The Braxton family is returning to a TV screen near you.
Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar and Ms. Evelyn Braxton star in a new trailer for their upcoming We TV reality series “The Braxtons.” The series, which will premiere on We TV and stream on ALLBLK on Friday, Aug. 9, follows the Hollywood family on an “emotional rollercoaster of love, loss, triumph, heartbreak and healing,” according to the press release.
“The Braxtons” comes three years after the family last appeared on reality TV in their hit show “Braxton Family Values,” which aired for seven seasons. In celebration of the Braxton’s family’s return, We TV will debut the premiere episode with a special commercial-free event.
Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar and Ms. Evelyn Braxton are pictured in a promotional key art for “The Braxtons.” (Photo credit: We TV/FerenComm) –
The new eight-episode series is the first time Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar and Evelyn Braxton will reunite since the loss of sister and daughter Traci Braxton, who died in 2022 at age 50 after a battle with esophageal cancer. “The Braxtons” offers viewers “a raw and unfiltered look at the family’s highs and lows,” including “careers, health challenges and busy personal lives while growing their family bond,” according to the official synopsis.
“Toni faces a critical health challenge as she prepares for her Vegas comeback. Trina starts therapy for PTSD,” the synopsis reads. “Towanda battles alopecia. Tamar focuses on her wellness journey. And Ms. E’s cooking show dream is becoming a reality. However, the family reuniting continues to bring up questions and unresolved issues. Will Traci’s last wish be enough for the family to be close again, as they once were?”
Fans of the original series are in luck. We TV will air catch-up specials of “Braxton Family Values” on Friday, July 26 and Friday, Aug. 2 at 9:30 p.m. in anticipation of the new series.
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Toni Braxton executive produces “The Braxtons” through her production company, Intonation Entertainment, while Tamar Braxton executive produces the series through her company Tamar Braxton Productions. Trina Braxton, Towanda Braxton, Evelyn Braxton, Tara Long, Ri-Karlo Handy, Oji Singletary, Michelle Kongkasuwan, and Datari Turner will also executive produce. Angela Molloy, svp development & original production, unscripted executive produces for We TV.
“Too Black” or “Not Black Enough”: W. Kamau Bell on the Politics of Black Identity
“Too Black” or “Not Black Enough”: W. Kamau Bell on the Politics of Black Identity
For over 20 years Thomas and his wife have been traveling at the behest of Crow, despite the lifetime-appointment public servant’s requirement to keep to a strict ethical code. This includes a requirement to disclose gifts and any non-government income over $415 value, which he has repeatedly failed to do. The 2023 ProPublica report elucidates Harlan Crow’s contributions to Thomas and his family, including a yacht trip to Russia with private helicopter travel to St. Petersburg, allowing Justice Thomas’ mother to live rent-free in a home owned by Crow, and paying Thomas’ grandnephew’s private $6,000 per month boarding school tuition.
“Justice Thomas and Alito’s repeated failure over decades to disclose that they received millions of dollars in gifts from individuals with business before the court is explicitly against the law,” reads the Ocasio-Cortez statement.
The Whitehouse/Wyden letter, dated July 3, made public that Senate investigations have found evidence of “repeated and willful” omissions, including gifts and income, from Justice Thomas’ required annual financial reports.
“Appointment of a special counsel would serve the public interest,” Whitehouse and Wyden wrote. “The public must have confidence that the judiciary and the Department of Justice execute their responsibilities fairly, impartially, and without respect to political expedience or partisan interests.”
Thomas has claimed that that he didn’t think he there was a requirement to report the trips, as he was advised early in his tenure that they were “personal hospitality.” He has repeatedly stated that the trips were not chartered or requested by him, he was simply tagging along with Crow on his annual trips out of friendliness.
