::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin Peel back all of Jasmine Guy's layers and at her core you will find an artiste.  During our interview, I deciphered Guy meant it when she stated, "I am art"  on the spoken word recording of “My Language” (from the album “Medicine” by the Black Academy of Arts and Letters).   She has not begun to get the credit she deserves for contributions in music, dance, and theater. This Women's History Month we salute Ms. Guy for evolving an eclectic collage  of work into a legacy of which we can all be proud. Guy is most "unsung" as a dancer.  Dancing, which she continues to teach, was her first love.  Her career as a professional dancer started when she prodigiously arabesqued her way into the renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Theater at 15.    At forty something, the divorcee and mother of 12-year-old Imani was still doing cart wheels and splits as Thelma Kelly in the Broadway production of “C...

buzzz worthy. . . Richard Fliehr, the 25-year-old son of wrestling legend "The Nature Boy"  Ric Flair has died.  Police were called to a hotel in Charlotte, NC this morning where his non-responsive body was discovered in a room. They determined the deceased was the WWE Hall of Famer's son, who is also known by the ring name Reid Flair.   Legacy Talent and Entertainment, LLC   released the following message on Facebook: We are heartbroken to confirm that Ric's son, Reid Fliehr, has passed away today March 29, 2013 in Charlotte, NC. The investigation into the cause of death is ongoing. Reid was 25 and an incredible son, brother, friend, and professional wrestler. No words can describe the grief that Ric and his family are experiencing and they do request privacy during this devastating time. According to Ring Digest , the younger Flair had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.  At press time the cause of death is unknown. This case is under invest...

buzzz worthy. . . At a swearing in ceremony Wednesday Julia Pierson became the first woman to lead the Secret Service.  Pierson is the former Chief of Staff of the agency.  The appointment by President Obama comes as Women's History Month nears its end. President Obama described Pierson as someone who was highly qualified and had paid her dues, saying she had worked just about every job in the agency.  Prior to her current role, from 2006 to 2008, she served as USSS Assistant Director of the Office of Human Resources and Training.  Ms. Pierson’s previous leadership roles within the USSS include:  Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Protective Operations (2005-2006), Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Administration (2001-2005), and Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Protective Operations (2000-2001).  Ms. Pierson joined the USSS in 1983 as a Special Agent in Miami, Florida.  Prior to joining the USSS, Ms. Pierson was a polic...

buzzz worthy. . . WASHINGTON (March 27, 2013 ) -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announced today that Roland S. Martin, nationally syndicated columnist, television host, and radio and television commentator, is to receive the organization's Journalist of the Year award. It is one of NABJ's most coveted honors celebrating the accomplishments of black journalists and those who support blacks in the media. Martin was selected for the award by NABJ's Board of Directors. Martin currently is host and managing editor of TV One's Washington Watch with Roland Martin, and a senior analyst for The Tom Joyner Morning Show. He is also a nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate and a contributor to CNN. "Roland Martin has had an enviable career as a multimedia journalist, becoming a respected and trusted voice in print, on air and online," said NABJ President Gregory Lee, Jr. "He is unapologetic about his quest to provide w...

buzzz worthy. . . Yesterday, when the news spread that Kordell Stewart filed for  divorce, his wife Porsha heard about those plans in the media too.  We have since learned  from various reports that the former Pittsburg Steeler had no intention of paying spousal support to Porsha and the couple did not sign a pre-nup . All of these details blind-sighted the RHOA star, but in an interview with CocoaFab  Attorney Randall Kessler implies his client should not be worried. Read an excerpt for the interview below: Despite being shocked and caught off guard upon hearing that her husband of two years had filed for divorce, Porsha Stewart has to put on her big girl panties and get ready to fight. And it looks like she's doing just that. CocoaFab  spoke exclusively this morning with Georgia's leading family attorney Randall Kessler, who also represented NeNe Leakes in her divorce. While Mr. Kessler said that he will be issuing a statement with Porsha later ...

