

The Brinker International Forum 2009-2010 season will kick off this fall in the brand spankin’ new Winspear Opera House.  Condoleezza Rice, Hilary Swank and many other notable figures will be featured in candid conversations.  For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit www.dallasperformingarts.org.

National Doctors Day 2009

Each day, doctors go to work to make the community a healthier place. In commemoration of National Doctors Day on March 30, take a moment to recognize the doctors and physicians who dedicate their lives to ensure the people of our community are in the best health possible.

Physicians who serve our community are truly heroes. These men and women dedicate their lives to the practice of medicine, and our community continues to thrive as a result.

National Doctors Day was first observed on March 30, 1933 when Eudora Brown Almond conceived the idea on the anniversary of the first administration of anesthesia by Dr. Crawford W. Long in 1842. With great approval by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, President George Bush signed a resolution into law in 1990 designating March 30 as National Doctors Day.

Our doctors do so much to keep us healthy. The next time you leave from your next appointment, be sure to thank your physician for their expertise and time.