In addition to the Russia trip, Clarence and Ginni Thomas have reportedly travelled aboard Crow’s 162-foot superyacht, the Michaela Rose, to visit Indonesia, Savannah, Georgia, New Zealand, and Greece. It seems that the majority of these trips have also included flights aboard Crow’s Bombardier Global 5000 private jet. Non-yacht-involved trips also include annual stays at Crow’s private Adirondacks resort and his Texas ranch. I wonder why a right-wing billionaire real estate developer would want to curry so much favor with a sitting judge in the highest court in the nation. Probably just a coincidence. This whole investigation is more than likely a witch hunt. No witches here!
The 76-year-old Justice Thomas is the court’s longest-serving judge, receiving his appointment in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush.
Bradley Brownell writes for Jalopnik, which like The Root, is owned by G/O.
“We are not breaking up with the city of New Orleans; Essence is here to stay,” CEO of Essence Carolyn Wagner stated during Thursday’s press conference ahead of the beginning of Essence’s 30th year of the Essence Festival.
Despite the rumors, Essence remains determined and true to the city of New Orleans, celebrating the city and its culture. Vice President of Essence Fest, Hakeem Holmes, also shared a touching story of how he just closed on a home in the city even though his cousin had been recently killed. It’s important to him and the entire team that the culture continues forward in the city of New Orleans.
Essence isn’t just for the aunties anymore. With activations and exhibits from major players like Disney, Coca-Cola, and Target to performances by Victoria Monet, City Girl’s J.T., and internet personalities Raymonte and Clarke Peoples, Essence is still for the aunties but now making a little room for millennials and Gen Z.
See our top moments from this year’s Essence Fest below:
Vice President Kamala Harris Urges People to Vote
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: (L-R) Caroline A. Wanga, CEO, Essence Ventures and Vice President Kamala Harris speak onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Vice President Kamala Harris joined a panel with Essence CEO Carolyn Wagner urging people to vote. Harris was greeted by a standing room of hundreds, which featured appearances from Maxine Waters and Jenifer Lewis. She called this year’s election “probably the most significant election in our lifetime.”
She continued, “In 122 days we have the power to decide what kind of country we live in.” In the 30-minute sit-down, Harris did not focus on Biden’s not-so-stellar performance during the debate but instead highlighted the dangers of a second Trump term and the positive work the Biden-Harris Administration has done in the last four years. She made a strong case to Black women, declaring her belief that come November, we will win.
Serena Williams Is Also Listening to ‘Not Like Us’
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: Serena Williams speaks onstage during the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Serena Williams, draped in Gucci, let it be known that Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is the song of the summer. The 42-year-old tennis superstar spoke on a panel this year with moderator Cari Champion.
This isn’t all that surprising considering Drake and Serena were romantically linked back in 2015, and Drake took shots at Serena’s now-husband Alexis Ohanian on his 2022 collab album with 21 Savage, Her Loss. Premiering on Wednesday, July 10th, on ESPN+, fans can now watch In The Arena: Serena Williams, a new TV docu-series about her career and post-retirement.
Usher Performs His “Confessions” Album for the 20th Anniversary
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: Usher performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Yes, if you can believe it, it’s officially been 20 years since Usher’s Confessions, his most successful album to date, selling more than 10 million copies in the US and 15 million copies worldwide.
For one night, everyone in the Caesar Superdome would hear the entire album, including favorites like “Yeah,” “Superstar,” and “Confessions Pt. I & II,” while also hearing deep cuts like “Simple Things,” “Can U Handle It,” and “Do It To Me.” Usher also surprised fans with a few additional songs, including “Good Good” and “Please U” from his latest album.
He closed out his set with “Lovers & Friends,” saying this was for all of the fans who bought tickets to Lovers & Friends before his abrupt cancellation. Fans were expecting to hear more than Confessions and hits from his past albums 8701 and My Way; however, while Usher gave a great performance, he said, you gotta come to the tour to see the rest.
Janet Jackson Is A True Performer
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 06: Janet Jackson performs onstage during Day 2 of the 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola at Caesars Superdome on July 06, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Josh Brasted/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
Janet Jackson currently holds the title of the number one ESSENCE Fest Ticket Seller of All Time, and it’s not hard to see why. Jackson is what it means to be a true performer. The 58-year-old Grammy winner opened the show with the classic “No Sleeep” and “Got ‘til it’s Gone.” Janet did all of her hits, which included a personal favorite, her one and only duet “Scream” with her late brother, King of Pop Michael Jackson. She closed out her show with the classic “Rhythm Nation.”