buzzz worthy. . . This is the faith-based reality show I have been waiting for. . .one that openly applies the spirituality and Christian principles to the life challenges that families face. . . presenting THE SHEARDS , airing  on BET on April 7. Take a look at the trailer by clicking the graphic below! THE SHEARDS  is a weekly docu-drama following the lives of the Sheard family as they navigate family, friends, and faith in a modern world. Meet  Kierra “KiKi” Sheard (24)  and her brother , J. Drew (22).  As the kids of  First Lady Karen Clark Sheard , one of gospel’s most powerful women and  Bishop J. Drew Sheard , a mega-church pastor in Detroit, these kids face a responsibility unlike any other. And as they continue to grow and face the ups and downs of becoming an adult, they’ll show us the choices they make as they learn life’s lessons, in many cases the hard way.  THE SHEARDS  will examine a family’s dynamic on a multige...

buzzz worthy. . .  Diana Ross turned 69 years old today ans she still looks like a boss!  Wonder if we'll get new music from her before this decade is over?

buzzz worthy. . . The Independent Showcase presents Connected 2 Calvary Vol 3 The Best Independent Gospel Artists All On One CD! The Independent Showcase presents  Connected 2 Calvary  Vol 3,  an all-new CD sampler that features the latest tracks from some of the best independent artists and rising talents. The free music series is produced by  Fred Stewart  of Divine Music Productions and hosted by  "Wanda P" Patterson  who is the host of The Independent Showcase – a one hour radio show that features music from indie Gospel and Christian artists, interviews, music industry tips and more. “I’m a fan of this amazing series.  Some of these artists I’ve heard before and some are new to me, but every CD is packed with some great music.”   Roderick Jemison , President – Jemison & Associates. Connected 2 Calvary Vol 3  captures the essence of gospel music by collectively blending Praise and Worship, contemporar...

buzzz worthy. . . This year the IRS expects to receive more than 147 million tax returns. Of those filing returns, at least 75% will receive a refund.  Bestselling authors and money relationship experts ,   The Money Couple®  (Scott & Bethany Palmer), agree that most husband and wives agree that taxes are a pain, but that’s where their similar viewpoints usually end. As with most money matters, couples approach money differently, and with that comes relationship challenges. Knowing your Primary and Secondary Money Personalities™ helps you both understand those different viewpoints and how they work together when it comes to taxes. The Money Couple   has dedicated their lives to helping others strengthen their relationships. During their four combined decades as financial planners, they witnessed an increasing trend of marriages ending in divorce over money. So after years of research and work with a statistical scientist, they created  The 5 Money...

buzzz worthy. . . Cadbury eggs are not the only chocolates making their rounds this Easter season. Belgians may need to count calories when addressing their mail.  The Belgian Post office has  issued 538,000 Chocolate-flavored stamps.  The stamps smell and taste like chocolate.   They were created by a team of   smell and taste experts from Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands and work like a regular stamp -- just lick and stick. The candy stamps are being sold in sets of 5 for $8.00 (6.2 euros.)

buzzz worthy. . . The honeymoon phase and the marriage are over for the latest cast members on the Real Housewives of Atlanta.  Ex-NFL baller Kordell Stewart has filed for a divorce from his wife, Porsha according to AccessAtlanta.com . Mr. Stewart filed a petition for divorce March 22 in Fulton County Court citing the marriage is "irretrievably broken." Throughout the season, fellow cast members were somewhat critical of  Porsha's traditional role. She was the only "real housewife," opting to stay at home and cater to her  husband's every need. On a girls trip to Vegas her older peers were upset that she refused to attend a strip club outing because her hubby would not approve. The ladies attempted to impart the importance of being independent to Porsha.  Porsha fought back saying that as a Christian she felt obligated to obey her husband and felt called to be a positive role model for other young women.   In the eyes of many viewers, Porsha was ...

buzzz worthy. . . President Obama issued official proclamations for the building of five national monuments including the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, San Juan National Monument, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, First State National Monument and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument. A protected area in Maryland's Eastern Shore will be home to the National Harriet Tubman Monument & Memorial Park.  The site is near land where the emancipation heroine escaped from slavery and returned to set others free via a covert communication network known as the "Underground Railroad." The document designating building of the memorial follows in its entirety: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HARRIET TUBMAN -- UNDERGROUND RAILROAD NATIONAL MONUMENT - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Harriet Tubman is an American hero. She was born enslaved, liberated herself, and returned to the area of...