Cash Money + Hot Boys Reunion Keep Fans Out Until 2 AM
It’s safe to say that the Cash Money + Hot Boyz reunion was eventful, going past the initial midnight end time (the full concert didn’t end until around 1:30 AM); however, the full reunion didn’t materialize. I had a friend see Lil Wayne backstage, so I knew he was coming, but fans weren’t expecting Lil Wayne after he didn’t join the reunion of Birdman, Mannie Fresh, B.G., and Juvenile. Wayne came on after Juvenile’s set and changed the Cash Money emblem to Young Money.
He performed some of his hits for about 20 minutes, including “A Milli,” “Every Girl In The World,” and “Lollipop.” After his set, all but Juvenile returned to the stage for a final song. After this reunion, it’s still unclear if a Hot Boys album and tour are still in the works.
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Haters be damned, Meagan Good is doubling down on dating Jonathan Majors despite any naysayers — both publicly and potentially amongst her friends.
During the press run for her new film, Tyler Perry’s “Divorce in the Black,” which chronicles a messy and dangerous divorce as Good’s character attempts to flee an abusive relationship, she has been opening up about her IRL relationship, and, in particular, who has weighed in on it.
Good told the hosts of the “Today” show, “All of my friends advised me [on the relationship],” further explaining to People magazine that, amid his legal drama stemming from a recent domestic violence conviction, Majors himself even discouraged her. (Arguably raising his own red flag…) However, Good also told People she’s “rebellious” when she believes in someone. While apart from Majors, we don’t know who advised what specifically, it’s reasonable to assume at least one other person might have advised against pursuing such a controversial union.
Personally, I like to imagine her castmates from “Harlem” firing up the group chat and deliberating what to do after those first paparazzi shots of her leaving that restaurant with him surfaced. Of course, I’m also imagining that this group chat even exists.
Despite all of this, Good is remaining 10 toes down, as the kids would say. That is her man, and she’s sticking beside him — and as a grown woman with agency, that’s well within her right. However, Good’s disclosure and her dismissal of the naysayers in her life do raise the question: When should we heed the advice of others versus our own intuition?
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It’s extremely common for friends and family to give their opinions of our partners. In fact, it is often viewed as a necessary step or rite of passage in most relationships, hence why almost all reality dating shows have an episode where potential couples go home to meet their friends and family.
There’s also credence to the practice; studies show that our friends’ approval or disapproval can impact the success rate of our relationships. Additional studies have also shown that sharing friend groups with your partner helps deepen your connection and overall feelings of satisfaction.
Friendships are important because they often reflect different aspects of who we are. Friends are integral parts of our lives, operating for many as a second family. A partner who doesn’t fit naturally within that “framily” may genuinely not be the right partner for you.
Sure, you could spend your entire relationship in total privacy and seclusion. But do you really want to? Can you honestly say you’d never want to take your bae to the cookout?
However, to Good’s point, some studies show that, overwhelmingly, those who lack self-esteem are more likely to give in to the whims of their peers. So there’s also that.
When friends imply or outright state they don’t like your partner — or, more to the point, have concerns about you dating them, relationship and dating experts say to consider the source. Is their critique behavior-related or personality-related?
Naturally, friends want the best for us and often come from a protective place. Ideally, friends also love us, which tends to make them very biased when it comes to our partners. (From my perspective, no one is really quite good enough for my friends, ya dig?) However, friends who voice a specific reason or even recognition of an alarming trend should be worthy of some sincere consideration.
In short, if no one else you’ve routinely introduced this person to seems to like them, you may want to reevaluate some things.
Lastly, and most importantly, you have to consider how you feel. How does this person make you feel? Are they causing harm to you or others? What’s your life together like? Do you like it? Can you envision a future full of positive growth and mutual support?
Appearing on “Club Shay Shay,” Good told host Shannon Sharpe that “Divorce in the Black” is the first time she’s ever been paid what she felt she was worth — an accomplishment she credited to Majors’ encouragement to ask for what she deserved. In addition, she’s currently starring in a hit rom-com series on Amazon. She’s glowing on the red carpet, showing off a chiseled set of abs and billowing faux locs. Whatever one may think of Good’s romantic choices, my point is she appears to be thriving.
If and when a friend is not thriving, you’d be a bad friend not to say something, especially if their partner is riddled with red flags.
Ultimately, though — as Good said, and as all real good friends know — a person has to be able to make decisions for themselves, especially in matters of the heart.
“At the end of the day, one thing I know is that I can always look myself in the mirror when I trust my spirit — when I trust God, when I ask God, when I move to the beat of my own drum — I can always look and say, ‘I’m proud of that.’ Whatever happens, I have peace in my heart and I have harmony in my heart,” Good said on “Today.”
And if the image in the mirror ever changes, good friends will be there no matter what.
As billionaires traversed rural Idaho for this year’s Allen & Co. Sun Valley conference, one attendee stood out in the crowd of navy pullovers and black t-shirts.
Oprah Produced Mystery, Black Cake, Is Our TV Pick This Week
Oprah Produced Mystery, Black Cake, Is Our TV Pick This Week
Media mogul and one-time talk show host Oprah Winfrey stunned in a monochromatic ensemble – a white sweater, white jeans, white sneakers and a white bag.
Winfrey was accompanied by lifelong best friend Gayle King, who chose a more colorful outfit featuring an argyle sweater, lime green glasses and matching lime green pants. Rounding out their group were CNN anchors Erin Burnett and Van Jones. Burnett stuck to an all navy look, while Jones accessorized with a green vest.
The Sun Valley Conference has been held annually, the week after July 4, for decades. Employees at the nearby Friedman Memorial Airport reportedly refer to the conference as “the annual fly-in event” while others jokingly call it “summer camp for billionaires.”
Most of the week’s agenda is secret and the reporters present are told to stay off-the-record, but it is rumored that Sun Valley was the origin of several high profile mergers and Jeff Bezos’ decision to buy the Washington Post.
Among the names reportedly present at this year’s conference are Disney CEO Bob Iger and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Several prominent politicians, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also scored invites to the event, according to Variety.
While the event’s attendees are disproportionately white and male – reflecting the lack of diversity among the upper echelons of wealth – there are other women present in the quiet Idaho community this week.
Celebrated fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is attending the event with her husband Barry Diller, the chairman of IAC and the Expedia Group. Media executive Shari Redstone is also in town, just days after she agreed to sell her family’s controlling stake in Paramount Global.
Madeline Fitzgerald writes for Quartz, which like The Root, is owned by GO/ Media
Hulu today announced the premiere date and released first-look photos for its highly anticipated original series, “Interior Chinatown.” All ten episodes of the dark comedy mystery will debut on Tuesday, November 19th, exclusively on Hulu.
A Genre-Bending Exploration of Identity
Based on Charles Yu’s award-winning novel of the same name, “Interior Chinatown” takes viewers on a thought-provoking journey with Willis Wu (played by to-be-announced). Willis, an Asian-American actor perpetually relegated to background roles in a black-and-white police procedural called “Black & White,” yearns for a more substantial existence. His life unfolds between the monotony of his day job as a waiter and the unfulfilled promise of his on-screen persona. A chance encounter with a crime, however, catapults Willis into the heart of a complex conspiracy. As he unravels the web of secrets, he uncovers his family’s buried history and grapples with the unfamiliar yet tantalizing reality of being thrust into the spotlight.
A Talented Ensemble and Creative Vision
FIRST LOOK PHOTOS FOR HULU’S ORIGINAL SERIES “INTERIOR CHINATOWN”
FIRST LOOK PHOTOS FOR HULU’S ORIGINAL SERIES “INTERIOR CHINATOWN”
FIRST LOOK PHOTOS FOR HULU’S ORIGINAL SERIES “INTERIOR CHINATOWN”
The series features a stellar cast, including Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, Chloe Bennet, Lisa Gilroy, Sullivan Jones, Archie Kao, and Diana Lin.
Adding further depth to the production is the show’s creative team. Charles Yu, the author of the source material, serves as executive producer alongside a distinguished group: Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore for Rideback; Jeff Skoll, Miura Kite, and Elsie Choi for Participant; Garrett Basch for Dive; and Taika Waititi, who also directed the pilot episode. “Interior Chinatown” is a ten-episode drama produced by 20th Television.
A Show to Watch This Fall
With its unique blend of humor, mystery, and introspective themes, “Interior Chinatown” promises to be a captivating addition to Hulu’s fall slate. The series delves into the complexities of identity, the allure of escaping the mundane, and the unexpected consequences of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. Mark your calendars for November 19th and prepare to be enthralled by “Interior Chinatown” on Hulu.
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated announced a $1 million donation to the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation this week.
The Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation is the organization behind the Women’s Suffrage National Monument, which will honor pioneers of the early American movement for women’s equality. The monument is set to be unveiled in Washington, D.C., in 2027.
The sorority also revealed that its International President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Elsie Cooke-Holmes, along with the 16th National President, Dr. Thelma T. Daley, have been appointed as Ambassadors of the foundation. Furthermore, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has been designated as a National Partner to the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation.
“Delta’s imprint in making the Women’s Suffrage National Monument a reality is a tribute to all Black women whose names may not have made the pages in the history books, nor recognized from a podium,” said Dr. Thelma T. Daley the 16th National President of the sorority.
The sorority is known by many for its early involvement in the Womans Suffrage Movement. In 1913, the sorority’s 22 founders marched with Mary Church Terrell in the Woman Suffrage Parade.
“On that day, the women of Delta cemented their legacy as pioneers whose bravery would come to define Black social activism of the twentieth century and it is our honor to welcome Delta Sigma Theta as a National Partner and to work together to continue that legacy by uplifting all women’s stories out of the footnotes of history and into our collective memory,” said Anna Laymon, the President and CEO of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation.
In a statement, the sorority highlighted the significance of their monetary contribution. “This gift and our role as Ambassadors are a testament to our ongoing commitment to advocacy and education, ensuring the valor and stories of our 22 Founders and other courageous women continue to inspire generations,” read a post on Delta Sigma Theta’s social media.
Dr. Daley underscored the historical importance of Black women in the suffrage movement, stating, “Black women from all walks of life played a pivotal role in the passing and ratification of the 19th Amendment, and as Delta rises, they, too, will rise.”
The donation and partnership reflect Delta Sigma Theta’s dedication to preserving and promoting the legacy of women’s suffrage.
One in 36 children lives with autism spectrum disorder in the United States, including Linda Carpenter-Grantham’s now-adult son Eric. Born with autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), Eric reportedly knew from a young age that “something was different about him” and experienced a lot of bullying as a result.
“When Eric was younger, I noticed there were some things different [about him], and he felt different,” Carpenter-Grantham said in a recent appearance on “The View.” “One of the ways that he felt different was he wasn’t always welcomed to the friend circle with other kids. They didn’t want to play with him because he was different, because he spoke [differently], because he processed information a little different from them.”
Having sensory issues that cause hypersensitivity and heightened sense of hearing, taste, touch and smell, Eric’s tendencies differed from those of non-autistic kids, leading to consistent rejection from his peers in school. While his experiences at school and on the playground hit at his self-esteem, Carpenter-Grantham found that fashion helped her son feel more confident.
“I searched for ways to make him feel confident and special. I noticed when I would dress him up, he would quickly develop high self-esteem,” she said, per the Blue Runway for Autism website. “When he gets dressed up, he would always ask me, ‘Mommy do I look Hollywood?’ My reply is always, ‘Eric — you look Hollywood!’”
When asked how fashion has enhanced his self-confidence, Eric told “The View” co-hosts: “ By wearing the clothes, I felt cool … wearing it, and I felt so proud of myself. That’s when [I said] ‘I’m not scared to show who I am no more. I’m proud to have autism.’”
After seeing the way a nice outfit and cologne made her son feel, Carpenter-Grantham began to wonder what fashion could do to empower other children and individuals with autism and invisible disabilities. She was ultimately inspired to launch Blue Runway for Autism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging positive self-image through fashion. The organization partnered with Macy’s and Maryland venue Lodge 89 to host fashion shows; just as the color blue symbolizes acceptance within the autism community, the events are designed to help those with autism and invisible disabilities accept themselves for who they are.
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“My friends and people with hidden disabilities in the show [feel] amazing when they go out there on that floor, and I just feel joy [watching them],” said Eric of the fashion shows. “Hopefully, in the future, we can take Blue Runway around the world so we can have other kids and people be in the show with autism and hidden disabilities and they can feel like they are welcomed.”
However, Eric and his mom’s activism for people with hidden disabilities expands far beyond the runway. After George Floyd was murdered by law enforcement in 2020, Carpenter-Grantham became hyper-aware of the potential dangers of having a Black son with an invisible disability in America. While having a discussion about what to do in a situation with the police, the mother recalled her son getting emotional.
“He started to cry,” Carpenter-Grantham said, recounting the moment. “He said, ‘I can [follow instructions], but the police will shoot my friends that have autism because they’re different. They’re not going to do what they say, they’re going to run and be scared.”
Realizing that something needed to be done, Eric urged his mom to take him to Congress to speak with Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the House, about ways to train the police to handle people with hidden disabilities. Passionate about this issue, Eric eventually created Eric’s ID law.
“Eric’s ID law is a voluntary selection, [that would] put logos onto IDs like the ’A’ for autism,” said Eric, explaining how the bill would allow people to disclose their disabilities on their ID, whether it be a driver’s license, state ID, school ID, etc.
The mother-son duo has been working to get the bill passed locally with the support of State Delegates Jheanelle Wilkins and Kym Taylor (D-Md.) and Senator William C. Smith Jr. (D-Md.) Though the bill did not pass in the most recent session, Carpenter-Grantham hopes to see it pass in the next session.
“My goal is to empower those with autism/special needs to believe and embrace their own unique abilities to be something simply amazingly beautiful,” she said. “I have been asked ‘Is your son disabled?’ I chose to see him as differently able. I chose to see his autism as a beautiful part of him.”
Love Island USA is heating the summer and streaming charts! According to Nielsen preliminary data, Peacock’s sixth season of the reality dating show has become the #1 reality series across all streaming platforms in the US.
The show, known for its sizzling romance and fierce competition, has also cracked the Top 10 most-watched original series on subscription video on demand (SVOD) since its June 11th premiere.
This season of Love Island USA has smashed records for Peacock, becoming their most-watched and most-discussed series ever. Streaming viewership has doubled compared to previous seasons, proving the show’s enduring popularity.
Hosted by Ariana Madix and narrated by the iconic Iain Stirling, Love Island USA whisks viewers away to a Fijian paradise—new episodes air daily (Thursday-Tuesday) at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT exclusively on Peacock. Fans can also catch up on seasons 4 and 5, now streaming in full.
The series features a group of attractive singles searching for love in a luxurious villa. As they couple up, heart-pounding challenges and shocking twists keep the drama simmering. New bombshells arrive to tempt fate, forcing Islanders to choose between their current partners and exciting new connections. The season finale is set to stream on Sunday, July 21st.
Peacock is now the go-to destination for Love Island fanatics, offering over 200 hours of content. In addition to season 6, viewers can enjoy seasons 4 and 5, the franchise’s first spin-off Love Island Games, UK’s Love Island: All Stars, and seasons from Love Island South Africa and Spain.
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Just about everyone thinks they’ve got a memoir in them, a compelling story of triumph over tragedy guaranteed to sell millions of copies around the world and ultimately become a made-for-tv movie. But the idea is often where it ends, because they don’t know where to start or who to ask for help.
Sabrina Greenlee and Her Story of Survival
Sabrina Greenlee and Her Story of Survival
The Root sat down with activist and inspirational speaker Sabrina Greenlee to talk about the process of writing her new memoir, “Grant Me Vision: A Journey of Family, Faith and Forgiveness.” In the book, Greenlee shares her inspirational story of growing up in South Carolina and overcoming poverty, abuse, and a horrific attack that left her blind to raise four successful children – including NFL star DeAndre Hopkins.
As she prepares to share her story with the world this month, Greenlee gave us her top tips for turning your memoir writing dreams into reality.
Get Help From a Good Ghostwriter
Greenlee gives credit to her ghostwriter, The Root’s Editor-in-Chief and South Carolina native, Tatsha Robertson with helping her bring her story to life. She said it was important for her to work with a Black person – specifically one from the South – who could help her capture the essence of what her life was like growing up in Clemson, South Carolina. And after meeting with Robertson, Greenlee said it was her answer to one important question that let her know she was the one.
“I said, I’m going to ask her how she cooks her collard greens. And I knew she was my girl when we could hold a conversation about collard greens,”she said.
Greenlee adds that working with a ghostwriter you trust can help you self-edit and really hone in on the most important details of your story.
“This is my first book, so I had to understand that everything I talk about isn’t going to make the cut,” she said. “In my mind, it’s my story, so everything is important. But Tatsha was very careful about putting in the things that were most important to me.”
Photo: Courtesy of subject
Stick to a Schedule
Even if writing is your full-time job, it’s important to make sure you carve out time for research, conducting interviews, and yes, writing your memoir. Greenlee says she and her ghostwriter made an outline of the things they wanted to cover in the book and then worked together to schedule times to talk about each topic. Although she says the process was tedious, the time they spent planning paid off because the schedule made them accountable.
“There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears on her end and mine,” she said.
Put Your All Into Your Proposal
Writing a great story is only part of the process. You also have to secure a deal with a publisher to get your book to the masses. Greenlee says the key to getting a great deal is having a great proposal – essentially a business plan for your book. She worked with her ghostwriter to submit three full chapters, a table of contents, an in-depth outline of the book and a marketing plan to build a strong case for her book for potential publishers.
“We wrote an amazing proposal and we were confident that someone would read what we wrote and be able to take it to the next level,” she said.
Greenlee says her agent helped her set up interviews with major publishing houses to present her proposal. And because she wanted to put her best foot forward, she prepared tirelessly for each meeting with the help of a speaking coach. But she says the connection with HarperCollins was instant and she was ecstatic to work with them.
“They knew this was going to be an amazing book and they needed to hear me say that I was committed to the process and willing to make it come to life,” she said.
Deal With the Feels
Writing a memoir can force the author to relive difficult and sometimes downright painful moments, something Greenlee knows firsthand. Greenlee says it wasn’t always easy to conjure up memories of the abuse and the painful attack she suffered, adding that she dealt with moments of doubt about how others – particularly members of her family – would receive her story.
“I didn’t know what to expect and there are some things that I still haven’t told people that they’re going to find out when they read the book,” she said.
But Greenlee says despite those moments of doubt, it’s important to stand by your story and be confident that your memoir is your truth. She credits her ghostwriter with helping her work through that difficulty.
“It’s so hard because when you’re unveiling your entire body, mind and soul and putting it on these pages, you have to have somebody who’s understanding and can say I’ve got your back even when you don’t have your back,” she said.
Let it Go
Although you may never feel like your story is perfect, there comes a time when you have to let it go. Once your book is ready for market, all you can do is let it go and hope readers will feel a connection with your words.
Greenlee says she wants readers of “Grant Me Vision” to be inspired by her story and know that it’s never too late to turn your life around.
“As long as you’re on this Earth, there’s still time to get it right,” she said. “You always have a second chance at getting it right as long as you’re breathing. You just have to make that choice and want to change.”
